All set for fall sales? If you’re as savvy as I think you are, there are probably at least one or two new gift designs that you can’t wait to roll out to your customers. These are most likely your “breakthrough” gifts -- themes or motifs so new and different you’re absolutely certain your customers will love them (and you’ll make a lot of sales!!).

According to Jonathan Cagan and Craig Vogel in their book, Creating Breakthrough Products, these kinds of products (which are exactly what we need to keep current clients happy and attract new ones) are driven by 7 value attributes that connect with people’s lifestyles.
1. Emotion
2. Aesthetics
3. Identity
4. Ergonomics
5. Impact
6. Core Technology
7. Quality

According to the authors, if you get these things right, you’ll have a hit. In gift basket terms, think of themes that appeal to a sense of adventure, fantasy, security, a luxurious experience, or a sense of power. Make the gifts beautiful with good shape, color, texture -- even sound or smell (and, of course, select foods that are scrumptiously yummy!). Next, give the basket an identity or personality. It has to differentiate itself from direct competition. As for ergonomics, make the gift basket easy to use and logically organized (not a lot of tape or glue). Can you design a gift basket so that it has some social or environmental impact? Green design and linkage to charitible groups brings your basket into the forefront of today’s most desirable gift concepts. Finally, build your brand with ‘core technology’ -- gift components and foods that are always fresh, and service from your company that is completely, 100% reliable. Add to the mix a commitment to quality in everything from materials, supplies, components, delivery and final followthrough. Get all these things right and -- according to the book -- you’re going to have a big bump in sales.