Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by John Ruhlin
Letter: Seeing the bigger picture with Trump
I agree with the line from Sen. Sullivan’s recent ADN opinion piece that “it’s vital that we Alaskans not forget the bigger picture.” The problem is that his idea of “the bigger picture” is woefully small.
Leaders Are Readers: Q1 2025 Reading List
The suggested readings in this installment of the "Leaders Are Readers" series offer insights about leading teams, acts of appreciation, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in higher education. Credit: Fresh_Vector / shutterstock.com © 2025 Welcome to the 2025 edition of "Leaders Are Readers." The challenges facing leaders today are more dynamic than ever, and I'm excited to continue curating insights to help fuel your leadership journey.
5 Tips for Buying Holiday Gifts for Clients
As the holidays approach, it’s natural to think about giving gifts to your clients. After all, studies have shown that driving emotional engagement with customers — and well-chosen gifts can certainly play a part — could add as much as 5% to a company’s revenue. But it’s also true that receiving bad gifts — say, brownies for someone training for a triathlon, or a bottle of wine for someone in recovery — can make recipients feel unappreciated and unimportant.
What Do You Do to Elevate Gift Giving to the Next Level? Discover the Secrets of Giving Transactionally to Inspirationally From "Giftology" Author and Expert John Ruhlin - Realty Times
After applying principles of generosity learned from “Attorney Paul,” John started selling the largest deals in Cutco history out of 1.5 million other reps and distributors. Yes. 1.5 million. Not only was he gifting knives but he was being asked to speak on stages around the country to teach sales and marketing teams how to build relationships in unconventional ways. Simple but powerful things like focusing your care on the executive’s spouse, the assistant, and kids.
What Do You Do to Elevate Gift Giving to the Next Level? Discover the Secrets of Giving Transactionally to Inspirationally From "Giftology" Author and Expert John Ruhlin - Realty Times
After applying principles of generosity learned from “Attorney Paul,” John started selling the largest deals in Cutco history out of 1.5 million other reps and distributors. Yes. 1.5 million. Not only was he gifting knives but he was being asked to speak on stages around the country to teach sales and marketing teams how to build relationships in unconventional ways. Simple but powerful things like focusing your care on the executive’s spouse, the assistant, and kids.
Do All Your Gifts Come With a 'Hook'? John Ruhlin, Author Of Giftology, Shares How Intentional Gifting Always Outdoes Self Serving Premiums - Realty Times
After applying principles of generosity learned from “Attorney Paul,” John started selling the largest deals in Cutco history out of 1.5 million other reps and distributors. Yes. 1.5 million. Not only was he gifting knives but he was being asked to speak on stages around the country to teach sales and marketing teams how to build relationships in unconventional ways. Simple but powerful things like focusing your care on the executive’s spouse, the assistant, and kids.
Top Execs Recommend These 4 Books To Improve Your Company Culture
Most business writers, me included, have pondered the phenomenon of company culture. Sometimes the secret sauce that makes one organization’s environment a winner and another’s a dud seems completely unknowable. Yet plenty of business leaders have successfully built firms that make money, do good, and raise spirits. As co-founder of a toy company that went through ups and downs, I always thought about the culture I was creating.
How to Give Meaningful Gifts
What advice do you have for those who plan to give gifts during the holiday season? Look to be the first or last gift. Send a gift before Thanksgiving and be the first gift they receive, or wait until the first week in January and make it a “kick off to the New Year” gift. No one remembers the stuff in the middle so avoid being caught up in the noise. It is also better to give amazing gifts to the most important people than to give average gifts to everyone.
Have You Made a Big Mistake? Here's Why That's Good News for Your Company.
Don't just say 'oops' and move on, because fixing a flub can be a prime opportunity for engendering customer loyalty. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. March 2018 was a lousy time to be a Facebook executive. As the Cambridge Anaytica data fiasco unfolded, the world held the social media giant under a microscope. Time and again, Facebook’s reactions failed. Stock plummeted. Zuckerberg landed in front of a congressional committee.
The Best Post-Event Gift-Giving Strategies
Corporate gift-giving is a delicate act. Whenever I see companies hand out low-quality (but personalized) engraved pens and paperweights, I think “OK, you’ve slapped someone’s name on it, but do they actually like it?” You can engrave whatever you want, but if it misses the mark, it’s useless. Gifts are a great way to sustain event momentum, but they should be artifacts of the experience — not cheap afterthoughts.
3 Ways To Build A Personal Brand Based On Authenticity
In today’s society, people are used to getting a taste of products for free. When a product or service is so high-quality that its creator is confident enough to give it away, that tells audiences it’s truly valuable.
Lessons in Strategic Gift-Giving
If you follow department store legend Harry Selfridge's example, you'll see that the key to building strong relationships of all kinds is thoughtful gift-giving. Nothing in business happens in a vacuum. Actions inspire reactions, and success relies on the quality of the relationships we build. Modern companies want to be more than just faceless vendors, with 56 percent of U.S. consumers saying they want brands to understand them and their priorities, according to a Wunderman study.
3 Things You Can Do to Get Your Customers Gabbing
Word of mouth is right down the street, at the corner of Extra Mile and Hard Work. Meet you there? You might run an online company, but don’t assume that means you can skirt your customer service duties. Offline word-of-mouth can be more powerful -- and profitable -- than all the Google ads in the world. Just ask Expedia.
4 Rules for Strategic Givers
It’s likely that your company logo is sitting in the bottom of some landfill. Likely, that is, if you’re among the majority of business leaders who try to woo clients, prospects, and employees with self-promotional gifts. You know the kind I’m talking about: food baskets, towels, T-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and poorly made laptop bags. And for the more progressive companies out there: ear buds, cell phone projection keyboards, wine bags, flasks, and inflatable paddle boards.
The Generosity Paradox - Michael Hyatt
We’re used to hearing about giving during the holiday season. But generosity isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. It’s best to think of generosity as a habit or a lifestyle. Especially since researchers have discovered a paradox—those who give receive back in turn. In this issue, find out how a generous lifestyle can increase your happiness, health, sense of purpose, and personal growth.
OMG! Only 7 Days to Christmas! 4 Ways to Find the Perfect Gift for a Relative Stranger.
Know that that gift will be appreciated and maybe make you stand out to a new client or prospect. Gifting isn't a new concept, but a recent Bloomberg article highlighted just how effective the strategy remains. According to Bloomberg, businesses in Japan spend hundreds of dollars per arrangement on exotic orchids. They present these beautiful plants to one another not only because gifting is a cultural custom, but because it makes a strong connection between the giver and receiver.
Choosing Gifts That Wow Recipients
Giving a gift? Waiting for inspiration to hit means you could easily strike out with the recipient. That's why you need a methodology for selecting gifts that will help you grow your relationships consistently. When giving a gift, one of the first things you need to consider is your recipient. Who are you giving to, really? There are numerous methods for gathering clues about your recipient, but one of the best is a systematic approach.
Gift Giving This Holiday Season and Beyond: How to Keep Your Business Top of Mind
As the head of a corporate gifting company, I know that the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is always hectic. The UPS and FedEx guys are making two or three stops a day at the office, and the conference table is ready to break from the weight of the gifts. If you’re a business or client trying make an impression, this season can be a tough time for building relationships. There’s simply too much noise. Another round of honey-baked hams or Tiffany jewelry just isn’t going to cut it.
When Perks Don't Work: How to Offer Better Benefits
By John Ruhlin, founder of The Ruhlin Group. Employers have long sought workers who can follow instructions and get a job done. That's not enough anymore. Many bosses are now looking for employees who exhibit creativity, passion, energy and the ability to solve problems.
Low Cash Flow? Believe It or Not, You Should Spend More on Gifts.
When your budget shrinks, that one great gift to the right person just might provide your company a needed shot in the arm. Richard Branson represents the best-case scenario for most entrepreneurs dreaming of becoming society's next billionaire CEO at a thriving company. Those at the top didn’t get there overnight, however. They faced the same struggles as you have, the same as the rest of the entrepreneurial crowd.
It's Likely That Your Favorite Nonprofit Wants 'Gifts,' Not Just Checks. Here's the Difference.
What if you gave of your expertise as part of your philanthropic mission? For instance, instead of giving $10,000, you could donate $10,000 in logistical support or other help to solve back-end problems and streamline the organization’s processes. PepsiCo has successfully put this strategy into practice. The food and beverage company's Food for Good program leverages its industry experience and knowledge of logistics to provide healthful meals for free to families with low incomes.
It's Likely That Your Favorite Nonprofit Wants 'Gifts,' Not Just Checks. Here's the Difference.
Philanthropic gifts don't have to be tangible. To maximize your generosity and build your legacy, go beyond just sending cash donations. Do you think of philanthropy as a worthy obligation or an opportunity for investment? For many business leaders, it’s the latter. They’re happy to write checks, but that’s where their philanthropy ends. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is different: He may be poised to take his philanthropic deeds to the next level.
Four Ways to Appreciate Your Customers that Don't Involve Logos or Stress Balls
The way to a banking customer’s heart is by feeding her caffeine addiction—at least it is if you’re Frost Bank. Once a month, the company partners with local coffee shops to offer customers a free cup of joe, a gesture that helps explain Frost Bank’s consistent ranking atop the J.D. Power U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. Free coffee might not seem like much, but the monthly treat endears customers to the bank and keeps attrition to a minimum.
Giving Gifts Internationally: How to Wow Your Global Partners Every Time
As the world becomes increasingly connected, many executives are considering moves into the global marketplace. That can be a daunting thought, as many moving parts are involved in such a change. But, never fear: Emerging research from the Group & Organization Management journal indicates that international expansion may not be as risky as many might think.
How to Build the Funny Bones of a Solid Business Relationship
Humor Are you and your business partners humor-compatible? You can use your wit to stay tight-knit. Image credit: Michael H | Getty Images John Ruhlin Guest Writer Founder and CEO of the Ruhlin Group September 12, 2017 6 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Picture someone in your life who shares your sense of humor. What adjectives other than "funny" would you use to describe him or her?
Guest Blog: Stay out of the quiet zone - Use gifts to keep event attendees excited - Event Industry News
Written by John Ruhlin, founder and CEO of the Ruhlin Group One truth in event planning is that ticket sales have two peak times: when the tickets first go on sale and immediately before an event. Between those occasions is the “quiet zone,” when ticket sales usually go dead. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are strategies event planners can use to avoid that dreaded quiet zone, and chief among them is using gifts to foster high anticipation levels surrounding each event.
Being a 'Boss' Entrepreneur Doesn't Mean You Have to Be Selfish
Lies. Cheating. Stealing. All are heralded as the way to millions in the Netflix series Girlboss. Although the network peddles the story of Sophia Amoruso’s climb to the top as a comedy, it should be touted as a modern morality play about being a selfish jerk.Sure, it might sound exciting to boomers, Generation-Xers, millennials and Generation Z up-and-comers aiming for the top rung of the corporate ladder to follow shark-style Girlboss atttitudes.
Toxic cult to excellent culture: Reviving the poisoned workplace
What happens when employees at a financial institution admit to committing illegal activities directly related to a company culture best described as stressful, unethical and insane? It’s far from a theoretical question, as a recent case involving a Canadian bank demonstrates all too clearly. And when such debacles happen in the public eye, you can imagine the repercussions. No pressure, right? But banks crippled by toxic cultures and terrible actions still have an opportunity for redemption.
3 Goodwill Gestures to Build Better Business Relationships
Reader Resource Apply now to be an Entrepreneur 360??? company. Let us tell the world your success story. Get Started » Creating strong relationships in business is vital to keeping projects alive, and it can sometimes be tough. But growing a network can also be as easy as a gesture of goodwill.Find that hard to believe? WeWork recently launched its Creator Awards, a program committed to giving $20 million in grants and cash prizes to startups at various levels.
060 Giftology - John Ruhlin
Should we directly incent people to refer business to us? We’ll look at that in our Thought of the Day. And in our interview segment, John Ruhlin, author of Giftology, will introduce us to the science of gifting and how to do it correctly, powerfully, and profitably. That and more on today’s show. Three reasons why paying people for referrals is usually counter-productive.
4 Innovative Benefits That Will Help You Snag Top Talent
Money no longer rules where talent will end up, a fact evidenced by news anchor Megyn Kelly’s highly publicized exodus this past January from Fox News to NBC.Related: Why Team Input Is the Key to Successful Benefits PlanningFox reportedly offered Kelly $20 million to stay, but even those millions couldn’t sway her from the siren song of family life. Her move shattered the long-held creed that elite performers only want bigger paychecks.
Should You Regret the Gift You Didn't Give That Client?
Reader Resource Join Entrepreneur's The Goal Standard Challenge and make 2017 yours. Learn more » Valentine's Day is coming up, and you might want to consider that day of flowers and chocolates as a gift-giving opportunity -- not just for your sweetheart but for your business clients.Related: 10 Ways Competition Helps You Win in BusinessThe reason? "Holiday" gifts, as in the December holidays, often feel burdensome, and not just for individuals.
Do Employees Value Gifts More Than Money?
One of the reasons employees may start looking for work elsewhere is because they don't feel appreciated or heard. Employees that leave may not believe their employers care about them. But what if employers gave each of their employees a few thoughtful, unexpected gifts throughout the year? Not something boring like socks, but a genuinely thoughtful gift of appreciation. This act of gift-giving could go a long way to counteract the feeling of being unappreciated.
Don't Assume What Gifts Potential Partners Want -- You Can't Afford to Be Wrong
Reader Resource Join us Dec 20. for our free webinar on attracting top talent, fueling productivity and building a brag-worthy culture. Register Now » Entrepreneurs attempting to make good impressions often falsely assume what networking contacts would like.
How to Guarantee Success With Your Launch-Party Swag by @ruhlin
When Xiaomi launched its Mi Max phone in India over the summer, it warmed up the crowd with a little gift. Event organizers handed out free T-shirts, and the swag was a hit -- until the supply ran out. Those who hadn’t received shirts were irate and refused to calm down until the New Delhi police intervened.Virgin telecom suffered similar backlash when it ran out of the free cocktail glasses it was distributing at an event.
The Best and Bravest Question to Ask in a Job Interview
Reap the benefits of taking control of the conversation. What is the one thing everyone wants to know at the end of an interview and yet rarely asks? We want to know how we performed. We want to know if there is anything the interviewer didn’t like about us. That initial post-interview high and sense of relief can, all too easily, change to feelings of uncertainty. The solution is simple: Ask.
Ep. 39: Tips for Great Gift Giving
This week we are giving you the gift of gifting. Giving and sharing are important parts of not just the holiday season but a well-rounded and successful life. Shelby and Josh explore the power of gift giving with author and founder of The Ruhlin Group, John Ruhlin. They discuss benefits you can get from the careful practice of gift giving and we ask you to share your best gifts. What's the best gift you've ever received?
How to Gift Your Boss Without Looking Like You Want a Promotion
Whether you're a higher-up or an entry-level employee, like most people, you probably feel unappreciated at work. Maybe you get an earful when you make a mistake or feel lucky to even get a cursory "good job" while walking down the hallway. The best teams and companies know how to show gratitude for a job well done. This is simple enough when the boss gives out gifts to employees, but what about when the roles are reversed?
4 Ways to Reward Employees and Gain a Return on Investment by @ruhlin
Reader Resource Position yourself for growth in 2017—join us live at the Entrepreneur 360™ Conference in Long Beach, Calif. on Nov. 16. Secure Your Seat » Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Many companies try to harness that feeling -- especially now, during the run-up to the end of the year and the holiday season. That's why so many companies use gifts to incentivize their teams.In reality, though, such reward programs actually demotivate workers.
5 Ways to Help Establish Yourself as an Industry Expert
Hi there, you can call me John. I'm Founder at The Ruhlin Group and I'm based in Greater St. Louis Area. Becoming an industry expert may have a profound impact on your business and your bottom line. I worked as a distributor while going to college. The company president was invited to be the main speaker at a large agricultural business event. The topic was selling, but as an executive, he was long removed from the sales department.
Networking Tactics That Will Change the Way You Do Business
Networking practices are all about quality connections, not quantity. When you think about traditional networking tactics, conferences, steak dinners and mind-numbing small talk probably come to mind. That’s because all business leaders resort to these tired tactics to get noticed. But if your goal is to impress a contact, how can you expect to stand out when your networking approach blends in with the crowd?
Building a Relationship With a CEO? Woo the Inner Circle First.
Join us live at Entrepreneur's Accelerate Your Business event series in Chicago or Denver. Secure your spot » When building partnerships with other businesses, most entrepreneurs naturally target the C-suite leaders first. That's understandable: CEOs, after all, are the decision-makers, so naturally you and every other entrepreneur is going to clamor for a meeting with the top brass. However, the problems you want to solve are not likely to be the same ones keeping those executives up at night.
Get Your Mind Right: 5 Tips for Untangling Your Can’t-Do Mindset
I often ask my clients, “If anything will get in your way, what will it be?” It’s an important question, especially at this time of year. Holidays can be both joyful and complicated. Expectations are high. We can feel tangled and conflicted. We daydream things like, The holidays will be perfect! Our family will enjoy special times together! All my gifts will bring joy and excitement! Because it’s the most wonderful time of the year! And then reality happens.
6 Hacks to Drive Massive Referrals
Join us at Entrepreneur magazine's Growth Conference, Dec. 15 in Long Beach, Calif. for a day of fresh ideas, business mentoring and networking. Seats are limited--Register now to secure your spot and receive exclusive reader rate (expires 12/8). Referrals and gifts are huge in business, but they’re often handled in all the wrong ways. Attempts to elicit referrals sometimes seem forced or in poor taste and can do more harm than good. Related: Potential Referrals Are All Around You. Pay Attention.
An Argument For Killing Christmas
The holiday season is upon us, and we all know what that means — it’s time to bring out the old traditions like musty decorations, emotionally charged family gatherings, and that hard cider recipe that gets a little bit harder every year. Holiday traditions, however, aren’t reserved for home life—today they follow us into the workplace.
The Secret to Selling to Big Companies
When you pull up to the headquarters of a Fortune 500 company to make a pitch, you may feel a twinge of panic. That’s completely normal; after all, landing this sale could be a big win for your company. The budget for just one of its side projects could cover your payroll for the year. Related: Not Closing Sales? Look to These 5 Mistakes. But there is nothing to fear. Just remember: You aren’t selling to a company; you’re selling to a person. I am CEO of a high-level gift company.
The 3 Main Reasons You're Not Closing the Deal
When I was first getting started in business, I regularly struck out. I sold knives to companies as gifts, and while I closed my first corporate sale within two weeks, it was to my girlfriend’s father -- the sale didn’t feel like it really counted. Related: Selling for a Startup? Make Yourself Essential. Become a 'Pipeline' for Consumer Feedback. What's more, while I did fine selling to homeowners, businesses weren’t interested.
5 Ways to Navigate Clients' Gift Restrictions
You've handpicked the perfect gift. You've written a thoughtful note. You've presented it to the client -- only to see your generosity rejected. You may be red-faced, but the client feels the need to turn down your gesture for fear of violating company policy on accepting gifts. In fact, some companies do prohibit gifts, on ethical grounds.
5 Ways to Grow Your Startup by Focusing on Mindshare
While growing your startup, metrics serve as your markers for success. When you can command a sizable market share, you know you’ve made it. Right? Not exactly. Many entrepreneurs fall for this flawed thinking and get distracted from the metrics that really matter. To build an amazing business, you may only need 100 of the right people to know and love you. If you can grow to become a $10 million company with 20 percent net to the bottom line, who cares if you’re only reaching 1 percent of the market?
Avoid These 4 Business Gift-Giving Faux Pas
In the business world, gift-giving provides incredible intrinsic and financial rewards. But finding the perfect gift takes a considerable amount of thought -- even for those of us who develop gifting plans for a living.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with John
Contact John, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack