How to give gifts that build business

In my book, The neXus Initiative, I talk about giving a gift the first time you meet a prospective client. This simple act is ancient, one brings a gift the first time they meet someone of importance.

Choosing the right gift is critical. If you bring an inappropriate gift you will never win the business. And many corporations have regulations and policies on gift giving, especially public companies.

Dr. Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist who has studied how gifts strengthen social ties says that to give a really good gift you must ask yourself, "what do I want the gift to convey? What are the various ways to convey it? How might I be misunderstood?"

I have never been disappointed in giving a business book to a prospect. Of course, mine is a great one to give, and not the only one that is appropriate. I will think of what the organization is going through and try to find a book that speaks to that experience.

What gifts have you given that have been successful? Please share

And Yet the Human Condition Still Remains Fragile

My friend and college classmate Doug recommended I read "It's a Meaningful Life-It Just Takes Practice" by Bo Lozoff, Director of the Human Kindness Foundation. The forward is written by the Dalai Lama:

"In recent times, civilization has made many advances, but we continue to be troubled by problems because of our undue emphasis solely on material development. We have become so engrossed in its pursuit that, almost without knowing it, we have neglected to foster the most basic human needs for love, kindness, cooperation and caring. And yet the development of human society is based entirely on people helping each other."

That is why I wrote my first book, The neXus Initiative, to explain that developing business is about helping others build their business first, and not focused on getting material wealth from others, but about cooperation and genuine care for other's business. When you do this, the law of human reciprocity takes effect, and more business than you can realize comes to you.

In our world of iPads, Androids, Blackberry's it is easy to forget that someone is across from you is eager to have a real human conversation, and not distracted by texts and emails. I am amazed how ready people are to tell me their story, when I ask and listen.

Tell me your story of how you put down your device and really listened to the story of another.