Sending a birthday card to a business partner or even a competitor can be a delicate situation. Personal or professional? Comical or creative? Choosing the right card to send is as important as sending the card itself.
Know Your Audience – Someone who appreciates a humorous card that works at a law firm is the same person that appreciates a humorous card who teaches ‘comedy and tragedy’ at your local university. If you are sending a card to an individual, it is crucial to tailor that card to their personality.
Variety – There are cards for all emotions and all walks of life, so don’t be afraid to get personal. However, if the relationship is one of a strictly business or causal manor, sending a more generic card can work in your favor to still show you care, but are also someone of a professional ilk. This tactic will avoid sending the card with a tiny cat in a bowtie blowing out candles to someone who frankly, wouldn’t get it.
To Send or Not to Send in Bulk – That is the question. The answer varies depending on your company, and the company you are sending birthday cards to. Is it crucial to send a birthday card to every business contact you have? Probably not. But, sending a card to as many connections as possible can only help extend the good will and keep you and your business relationship fresh on their mind. Buying just one box of business cards can, in all likelihood, cover almost all of your business-related birthdays. This purchase can be beneficial financially for you, and also make you look savvy to your business partners for remembering their special day.
In our technological world, the personal touch of sending a greeting card is becoming a lost art form. There is definitely something to be said for opening and reading a physical card rather than an e-card with a cheesy popup message. Sending a birthday card to your colleagues and associates is a small but important touch to keep you on the forefront of your business relationships.
I’m not sure if we have a budget that can cover mailing b’day cards to all our clients. But I know we could use some company good will amongst ourselves. We could send the cards through our inter-office envelopes. I think I’ll mention it at out next meeting. Thanks.
I think a formal business birthday card is acceptable for all my business contacts. My signature is printed in the cards but I make each one personal with my hand-written note & best wishes.
Sometimes you have to compromise between the formal & the personal.
The idea of a variety of cards to have on hand for different people plays right into my needs. My customers will appreciate the thoughtfulness and I can match the card to an appropriate person. That seems more personal.
My husband is in sales for securities, a high pressure job where you have to keep in touch with your clients. There’s a lot of competition and you need an edge. We have a stack of business-appropriate birthday cards for his clients and I keep the calendar to know when to mail them. Holiday cards, too. It’s a little personal touch that shows he cares.
Picking the right card for the right person can be difficult, especially if you don’t know them well enough. A generic birthday card is always a safe choice in that situation.
I am using the assortment box of birthday cards for my remote employees. At the office we usually have a cake on their birthday. So for the people who work outside the office I send them a birthday card and a gift card for coffee. Your cards are great.
I keep several assortment boxes on hand. I work in HR for a large company and we have a need for cards almost daily. These save me lots of time and are especially useful for last minute needs.