Introduction
Giving corporate gifts to clients, employees, and partners is a time-honored tradition that can foster goodwill and strengthen relationships when done right. In fact, the corporate gifting industry is estimated to be worth over $125 billion globally. With so much money being spent, it’s clear that companies find gifting to be a worthwhile investment.
The key is making sure your gifts stand out and reflect your brand values. Generic mugs, pens, or calendars often just get tossed in a drawer. But a customized, creative gift tailored to the recipient shows you put thought and care into recognizing them. This not only deepens your connection, but also positions your company as one that values personalization.
With some consideration for the occasion, the recipient’s preferences, and creative corporate gift ideas, you can select meaningful gifts that recipients will appreciate and remember. This guide will walk through how to choose the perfect corporate gifts to help your company make a lasting impression.
Why Give Corporate Gifts?
Giving corporate gifts to clients, partners, and employees serves several important purposes for a business. Most importantly, it’s a great way to increase brand awareness and build customer loyalty. When a client or business partner receives a gift with your company’s logo and messaging, it serves as a constant reminder of your brand. It keeps you top of mind and provides free ongoing advertising.
Corporate gifting is also an excellent method to make clients and partners feel appreciated. In the busy corporate world, it’s easy to focus solely on business objectives and forget the people behind the deals. Taking the time to select a thoughtful gift demonstrates that you value the relationship on a personal level. The gesture can strengthen the bond between your company and the recipient.
Finally, gifts are a simple way to spark joy during the workday. An unexpected present can brighten someone’s mood and make them smile. While this may seem intangible, the goodwill it generates has real business benefits. Happy clients are more likely to continue doing business with you and recommend you to others.
Types of Corporate Gifts
Corporate gifts generally fall into a few major categories:
Branded Items
These are promotional items that feature your company’s logo and branding. Common examples include pens, notepads, notebooks, calendars, water bottles, umbrellas, bags, hats, shirts, and other apparel. Branded items serve as a form of advertising and help increase brand awareness whenever recipients use or display the item. They are an affordable option, especially when ordering in bulk.
Food Gifts
Edible gifts are a tasty way to show appreciation. Popular food gifts include gift baskets, boxes of chocolate, baked goods, wine, coffee, tea, and more. These appeal to recipients’ appetites and can incorporate local or gourmet flavors. Food gifts often feel more personal and indulgent compared to branded merchandise. Perishable items require more care in shipping and storage though.
Tech Gifts
In the modern workplace, tech gifts resonate with many professionals. Examples include wireless phone chargers, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, power banks, fitness trackers, digital subscriptions, and more. Tech gifts feel current, practical, and aligned with corporate culture. They cater to employees’ lifestyle and aim to enhance productivity or entertainment. Downsides are that tech gifts can be pricier and need recharging or eventual replacement.
How to Choose the Right Gift
Choosing the right corporate gift requires some thoughtful consideration. The gift you choose should align with your brand identity and values. For example, an eco-friendly company may opt for sustainable gifts made of recycled materials. Or a tech company could give out the latest gadgets.
It’s also important to know your audience and their demographics and interests. Are you giving gifts to employees, clients, or business partners? What would delight and impress them? Get a sense of their lifestyle and preferences.
Additionally, set a realistic budget before selecting gifts. Consider quantity if ordering for a large number of recipients. Expensive gifts may not always be suitable or feasible. Set a per-person budget and stick to it.
Most importantly, put yourself in your audience’s shoes. Find corporate gifts that make recipients feel truly valued, not like they’re getting just another promotional freebie. Make your gifts memorable and meaningful.
Customization is Key
Personalizing corporate gifts with your company’s logo and the recipient’s name or initials makes the present feel special and meaningful. Customization transforms an ordinary gift into a memorable memento of your brand, transforming the recipient into a walking advertisement.
Adding your logo prominently displays your branding and identity. Rather than the gift getting mixed in with other generic presents, your custom design will stand out. The recipient will instantly recognize that the gift came directly from your company.
Engraving the recipient’s name or initials also makes the gift feel like it was chosen just for them. This personal touch shows that you acknowledge and value each individual, rather than just handing out impersonal identical gifts to everyone. A gift specially engraved with their identity deeply resonates on an emotional level.
The extra effort to personalize a gift demonstrates that you care about tailoring the experience. It represents the human touch of your company and staff, not just a faceless transaction. Unique customization shows that you appreciate their loyalty and want to reciprocate with a meaningful display of gratitude.
Ordering and Logistics
When ordering corporate gifts, it’s important to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for delivery and preparation. Ordering early, at least 4-6 weeks in advance, ensures you can get the gifts you want and avoid any supply chain or manufacturing delays.
Rush orders often incur extra fees and may not arrive on time. Check delivery estimates and timeframes when selecting gift items and quantities. Factor in additional days for gift personalization or customization.
Determine how you’ll handle gift wrapping and packaging – some vendors include it, others charge extra fees. For large gift orders, consider outsourcing the wrapping and assembly to save time and effort. Or order pre-packaged gifts in boxes or gift bags to simplify the process.
Coordinate gift shipment and delivery logistics. If gifts will ship to individual recipients, obtain accurate shipping addresses. For in-person events, plan for on-site storage, gift assembly, and distribution. Working out these details in advance helps ensure a smooth, successful gift giving experience.
Measuring Success of Corporate Gifts
Giving corporate gifts is an investment, so it’s important to track the return on that investment. There are a few key ways to measure the success of a corporate gift campaign:
Survey recipients – The most direct form of feedback is to simply ask gift recipients about their experience. Send out a survey asking if they liked the gift, if it will be used, if it positively impacted their perception of your brand, etc. Consider including a comment box for qualitative feedback.
Track referral/sales data – For gifts given to customers and prospects, look at metrics like new referrals, sales inquiries and closed deals. Try to determine if the gift campaign led to an increase in this business activity. Compare to a similar time period without a gift campaign to see the impact.
Note social media engagement – If you have social media accounts, watch for recipients posting, liking or commenting about the gift. This shows they appreciated it enough to broadcast publicly. Social media can help amplify the impact of a gift campaign.
Brand impressions – For branded gifts like apparel, water bottles, etc., consider potential brand impressions made when recipients use the item out in public. Estimate how many impressions your logo/brand may receive.
The key is picking 1-2 metrics that align with your campaign goals and measuring them before, during and after. This data will help inform future campaigns for continuous improvement.
Creative Corporate Gift Ideas
Corporate gifts don’t have to be boring. There are many options for fun, creative gifts that can make your brand stand out. Here are some examples:
- Branded tech accessories like phone chargers, wireless earbuds, power banks, or mini speakers. Add your logo and choose cool colors. These are practical gifts people will use daily.
- Sustainable gifts like branded reusable water bottles, tumblers, or bamboo utensil sets. Go green with useful eco-friendly gifts.
- Unique drinkware like a custom branded beer glass, wine tumbler, or stainless steel flask. Add engraving for a special touch.
- Fun office accessories like stress ball globes, playing card sets, mini golf putters, or branded Nerf guns. Lighten the mood with quirky desk gifts.
- Delicious edible gifts like artisanal chocolate bars, gourmet popcorn tins, or fancy coffee gift baskets. Food gifts are always a hit.
- Premium corporate care packages with various branded items like notebooks, pens, snacks, tech accessories, and more all in one impressive gift box.
The options are endless when you start thinking outside the box. Add your logo to all kinds of useful and entertaining products to create personalized corporate gifts people will appreciate and remember.
Corporate Gift Mistakes to Avoid
Giving corporate gifts takes thoughtfulness and care. Avoid these common corporate gift blunders:
Cheap or Tacky Items
It can be tempting to opt for cheap promotional items like branded pens or notepads as corporate gifts. But these types of items often end up in the trash or junk drawer, reflecting poorly on your brand. Invest in gifts that show you value your clients and partners. Quality gifts don’t need to be expensive, just avoid anything that could be perceived as tacky or cheap.
Lack of Personalization
Personal and customized gifts make a much bigger impression than generic items. Take the extra time to add a personal touch, like engraving or including the recipient’s name on the gift. Personalization shows you care about who is receiving the gift and makes it more meaningful.
Not Considering Dietary Restrictions
If you give edible gifts like gift baskets, always consider potential food allergies or dietary restrictions your recipient may have. You want to be thoughtful, not trigger an allergic reaction or give an item they can’t actually eat or drink! Do your research ahead of time or opt for non-food items to be safe.
Conclusion
Corporate gifting is a unique opportunity to forge stronger relationships with employees, clients, and partners. By taking the time to select thoughtful, customized gifts that align with your brand image and values, you can leave a lasting impression and build goodwill.
When choosing corporate gifts, focus on usefulness, quality, and personalization. Seek out products that recipients will enjoy long after the initial delight of receiving them. Useful tech gadgets, high-end food gifts, and branded apparel make excellent choices. The more tailored the item feels to the recipient, the better.
Don’t let a tight budget limit your creativity. Even small gifts like branded notebooks or gift cards can feel special with some customization details. The key is pairing your gifts with a sincere note of thanks or appreciation. This emphasizes that you value the relationship, not just the dollar amount.
Approach corporate gifting as a chance to show you care, not just sell your brand. The goodwill and positive connections built will pay dividends for your business down the road. With a bit of thoughtfulness and personalization, you can make your gifting stand out while winning loyalty and referrals.