Premium Gifts

Gifts, as token of gratitude and appreciations; either expressed externally as tangible means for eg. a diamond ring or by intangible means internally like love brings delight and comfort to the recipient. In a nutshell, it was the gesture expressed by gifts, transformed into the feeling of being loved, appreciated and being remembered that matters to the recipient.

Although some considered the degree of appreciations by the receiving party towards the other are directly proportionate to the monetary value of the gift itself; but it need not necessary be the case especially intangibles like love, care, loving-kindness, sympathy and charity which were subjective in nature!

Today, occasions where gifts were duly considered could range from New Year Celebrations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries to the first meeting/date between two parties, from conflicting nations to courting couples.

Traditionally, Jewelries and flowers attached with a letter or note to further enhance the occasion were amongst the favorites for aristocrats and nobles households. While commoners exchange daily essentials as gifts with each other which eventually evolved towards the idea of barter trading.

The holiday celebration of the New Year is among the oldest of all gift-giving holidays in the world which has a pre-historic root. Despite the 'Christmas presents' culture, 'gift giving' at New Year is still practiced in many parts of Europe, including France, Switzerland, Russia and Greece.

In fact in Europe gift-giving was prevalent even before Christ was born. It was first observed in ancient Babylon, about 4000 years ago. Thereafter, the Roman senate, in 153 B.C, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. Again, it was not until the reign of Julius Caesar, in 46 B.C, that the Julian calendar with Jan 1 as New Year was officially established. However in order to synchronies the calendar with sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days!!! How astonishing!

At the heart of New Year was the custom of family gatherings and friends feasting together. Most people rejoice this occasion by visiting, entertaining, exchanging gifts, and sending greetings by mail and/or phone to those who are and/or have been important in your life.

Today, in this hyper competitive globalize world, the art of retaining customers are of paramount importance towards the eventual survival, if not continuance of a business or even non-profit entities. Adding a new quality consumers to our list is by no mean easy but loosing one is a mere click away. It is high time we explore beyond the norm comfort zone and set our sights in the deep "blue sea"!

In this respect, premium gifts, when timely executed, could be the strategic 'weapon' to sealed the bond between two existing 'business' associates; ranging from principal and customers, provider and subscribers, even employer and employees, advertising companies and prospects too.

Premium gifts are also a renounce marketing tool to explore new market segment; especially effective during new product launch. More often than not, prospects consented to buying not because he/she believed in the new product/services but the premium gifts attached to it. This is more apparent when lady-related products like perfumes, cosmetics; baby products like toiletries and diaper napkins were concerned.

Experience had shown men were not frequent shoppers; these 'tasks' to them were mainly passed down to their feminine counterparts. Timely gifts like lighters, belt buckers, pen, card holders etc. could move and motivate men to hasten decision makings hence a business deal sealed.

"We have no more budgets!" was a familiar remark from many business premium gifts prospects. In actual, budgets come from sales where a preset allocation (by %) for advertising and promotion (A&P) must have been included during the pricing process. With sound positioning and marketing sense, we could say bluntly that we were only channeling part of the A&P funds - from sales generated through purchases with consumers' money, to reinvest back in the form of gifts hence generating more sales and distributions.

Although the culture of gifts need not necessary be routines where consumers could be over-pampered and spoiled. Nevertheless, occasional surprises with premium gifts could certainly mean success or failure in a business endeavor; let alone keeping the loyalty of a consumer.

Last and not least, gifts mean - we remember, value and cherish you and your support!