Think about the last time you received a gift that felt truly special. Now, consider this: over 70% of executive gifts companies buy for C-level leaders end up unused or discarded.
What is an Executive Gift?
An executive gift is a reflection of respect, appreciation, and the intent to build lasting relationships. Unlike casual business presents, executive gifts are thoughtfully chosen to align with the recipient’s role, preferences, and the nature of your relationship.
What Makes for a Great Executive Gift
- Purposeful: It serves a clear purpose, whether it’s to acknowledge a milestone, express gratitude, or celebrate a collaboration.
- Appropriate: The gift respects professional boundaries and is suitable for the workplace environment.
- Personalised: While maintaining professionalism, it reflects an understanding of the recipient’s interests or needs.
- Quality: It embodies quality and thoughtfulness, leaving a lasting impression.
The Problem with Most Executive Gifts
Despite the corporate gifting market being huge (valued by some at over $242 billion annually), many gifts fail to make a lasting impression. Common issues include:
- Lack of Personalisation: Generic gifts like branded pens or mugs often lack a personal touch.
- Limited Utility: Items that don’t integrate into daily routines are quickly forgotten.
- Missed Branding Opportunities: Gifts that don’t align with the recipient’s brand or values can seem out of place.
How to Make a Gift Meaningful
Today’s executives value gifts that are:
- Practical: Useful in their daily professional lives.
- Personalised: Tailored to their preferences and needs.
- Branded: Reflective of their personal or company brand.
Profyle Digital Business Cards
Enter Profyle Digital Business Cards. A sleek, digital solution that addresses these challenges:
- Digital Convenience: Easily share contact information with a tap.
- Customizable: Tailored to reflect the user’s brand, including logos and personal information.
- Eco-Friendly: Reduces the need for physical cards, aligning with sustainable practices.
Profyle offers a gift that is not only practical but also raises the recipient’s professional image and aligns with modern sustainability values.
Key Takeaway: When many corporate gifts miss the mark, Profyle Cards stand out by offering practicality, personalisation, and brand alignment. Sign up for a free account here
The ROI of Executive Gifts: The Business Case
- Cost-Effectiveness. Retaining clients is five times more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Thoughtful, branded gifts keep your company top of mind, strengthening professional relationships and increasing client loyalty.
- Employee Engagement Corporate gifts can boost employee morale and engagement, leading to increased productivity and reduced turnover.
- Measurable Outcomes. Companies that track the impact of gifting programs often see measurable improvements in client retention rates, employee satisfaction scores, and overall brand perception.
Why Executive Gifts Impress a CEO
- Reciprocity Principle. Robert Cialdini’s principle of reciprocity suggests that people feel obliged to return favours, making them more likely to respond positively to thoughtful gifts.
- Warm-Glow Giving. The concept of “warm-glow giving” (see Wikipedia on it here) describes the emotional reward people feel when giving or receiving gifts, fostering positive associations with the giver. ´
- Social Norms and Identity. Gifts can reinforce social bonds and personal identity, making recipients feel valued and connected to the giver’s brand or organization.
Improve your corporate gifting practices with Profyle Digital Business Cards. Sign up for a free account here
Our Take on The 5 Rules of Gifts
If a gift breaks these 5 rules, it gets ignored.
The Five Rules of Effective Executive Gifting
Many executive gifts miss the mark because we ignore that besides following legal and corporate best practices, we have to respect psychological principles that make a gift memorable and appreciated.
- Useful Daily: The gift should be something the recipient can use regularly, integrating seamlessly into their daily routine.
- Status-Boosting: It should raise the recipient’s image or status, reflecting prestige and professionalism.
- Custom: Personalisation adds a thoughtful touch, showing that you’ve considered the recipient’s preferences and identity.
- Brand-Aligned: The gift should match with the recipient’s brand or values, strengthening their professional identity.
- Conversation-Starting: An ideal gift fires up a natural interest and discussion, that cannot be faked, serving as a memorable talking point.
In fact, not only CEOs but 78% of employees feel more valued when gifts are personalised and thoughtful.
9 Examples of Executive Gifts
1. Profyle Digital Business Cards
Profyle provides digital business cards that you can share using your phone or with a tap of a high-qualityphysical NFC card. Perfect for executives, these cards can be customised with your name, job title, contact information, and even links to your social media profiles. You can update your details anytime, making sure that the information you share is always current.
Indicative Pricing
- Digital Business Card Subscription: £7.95 per user per year.
- Custom NFC Cards: Prices vary based on design and materials.
Profyle also offers a 45-day free trial, allowing you to test the service before committing.
Sample Product
Profyle’s digital business cards can be shared via QR codes or NFC technology. This means you can simply tap your phone or have someone scan your code to share your details instantly. It’s a modern, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper cards.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Always have your up-to-date contact information ready to share.
- Status-Boosting: Demonstrates a modern and tech-savvy approach to networking.
- Custom: Personalise your card to reflect your professional identity.
- Brand-Aligned: Aligns with a company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
- Conversation-Starting: The unique approach often sparks interest and discussion.
2. Private Access Memberships
Private access memberships grant individuals entry into exclusive clubs and networks, offering a blend of luxury, networking opportunities, and unique experiences. These memberships are designed for professionals who value discretion, prestige, and the chance to connect with like-minded individuals.
Indicative Pricing
We offer full indicative pricing below, but many of these providers offer private try-out periods.
- Chief: A network for senior executive women, offering mentoring, workshops, and events. Membership starts at approximately $5,900 per year.
- CORE Club: A private members’ club in New York City, known for its elite membership and cultural events. Membership fees range from $15,000 to $100,000 per year Perfect iIf you network in NYC.
- TIGER 21: A peer-to-peer learning network for high-net-worth individuals, focusing on wealth preservation and investment. Membership costs $33,000 annually. Business Insider
- Soho House: A global network of private members’ clubs aimed at individuals in the creative industries. Membership fees vary by location and type, generally ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 annually.
Sample Product
Chief is a private network designed specifically for senior executive women, providing a platform for mentoring, workshops, and exclusive events. With over 20,000 members, Chief offers both online and in-person experiences across its five clubhouses in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Access to exclusive events, resources, and networks that can be leveraged regularly for personal and professional development.
- Status-Boosting: Membership in prestigious clubs or networks improves one’s professional image and signals a certain level of success and influence.
- Custom: Many memberships offer personalised experiences, from tailored events to bespoke services, aligning with individual preferences and needs.
- Brand-Aligned: Choosing a membership that resonates with the recipient’s industry or personal brand reinforces their professional identity.
- Conversation-Starting: Being part of an exclusive club or network often serves as a unique talking point, sparking interest and discussions in professional circles.
3. AI Smart Assistants
AI smart assistants are digital tools designed to help professionals manage their daily tasks more efficiently. They can schedule meetings, prioritize emails, take notes during calls, and even draft responses. These assistants learn from the user’s habits, becoming more tailored over time.
Indicative Pricing
- Fyxer AI: With a brand promise of “Get back one hour every day”, it is well worth its cost. Starts at $28 per user per month, offering features like email organization, meeting notes, and calendar management.
- Lindy AI: Offers a free trial with customizable AI agents that integrate with over 3,000 tools with a Pro plan starting at $49.99. Lets your executive partner build their own executive assistant in minutes. Perfect for the more tech-savvy.
Sample Product
Fyxer AI is an AI-powered assistant that integrates with Gmail or Outlook. It organises your inbox, drafts emails in your tone, and provides meeting summaries. Over time, it learns your preferences to offer more personalised assistance. G2+1gotsheet.xyz+1
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Assists with routine tasks, freeing up time for strategic decisions.
- Status-Boosting: Demonstrates a commitment to leveraging advanced tools for efficiency.
- Custom: Learns and adapts to individual work styles and preferences.
- Brand-Aligned: Reflects a forward-thinking and tech-savvy professional image.
- Conversation-Starting: Using cutting-edge AI tools often sparks interest and discussions in professional settings.
4. Bespoke Experiences
Bespoke experiences are tailor-made events or activities designed to provide unique and memorable moments for the recipient. These can range from private culinary classes with renowned chefs to exclusive travel itineraries curated by luxury travel companies.
The key is personalisation: each experience is crafted to align with the recipient’s interests and preferences, ensuring a meaningful and unforgettable gift.
Indicative Pricing
The cost of bespoke experiences varies widely based on the nature and exclusivity of the activity:
- Private Culinary Class with a Renowned Chef: Approximately £1,000–£3,000
- Luxury Travel Itinerary by Artisans of Leisure: Starting at £10,000
- Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience in Bordeaux: Around £2,000–£5,000
Sample Product
Artisans of Leisure offers private luxury tours in over 70 countries, providing personalised itineraries that include cultural experiences, culinary adventures, and exclusive access to local events. Their services cater to discerning travellers seeking unique and immersive experiences.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Provides a break from routine, offering relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Status-Boosting: Participation in exclusive experiences reflects a sophisticated lifestyle.
- Custom: Tailored to individual preferences, ensuring relevance and personal significance.
- Brand-Aligned: Aligns with values of excellence, exclusivity, and attention to detail.
- Conversation-Starting: Unique experiences become memorable stories to share, enhancing personal and professional interactions.
5. Minimalist Luxury Accessories
Minimalist luxury accessories are refined items that combine simplicity with high-quality craftsmanship. They often feature clean lines, neutral colours, and subtle branding, appealing to those who appreciate understated elegance. Examples include leather goods, timepieces, and writing instruments from brands like Valextra, Ettinger, and Xezo.
Indicative Pricing
- Valextra Leather Wallet: Approximately £500–£800
- Ettinger Leather Briefcase: Around £1,000–£1,500
- Xezo Chrome-Plated Fountain Pen: Approximately £200–£400
Sample Product
Valextra offers a range of minimalist leather goods, including wallets and briefcases, known for their clean design and exceptional craftsmanship. Each piece is handcrafted in Italy and features subtle branding, appealing to those who value discretion and quality.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: These accessories serve practical purposes, such as carrying essentials or writing notes, making them part of the daily routine.
- Status-Boosting: Their high-quality materials and craftsmanship subtly convey success and sophistication.
- Custom: Many brands offer personalisation options, allowing for initials or bespoke designs.
- Brand-Aligned: They align with a professional image that values quality, discretion, and timeless style.
- Conversation-Starting: While understated, their quality often draws attention and admiration from those with a keen eye for detail.
6. Art with a Story
Art with a story includes artworks that share narratives, emotions, or a historical context. These pieces often serve as conversation starters and reflect the recipient’s personality or values. Examples include narrative artworks, personalised soundwave art, and pieces that incorporate meaningful text or imagery.
Indicative Pricing
- Narrative Art Prints: Prices range from £20 to £100, depending on size and complexity.
- Personalised Soundwave Art: Approximately £70–£150.
- Custom Story-Based Artworks: Prices vary based on artist and customization level.
Sample Product
Art of Words offers unique art prints created entirely from handwritten words. These pieces depict iconic images formed by relevant text, such as song lyrics, speeches, or historical events. Each artwork combines visual appeal with a meaningful narrative.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Serves as inspiring office decor that can boost morale and creativity.
- Status-Boosting: Owning unique, story-driven art reflects a cultured and thoughtful persona.
- Custom: Personalised elements make the artwork resonate on a deeper level.
- Brand-Aligned: Art can reflect company values, milestones, or missions.
- Conversation-Starting: Such pieces naturally invite discussion and admiration from visitors.
7. Premium Productivity Tools
Some days feel like a race with no finish line. Calendar chock-full, inbox bursting, and still someone asks, “Have you got five minutes?” This is where a good digital tool earns its keep.
Premium productivity tools are smart apps that help busy people get more done. They bring calendars, tasks, emails, and notes into one place. Many of them now use AI, which means they learn how you work and help speed things along.
These tools guide your day and mind equally. The apps remind you of meetings, organise your thoughts, and even help write emails. No hand-holding needed.
Indicative Prices
- Sunsama – A clever daily planner with a catchphrase that executives will be guaranteed to love: “Make your work-life balance a reality”. This app pulls in tasks from email and apps like Asana or Trello. It helps you plan your day like a proper PA. Costs around £16/month.
- Notion AI – Part notebook, part project board, part brain. You can ask it to write things, tidy up your notes, and keep your work in order. Free version available; paid plans start around £8/month.
- Mem AI – Think of this as a memory with a search bar. You jot things down, and it links related ideas for you. Helpful if your brain feels like a desktop full of open tabs. Around £10/month.
Sample Product
Sunsama is tidy and calm. It helps you plan your day in one place, without juggling a dozen apps. You drag tasks into a calendar and get a clear view of what’s doable.
It works with Gmail, Slack, Asana, Trello, and even helps you set work hours so your to-do list doesn’t get cheeky and stretch into dinner.
Why Executives Like It
- Used Daily – Helps them start the day with a plan and finish without forgetting half of it.
- Boosts Status – Makes them look switched-on and organised.
- Custom – Can match how they work: quick, smart, and no faff.
- Matches Their Brand – Works well with other top apps and gives a polished look.
- Starts Conversations – People ask, “How do you stay so on top of things?” and this is the answer.
8. Smart Wallets: Sleek, Secure, and Savvy
Ever had that moment of panic when you can’t find your wallet? Smart wallets are designed to prevent such scenarios. They combine traditional wallet functions with modern technology, offering features like RFID protection and GPS tracking.
They often include RFID-blocking materials to protect against electronic theft and Bluetooth or GPS tracking to help locate them if misplaced. Some models also feature quick-access mechanisms for cards and compatibility with digital assistants
Indicative Pricing
- Ekster Parliament Wallet: Approximately £80–£100.
- Skyborne Trigger+ Wallet: Around £140–£170.
- TrackGuard RFID Wallet Set: Approximately £50–£70.
Sample Product
The Ekster Parliament Wallet is a premium leather smart wallet designed for slim storage and quick card access. It holds 1–12 cards and bills, features RFID blocking to prevent wireless theft, and offers an optional tracker card to make it unlosable. The wallet is made from environmentally certified leather and is compatible with Apple Find My app.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Combines wallet functionality with tech features for everyday convenience.
- Status-Boosting: Reflects a modern, tech-savvy image.
- Custom: Options for personalisation, such as engraving initials or logos.
- Brand-Aligned: Aligns with a professional’s need for security and efficiency.
- Conversation-Starting: Innovative features often spark interest and discussions.
9. Luxury Desk Upgrades:
A well-appointed desk can instantly change the daily grind into a more pleasant experience. Luxury desk accessories add a touch of sophistication to any executive’s workspace.
These items often feature premium materials like leather, wood, or metal and are crafted with attention to detail. Examples include leather desk pads, elegant pen holders, and stylish organisers.
Indicative Pricing
- Leather Desk Pad: Approximately £50–£150
- Wooden Organizer Set: Around £100–£300
- Metal Pen Holder: Approximately £30–£80
Sample Product
Grovemade’s Leather Desk Pad is a premium accessory that provides a smooth writing surface while protecting the desk. Made from vegetable-tanned leather, it develops a unique patina over time, adding character to the workspace. The pad is available in various sizes to fit different desk dimensions.
Why Executives Appreciate It
- Useful Daily: Improves comfort and organization during daily tasks in a tangible way. They will feel your gift every morning they start working and every evening they finish up.
- Status-Boosting: Reflects a commitment to quality and professionalism.
- Custom: Options for personalization, such as monogramming.
- Brand-Aligned: Complements a company’s aesthetic and values.
- Conversation-Starting: Unique accessories often draw attention and admiration.
FAQ: What Gifts to Give to a CEO?
CEOs don’t need more “stuff”, they value impact. CEOs often receive numerous gifts, many of which are generic and quickly forgotten. To make a lasting impression, it’s wise to choose a gift that is both unique and thoughtful.
Understanding the CEO’s Perspective
CEOs are inundated with gifts that, while expensive, lack personal significance. A study by Reachdesk found that 66% of individuals who received a memorable gift from a business were likely to engage in future interactions with that company. This highlights the importance of selecting gifts that resonate on a personal level.
CEOs appreciate gifts that:
- Improve Productivity: Tools that help them do their daily tasks. Remember, time is more valuable to them than money.
- Reflect Their Identity: Items that align with their personal brand.
- Offer Daily Utility: Gifts they can use regularly.
- Elevate Their Status: Products that signify prestige and innovation without being boastful.
What Gifts Do Rich People Appreciate?
That is a direct question that we all have on our lips, but we are often afraid to ask. The short answer is that wealthy individuals often seek gifts that are unique, sustainable, and meaningful.
While traditional luxury items like designer watches or fine wines are appreciated, there’s a growing trend towards gifts that offer a personal touch and align with values such as sustainability and innovation.
What Do Affluent Individuals Truly Value?
They appreciate gifts that:
- Offer Exclusivity: Items that are rare or custom-made.
- Demonstrate Thoughtfulness: Gifts that show personal consideration.
- Align with Their Values: Sustainable or ethically sourced products.
- Provide Unique Experiences: Opportunities that create lasting memories.
Why Should I Give Profyle as an Executive Gift?
Profyle Digital Business Cards exemplify the five principles of executive gifting:
- Useful Daily: They replace traditional business cards, offering a convenient and modern way to share contact information.
- Status-Boosting: Their sleek design and innovative technology reflect a forward-thinking and professional image.
- Custom: Users can personalise their cards with their branding, photos, and contact details.
- Brand-Aligned: The cards can be tailored to match the recipient’s brand aesthetics and messaging.
- Conversation-Starting: Their unique approach to networking often intrigues others, leading to engaging discussions.
Want your gift to start conversations? Sign up free at Profyle: https://enterprise.profylecard.com/register
