The 2022 working year is drawing to a close and it can't come soon enough; I'm a little worn out. It's not been a bad year, I shifted industries and companies, had to learn new things quickly, and have thrived in that environment. It's been a challenge though, which I don't mind as I like to push myself, but enjoyable too, and I've been paid very well along the way so, no complaints really, I'm just tired.
My industry, and my particular role, is demanding and there's little room for error and no room for poor performance as far as bringing in revenue goes so I've worked very hard to ensure I have the ability to finish strong and look back on it happy with my efforts, performance and results. That's left me a little emotionally frazzled and a few weeks off is going to go a long way towards rectifying that, but before I have time off I get to do one of the really good parts of my job.
Gift giving
Over the last month I've isolated some key accounts that I wanted to gift something to as a thank you, a show of appreciation, for trading with my company consistently and strongly. It's a small gesture but one that is well-received. I made a list, submitted it to the State Manager and like magic a pile of alcohol arrived in my office along with company-branded wall calendars, coffee mugs, desk calendars, wireless phone-charging pads, stress balls, truck-shaped USB thumb drives and drink cooler bags.
Over the last few days I've been dropping into my customers and handing out these things, having conversations and generally just schmoozing a little.
The saying, no news is good news, works well for my industry, I'm in transport, trucking and logistics, because when the phone rings with a client on the other end it's almost always a problem. I never shy away from that of course, and do a lot of outbound calls which means I tend to avoid the shock and awe inbound ones. It's a lot of effort, but it saves a lot of pain later on. I regularly call clients and drop in to see them face to face also. This time of year, and with armfuls of goodies, I'm always welcomed warmly.
This process, showing some appreciation, is a huge part of what I do as it helps to build rapport, shows I'm giving back a little and that I care enough to do so, and helps allay any residual issues that may have arisen. The other benefit is that it builds a little credit, keeps my company front-of-mind and gives me a chance to gain some more information I may be able to use later - or just be human and show that I'm a person just like them - and that has value down the track. It's a good part of my job.
Yesterday, I saw the cost to my company for the goodwill, just for my clients...It's a reasonable number...$3,453 worth of alcohol of varying types and the company-branded merchandise on top of that, but the benefit to creating better relationships could be measured in the hundreds of thousands.
I take the time to learn what my clients like, in a conversational way, and then tailor their gift for them and those spending more get more, or better quality. I handed one a bottle of Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky worth $329 (AUD) yesterday and another a Johnnie Walker Blue Label worth $299 (AUD) but most received gifts of around $70-$100 (AUD). All seemed very pleased though, and it's amazing how many said things like, oh, a stress ball, I love these things, and ignored the bottle or carton of alcohol altogether. People are funny.
For me, this is a nice way to end the year, bringing smiles to people and having the chance to talk person to person with a little lightness and in a less business-like manner. I've got a few days of work left for this year and will spend it handing out the last of the gifts and merchandise and will end it on a high. I'll be making the most of the time off too, recharging, and plan on coming back in 2023 to kick some more ass!
How does your year end at work? Do you give or receive gifts as above, do you spend the last few weeks setting up for the new year to come, or is it business as usual all the way through? Feel free to comment below...The best comment gets my last bottle of Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Or maybe not.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind Any images in this post are my own
The ones that ignored the alcohol were faking it still you were out of sight 😀
Haha, yeah that's what I thought too. Probably glugged it down as soon as I walked out the door!
Desperate not to look uncouth but at the same time desperate to get their hands on it!
Sounds like me at the donut coffee shop.
Me too, lol
Gifting seems more popular here in this area and seems like it has always been that way. It is always nice to show appreciation for business past and future relationships.
It is viewed as a goodwill gesture and a feel-good schmooze. It always feels good to give. ;)
BTW, I understand your company deals in serious money, but, still, that is a very generous gift.
It's a nice thing I think, people generally feel good to be thought of and going out of ones way to do the gifts helps that along. It's amazing how many were more excited about the merchandise than the booze, made me laugh. (Later, not I'm front of them.)
There were some good gifts...I wouldn't have minded either bottles of scotch myself to be honest. I got the enjoyment of making people's day though, and that's something.
People do feel good to be thought of and appreciated, no gift required, but i'ts always appreciated.
I think its important and goes a long way in building the relationship.
Yes!! The stressballs. Next year, a basket of stressballs.
That is the polite way to say bribery 😂
Ewww, that will definitely not be me, I may even get muted for my comment 🙊😁
Ok, jokes aside, it's a good thing the company agrees and has the funds for these gifts. A good relationship is everything and has to be cared for, otherwise you lose. And you know that first hand as you're not a spring chicken in this business.
Lol, yeah possibly.
It underlines the relationship, shows they're thought of and says thank you are bt same time. It's a nice gesture I guess and it feels good to deliver it, have a non-transport conversation and be less on it for a change.
Man, this is the Greatest things ever you know! Handing such an amazing, expensive and valuable gifts to people shows how much you so value them, how important they re to you and giving them a treat of this measure? Is a sure way of rolling in dozen of orders come the following year.
This is what most corporate organization do, to her staffs, to all her customers and as part of it corporate social responsibility to keep them and also creating a chain for more, cause the testimonies are wonderful imagine visiting a friend and he be like hey buddy xyz gave me this ancient whisky and this artifact or this and that....it create room for business not for the things but for the reputation of the company
2022 as been such a great year thankyou for the plan of ending it on a high ...I think I'll follow your footsteps..🥂 Cheers to better days ahead
I agree, I think it's a nice gesture my company makes and it's nice to be the one handing out the gifts. It builds credit with customers and that will help revenue flow in the new year - That's the plan anyway.
It's good to hear you've had a good year and I hope 2023 is as good also.
Yes boss
Eh eh as you well know I'm finishing my working year in bed, but I'm not complaining come on. My work is very different from yours, however let's say it's finishing discreetly. I received a new job offer and therefore with the new year I will have two jobs, obviously I accept this sacrifice to accelerate and reach my goal sooner. In my annual planning is already scheduled maximum in July to leave a job if not both eh eh! As far as gifts are concerned, my company from this point of view is far behind, it doesn't give gifts and above all it doesn't totally know how marketing works... oh well, worse for them, they'll learn! However you are really Top in your job, your company is in an iron barrel 🤟
That's good news, it seems like 2023 might be a good year for you. Nice work.
I hope so! I work every day for this, maybe it's too optimistic a forecast, let's say that I have given myself 2027 as a deadline, since I will be 45 in that period; obviously that is the last date but if I can sooner it is better and since there are many things at stake for 2023 I could even do it well in advance, then needless to say I would use the years in advance to strengthen my income, my assets and savings. ... as they say, prevention is better than cure heh heh!
You've got a plan to work through, take the steps and you'll get closer mate, little by little.
No gift is small and you are automatically ahead of your competitors who don't see gifting as a tangible thing to do.
Gifting your client at the time of the year coupled with the good quality of service you have rendered throughout the year is also a way to start the new year with good vibes. I love how you build relationships with your clients, you should add consultancy to your job so that people can learn how to have a good work relationship.
Relationships is a critical aspect of my role. There's a few elements to it if course, but a good relationship is where it all begins.
For many years I worked with the public, attending and helping to solve problems. Every Christmas day I would arrive home full of gifts, liquor was the most abundant thing. Then I would spend months drinking from the gifts I received.
Yep, I get a lot too generally. I'm not a huge drinker so I usually keep a little and re-gift the rest out to others, take it to people for no reason at all. They seem to like it.
Gifting to customers and clients seems to be a common trend everywhere. Only difference is that it occurs on different ocassion.
We gift during g Diwali...calenders, coffee mugs, kitchen appliances, sweet, and other items...but this practices ensures a good relationship and help to maintain it for longer time....when we gift alcohol we tend to accompany it for a drink...
I got some stuff for Diwali this year. (We have some Indian truck drivers working for us.) It was nice of them.
Lol, yeah it's a good prompt to crack open a bottle and have a glass or two.
These client gifts are just a thank you thing, some expect it and some do not, but mostly it's received well and it's nice to hand out a few things here and there.
Do you casually find out what alcohol people like? Though I guess someone in the office or extended circles will drink it if the person you gave it to directly doesn't XD
I don't know why the idea of truck shaped usb drives amused me so much but I did giggle when I read it.
My work doesn't end x_x
Yep 👇
People like gimmicks I guess, so the truck-shaped USB works. Next year the company is doing a G-dog shaped one...I'm not sure how successful that will be.
Would have to be a chibi. It would be amazing XD
I shrink away into my own little world this time of year. The home time is welcomed therapy. And the traffic jams are someone elses headache
Usually do a project or 2 around the house. I only haul freight if it pays a premium. Let the garbage drivers haul the garbage freight this time of year.
And haul the amazon-walmart type cheap ass freight they do. I will play catch up during January.
You'd love it here man, transport is off the chain! So much money in it. A semi Adelaide to Melbourne is $3,900 + GST it's good money for a 720km run and loads of freight coming into Adelaide ex-Melb so backloads aren't an issue.
You'll enjoy your time off man, relax a little, do some stuff. Recharge those batteries.
I am more than glad I didn't have to participate in the end of year gift giving this year. I loathe it beyond all reason. Jamie doesn't even go in on the last day to avoid it!
We didn't do it at work for the staff, just for some of the larger clients. It works well in that scenario. In a kris kringle scenario it's shite.
You know no one has gifted me a bottle of whiskey ever, dammit. One year I got dates from Aldi. I bowed out after that.
Haha, yeah kris kringle is terrible. Aldi dates? Dafuq!
Honestly. Totally dafaq. I can still imagine the look on my face, especially as I went to trouble of buying a really lovely wooden bird as a tree decoration.
The problem is most don't go to any trouble, probably because they don't get into it and are forced to be involved. We're not having it at work, but, in the advent of people bringing stuff on the last day, I have emergency gifts, to whip out of my office drawers. I might do a post on it actually, if I have to deploy them.
Happy holidays and a time full of cheer for you and your loved one! ☺️
I currently work as a resident physician in an inner city hospital. Our gift-giving and appreciation generally comes among each other, as peers going through the most rigorous training and work of our entire career. Our administration tends to give us superficial words of appreciation, with their actions reflecting the opposite sentiment. As an example, we recently had a Physician Suicide Awareness day - that same morning, our administration criticized us for not coming to our 12-hour shifts 30 minutes earlier than they are due to begin.
Camaraderie is essential for survival in our field. We're often driven apart by pressures placed upon us by our environment, but for the most part we try to stick together and hoist each other up during the toughest of times.
I hope that everyone has someone to lean on during the tough times and someone with whom to celebrate when times are going well. And if not, there's always someone out there who will be willing to give a friendly ear. That's the power of humanity.
I always tried to take some days off work towards the end of the year (am having a break now!), which is a combination of clearing my leave (which might be forfeited at the end of the year) and getting some well deserved rest after a long and hard year at work. I think the year end is also an opportune moment for us to show appreciation to people around us, and it's common for people to express their gratitude through small gifts (and somehow it coincides with the Christmas season, which is the season of giving as well, lol).
Many Pakistani people's live in abroad and every eid he will return with many gifts to his family and friends. Man start hardworking for his family and live in abroad due to his job or business.
That's the best part of making this year memorable and unforgettable ❤️
For sure.
I'm not a worker but a trader all I can say is that, as the year is coming to an end I do give my customers a gifts and I also receive from where I used to buy my goods.