Released on: November 13, 2007, 3:07 pm

Press Release Author: SalesDog.com

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: Finding the perfect gift for family or friends is not easy.
"Choosing the right business gift actually requires more time and thoughtfulness,"
says Tina LoSasso, Managing Editor of SalesDog.com in the new business book, Top Dog
Sales Secrets. LoSasso identifies five common business gift giving mistakes.

Press Release Body: Carlsbad, CA -- Anyone braving the shopping malls during the
holiday season knows that finding the perfect gift for family or friends is not
easy. Business gift-giving can be even more challenging. "Choosing the right
business gift actually requires more time and thoughtfulness," says Tina LoSasso,
Managing Editor of SalesDog.com, in one of 80 sales lessons in the new business
book, Top Dog Sales Secrets. LoSasso identifies five common business gift-giving
gaffes:

Quality trumps quantity. "A small box of exquisite, handmade truffles will be
appreciated far more than a big box of run-of-the-mill chocolates," LoSasso advises.
"If the head honcho at your biggest account is a wine connoisseur, remember, it's
far better to send one bottle of the very best than several ordinary bottles he'll
never uncork."

Reject run-of-the-mill. Shun the ho hum food baskets and opt for a more memorable
gift. "Check your client notes," suggests LoSasso. "What are his hobbies? Does he
golf, cook or play sports? If your client, the gourmet cook, is still raving about
the meals he enjoyed during his vacation in Tuscany, send him a beautifully
illustrated regional cookbook. Your gift, and you, will be remembered far longer
than a generic tin of cookies.\"

Don't even think of advertising. "Sending gifts with your company's logo on them
make you look stingier than Scrooge," says LoSasso. "Save the logo-imprinted pens,
paperweights, mouse pads and calculators for your next trade show. Instead, send a
gift from your region of the country: Ghirardelli chocolate from San Francisco,
smoked salmon from the Northwest, citrus from Florida or California, or barbecue
sauce from Texas."

Beware of booze. "Alcoholic beverages are usually risky business," warns LoSasso.
"The one exception is when you know someone loves a certain brand of rare Scotch, a
particular wine, or a regional microbrew. Never send a bottle of champagne to that
key account in Salt Lake City, or for that matter, frozen steaks to your customer
who is a vegetarian. Don't laugh - it happens."

The gender trap. Gender differences present their own gift-giving dangers. While
it is generally acceptable for a saleswoman to send her stressed-out women clients
personal items, like lotions or a spa kit, salesmen should not be so familiar.
"Sorry guys," says LoSasso. "You're not in the club."

LoSasso\'s advice is excerpted from the bestselling book, Top Dog Sales Secrets,
authored by 50 renowned sales lecturers, consultants, and corporate trainers. Top
Dog Sales Secrets is available from the publisher or from Amazon.com and other
online retailers.

About SalesDog.com
SalesDog.com features advice from America\'s leading sales experts. Their free
weekly newsletter has over 25,000 subscribers.

Note to The Editor: For a review copy of the book, contact Tina LoSasso at
editor@salesdog.com


Web Site: http://www.salesdog.com

Contact Details: Tina LoSasso
760-476-3700
editor@salesdog.com
http://www.salesdog.com
SalesDog.com
2701 Loker Avenue West Suite 148
Carlsbad, CA 92010