corporate client Archives - Personal Gift Basket

The Personal Gift Basket Co Goes to Market

July 31, 2023 by Lisa Paden

It’s been a busy and productive couple of weeks at The Personal Gift Basket Co. We are working on several fun and exciting things in the background that I can’t wait to share with you in the coming months. So stay tuned! I can share something exciting: recently, we attended the Atlanta Market, and I’m super excited about all the beautiful new gifts and food items we found there. We spent five jam-packed days meeting the vendors we’ve done business with for years. We also connected with new companies with unique products that fit our gifting brand. After the five days of shopping, my body felt like I had been in a boxing ring, but it was so worth it. Now that we are back, it’s time to create beautiful gift designs with our new inventory. So stay tuned!

In case you are unaware, the Atlanta Market is a wholesale shopping mecca in beautiful downtown Atlanta. The market draws buyers, like myself and others from all over the world, and is one of the largest wholesale trade markets in the US. The Atlanta Market is a hub for retailers and designers looking for the latest trends and products. The market spans three buildings, each building having over 15 floors of wholesale exhibitors.

The first day of the market is always the best. Everyone is excited to shop; the vendors are waiting and eager to make your shopping experience great. Many vendors have music, food, and beverages to enjoy while shopping. Music and lots of energy fill the atmosphere, creating lots of excitement and anticipation. We are excited to see, taste and smell what’s new this season. Everyone from small boutique owners to major retail chains is searching for unique, high-quality products to captivate their customers.

Because of all the walking, and the sheer size of the market, it can be overwhelming for some. This year, I noticed many more areas to sit and relax in-between shopping, which was a plus for me, and I took full advantage of it. There isn’t a comfortable shoe that has been made for the amount of walking and standing we do at the market. When I get back to your hotel room, I am pooped!

Aside from the products, cooking, decor design, and other classes are available to learn from some of the best in the field.

One of my favorite things I love is meeting new people from all over the world. I am constantly networking and building relationships with vendors and retailers throughout my time at the market. Building these relationships with the companies we do business with is a plus. Another fun thing is connecting with other buyers while on the shuttle back to the hotel or running into someone we met at the market while going out to dinner or site-seeing in Atlanta. We chat about what we bought that day or share tips or stores we may have missed. These memorable interactions sometimes result in collaboration and foster community among other professionals which is priceless.

I am looking forward to coming back in January.

Its All About The Relationship

January 20, 2021 by Lisa Paden

It is much more expensive to acquire a new client than it is to keep a current one. Satisfied clients result in loyalty, repeat business, and spreading your good name around town, resulting in referrals.

Below I share six simple ways to help you keep a happy client.

1. Share a Smile (even on the phone)

Corporate America taught me that a smile, even on the phone, is contagious. Most business today is done virtually, with zoom calls and conference calls, sometimes the camera is off, and all they hear is your voice. It’s said you can “hear” a smile; that’s because your tone of voice sounds cheerful when you’re smiling. One of the easiest ways to appear welcoming is to smile.

2. Thank your clients

Sincerely thank your clients. Make showing appreciation a regular part of your client’s relationship with you. Thanking your clients can look as simple as a handwritten note. Let your clients know you value and appreciate their business.

3. Listen and remember

Show your clients that you listen to their needs and feedback. Listening and acting on what you have heard is the key to client retention and loyalty. Remember and document important client dates, events, hobbies, and family names. Doing this shows you care.

4. Honesty is the best policy

It’s never fun to be the bearer of bad news, but your clients will trust and value your opinion if you always speak the truth. If you must give bad news, be prepared to offer possible solutions.

5. Give a gift that you know they’ll like

If you find out that a client is a fan of a local sports team, consider getting them tickets to a game. Perhaps they mentioned they like scotch or whiskey. Customizing gifts is a great way to show your clients you remember what they tell you.

6. Keep lines of communication open

Because we cannot see each other face-to-face as much as we would like, staying on top of communication is vital. Replying to client e-mails and returning calls in a timely manner. Keeping the client in the know as to what your company is doing, like a blog, newsletter, or other forms of social media, is an excellent way to stay connected.

3 Ways to Leave a Lasting Impression With Your Clients

October 22, 2020 by Lisa Paden

Let me ask a question: What steps do you have in place to help make a great impression with your clients? Hopefully, this is not a difficult question for you, but if it is, you could be missing out on opportunities to retain customers and grow your clientele with referrals.

Being a small business gives you a slight advantage when making an impression with your customers. It’s much easier to go above and beyond or add a personal touch with each customer. Being able to touch them gives you a huge advantage over your larger competitors. So, what exactly does it mean to “touch” your customers? These are interactions that occur during the customer’s relationship with you.

Leaving a lasting impression should be incorporated into every relationship, no matter how big or small. Why? Because if you give a lasting impression, you can not only create loyal, life-long customers, but they will become your marketing mouthpiece, which will help grow your business.

How does this look, you ask? Well, you know your customers better than anyone, and you know what it takes to impress and wow them. Below I’m sharing a few ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.

Handwritten Communications

Nothing shows you went the extra mile more than a handwritten note. A handwritten note seems like such a small gesture, but it goes a long way in making someone’s day. I’m sure you can think back to when you would receive a letter or note from someone and how that made you feel. In the world of emails and auto-responses, getting something handwritten in the mail can make a lasting impression.

Presentation is Key

We all know the excitement of receiving a gift but receiving a beautifully curated gift is on a whole new level. How do you make opening a plain corrugated shipping box worthwhile? By making the presentation of the gift memorable. A thoughtfully curated gift makes the unboxing experience worthwhile.

Remember the Details

Developing relationships with your customers is essential to building loyalty and retention. Customers sometimes reveal details about their personal and professional lives with you. Knowing special occasions, kids’ names, or even the family pet, leaves a lasting impression on the customer.

Gifts are an excellent way to show appreciation and to make a great impression. We are here to assist you with your gifting needs and help you stay top of mind with your clients.
Give us a call today – (636) 240-3049.