Receiving gifts is something that many clients expect around the holidays—we’re simply conditioned to it. But it makes it hard for a business to stand out, which is a big part of why organizations send gifts in the first place. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with John Ruhlin, author of Giftology, about how you can use meaningful gifts to build strong relationships and leave lasting impressions that the deep pockets of Goliath-size companies can’t touch.   Be sure to check out our show notes at staypaidpodcast.com for more in-depth information and added details not included in the episode.  Connect | Resources  Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Client Retention   0:00     Introduction  2:09     John’s backstory  4:01     The lesson that changed John’s life  7:15     Systematizing the unexpected  12:03   The follow-up strategy  16:02   Gifts are strategic investments  18:15   Recommended frequency for giving gifts  18:44   The power of the meaningful gift  21:09   Why food is the worst client gift  24:45   Your gift-giving budget and why it’s worth it  28:10   The rationale and ROI of employee gifts  32:05   Who gets what? Playing favorites  34:34   How long do you keep sending gifts?  37:23     John’s advice to younger John  40:43     Action Item