Freehands touchscreen-enabled gloves

What it is: Gloves that allow you to keep your hands warm and use a touch-sensitive device

Why it’s great: Most gloves I’ve seen look goofy and remind me of something grandma would knit me for the holidays instead of getting me what I really wanted (Millenium Falcon). Instead of using touch-sensitive glove material, Freehands gloves actually have a tip that can be folded back so you have the full use of your thumb and forefinger. I like the fleece-lined ones as they keep my hands warm during cold Kansas winters.

Price: The prices range from $20 for basic fleece and up to $80 for cashmere or leather.

Who it’s best for: Someone who uses their smartphone all the time and lives in a cold weather environment

Scosche SolBAT II Solar Battery powered backup charger

What it is: A 1500ma external battery with a solar charger for USB-powered devices (such as an iPhone)

Why it’s great: The battery easily charges via micro-USB or the sun. The included windshield cradle allows you to charge while driving (and leaving your cigarette lighter free) and a universal carabiner mount easily hooks onto a backup for a charge throughout the day.

Price: $29.99

Who it’s best for: Students needing a battery boost, travelers, commuters with too many devices to charge.

Jot Flip

What it is: A precision stylus combined with a quality pen.

Why it’s great: I’ve used lots of pens with the rubber tip that enables touch. Most of them don’t have the heft and professional look of a quality pen. Also that rubber tip too often is mistaken for an eraser. The jot flip uses a disc instead of a rubber tip protected with a metal clip. The pen portion retracts back into the Jot Flip. The movement on the iPhone and iPad is very natural and responds with minimum pressure.

Price: $35

Who it’s best for: Anyone with long fingernails unable to easily use a touch screen, users who frequently write or draw on an iPad, business owners requiring signatures (think Square).

SpareOne Emergency Mobile Phone

What it is: An emergency mobile phone with a standby replaceable AA battery that lasts 10 years plus waterproof bag

Why it’s great: While I have a rugged case for my iPhone, there are some places I won’t take it such as the family boat or while doing outdoor sports. I also like having a spare phone for traveling so I can reach people if my iPhone malfunctions or is stolen. The phone includes a micro-SIM adapter so it can accept the SIM from phones older than the iPhone 5 or a pre-paid SIM. Without a SIM it can dial emergency services such as 911. I keep it in my car for situations in which I need to use a phone (rain, snow) and my iPhone wouldn’t be safe.
Price: $89.99

Who it’s best for: Someone that travels often, someone that needs a spare phone for condition in which an iPhone could get damaged (boater, skier, hiker), or someone stocking an emergency kit.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Flickr userandrewmalone

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Facebook has been experimenting with e-commerce on the site, allowing users to purchase items from a variety of sources including Brookstone, Baby Gap, Dean & Deluca, Fab, iTunes, Starbucks, and many others. With the site already collecting data on birthdays and anniversaries of all its users, it’s not hard to see how gifts are well-suited for the company’s business model. And Ryan Kim wrote why it’s in Facebook’s best interest to see it succeed:

“Gifts represents a big commerce opportunity for Facebook. Since it knows a lot about what’s happening within your social network, it can push users to make targeted purchases throughout the year. Also, getting people to buy even one product allows Facebook to get a credit card on file, which could turn out to be important if Facebook builds out its own payment system.”

By November, Gifts was only available to about 20 percent of users, but beginning Tuesday, all users in the United States will have access. The company also announced in November that it would be selling wine in the coming weeks, and it will be available for purchase on Tuesday.

The company has also added several new partners selling wine on the site, including: Amuse Bouche, Blackbird, Bonterra, Capture Wines, Clark-Claudon, David Family, Domaine Chandon, Goose Cross, Mondavi, Mutt Lynch, Recuerdo, Tasting Room, Terra Valentine, Titus, Twisted Oak, and Wine Country Gift Baskets.

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Facebook users can also send subscriptions to digital services like Pandora, Rdio, Hulu Plus and make charitable donations to non-profits. And they’ll be able to send wine from Robert Mondavi Winery and Chandon in the coming weeks.

Facebook launched Gifts in September with 100 retail partners including Starbucks to a small subset of users, building off its acquisition earlier in the year of gifting service Karma. The service is now available to about 20 percent of Facebook users in the U.S. and will gradually roll out to all users.

The Gift feature allows users to buy real-world gifts for their friends. Facebook prompts users to consider buying a gift when their friend’s birthday or a big event comes up. Earlier this month, Facebook allowed mobile users to send gifts. 

The new partners should make Gifts even more attractive. Right now, when you try to pick out a gift, Facebook recommends a bunch of stuff  and also gives you categories like food & drink, babies & kids and home & kitchen to choose from. But a lot of the gifts are products from smaller makers and brands. Getting some bigger brands and more familiar products in the mix might make it easier to get people to pull the trigger on a gift.

For the retail partners, the integration with Gifts gives them a chance to market themselves and pick up new customers. Fab CEO Jason Goldberg told me he’s not interested in the revenue from the partnership. He said he’s looking forward to the ability to spread awareness of Fab. The company plans on giving recipients a $5 gift card to buy their own Fab products.

Gifts represents a big commerce opportunity for Facebook. Since it knows a lot about what’s happening within your social network, it can push users to make targeted purchases throughout the year. Also, getting people to buy even one product allows Facebook to get a credit card on file, which could turn out to be important if Facebook builds out its own payment system.

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Previously only available in its home market of Sweden, Wrapp essentially turns the already-popular idea of virtual gifts into real-world items.

Using the service’s mobile app (currently it’s available for iPhone and Android) you can send a gift card from a participating retailer — of whatever value you choose — to one of your Facebook friends. Other people can also add to the card to increase its value, while some retailers offer free gifts. When you’ve sent it, the recipient can then redeem that card either online or in-store. It’s a straightforward proposition that the company thinks can be a big deal for retailers and disrupt the multi-billion dollar gift card industry.

Partners at the British launch include fashion retailer ASOS, gym giant Fitness First and the popular restaurant chain Pizza Express — as well as a selection of other smaller brands. And while the number of initial partners is relatively small, the company said its hand was forced in part by the arrival of Dropgifts, a clone from Germany’s Rocket Internet, the controversial incubator run by the three Samwer brothers.

“Our initial idea was to launch in the U.S. first,” co-founder Hjalmar Winbladh told me. “But that will come soon.”

He added that there were also plans for a substantial international presence, with salespeople already on the case building relationships with retailers in a number of territories.

“We’ve already got staff in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Italy,” he said. “We are looking possibly at partnerships in China, Japan, Brazil and we are in discussions for Eastern Europe.”

The company, which has already seen $10.5 million of investment from Niklas Zennstrom’s Atomico, Greylock’s Reid Hoffman and Nordic VC Creandum, thinks it’s onto something —

That’s in no small part because of the track record of the team, which includes not only Winbladh, the former CEO of internet telephony service Rebtel and mobile internet firm Sendit; but also Andreas Ehn, the founding CTO at Spotify, and Fabian Mansson, the former CEO of Swedish fashion retailer H&M and Seattle sales Eddie Bauer.

Given those connections, isn’t there a big gap in Wrapp’s portfolio of partners. What about Sweden’s biggest retail names, I asked Winbladh: where are Ikea and H&M?

He was coy about relationship with those household names, but suggested there may be something coming in the future. Perhaps a deal is being worked on for the American launch — which, he hinted, is likely to happen sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, U.K. users can download the app from iTunes or Google Play.

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First things first: Don’t buy your app gifts in advance if you want them to be a surprise, unless you opt not to send the gift as an email, and instead choose the “Print gift myself” option in the app gifting screen in iTunes. If you send the gifts via email, your recipient will receive them right away, unless you can somehow convince them to not open their email until Dec. 25.

If you do select the option to print the gift, it’ll give you the added benefit of having something to actually present the giftee. But while Apple’s presentation and formatting are nice enough (see below), they won’t win any design contests.

I suggest getting more creative. For instance, I’m giving the gift of Angry Birds to many friends and family members this year. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by people who’ve somehow never experienced the joy of Rovio’s physics puzzler. Along with the app, I’m putting one of the Angry Birds plush toys in the box for one lucky recipient. In this case, the prop actually cost around 15 times the gift itself, but considering how cheap the game itself is, and how happy the stuffed bird will make the little guy getting it, it’s well worth it. It’s a little late to get this shipped in time, but you can grab an Angry Birds iPhone case from Best Buy or the Apple Store as a nice replacement. Works better for grown-up kids, too.

Of course, not every app has a companion stuffed toy to give away with it. I’d be hard pressed to find a plush animal that’s appropriate for Reeder, for instance (okay, maybe an owl with a mortar board and glasses). Instead, if I’m giving a selection of apps to one individual, I get a little crafty. Get ready to tap into your inner Martha Stewart.

First, grab screen captures of the icons for the apps you want to give, either from iTunes directly or from the iTunes preview page on the web for each app. In case you don’t know, on a Mac this means hitting Shift+Command+4 and then clicking and dragging to specify the area you want to grab. A .PNG named “Screenshot” followed by the date and time it was taken should appear on your desktop.

Once you’ve got all your apps taken care of, arrange them on a page using your photo editor of choice and print them out, at a fairly large size. Try to get six on a page, with plenty of white space between. I like to use a heavier stock paper, for better durability. When the pictures are printed, get out the scissors and cut out each app icon.

Now take a piece of cardboard (cut to whatever shape you desire) and wrap it in festive wrapping paper. You could use ribbon to mimic a tied package at this point, complete with bow. Use a glue stick to fix the app icons you cut out on your wrapped cardboard backing. I’m planning to cut my backing into stocking shapes, and maybe hanging them on the tree in advance of gift giving.

Another quick and easy idea is to print app icons, along with a brief description or personal message, and the code iTunes provides when you buy the gift on printable business cards. It’s easier for less crafty individuals, takes far less time, and makes your gift easy to slip into a card or stocking.

One more tip for those gifting apps this season: make sure the app is compatible with your giftee’s device in advance. If they have an iPhone 3G running iOS 3.1 and you give them an app that requires 4.2 or higher and is exclusively compatible with iPhone 4, their disappointment will be palpable.

So long as the app is compatible, and you give them a little more than just a stock email, though, giving apps as gifts should result in a lot of smiling faces come Christmas morning. Unless your loved ones are too busy flinging birds to smile.

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1. Lonely Planet Android Apps. Your geek’s phone never looked so smart as it will with these augmented reality applications lighting the way. The detailed city maps use the phone’s camera and GPS to highlight nearby points of interest in 25 major cities in the world. No more getting lost while traveling for that special geek in your life. $0.99 each city map.

2. Telescoping Laptop Stand. You’ve likely been in crowded airports where using a laptop was not easy due to all the people jostling for space. You can insure your geek will always have a good laptop work area with this portable stand that attaches to any carry-on travel bag. The stand is adjustable to create the proper working height, and has a strap to secure the laptop to the stand. $13.

3. Star Wars Dark Side Roast Coffee. Star Wars. Darth Vader. Caffeine. That may be all you need to know, but this special blend of coffee is the real deal — whole bean coffee hand roasted by Storm Troopers. Hey, you can’t make this stuff up. If your geek is going over to the dark side, let him/her take the perfect coffee blend along for the ride. $15.

4. Bag of Holding. If a simple urban bag is more in line with your geek’s needs, this messenger bag is the perfect gift to carry gadgets around town. No doubt your geek carries gadgets everywhere, and this special bag holds more than seems possible given its small size. I guess that’s why they call it the Bag of Holding. Your geek will understand. $50.

5. iPhone Keyboard Case. Maybe your geek waited in line to get one of the first iPhone 4s, or maybe he/she still rocks the old-school iPhone 3GS. This special case comes in models for either phone, and adds something that no one else in your geek’s social circle has — a QWERTY keyboard. Yes, spin the case around and a full physical keyboard is exposed so your geek can enter text at breakneck speed. The phone works normally with the keyboard exposed or not. $40.

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1. Update iTunes

iTunes is the gatekeeper for all the iOS devices. Without the latest version, not all device features may work. Whether you’re on a Mac or a PC, use the Apple Software Update to make sure you have the latest version of all Apple-related software. This might require additional updates and restarts. You may need the password of an administrator on the computer and have the ability to install software. If you have multiple computers in your home, it’s best to update them all to the same version to take advantage of Home Sharing and other features.

2. Find your wireless network name and password

Once a wireless network is set up, you usually never need to enter the password again. Not everyone knows the name of their wireless network (referred to as SSID or network identifier) or the wireless password. For Mac users, go to the Airport icon in the Menu bar and note the name of the network checked — that’s your network name. If you don’t know your password, go to Keychain Access in the Utilities folder. Search for that network name and click “Show Password.” Now you have the network name and password in order to later join your iOS device to your home network. Sorry, no equally magic way of figuring this out. If you can’t find your network password, you may have to reset your modem or wireless router to factory settings and start fresh.

3. Find the Apple ID and password

Your Apple ID is what you use to purchase content on iTunes. If the git recipient already has an Apple ID, knowing that ID and password will go a long way towards getting them set up. The ID should appear in the upper right hand corner of the iTunes screen when you click on the iTunes Store. Many families share an ID, so you should be fine if you already know it. If the recipient doesn’t already have an Apple ID and you don’t want to share yours with them, you need to come up with an excuse to create one for them. Apple will send them confirmation, so if you set one up a new one in advance, they may be tipped off that they’re getting something from Apple. More than one surprise has been ruined this way. You can tell them you’re gifting them an album from the iTunes store as a way of hiding the real present.

4. Find email account credentials

This is another one that will require a high level of trust between gifter and giftee. To setup email on the device, obtaining this password in advance will solve some hassles. If you have the info and your gift recipient stores a lot of their info on the cloud, you can even get the device ready to go with contacts, calendars and more right upon opening. If the device you’re purchasing is for someone who doesn’t use a computer that much to begin with, like maybe grandpa or grandma for instance, you might want to set them up with a brand new email and build out the contacts list yourself to make things extra easy for them.

5. Connect your device to the owner’s computer

iPhones are difficult to set up in advance, so at this point, you’ve done about all you can do. Activating the phone in advance could cause problems for the recipient. Continue reading on, though so you have an exact game plan after the box is opened. However, for the iPod touch and the iPad, you’ll want to begin the activation and registration process before wrapping. You’ll need the recipient’s Apple ID, which I mentioned in step 3. Activation servers may be slow Christmas morning, so this is a great thing to do ahead of time.

6. Perform your first sync

Many computer owners have impressive photo collections they want to carry with them on their iDevices. iTunes needs to optimize these photos for the device and that can take over an hour for a large collection. One of the first things I notice new iOS owners do is figure out their wallpaper and they need their photo collection to do it. Earn a few bonus points by custom configuring the wallpaper and lock screen in advance. You can also stock the device with some music and movies you know your gift recipient will like.

7. Update the firmware

Most likely, your device will need an update. Check by plugging it in to iTunes and clicking the “Check for Update” button if you aren’t notified immediately In particular the iPad 4.2 update is a major enhancement that brings it to parity with the iPhone OS. This update can take up to 45 minutes, so again this is a great candidate for setup in advance. The update shouldn’t be interrupted and the device will be offline during this time.

8. Add the device to your wireless network

Now that you’ve got everything synced up, updated, and optimized, now’s the time to add it to your wireless network. Sure, this is an easy step, so long as you followed my advice above and found out your network name and password in advance. For the iPad 3G, I recommend against setting up a data plan at this point since you’ll be paying for time spent in the box. If you’re wrapping it up Christmas Eve, though, then paying for one month of service might be a nice additional touch.

9. Add email accounts for web-based email

If the recipient uses an application-based email program (Apple Mail, Outlook, Entourage, etc) and you chose to keep email sync enabled, iTunes should have copied those settings over without a problem. However, if the recipient is using web-based email such as Gmail, AOL or Yahoo, you’ll need to configure that on the device manually. Go to Settings, then to Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and then add the account using the password you obtained in advance.

10. Add the apps

Let’s face it, it’s all about the apps. If they already have another iOS device, you can sync their existing library. If moving from an iPod touch or an iPhone to an iPad, you might consider buying a few iPad-specific version of their favorites. If you’re completely new to the iPad, check out some of our guides and roundups for some great software. Remember that if you buy paid or even free apps with an Apple ID, Apple emails a confirmation, so make sure the recipient doesn’t see those confirmations lest your surprise is ruined.

Now you are ready to power down the device, put it back in the box, and wrap it for placement under the tree. Don’t make the mistake of throwing the little bits of overwrap and apple stickers in the trash — I know of more than one surprise ruined that way.

You might not be able to follow all these steps, but the more you can, the better. Opening a device that requires hours of setup until it can be properly used is a lot less exciting than opening one that powers on ready to go.

“Well I don’t really need anything, and I have too much stuff anyway and if I wanted anything it would be an ocean-side vacation home on the Big Island of Hawaii, an all-expenses-paid trip to India or a new Kate Spade designer purse. But I’m guessing you just don’t have that much spare change lying around and besides we’re not that close.” Or something like that.

If you’re in a similar dilemma about what to get or what to give this holiday season, check out this list of productivity-enhancing presents. They’re all good for business, but won’t break the bank.

1. The Portable Charging Valet: What web worker has not known the horror of running out of battery juice just at the critical moment of closing the deal or putting the final touches on a technical solution? The Portable Charging Valet from The Sharper Image keeps three of the electronic devices you can’t live without morning, noon or night charged up and ready to go. The charger is compatible with your favorite handheld devices including cell phones, PDAs, portable games, iPods/iPhones and Bluetooth headsets. Available at Best Buy, Kohl’s, Amazon.com, Beall’s and Boscov’s: $39.99.
2. The Brain Fitness Program: For Generation Xers and baby boomers alike, keeping your mind sharp and focused is a path to long-term productivity. These challenging programs from brain fitness software company Posit Science can help keep your mind agile, even in the hectic world of Web 2.0. Available from Posit Science, $300 per program.
3. Washable keyboards and mice: OK, true confessions time. If you have never spilled a. a diet Coke, b. a decaf chai latte or c. a martini on your computer keyboard, raise your hand. I thought so. Yes, Virginia, there is now a keyboard that you can dump a whole can of soda on and not bring your work life to a standstill. The Seal Shield washable products can be put in the dishwasher or washed in a sink of warm, soapy water. As a bonus, they incorporate an antimicrobial protection that inhibits the spread of bacteria — so if you share a keyboard with a family member or co-worker, there’s less chance of passing the flu, cold or other nasty bugs between you. Available from Seal Shield, $39.99 each
4. Mini monitors: Is your desktop overcrowded with high-tech gizmos, piles of paper and oversized monitors? If so, why not offload your social media tools, iTunes, photo managers, instant messenger windows, etc. onto a separate monitor? The Mimo 710-S “Mobile Slider” Model can help make your dream of a cleaner, more organized desktop come true. Available from Mimo Monitors, $149.99
5. Etre Touchy gloves: Just because it’s 20 below out, snowing and you can barely move your frozen fingers is no excuse for shirking your texting responsibilities.  These gloves keep your hands warm and dry while using mobile phones, portable game systems, music players and other electronic devices. The missing thumb and index fingertips on the gloves allow you to touch, tap, stroke, slide and pinch these devices. So snow or no, you’re out of reasons for not getting back to that touchy client. Available from Etre Touchy, $32.56
6. The Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset: Voted Editor’s Choice by PC Magazine and CNET for not one, not two, but three layers of wind protection, the Voyager Pro is Plantronics’ top-of-the-line noise-canceling headset. In the interest of true and honest disclosure, I was sent this headset years ago to test and I’ve used it ever since. If you spend hours glued to the phone, this handy device can provide Long-term comfort and quiet. Available from Plantronics, $99.99

From tuning up your brain to clearing off your desk, these six holiday suggestions would fill the stockings of any self-respecting web worker. So write your note to Santa (or Chanukah Harry) and tell him you’ve been really nice this year — or at least plan to be next year — and see what awaits you under the tree or round the menorah.

What gifts are you hoping for this year?

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Surveys from various industries repeatedly show that it’s cheaper to retain clients than to find new ones. One way to keep them is to let them know how much you value them. Since the beginning of my business, I do little things for my clients to show I think of them and appreciate them. You can do this without spending a lot, and some suggestions only cost a little bit of your time.

If you’re tired of pulling your hair out for ideas, here are some to inspire you:

Non-gift Ideas

• Share a relevant article. When I come across an article or comic that’s related to my clients’ business, I share it with them. This shows that I’m thinking of them and that Icare about their business.
• Forward publicity opportunities. If you’re a member of Help a Reporter Out (HARO) or know reporters in need of an expert, forward them to your clients when you find a match.
• Make referrals. Hear someone asking, “Hey, do you know anyone who can do such ‘n such?” Refer the person to your client or give your client a heads up.
• Promote your clients. I watch my clients’ tweets, Facebook updates, newsletters, whathaveyou. If they make an announcement, win an award or make news, I’ll mention them on my blog or Twitter stream.
• Donate in your client’s name. If you already donate to nonprofit organizations, why not make it in honor of your client? Even better, keep track of your clients’ favorite causes and donate to those causes in their name.
• Write a note. This means writing, not typing. Handwritten notes are rare these days, so it’s a pleasant surprise whenever someone receives one. Every year, I send a handwritten note to all of my clients and others I wish to thank.
• Send a greeting card. Don’t stop with winter holiday cards. Consider birthdays, national holidays or a get well card. Add a handwritten note in the card for a personal touch. Although e-cards can work, receiving a card in the mail can have a bigger impact.
• Provide a testimonial. While it’s typical for clients to do the testimonial writing, you can do it for your clients, too. For example, I wrote one for a client who is an author and speaker since I had read his book and seen him in action.
• Review the client’s product or service. You and I are customers, too. I’ve written book reviews of clients’ books. But how do I avoid sounding like I’m kissing up to the client? I let the review speak for itself, knowing that a fake-sounding review does no good for the author, reader and me.
• Refer to print articles. Was your client mentioned in a print publication? Did an author you know have a book mentioned in the newspaper? Or you found an article or comic that you want to share. You could cut them and mail them, or scan them and email them. Some print articles are available online, so you can forward them or link to them.
• Touch base with your client. A phone call, an email or some other touchpoint is a great way to check in with your client and just ask how they’re doing — with no selling, and no business talk from your end.

Gift Ideas

We’ve presented suggestions for web worker stocking stuffers, but not all clients are web workers. Plus web workers may need to consider the cost of shipping gifts. You may need to find different gifts for your international clients due to customs and higher shipping costs.

• Gift cards. Not everyone likes coffee. Not everyone has X store. Before buying gift cards, consider client likes, dislikes and locations. Another possibility is a gift card from an online store with a wide selection. Keep in mind that there may be shipping costs.
• Books. The hardest thing about giving books is finding one you can buy in bulk at a discount that will please everyone. I’ve previously sent books about success and business inspiration. If you have the time and resources, you could select a different book for each client.
• Food. The first year I gave gifts to clients, I sent pecan pralines. Being from Texas, I wanted to send something that represented Texas. I did wonder about nut allergies, and sure enough, one client had an allergy, but she reported her kids loved the treat. The next year, I sent candy and popcorn without nuts.  Coffee and tea are often winners, too.
• Useful giveaways. This year, I not only sent a little book to clients, but also a notepad made out of recycled material with my company logo on it. I use a few things that have a company logo on them because they’re useful. So in thinking about a customized giveaway item, I considered price and usefulness. Shirts are also great, but then you have to deal with the size dilemma. Even if you order them big, the client might feel insulted not realizing you were covering everyone with one size.
• Personalized gifts. Unlike giveaways that mention your company’s name, you can personalize a gift by inscribing it with the client’s name.
• Free product or service. Create a free product or service coupon based on your business offerings, or just wrap them up. If you’re an author, send a signed copy of your book.

How do you thank your clients?

Photo credit: abcdz2000

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Even across great distances, we can still schmooze and butter up with the best of ‘em. The key is good CRM, which applies regardless of distance. Here are some examples of how you might go about bridging that geographic gap to form a solid client-contractor bond.

A Little Friendship Goes a Long Way

It’s hard to gauge the degree of formality a client expects from you, especially if you only correspond via email or other digital means. If possible, however, and if you aren’t getting any red flags, you should try to let yourself be a little more human in correspondence with at least one of your client’s staff. This might mean exchanging emails beyond the professional minimum, or connecting on Twitter or Facebook, or whatever you think might result in a more chummy relationship.

It’s a far cry from a wild night out on the town, but it will still go a long way toward making your professional connections more than just an email address you send correspondence and work product to. Make sure you’re not overstepping any boundaries here, though, or you’ll end up doing more damage than good.

Dinner’s On Me, Even If I’m Not There

Just because you aren’t physically able to take clients to dinner doesn’t mean you can’t do that remotely, too. Try to find out your client’s taste when it comes to food and restaurant choices, and then, if possible, get gift certificates to send them on special occasions. While gift certificates may not always be available, especially for independent restaurants, contact the restaurant directly, and I’m sure most of the time you’ll be able to work something out.

The key to success with this kind of gifting is making sure it’s timed appropriately. Just giving a client dinner for no apparent reason could actually backfire and arouse suspicion that something isn’t going well with the project. If you’re familiar enough with your client to know personal details like anniversaries and birthdays, than that’s the time to choose to do something like this, but if not, stick to major project successes.

Quirky Gifts

I’ve actually only been on the receiving end of this, but it worked a treat. In passing, I mentioned on Twitter my dismay that Apple Jacks (the cereal) wasn’t available for purchase in Canada. Within the week, I’d received two boxes of the coveted breakfast item in the mail. A colleague had spotted the mention and quickly rushed to my aid, at his own expense, expecting nothing in return.

This small act of kindness did more to solidify my good feelings toward him than probably a year’s worth of email or Twitter correspondence could have. This kind of opportunity may not just fall in your lap like my Apple Jacks comment, but if you keep your eyes and ears open when dealing with your client, a similar situation might arise in which you’re in a unique position to scratch a quirky itch in a fun way. Best of all, in most cases this kind of relationship-building won’t cost you nearly as much as dinner or other gifts, and it comes with a significantly higher rater of return compared to other methods, in my opinion.

It may not be quite the same as traditional face-to-face business outings, but there’s a lot of relationship-building you can do as a remote worker, too. It helps keep clients happy, yes, but it also helps you put a human face on your contacts and professional associates, which is far more valuable in the long run.

Photo courtesy Rifu Senka on Flickr

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