John Ruhlin passed away at 44, leaving behind a wife and four daughters. He was a business hero of mine, and his legacy continues today through the GIFT-OLOGY concepts taught to so many of us.

GIFT-OLOGY is a business strategy (and a book) that takes a fresh approach to show appreciation and love to clients and other stakeholders through a unique gifting strategy. GIFT-OLOGY encourages unexpected and practical gifts, something you don’t often see in the corporate world. Rather than sending gifts to others they will never use and plastering your own logo all over these items, GIFT-OLOGY takes a different approach. With GIFT-OLOGY, you give gifts that are used repeatedly and put the recipient’s name or logo on the item.

We engaged the GIFT-OLOGY team at my energy consulting firm for a quirky project that led to incredible success. Two of our top sales reps had teamed up to serve the commercial real estate market with the industry’s leading analytics, planning tools, and proactive procurement strategies. Their names were Ben and Jerry.

Capitalizing on the famous ice cream brand with a similar name, GIFT-OLOGY assisted our team in launching a summer campaign designed to surprise and delight. Decision makers and some key staff members surrounding them received a fancy box at work with a handwritten note attached. With the hot summer coming soon, the note let the recipients know they could expect the latest energy “scoop” from our team. Inside the box, they uncovered one of the nicest ice cream scoops you could buy with the recipient's name inscribed on the handle.

The gifts were a hit. Within days, Ben and Jerry delivered pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to each person who received the scoops. This became a tipping point for these two energy consulting all-stars as they went on to serve as the Ice Cream Marshalls at various golf tournaments and then released a monthly energy newsletter appropriately titled “The Scoop.”

John Ruhlin’s team walked with us through the entire journey, and I credit their creativity and professionalism for so much of that early success. I also consider myself blessed to have met John several times, which led to our team’s decision to engage GIFT-OLOGY when the timing was right.

The first time I met John was during one of his Texas visits. We were connected through a mutual friend (thanks, Marcellino D’Ambrosio) and met for a drink and some appetizers. John’s focus and undivided attention throughout the evening was palpable. He cared for each person he encountered, and it showed. Years later, we would cross paths in a hotel restaurant in a different city and immediately embrace one another for a hug and a quick chat. He had a powerful presence and used it as the ultimate gift when encountering strangers and friends alike.

After those encounters, John and I texted occasionally and had one phone call in early 2024. His presence on the phone was just as genuine, excited, and connected as in person.

The guy known by many for his incredible approach to gifts and presents made his presence the greatest gift of them all. Be like John and truly show up for others as your undivided self.