Apple Craze: 2021 Fall Releases

Apple hosted two events this fall, which featured updates on its most popular devices. From the powerful iPad mini to the release of the colorful HomePod mini, Apple has inspired us to maximize the use of our customization solutions to create immersive brand experiences.

Take a peek at what’s coming:

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Apple HomePod mini
Apple HomePod mini
Apple iPhone 13 & 13 Pro
Apple iPhone 13 & 13 Pro 
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 7
14" & 16" MacBook Pro
14″ & 16″ MacBook Pro
Apple iPad
Apple iPad
Apple iPad mini
Apple iPad mini

Contact us today to learn more about these tech products and how we can personalize them for your gifting needs.

From Desktop to Mobile: Digital Transformation with ChartSquad

ChartSquad provides patients with a simple, HIPPA- and HITECH-compliant way to access their medical records from any provider or practice on a connected desktop device. Its web platform allows patients to quickly access their medical records without having to travel from location to location picking up paper records. 

Empowering Patients with Mobile Access to Healthcare Records

With only a web platform available, ChartSquad is expanding access for patients by building a user-friendly mobile application. The app would allow patients to request, view and upload medical records, and access their COVID-19 vaccine card while on the go. 

With health and privacy laws, the transition to mobile required a strategic deployment plan. ChartSquad signed up for FUSION OF IDEAS’ Solutions Mapping services to take the next step in creating the mobile experience. 

Exploration & Wireframing

The first step of ChartSquad’s mapping process is Exploration & Wireframing. 

This phase allows for the client and FUSION OF IDEAS to take a deep dive into the business objectives and desired outcomes of the mobile application. 

To maximize the mobile experience, a custom-developed solution is recommended. 

The outcomes were then translated into a low-fidelity wireframe model showing a defined workflow process.

A low-fidelity wireframe is a visual representation of the app flow.
A low-fidelity wireframe is a visual representation of the app flow.

Custom Software Blueprinting

To take the wireframe into a more tangible view, FUSION OF IDEAS used ChartSquad’s logo and brand colors to create a high-fidelity wireframe and an interactive prototype of what the desired application would look like.

Upon the final delivery, ChartSquad was also presented with a written technical scope of work and a solutions plan that includes associated fixed costs to build and estimated timelines.

A high-fidelity wireframe adds a company's brand and workflow to provide a static view of the intended app.
A high-fidelity wireframe adds a company’s brand and workflow to provide a static view of the intended app.

All deliverables presented to ChartSquad are theirs to keep. They can take them to investors or even shop around. 

FUSION OF IDEAS’ mapping product is fantastic,” said Chris Carpenter, ChartSquad CEO. “The way all the teams were tied together in the exploratory phase and the fluidity of the process, just perfect. FUSION OF IDEAS made what I had tried three different times in the past incredibly simple.”

Corporate Gifting 2021 Part 2: Solving Gift Giving Challenges

You get it. Corporate gifting is more important this year than ever due to the remote workplace and your employees, vendors and clients being more dispersed.

Gift giving can be a simple concept with complex challenges. How much should the company spend on gifts? How can you make the gift memorable so it’s not just put aside to be forgotten? How do you manage the shipping logistics of sending gifts to recipients in various places?

On top of it all, with the vast selection of gift ideas comes a dizzying array of choices and decisions to make. 

We’ve compiled a list of top corporate gifting challenges and solutions to conquer them so you can sleigh your competition this holiday season.

Challenge #1

What is an appropriate amount to spend on a gift?

 

While there is not a magic number to how much you should spend on a business gift, the majority of companies budget between $50 to $150 per gift. C-suite, executives and top clients skew toward the higher end of that range, and other recipients trend toward the lower end.

Whatever budget you decide on, keep in mind that the business gift you send reflects on the image of your company. It may be tempting to save by finding knock-off or cheaper products, they can impair your company image so opt for quality. 

Challenge #2

Where should we begin on selecting a gift?

 

Some companies and many government offices will have a gift policy limiting the dollar value of a gift or even prohibiting gifts. Do your due diligence and check with your recipients to determine the limitations of gift giving so they don’t have to return the item.

Once you have determined if there are limitations around gifting, there are many ways to go about selecting a gift. If your company and clients are local, you may want to consider supporting another local business. With a quick Google search, you may also find companies that specialize in corporate gifts.

Popular product categories for gifts include home goods, technology/electronics, drinkware, bags, and gift baskets. We have found that companies favor technology gifts because they are practical and perceived as premium. Tech gifts also show that your company is modern and forward-thinking. 

Technology devices, one of the most popular product categories for gifting, are both practical and premium.
Technology devices, one of the most popular product categories for gifting, are both practical and premium.

Challenge #3

How do we do make the gift memorable?

 

Because each one of us receives an abundance of gifts during the holidays, how can you make your gift stand out from the crowd? It’s memorability that drives the connectedness and loyalty from the gift recipient, and ultimately creating the ROI.

Spend on Packaging

As important as choosing the right corporate gift for your client is the packaging of the gift itself. Pay attention to the packaging and wrapping of the gift on the wrapping to reflect your value on the relationship with the person receiving the gift. 

Creating a memorable unboxing experience shows that you put thought into the gift from beginning to end. How the gift is presented to your recipient is just as important as the gift itself. Many components go into the presentation of a gift, from the packaging to gift wrap and even a personal greeting or tag.

Carefully thought-out packaging can be the difference between a memorable gift and one that is put aside.
Carefully thought-out packaging can be the difference between a memorable gift and one that is put aside.

Add value through personalization

If you prefer not to put your company logo front and center on a product, you can still offer a gentle reminder of who the gift came from by adding your logo to a subtle location on the gift. Another way to personalize and make the recipient feel special is by printing the recipient’s name or family name on the product. Personalization shows that you took time to personally think of the recipient and that gift is not part of mass distribution.

A personalized note is one way to show recipients that the gift is picked just for them.
A personalized note is one way to show recipients that the gift is picked just for them.
Adding a company logo or the recipient's name are ways to personalize gifts and make them more memorable.
Adding a company logo or the recipient’s name is one way to personalize gifts and make them more memorable.

Challenge #4

What is the best way to deliver the gift?

 

The complex nature of shipping logistics can feel overwhelming. Employees are working from home so there is not always one central delivery location. Shipping options and pricing are constantly changing. Tracking is difficult to manage.

Deployment portals can solve the need to manage individual shipping addresses. FUSION OF IDEAS offers a gifting-as-a-service deployment solution, which automates gifting for employees, clients and events. 

As the sender, you can gift at scale and from anywhere. As the recipient, you have the freedom to choose what you receive. Through a deployment portal, the recipient will be able to select a gift of their choice from a virtual marketplace and tell the sender where to ship it. The admin portal will allow access to control inventory, get an overview of orders received and track shipped devices. 

An online deployment portal eases the gift delivery process by centralizing shipping information and tracking deliveries.
An online deployment portal eases the gift delivery process by centralizing shipping information and tracking deliveries.

Once you overcome these common challenges, giving business gifts can yield a major return on investment with both your employees and customers. 

Check out “7 Habits of a Thoughtful Gifter” for more ways to refine your corporate gifting strategy.

Corporate Gifting 2021 Part 1: Unwrapping the Gift-Giving Opportunity

With the workplace being more dispersed than ever, sending a thoughtful gift is one of many ways for employers to keep employees engaged and reward them for their work well done. 

When corporate events went virtual, a gift for valued attendees brought a touch of reality to what would be otherwise, “another online event.” 

Likewise, a well-chosen gift bridged the gap with client relationships that are distant. 

The pandemic has changed corporate gifting from simply a routine to a business priority. 

Furthermore, the $242 billion business is expected to grow another $64 billion over the next three years, as more companies feel the need to boost their connection to partners and prospects that have been working remotely for the last year or more. 

Corporate gifting today is driving home the most meaningful effect: making the recipient feel valued and appreciated. 

Why Companies Give

A new study by Coresight Research recently surveyed corporate gift buyers across companies up to $30 billion in revenues.

The company’s findings detail the changes the pandemic brought about corporate gifting strategies and predict the trends that will carry that business forward.

  • The most popular reasons to gift are to show recognition and appreciation to employees (64 percent).
  • Half of the respondents (50 percent) stated that they gift as a token of appreciation to clients and partners.
  • Improved relationships with customers/employees emerged as the top advantage of corporate gifting, with 43 percent of respondents ranking it among the top reason.

What the Recipients Say

Companies are seeing that gifting is money well spent. Over 80 percent said gifts have improved relationships with employees and/or clients, with 48 percent saying gifting delivered a substantial benefit. 

Benefits of gifting:

  • 45 percent said they received feedback that the gift made the recipient feel valued 
  • 43 percent saw improved customer loyalty 
  • 41 percent recognized an improvement in employee retention.

 

With these benefits considered, how are you planning your gift-giving strategy this year? 

Stay tuned as we will have part two of our Corporate Gifting 2021 series, focusing on how to solve gifting challenges and adding value to your gifts. For ideas on what to give this holiday season, visit www.fusionofideas.com/gifting.

Kids of Courage Uses Branded Technology to Further Its Mission

“Wearing something with a logo of an organization that is close to my heart is personal to me. Not only is it a conversation starter, it is also a reminder of why I am a part of Kids of Courage.”

These were the words of Josh, a recipient of a custom branded Apple AirPods Max from Kids of Courage. Josh, who was gifted the device as a recognition for his fundraising efforts, proudly dons his new wireless headphones even though he is not “a regular headphone user.”

Kids of Courage is a New York-based nonprofit organization that gives children with medical illnesses opportunities to participate in year-round activities and medically supervised trips. 

“We love to give personalized technology to our supporters because it is unique and different,” said Naftali Solomon, Kids of Courage Director of Operations. “While the gifts are not the reason why they fundraise, our families and volunteers love to see the incentive list and find something to set their goal for.” 

Naftali Solomon, director of operations at Kids of Courage, shows off a custom branded Apple iPad used to help spread awareness of the organization.
Naftali Solomon, director of operations at Kids of Courage, shows off a custom branded Apple iPad used to help spread awareness of the organization.

Since 2019, the organization has offered Kids of Courage branded premium gifts, including high-tech products as perks for families and volunteers to reach fundraising goals. Past gifts have included: Apple iPad, Beats Powerbeats Pro, Apple Watch and Apple AirPods Pro. 

Naftali added, “The positive feedback we have gotten is encouraging, and it is a win-win situation to be able to thank our supporters and at the same time, further the organization’s mission.”

To learn more about Kids of Courage, visit www.kidsoc.org