Gift Hampers Australia

OK, so its now officially the second half of the calendar year & your boss has come to you with the ominous task of organising Christmas gifts for your clients or staff or both!

You think to yourself; No problem.. Christmas is weeks away. No need to worry about this until November or December. Besides, that’s when I will get the best deal right?

Don’t be so sure. Organising Corporate Christmas gifts can be ever so daunting. It takes up time, can be stressful and most importantly, the responsibility that comes with choosing gifts to reflect your business not only will affect the reputation of your business but also your reputation.

You have to get it right, but with so many factors to consider, where do you start? By following a few simple steps, you can have your Christmas gifts organised and leave plenty of time to plan for your holidays.

Tip 1 – Leave yourself plenty of time.

Start looking around nice and early. Usually September or October is the best time to start. Most established gift basket companies will have their ranges available by the end of August. Remember, you can always request a specific delivery date, so you can place your order as early as you like. Most companies will offer you substantial discounts for ordering early and by doing so; it will also ensure that the whole range is available to you.

Tip 2 – Don’t always buy on price.

As tempting as it may be to go with the cheapest offer, be prepared to sacrifice on quality if you do. The phrase “you get what you pay for” applies just as much to the gift basket industry as it does to any other industry. In fact probably more so. By going with the cheapest option, you will most certainly be sacrificing quality or service or both. Just remember, the gifts you are sending are a reflection of your company so you want to ensure that every aspect of quality and service is maintained. That’s not to say you shouldn’t negotiate a good price. Just be careful not to go with a company that slashes its price just to get your business. This is a warning sign of a young and inexperienced operator. Most established companies know what it costs to provide the level of service you require and so charge accordingly.

Tip 3 – Choosing your supplier

Make sure you choose the right supplier. When looking for a provider, ask yourself these questions:

• Does this supplier have a business premise or are they working out of a home? This is very important as home based suppliers are not equipped to manage large corporate orders. Always check the address of the business. A PO Box is a sign that the operator is working out of a residential premises.
• Is the supplier an established business? If the operator is new to the industry it is likely they lack the experience needed to manage corporate Christmas orders.
• Does this supplier have a proven track record? A simple read of their testimonials page should give you an idea of how other customers experiences have been. Ensure however that the testimonials are genuine and if unsure, ask the supplier to clarify that the posted testimonials are genuine. Another good indicator is a business award.
• Do the gifts look professional? Quality images and quality items are a good indicator that the gifts will be professional. Ask the supplier to provide you with an image that shows the finished, decorated hampers so you know what you will be getting.
• Will I get the service I deserve? Ask the supplier for turnarounds times. How long will it take to get my order made up and delivered? Make sure the supplier has a strong guarantee and that your order is insured. Check the trading terms and company policy to ensure you are fully covered should there be any issues. Ensure you have an industry expert dedicated to your order that you can contact at any time.

Tip 4 – Ask for advice.

Once you have chosen your supplier, ask them for suggestions that work within your budget and make it very clear to them your requirements. Are you looking for a special theme or style? Alcohol or no alcohol – Do all your recipients drink? Basket or box? Do you want your Christmas gifts branded with your company logo or colours. Do you have your own promotional material or business cards that you would like to be included in the gift. Remember the gift is a message from you and your business; not the gift supplier.

A good gift basket company will work very closely with you to ensure your requirements are met. Use their experience to assist your decision making any way you can.

Tip 5 – Be organised.

Now that you have decided on a supplier and have decided on the gift you are after, take the time to clearly write your recipient details on a form and double check the addresses are current. The last thing you want is problems with delivery and incorrect delivery locations. This may result in delivery delays. Ask your supplier for a multiple order form to complete and double check with your supplier that all your gifts will be as ordered and will be delivered on time.

By following these simple steps, the task or arranging your company Christmas gifts will be a lot simpler than you ever imagined. You will have happy clients, happy staff, a happy company and will ensure the build up to your Christmas holidays is as stress free as can be.

Angus Watts

Business & Marketing Manager at Hobby Hampers Australia