Gourmet Gifts: Nurturing Client Relationships Through Food

If you've ever worked for a large company, youcomputer to discover the service-with-a-smile
know that some of the best times are had whileMom and Pop shop equivalent of the downtown
noshing on gourmet gifts of appreciation frombakery with the aroma of warm rolls wafting out;
your vendors. Nothing like a Harry and David'sthe local orchard where you can get a sumptious
basket filled with succulent pears, fine cheeses,homemade fruit pie to go, or that quaint little
dainty little shortbread cookies, and tiny jars ofcorner candy shop that dips their own chocolates.
wild fruit preserves, to ensure that yes... theGot a client in mind whom you'd love to express
contract will be extended for yet another year.your thanks with a tasty token of appreciation?
Or how about a sake-induced buzz around theNo, you can't buy them dinner at one of the local
hibachi table with your cubicle mates... sushi workshot spots if they're across the country... but it's
of art making the rounds as cleavers and hunkseasy enough to send them food by mail. Make
of filet mignon dance in the air. It's these joyous,your gourmet selection at any one of the fine
food-filled moments that tell us, yes... we're goingonline establishments bearing gifts of real, fresh
with the same printing company for the 12th yearfood. Place your order via online shopping cart and
in a row. So dig in and drink up... life is good andhave your edible gift delivered within one to two
we love our service providers!weeks.
Great customer care brings long-term business,Imagine how delighted your client will be to open
but the way to your clients' hearts is throughthe surprise parcel and uncover a delectable gift
their stomachs. Edible gifts offer comfort, relieveof freshly baked cookies, crisp crackers and
stress and smooth things over nicely whenzesty spreads... gourmet cheese, fine wine, or any
negotiations suddenly go sour. They also fixnumber of other ingestible delights that can be
seemingly unsolvable problems. I recall a timeordered on the web with little to no fanfare. And
when my former boss stormed into the creativethe best part is, most online own food business
director's office and unloaded a mile-long laundryowners frequently offer reduced rates on their
list of complaints... only to return later with a largeproducts if you express interest in bulk ordering
tray of bakery cookies that had been sent tofrom them on a regular basis.
ease our disgruntled souls. Did we hurl the cookieMillions of creative online entrepreneurs offer
peace offering to the floor, stomp our feetunique food gifts that speak of handcrafted
defiantly and hand in our resignation letters?ingenuity, quality ingredients and sleek packaging
No. We ate the cookies, licked our fingers andthat will reflect your professionalism. Put your
went back to work.gift-giving responsibility in their loving care and it's
The gourmet food gift is a very powerfulalmost as good as saying to your customers, "I
business tool indeed. If it wasn't, there woudn't beprepared this delicious food for you with my own
a space on your tax form where you can writetwo hands."
off meal expenses. But what do you do whenYes, an edible conversation piece will keep you in
you're a small start-up, and Omaha Steaks,the mind of your best clients for sure. In a world
Godiva Chocolates and Williams-Sonoma bottledwhere high-speed connections rule the day and
creations are a wee bit beyond your price range?common courtesy has gone the way of the 50
Well, you might consider one of the many onlinecent cup of coffee... isn't it nice to know that you
gourmet gift providers who offer thecan still count on gourmet gifts to foster positive
convenience of internet shopping plus the quality,client relations?
freshness, and personalized service that only aCopyright 2006 Vermont Shortbread Company.
fellow small biz owner can promise.All rights reserved. This article supplied by
Indeed, virtual consultants and gourmetCopywriting and Marketing Services.
gift-seekers need only look as far as their