Article - Corporate Gifting
10 Jan 2018
Latest Corporate Gifting Trends Around the World
According to recent reports, employees prefer gifts over year-end parties. As such, companies now spend more on corporate gifting and less on annual parties. Companies are also selecting more expensive gifts than previously, because they hold smaller year-end functions. The same trend follows in gifting to clients. Indeed, enterprises show their client and employee appreciation with gifts that are memorable, practical and stylish.
The main gifting season falls in the last quarter of the year, but companies start their shopping as early on in the year as possible. Gift cards are still among the most popular items, although hampers, electronic toys and gadgets are also among the top gifts.
Promotional presents are as popular as ever and are used to promote the company brands in a cost-effective and highly-targeted manner. However, branding has become more subtle when it comes to corporate gifting. Engraved, de-bossed and embroidery type logos are now very popular.
Another trend that is now very prominent is to gift according to employee rank or level. This trend can be observed where companies present gifts to all of their employees. The prices and types of items are selected according to the employee positions, as it helps to provide structure in the selection of gifts. All employees on the same level receive similar items. Of course, if it is a large firm, this type of gifting certainly makes financial sense.
With gifting now considered highly fashionable, corporate entities compete to find the latest, most wanted and fashionable items to ensure that the recipients remember and appreciate the gestures. Although the last quarter is considered the best time for gifting to show appreciation for targets met, many companies now also gift throughout the year for special occasions, such as birthdays, achievements and, of course, to show appreciation.
Enterprises have realised the importance of showing their appreciation to important clients by sending them each a small present at least once per annum. In this way, the company stays in the minds of the important clients and the custom helps to build long-term relationships. Where a small number of clients make up the bulk of the company’s accounts, the trend is to customise the gifts to meet the client’s interests. This is where the sales team’s input is crucial to ensure appropriate gifts.
Databases of what specific clients have bought, shown interest in or added to their wish lists are often used to ensure more appropriate gifts. Promotional items, such as pens, are reserved for mass gifting, whilst only the high-quality items are utilised as branding vehicles.
Companies have also become more sensitive towards cultural and religious differences, thus ensuring that they don’t send gifts to clients or employees who don’t celebrate Christmas, but still send those gifts on their particular special religious or cultural days. Once again, sales people are encouraged to take an active interest in their clients to ensure personalised gifting. Companies often overcome the problem of having to identify important days by sending gifts on the client’s birthday or anniversary, etc.
Employees have noted that small gifts at appropriate dates increase their loyalty to their employers. However, bonuses are always appreciated and companies should most certainly not do away with bonuses, year-end functions and other incentives, in order to send gifts. Instead, making use of our services allows companies to afford stylish gifts throughout the year, without having to compromise on other incentives.