Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention Paperback – June 20, 2016

I enjoyed the concepts this book presented: employ a strategic plan in professional gift giving; don't do only what others do and at the same time; focus on fewer, higher-quality, creative gifts that make a big impact rather than a higher quantity of lower-quality S.W.A.G.Nevertheless, this book was a disappointment. It seemed to be more of a puff piece for the author's company than anything else. Chapters were three or four pages at the most (the chapters occupy 153 pages, yet there's 31 chapters), discussing one maxim of smarter gift giving.I'm pleased with the concepts I learned from the book, but I'm confident I could've learned just as much from watching the author's various interviews on gift giving. This is my gift to you: Please save your money.

Giftology is a must read for every business person (CEO, Entrepreneur, Salesperson, etc.) as you can expect a significant ROI in two different ways: "Relationships" and "Revenue." The premise is simple: actively show your appreciation for the people you value most - your clients, employees, and maybe most important - the people they have sex with... BUT the "How-to Strategy" is the secret sauce that John gives to you within the pages of this book.Even if you currently give gifts to the people who are most important to your business, this book will teach you how to up-level your gift-giving strategy, and thus, take your most important relationships to the next level, which will result in an increase in revenue, good will, and all that matters most, to you, and to your bottom line.If you've never considered giving gifts to the people who matter most to you and your business, this book will open your eyes to what's possible, and make it as simple (and affordable) for you to execute. In other words, it's time to buy this book and (insert cheesy pun) give yourself the gift of Giftology.

I love this concept. I love this book. Not only that it has changed my life. I have known about John and Giftology for many years with countless mutual friends.I have used these strategies to become friends with an Owner of a NBA team, multiple NYT Bestsellers, and countless entrepreneurs. It has also helped me close speaking opportunities all around the world.Giving without expectations is hard, but John does a brilliant job explaining why this is a necessity.Read and execute and your life and business will be better because of it.

I recently had a chance to apply some of the principles in this book. After an Uber ride I gave a gift to the couple I shared it with knowing they would appreciate it. This ended up turning into an $8,000 donation to the charity I work with. I would love the message of my life be one of generosity, and this book + John Ruhlin's philosophies are instructive of how to do just that.

How many logo splattered mugs, key chains & ink pens do you receive every year from events or as gifts from companies? I’ve personally had to wait until my husband wasn’t home to make dozens of $1.98 coffee mugs with company logos on them “disappear” from my kitchen cabinet to have room for our regular dishes. But if a company sent us a nice set of coffee mugs (with no logo) that I would use to serve guest in my home, I would appreciate it and think of the company when I used them. This is the idea that John Ruhlin is driving home in his book, Giftology. He gives specific examples of how the art of gift giving can either leave a lasting impression for years to come or end up in a garage sale or in your kitchen junk drawer. And it has reminded me of the importance of the hand written note. I will be making that a priority in my business. For less than a dollar you can write a note and put a stamp on it. What you write in that note could be what seals a deal or simply brightens someone’s day.Giftology is more than just a concept for the business professionals to use when choosing a gift, it can honestly help anyone reevaluate how they choose gifts for anyone, for any occasion. You will begin to think of the person receiving the gift in a completely different way. Giving gifts will actually become fun. If gifting was ever a chore for you, do yourself a favor and buy this book. Everyone you shop for will thank you. Not just your clients, but your family and friends will think you hired a professional shopper.Giftologyy, changes the way you give, and the way they are received will bless you with a feeling like you just opened a gift on Christmas morning.

This book took what I thought I knew about client and prospecting gifting for the past 21 years and completely changed the way I gift, when I gift and most importantly what I gift. I had been doing it completely wrong. I read Giftology at the end of 2016 and slowly started practicing the art of Giftology. I have seen a drastic difference in how my gifts are received from clients and prospects. I've also been able to take the concept and use it in my person life as well. I was once the king of the Gift Card now I'm king of the 'what an awesome gift.' And in many cases it's saved me money. The financial value of a gift is no longer part of my gifting process.If you or your organization give gifts I urge to you read this before you send out your barrage of Holiday gifts with you logo plastered all over them. And it's a quick and easy read.

I read about Giftology online, after I found some of the author's posts on different blogs. I find the idea of Giftology to be extremely interesting and particularly valid as a top-tier direct marketing strategy to get the best sales people into the door. So I bought the book. Unfortunately, there are very few actionable structures to apply. It feels like the book is selling the philosophy behind Giftology, adding suggestions and ideas on how to apply it. But it's mostly conversational and anecdotal. I was expecting something more structured, with more data and case studies. This is a nice read, I read it all at once. But if you are a marketing strategist looking to expand your activities, it will only stimulate your interest and set you on a path of discovery and not help you to get started with giftology. It's a big sales pitch.

Really enjoyed this book and found its message - to give thoughtfully, unpredictably and creatively - a powerful one indeed. For years I have been struggling with the desire to express gratitude with more than just a "thank you" and the fear of going over the top. Now that I have read Giftology I feel so much more confident. This book has given me both the permission and the framework to express my gratitude in ways that will delight and surprise others. Any business benefit that this brings is, in my book, a bonus.

I loved this book. It's optimistic and practical approach to success through fully appreciating those that you work with and in life generally is brilliant. It's the first time that I have read a business book so fast or been able to describe one as heart warming!

This book is very thought provoking and gives you a lot to think about

Giftology is a fun and quick read that gets you thinking about how to give more meaningful gifts. I found this book helpful both professionally and personally.