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