Professional Activism
In a Nutshell
Many of us send corporate gifts to our customers and partners, especially during the holiday season. These are usually food stuff and beverages from established categories and brands. If we simply lean into our heritage, we could choose to send gifts from restaurants, bakeries, dessert shops, gift stores that exemplify our cultural and culinary traditions – Pakistani, South Asian, Middle Eastern businesses that have perfect offerings for corporate gifting.
Success Stories
YK (of CA): In my corporate role over the past several years, I routinely send large volumes of corporate gifts. Several years ago, I came across a small middle-eastern baking business, whose desserts were superb but whose business volume was small, consisting largely of individual orders to local Muslim families . In order to impress my clients with mind-blowingly great baklava, and to support the growth of a small business from our community, I placed what was then their largest order. The response from my clients was even better than I expected, with many asking how they could order this for their families and their businesses! I continued to support the bakers and was gratified to see them grow to a hugely popular dessert shop and café in our city
The Ask
If you send corporate gifts to your clients and partners or fellow employees, take a little time to review and select vendors that have offerings that showcase our community’s traditions - from restaurant gift cards to packaged foods, snacks, desserts, beverages, to lifestyle items (artisanal candles, handicrafts, health and beauty items, clothing accessories, etc.). Support a local business with your orders, earn approval from your business stakeholders with unique gifts, and be an ambassador of your community’s traditions and heritage.
Benefits
Promote positive association with Muslim and Pakistani culture across American Society
Stand out with your corporate customers and partners with out-of-the box gifting
Help publicize and support local Pakistani and Muslim businesses
Effort and cost
No additional costs
Scaling the play
Ask others in corporations and institutions to consider giving culinary and artisanal gifts that showcase our culture and traditions
Getting a directory of local businesses that have the right offerings and support for corporate gifting is key. Work with your local community to identify such bakeries, restaurants, e-tailers, and retail shops. Roll up this list with other non-local vendors (that other communities create) to form a comprehensive national directory of suitable businesses for corporate gift giving
