On Friday, my Facebook stream was all a flutter about the craziness of Black Friday. I responded to multiple friends that Black Friday is the reason Al Gore invented the Internet (which got a few chuckles and even quote of the day on some status updates). And then I remembered today is Cyber Monday, which supports my online shopping ideal.
So in honor, following are my recommendations for business holiday gifts:
1. Westone: My friend Lynn Kehler is the CEO of Westone, a company that makes custom ear plugs and headphones for the hearing impaired and musicians. He’s always talking about how great they are, but I didn’t realize what a big deal they are until I got a pair of my own. The difference between the sound quality of Westones as compared to the Bose I owned is night and day. I had no idea how much I was missing . I love them so much I’d like to marry them. They are, hands down, worth every penny.
2. Groundswell: If you’ve not read Groundswell, get it for yourself. And then buy copies for everyone you know. It’ll change the way you think about social media and how you incorporate digital communication into your business and personal lives. If you’ve already read it, you know what I mean. Buy it for as many people as you can!
3. Kindle: An expensive gift, but one of the best electronics I own. You can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books on the Kindle and it’s smaller (and lighter) than a paperback. If you have clients or senior-level staff who travel a lot, this is the perfect gift. It also works for parents and in-laws.
4. Joyful Bath Co.: I always say the bath salts from Joyful Bath Co. are magical elixir because, after a hard bike ride, I soak my legs with these and they magically feel better. A great gift for women colleagues and/or clients, though I have yet to convince my male counterparts that it’s good for them too.
5. Good to Great: An oldie, but a goodie. A great book for any business leader wanting to take things to the next level. It’s worth reading multiple times and makes an excellent (and thoughtful) gift.
6. Chocolate Gourmet: I received a goodie basket from Clockwork CEO, Nancy Lyons, a few years ago full of Chocolate Gourmet cookies and truffles. Holy cow are they good! They make an excellent gift for any office because you can send an assorted arrangement of treats that are sure to suit everyone.
What recommendations do you have to add to this list?