Gift for my business client

[businessowner350]

My single business client was very kind to pass my name onto another business, who I am very close to striking a business deal with.

We're not talking big money here, and the new deal is worth about the same as my current business client.

Nonetheless, I have to somehow gift a token of thanks to him.

Any ideas on what business owners appreciate?


To give you an idea, I provide IT services and the deals are worth about £50/month

Cheers

[Ralph at NWL]

I work on the referal principle quite a bit. I generally try to get a gift that is personal to the client rather than something that is business related. Do you know what type of things your client currently enjoys? Are they a book lover, do they love films or theatre? Perhaps they play golf? I have generally found that some kind of voucher works best in these cases. If you now the client likes good wine or scotch then that can be a good idea as well. I have also used Red Letter day vouchers if I want to spend a bit more.

[businessowner350]

Hmm I think he is a wine lover but I have *no idea* about wine.
I know he would really love a new PC, but my ideal budget for him is around £150, and a PC is £350, a bit too pricey I think given the amount of money I'm making in the new deal

[ThePublisher]

I wouldn't have thought you need to spend 3 months revenue on your client as a thank you. You can get some nice mixed cases of wine from the likes of Virgin wines for about £50 a case. There's bound to be something in there he will enjoy and maybe some new ones he hasn't tried before.

The thought that you have made the effort to arrange for a gift as a thank you will be enough. I was sent a bottle of champagne and some chocolates by one of my customers at Christmas. It made my day.

[businessowner350]

I should probably mention that I'm getting an inital sum of £2000 from this new business customer.

Still think £150 is too much?

:)

[ThePublisher]

Only you can decide that.

[businessowner350]

Since I'm just starting out, and they guy has trusted me with an awful lot, I think that £150 is well deserved.

In an ideal world, I'd get him a £150 Dell Voucher. Do Dell do vouchers?

I can't find them anywhere :(

[Ben8472]

We use Love2Shop vouchers, it's a high street voucher which can be used in dozens of major high street chains - http://www.love2reward.co.uk/gift-vouchers/love2shop-vouchers (http://www.love2reward.co.uk/rewards/)

List of shops you can spend them in http://www.love2reward.co.uk/rewards/redeemers/love2shop-redeemer-list.jsp

We send them out for both referrals and valid complaints.

You can buy the gift vouchers online in multiples of £10, so you could send them £150 worth if you wish, I am sure the client would shop in those stores throughout their day to day life.

Hope this helps

Ben.

[applemaidcleaning]

My single business client was very kind to pass my name onto another business, who I am very close to striking a business deal with.

We're not talking big money here, and the new deal is worth about the same as my current business client.

Nonetheless, I have to somehow gift a token of thanks to him.

Any ideas on what business owners appreciate?


To give you an idea, I provide IT services and the deals are worth about £50/month

Cheers

I would find out if they have kids and ages and get them a gift!! i do this with my clients - it builds a good working relationship and you become more - how can i say- more hard to brush off in future! :-)

[patientlady]

Since I'm just starting out, and they guy has trusted me with an awful lot, I think that £150 is well deserved.

In an ideal world, I'd get him a £150 Dell Voucher. Do Dell do vouchers?

I can't find them anywhere :(
Perhaps to generous, when he probably understands that you are just starting out. Dell vouchers are very specific, particularly if he doesn't want a Dell! I like the idea of the case of wine - yummy:D

[Ben8472]

I personally don't like the idea of giving alcohol as a gift, it's a horrible gift in my opinion, certainly when so many people choose not to drink or have had past problems with drinking, unless you know him really well, I would stick to something more generic which everyone would be happy to receive - then you can't go wrong really.

I still think the Love2Shop vouchers are the best idea, plus Laithwaites also accept them so if he does want wine he can use them to buy a case.

You said the deal he got you was worth £2k - Is this revenue or profit? I would personally not spend more than 10-15% of profit on a referral reward. Perhaps even just 5% if he's not expecting any sort of gift.

You are a business - it's silly to spend more than you absolutely have to, I would not spend too much on him unless you think he may refer more client's to you in the future.

Ben

[WarringtonWebsiteDesign]

Consider this.

Customer 1 has referred customer 2. He has told him how great you are etc etc and customer 2 has given you his business. You reward customer 1 with £150 in vouchers

In 6 months time customer 2 refers customer 3 to you. You reward customer 2 with £100 in vouchers.

Another 6 months pass and customer 1 and 2 are chatting and the rewards come up. Will you have an unhappy and less valued customer who was less rewarded?

Personally I would go with something personal upto say £50 but not something with the price all over it like vouchers. That way customers will always have something that means something to them not just a monetary token and if they discuss them at a later date both will feel equally valued.

[eddyruby]

Only you can decide that.

[horseclick]

do not spend too much

a personal touch will be much appreciated though you don't need to dig so deep into your pocket to buy it