Father's Day - June 21, 2009

Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope. ~Bill Cosby

Whatever the reasons may ultimately be, a lot of confusion exists around the celebration of "DAD" on Father's Day.

Whether our client is honoring their father, their step-father, uncle, brother, or even that special "father figure" in their life...if they are struggling, it typically all comes down to two questions: 1.) "When is Father's Day anyway?" and 2.) "What in the world do I get my dad for Father's Day?"


When is Father's Day?
Father's Day is celebrated woldwide on various dates throughout the year, although the majority of countries, including the U.S., celebrate Father's Day on the 3rd Sunday in June...

2009 - Sunday, June 21st
2010 - Sunday, June 20th
2011 - Sunday, June 19th
2012 - Sunday, June 17th

What to get Dad for Father's Day?
Don't stress. I think most dads would agree that the best gift of all would be the opportunity to spend time together. But if that is not possible, and if you've decided to purchase a gift for Father's Day, a little bit of planning goes a long way and ensures that you don't have to settle for last-minute "just" gifts (ie. "I'm just going to get him _____.")

Start by collecting a few facts:
A.) What does your dad like to do (favorite hobbies and activities)? Is he a sports nut, golfer, outdoor enthusiast, movie buff, biker, chocoholic?
B.) Has he dropped any hints lately (favorite new restaurant, broken tool, concert coming to town, etc.)
C.) What is your budget?

Now that you have a general theme, direction and budget...get creative! Remember, you don't have to "go big" or spend a lot of money to make a big impression; think Timing, Customization and Personalization.


unique gifts and gift baskets
Arizona Native * Arizona Company * Arizona Products

www.MRDesignsandGifts.com
Studio: 602.266.5572

Hold On To The Clients You Have

-By Raymond "Chip" Lambert

Did you know that it is more expensive to acquire new clients than to service and take care of the ones that you already have? If you know your cost to acquire new clients (the cost to acquire the lead plus the value of the time you spend to convert that lead) you can easily see that making small investments in the relationships you already have can cost you much less and yield you much more, via relationship referrals, than simply getting caught in the transaction trap of constantly acquiring and losing clients. The Top 5 things you can do to set up a "Thank You" program:

1. Get to know your clients. Find out how they liked to be thanked. Find out their birthdays and anniversaries. Find out what is important to them. Then put a plan together to give it to them.

2. Research your options. There are all kinds of things you can do: send custom gift baskets, send cards, email drip campaigns, brownies, referral programs, etc. Spend some time and examine what you could be doing.

3. Systematize your choices. Will you do something monthly? Will you do something quarterly? Write it out and systematize it. There are lots of great programs out there that allow you to set it and forget it. It goes to work FOR you.

4. Make personal outreach calls. Personal touches far outweigh impersonal touches - so pick up the phone and talk with your customers. Find out how they are doing and help them be successful - even if they don't buy this time. It's hard for a competitor to replicate that kind of relationship.

5. Get on LinkedIn and Facebook and get connected to your customers. Increasingly, your customers are moving to online social networks.. They'll share a wealth of information that will help you better serve them and build the kind of relationships that last a lifetime.

It doesn't matter if you can't invest a sizeable sum in each client. Just make sure that it's less than or equal to your current cost of client acquisition. Doing something is better than doing nothing. So stop what you're doing, take 30 minutes to begin implementing something, and harvest the results for years to come.


Raymond Chip Lambert is a business development expert who works with professionals to leverage the relationships they already have. His clients experience dramatic increases in profitable business by implementing time tested strategies and leveraging new technologies. He can be reached by email at chip@network2networth.com or by phone 602-635-4541

A Client's Poem

We have the best clients in the world! Today we received a poem written by one of our clients named Amy Betancourt, licensed massage therapist with Integrative Body Work in Phoenix. We were so honored to receive such a cute, clever and thoughtful testimonial, that we asked Amy if we could publish the poem for all to see....

* * * * *
Graduation, Father's Day,
Baby Showers, the 5th of May.
A special occasion or "just because" -
You'll be a GIVER like there never was.

Chocolate strawberries and coffee galore,
Wine & Champagne for the one you adore.
Bubble bath and cactus jelly,
Delicious sweets to fill your belly.

Give a custom basket to a client or friend
It's the most creative thing to send.
Look like a hero, the ultimate giver.
M.R. Designs & Gifts, The "WOW Factor" ~ Delivered!

* * * * *

THANKS AMY!!

Guys With Game

Yes, Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Are you dreading this weekend? Are your plans all in place? Guys, you don't have to "go big" to make a big splash. Some thought and a little bit of planning can really go a long way to making a BIG impression - am I right girls? Following is a recent press release comparing Valentine's Day to a football game. I hope you can use some of the ideas below to put the finishing touches on your "game plan"...THE SOONER THE BETTER!

Guys With Game
Are you a Major Player?

January 2009 (Phoenix, AZ) - Valentine's Day can be compared to "The Big Game"...it's not always the biggest and strongest player that makes the touchdown, it's the player who's got the right moves.

Here are three easy steps to keeping your Valentine's Day celebration on budget and still make a big impression:

1. Have a Game Plan & Avoid the "Audible"
Show up to the big game without a playbook and you're in big trouble, the whole team suffers. A little bit of planning and you can be yards ahead on game day.

IDEAS:
Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year - Get more for your money and order early! Please do not wait until Saturday and then pick up a gift at the same place you get your groceries. (Think of the impression that makes on your sweetie.)

Place your requests today and get the gift you want - A lot of the best companies sell-out each Valentine's. Don't settle for last-minute leftovers.

2. Study the Other Team & Customize Your Offense
Is your "big play" going to end up on the highlight reel or the bloopers?

IDEAS:
Know your sweetie's weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Take a moment to think...did she subtly point out her favorite champagne at the store last week? Did she just happen to mention her ring size in a conversation recently? Pay attention.

Personalize, personalize, personalize!

3. After the TD...Go for the Extra Point
Now that you've picked the perfect play, get the most impact for your hard work...it's all in the timing!

IDEAS:
Plan your gift to arrive at your sweetie's place of work, or other public place, for the most "oohs and aahs". Better yet, get dressed up and deliver it yourself.

Dinner at a restaurant? How about delivering a small gift, or simple handwritten card, to the restaurant to be waiting at your table.

Planning a big Valentine's weekend? Send a small gift as a "teaser" to your sweetie's office so he/she can show it off to friends.

Staying at a Valley resort for the weekend? Have chocolate-dipped strawberries delivered to your room.

I hope these ideas were helpful.

Now as far as the Endzone Dance. . .You're on your own for that one!!

unique gifts and gift baskets
Arizona Native * Arizona Company * Arizona Products

Contact Information:
M.R. Designs & Gifts
Jenifer Anseth
http://www.mrdesignsandgifts.com/

admin@MRDesignsandGifts.com
602.266.5572

European Style Gift Hampers

While assisting clients this past holiday season, we had the pleasure of working with several International vendors for deliveries in each of their respective countries, including places like Ireland, New Zealand, France and England. In fact, one day our staff calculated that we had coordinatined gifts across a total of 30 different cities, 14 states, 5 countries on 4 continents, that day alone!

The European Style Gift Hamper is different from an American-style "Gift Basket" in that the gourmet products are arranged neatly and completely down inside of a trunk or "hamper" style container, lid shut, and tied around with a simple bow. This style elminiates excess filler, packaging and wrap and also makes for a smaller parcel for shipping - using a smaller box and eliminating excess packaging.

Sample of a European Gift Hamper (France)

Since it has long been our effort to Reduce * Reuse * Recycle, and inspired by our foreign counterparts, we are adding a selection of European Style Gift Hampers (with our own Arizona flair, of course) to our catalog, as well as a variety of other options of "gift baskets" that utilize trays, platters and even some "basketless" designs!

Watch our website for more details...

Cultural Business Gift Giving

Sending a gift to a client or business with a cultural distinctiveness can pose some challenges, but can be very rewarding if proper consideration is taken. The following tips can help to ease the tension that may arise when considering a gift of ethnic or cultural uniqueness. It may also help to inform you of your client or business partner's particular preferences, and therefore create a closer relationship of appreciation and understanding.

Do some research. The uncertainty of how a gift will be received by a client or business with a cultural distinctiveness can be eased by some simple research of their culture. Certain foods restrictions, presentation rituals, and/or religious considerations may need to be accounted for depending on the occasion, time of year and belief system.

• The Jewish/Israeli Client- It is appropriate to send food to the home of a Jewish family during times of sympathy or condolence; remembering to be respectful of any dietary restrictions. Consider sending a kosher gift to the Jewish or Israeli client.
  



• The French Client- When sending a business gift to a French client, do not include a business card. This is considered improper according to French business etiquette.
  



• The Asian Client- Gifts are traditionally given in Asia at the start of a new relationship or at the end of a successful meeting. This is an expression of both hope in a prosperous future as well as friendship.
  



• The Japanese Client- A gift exchange is a strong symbol of a solid business relationship and is an integral part of the Japanese business process.
  



• The Chinese Client- The Chinese custom is to refuse a gift when presented, but don't stop offering. To avoid the appearance of greed, the Chinese will refuse a gift three times before accepting. When the gift is accepted, make certain to say how very pleased you are. Although reciprocal gift exchange is considered proper etiquette, if you are offered a gift it is expected that you also refuse in the same manner.
  



• The Taiwanese Client- The Taiwanese business culture also includes the popular practice of reciprocal gift giving. It is wise to have a varied array of gifts readily available in the event that you are the recipient of an unexpected gift.
  



• The Indonesian Client- Presenting a modest but thoughtful gift representing your country or company at the first meeting indicates your desire to develop a long-term business relationship. However, if invited by your Indonesian business partner to a dinner party, wait until after the party to send an appropriate gift, perhaps a small fruit arrangement; otherwise, it may be interpreted as an insult as to the adequacy of your host's hospitality.

http://www.mrdesignsandgifts.com/

General Tips on Business Gifting Etiquette

During the holiday season, business owners naturally incline their thoughts toward showing their appreciation for relationships developed over the past year; or even sharing the anticipation of a deeper or renewed relationship in the coming year. Ideally, the gifts you select should be a reflection of your thoughtfulness, creativity and good taste. The "Tips on Business Gifting Etiquette" assembled here can be useful through the business gifting process.

• Avoid the "Oops" - Many companies (for example government and media outlets) have limiting or prohibitive gift acceptance policies in place. Prior to sending a gift, it is always a good idea to contact the recipient's company regarding any gift acceptance policies that may exist in order to avoid your recipient having to decline or refuse your gift.




• Make It Unique- The gift you choose to send is as much a reflection of you and your company as any other marketing in which you participate. Therefore, try to personalize a business gift so that it reflects your unique image. Use your imagination and creativity to customize your gift so that it makes an impression while it shows appreciation.




• The Repeat Offender- You obviously think highly of your client or you would not be sending a gift. However, if your client receives the same gift from you each year, the gift may be viewed as obligatory or can give a false impression of the value you place on the business relationship.




• Do Some Research- Job duties, personal interests and recipient's location are only a few of the attributes that could be factored into selecting your recipient's gift. Need help with some gifting suggestions? Feel free to consult with our Studio for ideas.
  
Gluten-Free Gift Basket


• Timing is Everything- Sending the appropriate business gift at the right time will always make an impression, especially gifts of appreciation. One caveat, however, would be sending a business gift to a business partner during business negotiations. This can be viewed as bribery. Avoid large, expensive gifts at this time if one must be sent and consider the occasion.



• The Relationship Value- Every business relationship is valuable. A business gift should reflect the value you place on the client; the more respected the client, the more attention and personality that should go into the gift.




• Attention To Detail- Names are very important. Make certain that you have the correct spelling of both the recipient and the company name when sending a personalized gift.

We hope that these tips help to make your business gifting easier. If you decide that a gift basket is the right gift choice for you, well just call our Studio and we will assist you in any way we can. http://www.mrdesignsandgifts.com/