Did You Know Recognizing & Showing Appreciation Creates Measurable Growth & Sales In Your Business?

THE BIG SHOW & TELL - September 2025

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This month's BIG Show & Tell explores the Who, What, Where, When, and How of recognizing and showing appreciation to your clients and employees. Donna Bender and co-host Kim White demonstrate that thoughtful recognition is more than a gesture—it's a strategic approach for fostering strong, lasting business relationships that lead to loyalty, referrals, and measurable growth. Through conversation, stories, and product reels, this episode highlights how businesses can blend appreciation, creativity, and ROI-driven gifting to make a lasting impact.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

• Why Saying 'Thank You' Builds Trust and Strengthens Relationships.
• How clients, employees, and networks become brand ambassadors.
• The role of giving with no strings attached in authentic relationship building.
• Why it's important to thank all the right people—including influencers and support roles.
• How to combine tangible and intangible gifts for maximum impact.
• Five top strategies for showing appreciation that increase retention and loyalty.
• Creative approaches to celebrating milestones and recognition awards.
• How to evaluate branded products to ensure they deliver measurable ROI.

FEATURED SEGMENTS AND GIFT IDEAS

"The Two Most Important Words, Thank You" 

Two simple words hold incredible power in building long-lasting relationships — both personal and professional: Thank you. Donna shares why expressing gratitude should never be overlooked, especially when it comes to clients, employees, and partners. Using the story of someone holding open a door, she illustrates how acknowledging kindness can make someone feel valued. 

A Powerful Marketing Tool 

Donna explains how clients, employees, and networks act as brand ambassadors. A thoughtful gift sparks sharing and visibility far beyond paid advertising. The follow-up highlights that people enjoy discussing the unexpected kindness they receive, making appreciation a powerful marketing multiplier. 

Giving With No Strings Attached 

Giving without expecting anything in return. Donna explains how authentic giving deepens loyalty and leads to referrals, the concept she outlines throughout her book, The Art of GIVE-ology®

The discussion emphasizes that genuine appreciation must come from the heart, not from a sense of obligation. 

Product Reel -2025–26 Product Trends 

This reel features trending products with retail quality. Donna explains how matching client needs with current items sparks delight and relevance. The conversation reminds viewers that when gifts are useful and on-trend, they create excitement and visibility for a brand. 

Are You Thanking All the Right People? 

Donna emphasizes the importance of expanding appreciation beyond clients to include executive assistants, mentors, and behind-the-scenes influencers. The discussion highlights that recognition of overlooked individuals can strengthen connections and create unexpected opportunities. 

Product Reel - Blog Featured Products 

This reel showcases products from Donna's blog, paired with industry-specific applications. Donna explains why each gift works and how to source details online. The discussion reinforces how educating clients with context and ideas makes gifts more meaningful and actionable. 

Tangible vs. Intangible Gifts 

Donna explains the difference between tangible gifts, those that you can touch, and intangible gifts, like experiences. Donna and Kim share a Kentucky Derby story as an example of how to combine the two for maximum impact. The discussion reinforces how blending these approaches deepens client connections and makes recognition more memorable. 

Appreciation and Recognizing Your Clients 

Donna outlines five strategies for appreciation—personalized gifts, supporting client charities, handwritten notes, welcome boxes, and awards. Statistics show that 75% of consumers are more loyal to brands that personalize interactions—Creating the experiences of an awards programs, underscores their impact on loyalty and retention.  

Product Reel- Awards Showcase 

This reel features art glass, acrylics, and innovative award designs. Donna highlights creative options, such as 3D awards. The discussion points out how proudly displaying awards in offices and videos extends their value long after the presentation. 

Honoring Milestones 

Milestones, whether personal or professional, are opportunities to recognize and celebrate. Anniversaries, birthdays, promotions, company achievements, and holidays all help create emotional connections that strengthen relationships. The key is personalization—making milestone recognition meaningful so that ordinary moments become extraordinary memories. In this segment, dressed as a turkey, Donna brings a little fun to the Thanksgiving table by sharing creative award names for family and friends, showing how recognition can be both meaningful and playful. 

Product Reel- Creative Award Names for Clients and Employees 

This reel shares creative award names and alternatives to traditional trophies, including Cross pens, gavels, and decision wheels. The conversation reinforces that recognition doesn't always need to be shelf-bound—functional gifts can be equally meaningful and memorable. 

Are Your Branded Products Making you Money? 

Branded merchandise, when chosen strategically, becomes a powerful marketing tool that builds visibility and results. Businesses are encouraged to evaluate products based on five criteria: useful, memorable, meaningful, thoughtful, and unique—while also ensuring they align with brand values and have staying power in the recipient’s life. The reminder is clear: branded products should not be throwaway giveaways that end up in the trash. They are investments designed to create impact, strengthen relationships, and generate measurable results.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

• Strategic recognition is more than courtesy — it’s a driver of loyalty, retention, and long-term client and employee relationships.
• Celebrating milestones with creativity and personalization enhances visibility, boosts morale, and leaves a lasting impression.
• ROI-driven gifting transforms branded products into high-value marketing tools — measurable investments rather than wasted expenses.
• Surprise-and-delight strategies create emotional connections that spark referrals, repeat business, and brand advocacy.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." — William Arthur Ward.

CALL TO ACTION

Want to see how the right branded products can grow your business?

• Subscribe to @DonnaBenderGIVING on YouTube
• Our next BIG Show & Tell is live on October 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM CST
• Book a strategy call: [email protected] 
• Visit my blog for more product ideas