How to Get Human Resource Managers to Buy Gift Baskets

Posted on August 4, 2010
Filed Under Corporate Accounts | 1 Comment

Kara asks:

“I want to target the human resource departments at large corporations to buy from me but don’t know how to begin. What should I do?”

My first idea about this, when I entered the gift basket industry, was to get the names of all human resource managers and send them letters introducing my gift basket service.

Just before I set up this campaign, I met another designer who tried a similar method to get this group’s attention. She sent out 600 letters.

How many people responded? Zero. That let me know that this cold-call type of communication would not work.

Here’s three ways to get their attention.

1. Human resource managers are chamber of commerce members. Find their events in your area and attend several meetings where you can introduce yourself to managers who also attend, shake their hands, and get to know who they are and how to get their business.

2. Ask customers who work at corporations for their assistance. Knowing someone on the inside is an easier way to get human resource accounts than sending letters to people who don’t know you.

3. Where are lunch and learn programs in your area? Many corporations allow outside vendors to come inside of their facilities at noon time to educate employees. Call the human resource departments of companies you want to do business with and ask if they have such a program. That will help you connect with the person in charge to discuss employee gifts and more.

If human resource managers are your target, these three tips will help you find the right way to get close to them and win accounts.

Where are the Gift Trade Shows?

Posted on June 15, 2010
Filed Under Trade Shows | Leave a Comment

Gabby asks:

How can I find gift trade shows that are near my location?

I don’t know your exact location, but if you’re in the United States, here are three tips to find trade shows in your area.

1. Ask gift basket designers you know on Twitter or Facebook for information on where they attend shows, and give them specific information on where you’re located. You may learn of a show that’s in your region and also meet the designers who recommend the show.

2. Look for an online listing such as this trade show locations page at WebSitesForRetailers.com.

3. Place the words gift trade show into your preferred search engine and click on the results that match your request.

A blog article entitled, Where Are Trade Shows Outside of the U.S.?, will help you locate non-U.S. events.

Is There a Better Place than Retail Stores to Buy Enhancements?

Posted on April 29, 2010
Filed Under Products and Supplies | Leave a Comment

Ruby asks:

“I go to retail craft stores to buy picks and other enhancements, but there must be another place where I can get them for a better price. Where do I look?”

Start by finding a local floral supplier in your area. You’ll find this resource by learning where wholesale flowers are delivered for distribution to local florists.

These companies are usually open for trade business (not the general public) selling baskets, containers, enhancements, ribbon, and other supplies to retail companies just like yours.

A Yellow Page directory will help you locate these wholesalers, which are usually listed under “floral suppliers.” If you no longer receive the directory and are in the United States, look for the same term within a search engine. For example, if you’re located in Maryland, you enter the search in this exact manner:

“floral supplies”+Maryland

If outside of the U.S., this same search term may be helpful by typing the name of your city, province, or country in the space where the word Maryland is shown above.

This is how I found four floral suppliers in my area. You may not find as many, but there’s a good chance you at least find one that sells low-cost, high-quality enhancements and other items to create gift baskets.