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