A Quick Guide to Meaningful Giving
3 Tips to Set Your Business Gifts Apart
No matter what else we associate with the holidays – time with family, a break from the grind, great food, or traditions and celebrations – one of the strongest associations we have is that of giving gifts. The end of the year is notoriously famous for the year’s biggest spike in retail spending. In fact, giving gifts has gone beyond the realm of family and friends and entered into the business world.
Businesses from small to large use this as a time to show appreciation to clients, vendors, customers and employees by giving gifts of all sizes, shapes and varieties. In fact, business gift-giving has become such a trend, it’s difficult to stand apart from the pack and have your generous gesture hit the mark. That’s why many businesses are thinking beyond the norm, striving to find just the right gift. Here’s a quick guide to help you give meaningful business gifts this holiday season.
1. Make a list. The first step to giving meaningful gifts is to make a list of every business or individual you want to give a gift to. Then, highlight your star clients and customers. If it’s a large list, create different categories or types of gifts. This can help you create a custom effect even if you don’t have the time or money to give each person something different. Depending on the size of your staff, you can organize your employee list similarly. Creating a workable list will help you prioritize your giving, give a variety of gifts, and still stay on budget.
2. Understand the recipient. To add meaning, give gifts that demonstrate your understanding of who it’s being given to. For example, some gifts you will give to an individual, and others will go to a group of people. If you are targeting a specific decision-maker within a company, it’s okay to give an individual gift such as a nice desk piece, unique plant, or hobby-related item. But, if your gift is going to an office, give gifts that everyone can enjoy, such as food, flavored coffees and teas, or a gift certificate for a pizza party. By understanding the recipient, you can give gifts that are targeted to many factors such as gender, location, interest, and beyond, making your gifts truly meaningful to receive.
3. Add a personal touch. The most meaningful gifts are those hand selected for each person on your list. For some, such as your star customers, or for that client you really want to land, consider purchasing a special gift specifically related to their interests. This will help you make a connection with them and enhance your relationship. Unless your list is small, you won’t have time to do this for everyone, but you can still add a personal touch to every gift you give. Handwrite a note specifically tailored to each recipient. Consider having yourself or someone from your office hand deliver gifts for that extra-special touch.
The key to giving meaningful gifts is to put some thought into the process. After all, when it comes to business gifts, it truly is the thought that counts, because it’s what will differentiate your gift from all the rest.
Become Highly Valued by Providing Solutions
7 Tips for Solving Problems
No matter what type of business you’re in, one of the most important things you do is solve problems. Whether you provide products to improve people’s lives or services to help them, solutions are at the heart of all organizations – whether they are businesses, non-profits, or government agencies. The best products and services in the world solve problems in timely, cost-effective and innovative ways.
But, problem solving does more than just enhance what you offer to customers and clients. The ability to solve problems can also help your organization thrive as a whole. Employees who are skilled at solving problems can help your company in many ways, from saving money by improving a billing process, improving customer service by enhancing turnaround time, or getting more done by implementing more effective systems.
When everyone in your organization is a skilled problem solver, opportunities are limitless. That’s because there will always be problems to solve, and for solutions-minded organizations, that’s a good thing. As Lee Iacocca said, “We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.” Check out these seven tips for effective problem solving.
1. Discover and diagnose problems. Taking the step to look for and diagnose problems is a difficult one. It’s easier to focus on maintaining the status quo, even when problems are staring you straight in the face, but this approach is worse for your organization and your employees. When problems are discovered, analyze and define them. Many organizations only react when they observe symptoms, but this costs time and money, and rarely results in improvement. Take time to research the problem and understand it, but don’t get bogged down in overanalyzing it.
2. Take responsibility – whether it’s yours or not. Some problems result from the mistakes of others. Others present themselves naturally. Still others may simply be systems or products that work but could be improved. Instead of spending time pointing fingers, focus on what you can do to remedy the situation. As the saying goes, “I must do something” solves more problems than, “Something must be done.”
3. Eliminate red tape and bureaucracy. Have a reason for every policy and system. Don’t refuse change because you are comfortable with how things are or because alternatives will stir the waters. In his book, How to Be the Employee Your Company Can’t Live Without, author Glenn Shepard recounts stories of companies that saved millions simply by eliminating unneeded paperwork and processes. Make sure your systems are streamlined to be as time- and cost-effective as possible.
4. Listen to feedback. People rarely like dealing with feedback, because it typically comes in the form of a complaint or a reprimand. But, feedback is a powerful thing. Employee, co-worker, customer, and client feedback often highlights problems and provides ideas that lead to solutions.
5. Look for answers outside your system. Sometimes, bringing in a consultant is a great way to determine the best solution. Other times, it’s best to look at other successful organizations and build models around their systems. Don’t be afraid to think outside your company’s status quo when you’re developing solutions.
6. Brainstorm ideas. Providing solutions can be a simple task, but it can also be a time-consuming, complex process. Don’t be afraid to think big or small. Use the seven steps of effective brainstorming to uncover new ways of thinking. You never know where the inspiration for solutions will come from.
7. Invest in solutions. Solving problems is about more than simply developing ideas and brainstorming solutions. In order for solutions to work, they have to be implemented. This may mean purchasing better equipment or tools. It may mean training staff or educating clients. It could mean revolutionizing your product lines or offering new services. Solutions cost something – whether it is time, money, action, or the discomfort of change. But they are well worth the investment.
Problem solving is a sign of a highly effective organization. Use these seven tips for developing solutions to help your organization and workforce thrive.
How to Give Constructive Criticism
Keep These 5 Words in Mind
As a leader, manager, or business owner, there will come times when you have to give corrective feedback to those who work for you. It may be at the annual review of an underachieving employee. It could be when a new product launch fails. Giving criticism comes in many forms, and it’s a task most people dread. For that reason, many avoid it, which typically makes matters worse. An ongoing mistake uncorrected could end up costing your company millions. A consistently low-achieving employee could bring down the morale of your entire team. That’s why it’s important for the sake of your business, your team, and each employee for you to give constructive criticism when it’s needed. Here are five words to keep in mind the next time you find yourself needing to give corrective feedback to a member of your team.
Background. Take time to fully understand the scope of the problem first. If you weren’t directly involved, you will need to get an objective view of the issue, who was involved, and what the consequences are. And, if you were directly involved, you may still want to discuss the situation with an objective observer to get their take on things.
Motive. Take the time to consider your own emotions and reaction to the issue. It’s important to consider your motive in giving corrective feedback, because it shouldn’t be about you. You can make sure your criticism is constructive rather than destructive by putting the needs of the organization, team, and employee ahead of your own feelings.
Audience. Make sure the setting and audience receiving the criticism is the appropriate target. For example, don’t give corrective feedback around other employees, unless they are at fault too. Even then, a one-on-one meeting is typically more appropriate. Also, make sure you are addressing the issue with the problem’s source. Sometimes, an employee can take the fall for the actions of another employee or even manager. For feedback to be effective, it has to go to the correct source.
Timing. Don’t wait too long to address the issue. Take a day or so to collect your thoughts and compose yourself, if you need to, but don’t put off meeting with the employee just because it’s an unpleasant task. Waiting to give constructive criticism can cause problems to worsen. It can also give employees the impression that they haven’t done anything wrong.
Improvement. Remember that your purpose is to correct the issue and give feedback that will improve future performance. When you meet with the employee, make sure to explain to them your perspective on the problem, what went wrong, and how to fix the issue or what to do differently in the future. Without the last step of focusing on improvement, your attempt at giving criticism will be anything but constructive.
When situations occur that require corrective feedback, understanding the background, realizing your motive, targeting your audience, finding the right time, and focusing on improvement can help you tackle the hard job of addressing the matter with the employee or group at fault. Doing so in a professional, constructive manner will help you create a stronger team focused on continual improvement.
Employment Situation Summary
United States
Non-farm employment rose by 166,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate remained at 4.7%. Click here for the most recent employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Major Industry Employment for October 2007
• Construction: - 5,000
• Manufacturing: - 21,000
• Retail Trade: - 22,000
• Professional & Business Services: + 65,000
• Educational & Health Services: + 43,000
• Leisure & Hospitality: + 56,000
• Government: + 36,000
Canada
In October, employment rose by 63,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8%, a 33-year low. Click here for the most recent employment report from the Statistics Canada.
Major Industry Employment for October 2007
• Construction: - 700
• Manufacturing: - 3,500
• Trade: + 12,300
• Transportation & Warehousing: + 4,700
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing: + 9,200
• Professional, Scientific & Technical Services: + 500
• Business, Building & Support Services: - 21,800
• Educational Services: - 500
• Health Care & Social Assistance: 28,600
• Information, Culture & Recreation: + 4,400
•
Accommodation
and Food Services: - 13,900
• Public Administration: + 20,200
e-Xchange is a publication of Express Services, Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2007.