Gifting is all about personalization. With countless websites aiming to create custom gifts at scale, the human element is often lost in the shuffle. A gift should make the recipient feel something. It should be a gesture that says ‘I see you and I am here to help.’ We often preach about the importance of building long-lasting relationships. A well-timed, well-thought-out gift can lay the groundwork for just that. We see client gifting as an extension of the philosophy of hospitality, which is rooted in the power of genuine care and connection. It's not just about a fancy pen or a box of chocolates; it's about weaving thoughtful gestures into the sales cycle, creating a tapestry of warmth and appreciation that ultimately leads to stronger relationships and more closed deals.

For two solid years, virtual wine tastings were the thing, mostly because there was no other way to socialize. We met online, we chatted wine while awkwardly chatting with each other. The value ad then was: give people an avenue in which to connect at a time when coming together felt sacred and scarce. Today, we still bring people together, but with a new mission: to elevate our clients' brands while amplifying their content.

The world of sales can be a grind. We often measure success simply by measuring data points such as quotas, targets, or the number of deals closed. The secret weapon that often gets overlooked, and is difficult to measure is connection. Building genuine connections with prospects can be the ultimate game-changer.

I just came off of a whirlwind weekend working La Paulée, a Burgundy festival that is hosted by Chef Daniel Bouloud and longtime New York City Sommelier Daniel Johonnes. This event features some of the best winemakers from Burgundy alongside some of the best Chefs and Sommeliers in the world. For the main event, the Gala Diner, guests bring coveted bottles of wine that range in price from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. The stakes are high and so are the expectations. I was responsible for leading the Romanée-Conti table. Our table was comprised of thirty guests who brought some of the most irreplaceable wines in the world, including a 1957 Domaine de la Romanée Conti La Tâche, current release retails for about $7000 a bottle. Historically, tasting these coveted gems is what brought me to this event year after year.

About two years ago, we landed a huge client. This person is responsible for some of the most important innovations in the tech space. We were set to host an event in one of his residences for 15 other high-powered, big names in tech. No biggie, this is our wheelhouse. We arrived early to set up. As it approached the later part of the rental window with no rentals in sight, we began to worry. We needed everything from chairs, to glassware to china and silver to pull this off. We had none of it.

Virtual events offer an efficient way to connect with prospects and important customers. Creating an engagement with the highest impact means offering more than just a sales pitch with wine tasting as a backdrop. To have the greatest impact, we must go deeper. From pre-planning to the event run-of-show, to post-event follow-up, here are a few tips for building out high-impact engagements.

My career began as a sommelier in restaurants, working nights, weekends, and holidays, where the grind and hustle culture is glorified, mostly because there is no choice. It’s an “all hands on deck” situation every day and you either get on board, or you’re out. Sales are very much the same. High stakes, high pressure all in the name of the cause. The world of sales reminds me very much of the camaraderie of being ‘in the trenches’ with others in restaurants. There is magic that happens when people unite around a common goal, when they lean into it and believe wholeheartedly in something. When restaurants all but disappeared in March of 2020, I, like all of you, was left trying to figure out how I could do what I do, with the same effect, online.

Building a thriving business requires nurturing the right conditions. Financial acumen and strategic planning are crucial, but often the overlooked element that holds the most power is your team. At Acquire, we understand the value of fostering a vibrant and collaborative workplace. We know that keeping your people happy makes you more set up for success, but what does the data say?

From Lecturer To Host - a simple mindset shift that can change the way you approach speaking engagements. Let’s be honest, presenting in front of a large group can be nerve-wracking. Rather than seeing yourself as a dispenser of information, imagine yourself as a gracious host welcoming guests into your home. How do you want to make them feel? If the goal of your presentation is to make them feel at ease, engaged, and valued, how will you shift your tone?

Virtual events have changed the way we engage. The virtual events landscape, and how we use it, is ever-evolving. The burnout from virtual was real in 2022. In 2023, we are seeing a massive resurgence. Our clients are harnessing the power of the virtual space to connect deeply and efficiently with clients and prospects. Here are a few tips for maximizing your time and increasing ROI in the virtual space.

I have a confession: it’s never really been about the wine or the food. They are the tools. It’s the people, the moments that have left me speechless, the moments of true humanity found in the mundane. THAT is what we are aiming for with every engagement we host: to bring the human element to the obligatory, to make our clients feel the generous gift of hospitality. People need to connect deeply with others. Acquire was built to fill that need.

Sales leaders are looking for creative ways to drive engagement and build relationships with clients and prospects. Taking a multifaceted approach to these engagements is key for standing out and is imperative for success. Multiphase campaigns including in person corporate event entertainment, corporate virtual events and high end gifts for clients offer unique touchpoints and are the most impactful when it comes to moving the needle in sales.

Corporate events are an integral part of fostering relationships and driving business growth, however, we fall short when only measuring the success of these events by attendance numbers. The connections forged at these events have the ability to transcend the duration of the event itself and can have profound impacts on business goals. Engagement is key to building new relationships. So how can organizations ensure that their corporate events are not just memorable, but yield tangible results in terms of ROI and engagement?

Success is often solely defined by hitting certain KPIs. Underneath these common success metrics lie an intricate network of relationships and connections that not only impact the bottom line but have a profound impact on the overall culture of your business. How we develop our relationships is crucial to how we drive growth.

Whether in person or virtual, I have a keen sense of how an event feels and how it affects those around me. That's why I started my company, Acquire, to create events that I wish existed for people like me. Because if you can make the most introverted person in the room feel at ease, you've truly succeeded. After all, we all have a fundamental need: to feel like we truly belong.

Virtual events have become a crucial tool for fostering engagement, building relationships and driving business outcomes, but many of them fall flat. This is due in large part to low attendance, low engagement and boring messaging. Here are a few ideas for how elevate your virtual events and drive the outcomes you desire

When it comes to gift ideas for high-end clients, exclusivity and personalization are KEY. The goal is to make the recipient feel valued and recognized for their contribution to your business.

Remember, a customized high-end wine gift is more than just a present; it's a tangible expression of your appreciation and a testament to your commitment to building lasting client relationships. By carefully considering each aspect of the gifting process, you can create an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression.