10 Great Gift Ideas For Women In Business

By Sharon Michaels

I know as a business owner I’m always looking for those special items that will enhance my business skills and make it easier to do business day-to-day. These are gift suggestions you’ll be happy to give all year long.

1. A great looking business bag or tote. I remember hearing a stylist telling a group of women in business that “image is everything.” I don’t know if it is everything but, going to a meeting or networking event looking polished and professional is important if you want to be taken seriously as a success-oriented businesswoman.

2. Good books and magazines to support personal and professional growth. I’m an avid reader so I always enjoy receiving books and magazine subscriptions. You can’t go wrong with a subscription to Forbes Magazine or the classic book Think and Grow Rich. If you don’t know which magazine or book to select, there are always gift cards to Amazon, Barnes and Noble or a favorite local bookstore.

3. An organized businesswoman needs up-to-date computer software. It’s important to have good accounting software, powerful anti-virus software and easy to use software for contact management.

4. An E-Reader is a modern “must” for today’s savvy women in business. The Kindle, the Nook, the iPad and other E-Readers are lightweight enough to carry in a business tote and easy enough to use anywhere. Will an E-Reader ever fully replace holding a physical book in your hand? Maybe not but, portability and the ability to store hundreds of digital books and periodicals are a big draw for many on-the-go businesswomen.

5. Every business owner needs a good external data storage device. As a business owner it is essential to back up your business documents securely and quickly. If you’ve ever lost valuable information during a power outage or if your computer has crashed, you know how important backing up to an external hard drive can be. You can find external hard drives or USB flash drives in most office supply stores.

6. A gift basket overflowing with office supplies. Honestly, I don’t know of any business owner who wouldn’t enjoy receiving a gift basket filled with basic office supplies. Pen, paper, desk calendar, file folders, motivational mouse pad, stamps and mailing supplies, notepads, printer cartridges, etc.

7. A good paper shredder is a must! This isn’t a very high tech or glamorous item but it is definitely a necessity when it comes to guarding against identity theft. With identity theft an ongoing issue, it is vital to keep confidential information secure and private.

8. A fireproof file cabinet or safe will give a business owner peace of mind. Here’s another practical item for security. The purpose of a fireproof safe is to keep those important papers and valuables safe from fire and water damage. There are many different fireproof safes and file cabinets on the market that will serve the needs of most small business owners.

9. A label maker makes a great time management gift. What better way to stay organized and save time than to have files, storage containers and other items labeled so they can be identified and found easily. Label makers come in various sizes and price ranges and from a small handheld to a more sophisticated desktop unit.

10. Don’t forget about gift cards and gift certificates. Here are a few suggestions:

Gift cards for:
Bookstores
Office Supply stores
Online stores such as Amazon
Department and clothing stores
Starbucks or other places where a businesswoman can meet with clients
A favorite airline for that next business trip or vacation

Gift certificate with a:
Business Coach
CPA
Attorney
Financial Planner
Massage Therapist

Gift certificate to attend:
Workshops, seminar and training programs, an annual convention
A day at a spa

Gift membership to:
Local networking groups
Professional organizations

These suggestions should give you a pretty good general idea of some practical and extremely useful gifts for the woman who wants to succeed and thrive in business.

Link to original article:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2011/12/01/10-great-gift-ideas-for-women-in-business/
Photo courtesy of Flickr by JD Hancock