Not only did the personal touch pique my interest but in a reasonably subtle way, the card was also advertising their services: On the back of the card they took the opportunity to illustrate just how easily and relatively-cheaply I could have sent similar cards to my own clients by using them to print them for me.

The card went on to explain how they are also able to handle the packaging and distribution of said cards but didn’t at any point feel as though they were only interested in my business. Obviously with a purely business-to-business relationship that is the only concern, but it wasn’t nearly as in-your-face as it can be.

So, not only did this make me feel terrible for not having sent something similar to my own clients, it also got me thinking how I might be able to utilise a double-barreled approach to our own seasonal greetings. Personalised e-cards? Branded t-shirts? Obviously there’s little room for originality when it comes to occasions such as Christmas and Easter but the point is that it got me thinking.

If only I hadn’t received the card too late to order some of my own in time.