To Give is to Achieve: Corporate Gift Ideas

A corporate gift does not have to be serious or stuffy in nature. Instead, it should be reflective of a company’s brand, philosophy and be meaningful to the recipient so that it resonates and deepens the relationship–whether the recipient is a customer, vendor, or employee. And, corporate gift ideas need not be complicated or expensive. Here are some key corporate gift ideas that can help a business select the most appropriate items to give at holidays, as ‘thank you’ gifts, or in recognition of a job well done.

•    Be creative: There is nothing wrong with stepping outside of the traditional corporate gift box and opt for an item that will surprise and delight the recipient on a personal level, including sports-related items like golf accessories, a personalized wine bottle, a game or even some type of fitness product.

•    Consider demographics: It is important to consider (at minimum) a person’s gender and age group to get the most bang for your promotional product buck. You do not want to give a younger client some type of house wares item when they would likely prefer a cell phone accessory or electronic device. Corporate gifts are meant to provide you with intangible ROI such as appreciation and allegiance as much as they benefit the recipient.

•    Represent the company’s values: Select items that reflect what the company believes in. For example, if the company is environmentally aware, be sure to select an item that has been manufactured from recycled materials and is produced in a way that’s safe for the environment.

•    Stick to a budget: Always be aware of how much the items cost, including any customization, to ensure that the budget is not overshot and increase the likelihood you can continue to offer the gift program each year or quarter. There are plenty of high quality, utility and perceived value items including jewelry, barware, clothing and electronics which will illustrate the level of appreciation you feel for the recipient.

•    Make it relevant: It is important to select those items that are relevant and of interest to the recipients rather than picking up a bunch of pens or diaries because they were specially priced. Take the time to select the types of items that illustrate you know what the recipient likes and is interested in. This small amount of effort will make a significant impact and go a long way toward building loyalty.

•    Go electronic: With so much of our collective professional and personal lives becoming digitized, electronic promotional products and gadget accessories are downright revered–from music and entertainment to travel and productivity, there is a myriad of digital options perfectly suited for corporate gifting.

•    Plan ahead: The best thing you can do with any corporate gift giving initiative is to plan ahead to ensure you can procure the right gift at the right price. This will save you from making rushed purchases that often reveal themselves as just that, which, in turn, may make the recipient not feel as special as intended. Take the time to get it right and you will be rewarded in turn.

In Review
Here is a quick wrap-up on the guidelines for corporate gifts:
•    Think beyond the traditional type of company gifts and go with something fun, practical or memorable.
•    Make sure the gifts fit the individual based on their demographics, what you know about them, and what is relevant for today’s recipients.
•    Keep the gift in line with your brand, philosophy and messaging.
•    Plan ahead and you will be able to pick the right item at the right price, staying on budget and delivering something special to the recipient.

References
Source: Premium Incentive Products, July/Aug 2012, p. 18
To Give is to Achieve: Corporate Gift Guidelines