Introduction
Corporate gifting is an important part of business culture and relationships. Finding a quality corporate gifting company to partner with can provide numerous benefits for your organization.
Gifting is a meaningful way to show appreciation, build rapport, and strengthen connections with employees, clients, partners, and vendors. Thoughtful gifts represent your brand and values, while also creating goodwill, loyalty, and positive associations. Investing in corporate gifts demonstrates that you value key relationships and want to nurture them for the long-term.
By partnering with an experienced corporate gifting company, you gain access to creative gift ideas, convenience, customization, and expertise. A gifting company can handle the entire process for you – from consultation and design to sourcing, packaging, and delivery. This saves you time while allowing you to focus on your core business.
A quality gifting company also provides consistency in your gifting strategy. They get to know your brand, culture and recipients so gifts always align with your image and relationships. This results in memorable, meaningful gifts and a cohesive gifting program over time.
Finding the right corporate gifting company to work with provides immense value. This article covers key factors to evaluate as you search for a gifting partner that meets your specific needs and exceeds your expectations.
Define Your Goals
The first step in searching for the best corporate gifting company is to clearly define your goals. Take time to consider the purpose of corporate gifting for your company. Are you looking to motivate employees and boost morale? Recognize top performers? Thank loyal clients at the holidays? Celebrate company milestones?
Once you determine the purpose, think about your target recipients and gifting occasions. Are you looking for high-end executive gifts for top clients? Branded swag to give out at conferences and events? Employee appreciation gifts for the holidays? Corporate milestone anniversary presents?
Having a clear understanding of your corporate gifting goals and ideal recipients will help focus your search and ensure you find a company that’s the right fit. The best gifts align with your company brand and culture while making recipients feel valued. Define your specific objectives upfront so the corporate gifting company can provide options tailored to your needs.
Research Options
When searching for a corporate gifting company, it’s important to look at all of your options. Start by searching for local companies in your city or region. Many corporate gifting companies operate regionally, so finding one nearby can be beneficial for quicker delivery and better customer service.
Look online for corporate gifting companies in your area. Search for terms like “corporate gifts [your city]” or “promotional products [your state].” You can also check online directories like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau to find reputable local companies.
In addition to online searches, ask for referrals from other businesses you know. Check with clients, partners, or vendors and see if they work with a corporate gifting company they’d recommend. Getting a referral from a trustworthy source is one of the best ways to find a quality gifting partner.
Cast a wide net when researching corporate gift companies. Look at small local businesses as well as large national brands. Compare their services, pricing, and capabilities to find the best fit for your company’s needs and budget.
Compare Services
When searching for the best corporate gifting company, it’s important to compare the services each one offers. Consider the types of gifts they provide and if they fit your needs. Some companies may specialize in gift baskets while others offer a wider range of corporate gifts like branded apparel, tech gadgets, and more.
Look at the level of customization and personalization each company provides. Can they add your company logo and custom messaging to gifts? Do they allow you to select gifts tailored to your recipients? The more custom options available, the better.
You’ll also want to compare the budgets and gift packages each company provides. Look for a range of packages at different price points to suit your budget. Some companies offer package deals with bulk discounts if you order a certain number of gifts. See if they can provide sample packages for the type of gifting you want to do.
The right corporate gifting company will provide an extensive catalog of gifts to choose from. They’ll also offer various customization options and package deals to suit your budget. Taking the time to thoroughly compare services will ensure you find the best fit for your company’s needs.
Evaluate Quality
When evaluating the quality of a corporate gifting company, two key areas to examine are their samples and examples of past work, and details on their gift sourcing and supply chains.
Ask the company to provide photos of past gift baskets, care packages, and other items they have created. Assess the presentation, variety, and perceived value of the gifts. Higher quality gift companies will have professional, attractive photos showcasing their work.
Request to see examples of branded items the company has produced, like pens, notebooks, and other promotional products. Check that any logos and designs are clear and crisp. High quality gifting companies have access to manufacturers that can recreate logo designs accurately.
Discuss the company’s gift sourcing and suppliers. Do they partner with any local businesses or artisans to include unique, handmade items in their gift baskets? What types of corporate branded merchandise do they offer? How do they ensure timely production and delivery?
Reputable corporate gifting companies work hard to source high quality gifts and supplier relationships. Having variety in their offerings and supply chain helps them provide tailored gifts that impress recipients. Evaluate these factors closely while comparing providers.
Consider Logistics
When evaluating corporate gifting companies, be sure to ask about their order processing and delivery timelines to ensure they can handle your needs. Some key questions to ask:
- How quickly can they process and ship orders? Many corporate gifts are needed on tight deadlines so you’ll want a fast turnaround.
- Do they have rush order or expedited shipping options? This allows flexibility for last-minute gifting needs.
- Can they handle large order volumes? If you need hundreds of gifts sent out, make sure the company has capacity.
- What are their shipping cut-off times? You’ll want to know how late you can place orders while still meeting your deadlines.
- How accurate are their delivery estimates? The company should provide realistic timeframes you can rely on.
- What delivery options do they offer? Can they ship locally, nationally, or internationally as required?
- How is tracking provided? Make sure you’ll have visibility into order status and delivery.
- What happens if gifts are damaged or lost in transit? Look for a clear process to report issues and have items quickly replaced.
- Do they offer gift wrapping? Wrapping items consistently in your branding is often important.
By asking these questions upfront, you can determine if a corporate gifting company has the logistics capabilities and responsiveness your program requires. This ensures you can get high-quality gifts delivered on time, meeting your business needs.
Read Reviews
It’s important to take some time to read reviews and testimonials of a corporate gifting company before deciding to work with them. This can give you valuable insight into their reliability, quality of products and services, and overall customer satisfaction.
- Check online review sites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook for customer feedback. Look for companies with consistently positive reviews over an extended time period. Beware of companies with no reviews or a lot of negative feedback.
- Search the company website for posted testimonials. Legitimate testimonials with specific details on projects tend to be a good sign. Generic or over-the-top praise may be less credible.
- Request 2-3 references from past corporate clients that you can contact directly. Speaking to other customers can provide detailed information on their satisfaction working with the gifting company. You can ask about product quality, order fulfillment, customer service, and overall experience.
Taking this step to read credible reviews and check references can help verify that a gifting company consistently delivers high-quality products and services that meet customer expectations. This helps ensure you choose a reliable partner for your corporate gifting needs.
Compare Pricing
When searching for the best corporate gifting company, it’s important to compare pricing between different providers. Here are some tips:
- Get quotes from multiple companies. Don’t just go with the first quote you receive. Reach out to 3-5 gifting companies, provide details on your gifting needs, and ask them to send formal quotes. This allows you to compare apples to apples.
- Look for deals and discounts. Many corporate gifting companies will offer discounts for large orders, repeat customers, or during slower seasons. Don’t be afraid to ask! Special deals around the holidays are also common.
- But don’t sacrifice too much on quality. The cheapest option may not provide the level of service, product quality and presentation you need. Make sure any discounts still allow the gifting company to meet your standards and deliver an impressive gift.
- Consider order size. Larger orders often receive better bulk pricing. If you plan to order gifts regularly, negotiate rates based on projected annual spending.
- Understand payment terms. Some companies offer discounts for prompt payment or prepayment. See if any payment terms can save you money.
The goal is finding the best value – maximizing both service quality and affordability. With quotes from multiple providers, you can find the right balance for your budget.
Check Reputation
When selecting a corporate gifting company, it’s important to research their reputation and track record of success. Look into how long they’ve been in business, as an established company with years of experience is preferable. Search online to see if they have won any awards or been recognized for excellent service. Many corporate gifting companies belong to industry associations like the Incentive Marketing Association or Incentive Research Foundation, which provide certifications for meeting certain standards. You may want to give preference to certified companies.
Check for testimonials and positive reviews from past clients. A reputable gifting company should have multiple glowing references describing the quality of their products, reliability in meeting deadlines, and general professionalism. Be wary of any significant negative feedback. Also, make sure they have clear company contact information available, as transparent businesses tend to be more trustworthy. Taking the time to thoroughly research a company’s reputation will help ensure you choose a reliable partner for corporate gifting.
Make Your Selection
When it comes time to make your final selection, take a step back and weigh all the factors you’ve considered so far. Think about your goals, budget, and needs. Review your notes and compare the options side-by-side. Trust your instincts if something seems off about a company – whether it’s pushy sales tactics, vague policies, or lack of responsiveness.
The right corporate gifting partner for you will likely check all the boxes in terms of:
- Offering quality products within your price range
- Having a smooth ordering and delivery process
- Providing good customer service
- Having a solid reputation
- Meeting your business’s specific needs
Don’t just default to the cheapest or flashiest option. And don’t feel pressured into choosing a company that didn’t wow you. Take your time and choose the corporate gifting provider that seems like the best fit overall. The company you choose will represent your brand when gifts reach your clients and employees. So make sure you feel fully confident in your final selection.