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

 

Music to Our Ears: Premium Audio Brand Experiences

Voice assistant speakers from big-hitters like Apple, Sonos, JBL and Google have never been so smart. They know today’s headlines and weather and can answer trivia questions with a simple voice command. These speakers also play your chosen music over Bluetooth or wi-fi, and some can access music streaming services.

Because of their practicality, smart speakers are popular gift options for businesses as part of their corporate gifting and employee incentive programs.

We help companies to take their gifting up a notch with branding, packaging and deployment solutions. 

  • Branding: Adding your company logo or design on the product helps with brand recognition and exposure. FUSION OF IDEAS does this through direct color printing, laser etching or StealthArmor, a thin vinyl for a semi-permanent branding solution.
  • Custom Packaging: Packaging solutions such as a customized device sleeve that fits snuggly over the OEM box and custom gift wrap are also ways to make a gift stand out from others. A personalized insert tag with a note from the company leader or sender is another way to customize your gift and add a personal touch.
  • Deployment: Whether you need to send a gift to one or multiple recipients, FUSION OF IDEAS has you covered with our white-glove deployment service. We can ship individually to domestic and international locations without you having to touch a single device. 

And finally, check out our current favorite smart speakers.

Sonos Roam

Sonos Roam with direct UV color print
Sonos Roam with direct UV color print

Apple HomePod mini

Apple HomePod mini with direct UV color print on clear StealthArmor
Apple HomePod mini with direct UV color print on clear StealthArmor

Google Nest Audio

Google Nest Audio with direct UV color print and custom device sleeve
Google Nest Audio with direct UV color print and custom device sleeve

Sonos One

Sonos One with StealthArmor, thin, heat-bonded vinyl for a semi-permanent branding solution
Sonos One with StealthArmor, thin, heat-bonded vinyl for a semi-permanent branding solution

Bose Soundlink Revolve

Bose Soundlink Revolve with StealthArmor
Bose Soundlink Revolve with StealthArmor

Honor Students Surprised With Customized Apple AirPods at Their Doorsteps

Ahead of a special virtual event for the Golden Key Oxford Saïd 2021 Program, participants received a pleasant surprise at their doorsteps – a pair of customized Apple AirPods Pro. 

Meltwater, a global leader in the media and social intelligence market, and Golden Key International Honour Society, a non-profit, international academic honors organization, partnered to deliver custom-branded Apple AirPods Pro to recognize nearly 100 students across 10 states and 17 countries. 

“The branding of our event swag built the excitement for the program and made it that much more special,” said Courtney P. at Meltwater. “Participants were more engaged in the program because the experience of receiving the swag paved the way.”

Each set of AirPods Pro was personalized with the Meltwater logo on the device case and earbud stems. Its teal logo was directly printed on the device to create a long-tasting brand experience that is polished yet impactful. 

The earbuds are then wrapped in custom packaging that included a custom-designed device sleeve that snugly fits over the OEM box and customized gift wrap with the Meltwater and Golden Key logos. Packages were sent to each domestic and international recipient.

Courtney adds, “We’ve done some great swag throughout the years and this was among the best!”

Thank you, Meltwater and Golden Key, for allowing us to create this brand experience for the Golden Key Oxford Saïd 2021 Program. To learn how FUSION OF IDEAS can create brand experiences for your business or organization, visit fusionofideas.com/getstarted.