Gifts Fit for a Queen, a Dean, a Teen…and everyone in between

By Keith Lipert, Owner of Lipert Gallery of Washington, DC | July 31, 2020

Meet Bonnie's guest blogger today. Keith Lipert is an Advisor to the Protocol School of Washington. He and his team help business, government, diplomats, and military leaders with their gifting needs.

For 40+ years, I have been engaged in selecting gifts for Queens, Kings, Presidents, and Executive Assistants.

Full disclosure: I have a fond place in my heart for Executive Assistants. My wife worked as an Executive Assistant and it was from her that I gained a real-life perspective about the true power, influence, and responsibilities EAs hold. In a world rocked by the pandemic, I know that the pressures on EAs have no doubt increased. If a new responsibility is making gift decisions on behalf of your busy executives, I can help.

The purpose here is to share some expert tips for the EA to juggle the demands of the executive, for both personal and business gifting needs. With so much going on, I will address how to efficiently, quickly, creatively, and within budget, find the perfect and appropriate gift that will raise your value even higher.

These gifts were given to the surviving Tuskegee Airmen being honored at the BET Honors in 2012.

What is a gift anyway?

Firstly, a quick primer on what a gift is, and how it can be a powerful tool for the executive. There is a big difference between the personal gift and the promotional gift. Both have their uses, but they are not interchangeable. Grabbing the company “swag” and thinking that this satisfies the need for an important client, does not cut it. To the recipient, that is exactly how it is perceived – quick, easy fix, no thought, no effort. For the event memento, trade show giveaway, etc., the promotional gift is perfect, especially if imaginative and not common.

Our view is that the gift has the power to emotionally connect and message. The gift can inspire, motivate, incentivize, and communicate care and thoughtfulness. Done right, the gift can change the relationship dynamic. Nothing is more flattering than someone taking extra effort to find the special gift for you. It is not about the cost of the gift. One thing that 40 years of gifting has taught me, it is always about the thought, the personalization, and appropriateness.

Six Questions & Answers

So, how does one efficiently get to selecting the appropriate gift? For us it means asking the six questions: Who, Why, When, Where, How many and How much? Nothing focuses the mind more than the last here, the Budget!

In each instance, we research, and each answer focuses us in what gift is most appropriate. Interestingly, the When question can sometimes be the most important, as in “We needed it yesterday!” I know that EAs can relate to this.

It’s Symbolic

When thinking about solutions, we are big believers in themes and symbolism. In fact, when the budget is most modest, a clever theme can go a long way. These concepts are true for both the personal and business need. In the personal world, gifts generally are for spouses, children, parents, friends. In the Business world, gifts tend to be for key clients, direct reports, employees, events, and Board.

Building Relationships

A gift can also be a clever way to get a hard to reach person to respond. An imaginative gift sent is likely to produce a return call thanking you. In doing so, that call inevitably takes on a very different tone from when you initiate the call. This is something EAs know how to do very well!

It’s Personal

Showing appreciation and recognition are powerful forces and make a lasting impression. Helping your principal find a personal and easy to carry gift, for employees when traveling, can be so effective in producing goodwill. A simple Challenge Coin under $10.00 can do the trick. If you have never heard of one, click here. https://customchallengecoins.net/what-is-a-challenge-coin/

Rules - Know the Protocol

In today’s world, the Executive Assistant needs to know the rules of the company on gifting. S/he is also responsible for ensuring all international gifting conforms to existing international legislation. This means understanding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other legislation and the need for proper recording and accounting. Gifting foreign business and government officials also requires cultural sensitivity and adherence to protocol. https://ask.fedweek.com/federal-government-policies/rules-gifts/

For the person who has everything

For the high profile / celebrity EA, understanding the lifestyle of the recipients is critical. When the recipient has mansions, yachts, planes, and cars, what on earth do you select? The usual brands are just not exclusive or exciting enough. With thought and some planning, we can find something really special for you. We have strong partnerships with the fashion, jewelry, and art designers who love a creative challenge. Our gifts have gone to royalty, billionaires, actors, entertainers and more. There is always a great solution!

And finally

I can promise that each circumstance has its own solution. Our goal is for the discovery of the solution to be fun and not stressful, especially for the Executive Assistants. With some excellent research and collaboration between Executive Assistants and our team, we are excited to find fabulous solutions to your “Gift Conundrum.” It would be our honor to work with you.

PS Christmas is just five months away!

Contact info: www.keithlipertcorporate.com

Reference Blog Article: https://www.psow.edu/blog/the-science-behind-the-protocol-gift/