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Be Intentional. Here are Four Elements Needed for a Meaningful Corporate Gift Strategy

Written by Posted On Sunday, 15 November 2015 12:55

Have you been looking for the perfect corporate gift for your employees or clients? Have you been struggling with ideas for how to boost employee morale or customer loyalty for the coming year?

Then stand out. Be intentional. Develop a meaningful corporate gift strategy for the year.

Quality products given to customers and employees shows true appreciation from your leadership team. The message of meaningful gift-giving is not one that is easily lost. Gift giving over the year might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!

So what should you do if food baskets tend to get picked over and thrown away, alcohol is risky as not everyone enjoys drinking it, and gift cards lack personalization? Giving a gift that is personalized will make all the difference during the year.  With the right message, this effort can often push employees to go the extra mile to achieve goals drawn out by the company or retain key clients who believe you truly care about them and their business.

To your company’s benefit, corporate gifts not only show appreciation for customers, but also act as a lifelong reminder of the values your corporation has for excellent customer service and customer appreciation. Embellish a gift with a saying or company logo, discretely reminding the client of the business that was done with them that made their lives better.

So what is a meaningful corporate gift?

A meaningful corporate gift is a product given to employees or clients that is unique and personalized in order to show your appreciation for them putting in hard work for your company or for giving you their business. Most importantly, it is something you would want to receive.

A corporate gift should never be an afterthought at year-end! Rather, you should know exactly what you plan to give, and the message you want the gift to send, well before you pull the trigger on it.

Why should you care? Customers tend to give repeated business with a company that has given a well-received promotional product. The same claim can be said for thoughtful corporate gifts given to employees and customers. Clients who receive a thoughtful “thank you” gift are more likely to repeat business with the company who gave the gift. These “just because” gifts that are personalized and treasured act as a constant reminder of the positive experience the client had with you and your business. Employees feel as if their contributions are being recognized and appreciated by more than just a simple pat on the back.

 

When putting together a gift-giving strategy, keep in mind four important elements:

1) Give Any Time…Think “Surprise!”:

Many businesses only think about giving gifts at the end of the year. When is it appropriate to give a corporate gift? Anytime!

You can give a gift for your customers or employees at any time to show your appreciation for their hard work, dedication and business. Gifts don’t have to be exclusive to holidays or annual employee events. Surprise your employees and clients with unique gifts anytime during the year that shows them you know them and care about their personal success. Giving “just because” gifts that are personalized will be treasured and act as a reminder of the positive experience employees and clients have had with your business.

Be creative and consider ways to show your appreciation over the course of the year. Perhaps it’s a small gift, a simple card, a few encouraging words to an employee, or a simple “thank you” said to a key client. Consider a strategy that builds on itself throughout the year. This approach will lend deep credibility to the larger gifts you might want to give at year-end because you’ve been actively building the relationship throughout the year.

 

2) Think Quality and Messaging:

This principle is quite simple. Give a gift you would want to receive.

People appreciate gifts that are one of a kind, will last, and are useful. It is easy to purchase a corporate gift at a mainstream department store, but those products often lack quality and often times are shoved away in a closet and forgotten about, or sold at a garage sale for pennies.

Trends show that quality corporate gifts that are given with purpose are not only wildly appreciated among recipients, but give business back to the company either in the form of productive workers or return service from former clients.

A corporate gift can make all the difference in your employee morale as well as develop a consistent clientele for your company to grow and strive within your niche or community. These personalized products will not only be displayed proudly, but are treasured for generations. So think about what you would want to receive and find something of that quality and utility.

 

3) Personalize It:

Personalized gifts are not only classy, but they are useful in the home or office. Done well, a personalized gift can be given as a reminder of the hard work that your business has given in activities like:

·       finding the perfect home in real estate,

·       achieving a major milestone or company goal, or

·       consistently providing products that support your clients’ businesses.

Giving gifts is about building relationships that are founded on mutual respect. By giving a gift that is thoughtful, meaningful and unique you are sending a message to your employee or client that is a reason they chose you to work for or to work with.

Branding with an understated logo is one option, but not always necessary for a customer to understand their value. Also make sure that your business marketing efforts don’t get in the way of sincerity. Including business logos and contact information is important, but do it discretely, like on the back of the item you’re giving. Choose from many products to achieve repeat business and employee appreciation. For ideas, visit the sites that provide high quality products like those at Black Canyon Woodworks.

 

4) Shop Family-Owned:

According to Family Business Center, the average lifespan of a business or company that is family owned is approximately 24 years in a community. Family-owned businesses are often deeply involved in community and acts as a role model for honest business practices and top-notch customer support.

They also pride themselves on teaching the next generation of business owners, young and old, about governing a personal and professional life guided by hard work and respect for their craft. There are good reasons to show your company support of small businesses, particularly ones who make their products here locally in the U.S.

 

Summary: Giving that Meaningful Gift

A gift is about building meaningful relationships. It should not be an afterthought at year-end! Think “Anytime Giving, Quality Gifts (that Send the Right Message), Personalized, and Family-Owned”!

Gifts don’t have to be exclusive to year-end holidays, birthdays or other common celebrations, they can be given at any time! This act of appreciation and kindness will make your business stand out above all others. A unique, personalized gift will not only put a smile on your employee or client’s face, but will remind them of the important business relationship they have with you every day. In turn, your company will be rewarded with motivated employees and repeat business. Think about what you want to do at year-end, but also how you see next year.  It’s not too early to plan for 2016. Develop your client and employee appreciation strategy now.

Have a plan. Execute against it all year. Then gift giving becomes a natural, and helpful, part of the business.

Thanks for reading! Please share your thoughts or comments!

For more corporate gift insights, and an interesting podcast, check out our latest Black Canyon Woodworks blog and our Artisan Insights page!

 

 

 

 

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Jeremy Graham

Jeremy, president/owner and artisan of Black Canyon Woodworks, has always had a passion for working with his hands. Beginning early in his childhood, he learned the joy of building things alongside his grandfather.  He graduated from Oregon State University in 1997 as a civil engineer, enjoying the challenge of design and construction. He continues to focus on marrying traditional techniques with modern ones, and emphasizes how this craft in the production of his furniture carries over to the company's cutting boards.

https://www.blackcanyoncuttingboards.com

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