Gift Suggestions
I’m not against giving business associates gifts. I just always felt that business gift giving for the holidays is a load of crap. The bottle of booze or box of grapefruit for a client was cheesy.
If you were a good vendor then you gave you clients the best service and the best deal you could. If a gift was going to make or break your business relationship then you were skating of thin ice anyway.When I gave gifts I wanted to pick something out for the individual. Rather than get all esoteric I’ll stick to the material and useful. My favorite gifts are books and wine. Occasionally, I’ll give a hand picked food basket. I know these gifts say more about me than the people I’m gifting, big deal.
Right now wine selection is fabulous and inexpensive. I’m partial to reds, because they are good and good for you. You can get some great wines between $10 and $20 per bottle. Whites are cheaper. (There are some wonderful table wines for less than $10.) The great thing is you can give more than one type. Sometimes I’ll give three or four just because I know I’d like them. Go to a good wine store and ask them to help you out. I like picking the bottles that have been marked down because there are only a few bottles left and they can’t make up a case. Buy some to give and some of the same to drink. That way you can spot a stinker or something that is too good to give away. Either way it’s a personal gift and you’ll feel better about it.
Books are more difficult than wine except if you have someone who does not imbibe. One big hint, make sure you read the book before you give it. I got skunked on a rave review in Time on a book by some guy who wrote for the New York Times. The book was terrible and the review all hype.
Books I’ve read and liked.
For Fun
Pagan Babies by Elmore Leonard
Almost anything by Elmore Leonard
The Fearless Jones series by Walter Mosley and all of his other early mysteries.
Double Play by Robert B. Parker. Some of his standard work is very predictable, but this book shows his love for his subject. Lots of heart under the leathery exterior.
For Business
Making Decisions in Business and Life by David Henderson and Charles Hooper is the best business book I’ve read in twenty years. Short, to the point, well written. A compilation of some very mature thinking about how to make critical decisions in business and life. If you understand what they have to say it will take you a long way. If you don’t then someone who does is going to eat your lunch.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. Nothing you don’t know or haven’t though of just all wrapped up in a nice package. Never read another of his books. They are just a rehash.
Thriving On Chaos by Tom Peters. Long, detailed and the examples are getting dated, but the most complete reference book for the entrepreneur I’ve come across. When Peters was asked by a budding entrepreneur what to do first he said “Everything.” That sounds glib, but it depends on the situation.
In between
The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt and Jeff Cox is a novel about manufacturing. Besides being a good book on manufacturing it’s a great book on how to think about business and life. Quick easy read, but you’ll want to do it three or four times to get everything.
Freakonomics by Stevens Levitt and Dubner. It’s not a real business book, but it’s about how the real world operates. The examples are riveting and the analysis is ruthless. Levitt was invited to be on GW Bush’s Council of Economic Advisors until they read this book. A must for every independent thinker on your list, but sure to offend those who are not.
If your giftee liked Freakonomics they might like these three DVD’s
One Nigh At McCool’s Women don’t generally like it because it shows they can be as ruthless as men.
Thank You For Smoking A truly gifted salesman at his best, telling the complete truth all the time.
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POSTED IN: Associates, Customers, Marketing, Networking
1 opinion for Gift Suggestions
Pimp Your Work - Our first Biz Channel Theme Day … Holilday gifts
Dec 12, 2006 at 10:14 am
[…] Jim on Small Busienss Boomers is a man after my own heart. Give people books. Perfect. He has some great suggestions for books to give, but before he gets to that, he says something really important: […]
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