Monday, August 30, 2010

Corporate Gift Cards - Pros And Cons

Among the many considerations in businesses is the maintenance of good relation with the clients, employees and customers. This way, you will be able to lengthen transaction so that you will profit more on the customer and the customer in retain will have more of your goods and services.

Undoubtedly, the benefits of sending people gifts can never be underestimated. While giving corporate gifts is an expression of gratitude for mutual benefits in a business, it is also a way of marketing your company. It may either be that your company is just trying to lay more solid foundations on relationships or its just promoting good working relationship to its prospects. However, corporate gifts are also used to build company spirit and to reward its people for their achievements.

Although gift cards are usually given as part of incentive plans for employees, it can now also be used as corporate gifts. Due to the stresses and the natural difficulties encountered during the selection of corporate gifts, companies have now switched to giving the options to their employees and recipients by sending them corporate gift cards and other similar options.

This is a much better idea than giving them pre-packaged gifts that are usually seen in the market these days. While corporate gift cards are not the perfect gifts, it is certainly a good idea since it stretches the personal options of the recipients.

Everyday corporate settings are pretty hectic and it is likely that you would overlook your planned gift for your employees and clients due to the daily hustle and bustle. Good thing there are lots of choices now that can be given as corporate gifts. For your last minute choices, here are the following options you can look into:

Gifts cards are much like gift certificates, only they are presented as plastic cards. These may either have fixed values or assigned to multi-level values. The latter can be used partly while the remaining balance or value can be used sometime later.

This practically is one of the many "best-sellers" in the gift-giving world. While gift cards can be assigned only to specific stores and merchants, these still allow much flexibility on the recipients of the gift cards since they would have the option to choose what they want depending on the value as provided in the card.

Corporate gift cards come in many types. The most common though is the reloadable option where the card holder can use the same card over and over again so long as the company continues to add value to the card.

A number of corporate gift cards can hold major credit cards like MasterCard or VISA. Others are more merchant-specific which only allows the user to buy from certain stores and outlets. These are certainly less expensive than the multi-value cards.

Since trends are moving online these days, consider also giving your clients and employees online corporate gift cards. With much diverse choices, they are sure to find one that would suit the value of their cards.

Aside from what we have mentioned earlier, corporate gift cards are excellent choice of gifts basically because you give freedom to your employees as to what choices they can make. Its more formal than cash cards and is more convenient than gift certificates. Thus you make both worlds meet by simply putting your gifts within a plastic card.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

What Is The Best Corporate Christmas Gift For Your Business Partner?

 Yes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. And it is the most expensive too. Okay, let us disregard the expenses and head to the main point: the corporate Christmas gift.

Whether it is for your employee, co-worker, boss, client, business partner, loyal costumer or anyone related to your business, it seems to be a requirement that you will give him or her a corporate Christmas gift of any kind.

And since gift giving is part of reliving the Christmas spirit, here are some of the popular items that are used as corporate Christmas gifts for years:

Christmas cards – Many companies give greeting cards during Christmas. This is probably the cheapest way to tell someone that he or she is appreciated on any contribution he or she has made for the whole year. Christmas card may not be a typical gift that requires a box and a lace but it is certainly send your message load and clear, not to mention in beautiful print.

Calendars – Another year is coming and you want your company to be remembered for the whole year to come. What you should give? A calendar! Most companies give away this especially to their costumers during the Christmas season. It is cheap, safe, and of course, it possesses company name and logo right at someone else's home or office for the next 365 days.

Gift certificates for retail – Since it is very difficult and time consuming for you to buy gift to each one on your list, you may prefer to give them gift certificates instead. This will eliminate the risk committing capital mistakes in gift giving. This will also free you from stress of shopping and gift wrapping. Gift certificates for retail are very much appreciated since the recipient will have the freedom to choose the type of gift he or she wants to receive.

Gift certificates for restaurants – Another option for a corporate Christmas gift would be gift certificates for restaurants. This is also one of the safest and one of the most appreciated types of corporate Christmas gift someone will receive since it appeals to everyone of any age.

Promotional items – To bring the company name right at the hands, homes, and offices of people, promotional items make a popular choice among businesses. Ranging from keychain, office supplies, home décor, accessories, and apparel, promotional items provide a way to make the company be remembered without spending too much on advertisement.

Gift basket – Chocolate gift basket, gourmet gift basket, wine gift basket and many others can be a good way to send your words of thanks to a client or a business partner. Gift basket is a popular choice since the size of the basket impresses many and the number of items in it makes it more attractive to the recipient.

Flowers – Another all time favorite corporate Christmas gift is a bunch of flowers. Although there are some rules to follow when giving flowers to someone such as cultural symbols, it is generally the safe choice of gift.

Wine or liquor – Christmas means celebrating and most businessmen use drinking as a way to celebrate. Thus, wine or liquor could be a good corporate Christmas gift. A particular brand which the recipient loves to have is more appreciated.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Corporate Anniversary Gifts - Sharing The Moment With Your Employees

When you care for your employees and clients alike, you give them corporate anniversary gift. This is the best way to make them feel they are a valued part of the company. If the company is celebrating its anniversary, this is the best time to stock corporate gifts and shower them to people who are directly or indirectly involved with the company.

One may ask: why do you have to spend bulks of money over corporate anniversary gifts that will not profit the business anyway? Now, the concept is adhered to the fact that people love receiving free items and services. They actually feel better when they receive free lunch, when they collect gifts from friends and relatives, and they absolutely love it when these free things regularly come their way.

And so, corporate anniversary gifts are used and included in practically all companies’ and corporations’ aim to reach out to their employees and customers.

Although one may think that giving corporate anniversary gifts is a waste of money, in general this is not justified. The fact that you made people happy when they receive the corporate gifts is already an accomplishment alone. However, this is not your ultimate goal why you are giving out corporate anniversary gifts. Corporate gifts, in truth, are given primarily because of two things:

a. First, when your employees received the gifts you made them happy. When they are satisfied and grateful because of your effort to make them feel they are valued as part of the company, this is not an effort that does not get something in return.

Because they are happy, they would be more inspired with their work. When they are inspired, they would increase their productivity rate in the days to come to which this could be a way for them to give something in return of your noble idea.

Providing corporate gifts can also be made especially when in your department you see a snail working force that does not suggest high productivity team. Giving them gifts, but without manifesting that you are asking for bargain, may just do the trick.

In this case, who says that you are wasting your money over an effort that does not pay you back?

b. Second, in cases of customers/clients’ receiving your corporate anniversary gifts, it does not simply end there. Because they appreciate your efforts of making them feel they are special and valued customers, they would most likely go back to avail of your products and services.

This means you are going to have a steady, regular flow of customers and clients. So, again, who says you get nothing when you spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars over corporate anniversary gifts?

When choosing your corporate anniversary gifts, you have to ensure the people who are going to receive them will make use of them. Corporate anniversary gifts can be as anything small to bigger items.

You can shower personal items from which your employees may be happy utilizing them in their personal everyday routine. You can also give the same items to your customers when they come in contact with your company.

Corporate anniversary gifts are what you need to add to your marketing and work operation strategy for a variety of reasons. They can be used as tool for motivating workers gain higher productivity rate and attract loyalty of customers and clients. But whatever the purpose, the true essence of gift giving will still remain its noble purpose of sharing.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Elate Feelings Of Joy And Content With Baby Basket Corporate Gift

Corporate gift baskets are sure to build relationships between you, your employees and clients, depending on your target person. Any smart boss would know the value of having strengthened relationship expressed through items that are sent through rewards, compensations or simply expressions of gratitude and appreciation.

While corporate gift baskets are often composed of delectable food selections, choicest office items, luxury objects like engraved trophies and plaques intended for the employees and the clients themselves, some company owners still find touchy ways of sending gifts. Among the most common (and better appreciated ones) are the baby basket corporate gifts and the maternity corporate gifts.

A new baby certainly elates feelings of joy and content for the parents. This can be best complemented through sending a selection of items that will add more meaning to the coming of a new soul. The thing is, parents normally appreciate everything that is intended to be good for their child.

Sending a baby basket corporate gift to your employee, clients and customers is an ideal medium of sending the warmth of welcome to the new soul and to congratulate the parents. The little one would definitely need delicate care and comfort. There are various selections of baby basket corporate gifts.

Central to one's choice of baby basket corporate gifts is the theme that will coordinate each item. The most common basis for theme is color which tends to be either blue or pink. Obviously, blue for the boy and girly stuffs matched with hues of pink.

You can add flavor on these with special greeting cards that can reaffirm the significance of the coming of a baby boy or girl. Additionally, it would not hurt if the mom will be given personal stuffs like dresses.

A new mom will certainly love objects that would deliver softness and comfort for his son or daughter. Gentle soaps, baby shampoos and creams, oils, cuddly towels, and wonderful little toys would all do well for a newborn babe. A combination of baby garments can also add up to the delight of having a new soul in the home. If you want to send out going out stuffs, a good mixture of diaper stuffs and bags, an assortment of feeding bottles, a stroller and others can be a good idea too. Toy baskets are also appreciated as this would add more joy and connection between the mom and the kid.

Be mindful of the timing for the baby basket corporate gift though. However, this must not only be limited to a newborn baby. Baby basket corporate gifts can be sent to anyone who is celebrating a thing or two for a little one. Say, there are baby corporate baskets gifts that are created specifically for birthdays, Christmas and virtually all other occasions.

For broader choices of baby gift items, you can search on the catalogs as provided by the local retail store or through online merchants. Depending on your choice, you can have the customization and the personalization of the gift items. These two combined, you are sure to tap the sensibility side of any parent.

You can also be creative for your choices of gifts. In India, jewelries are often treated as baby gifts. There is no harm if you would adopt this culture. However, you can go on to the extent of using gift certificates, gift cards and other means of sending gifts with preloaded value. These would provide much freedom n the parents to choose what they want for their daughter or son.

Baby basket corporate gifts must also be based on the age pf the child or the personal preference of the parents. Say, the appropriate gifts for a 3-year old child are toys while newborns can be given stuffs that are fit for newborns such as those we have mentioned earlier.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Which Is Really The Worst Corporate Gift Idea

The worst wedding gift of all time may be toasters. You know that very well, right? But what is the worst corporate gift? Don’t know the answer? Well, you may need to read on this article so that you would save yourself from shame and save the recipient from curl eyebrows.

The useless item. Clueless on the interest of your boss or your client (suppose the recipient is a male), you head on several stores featuring "items that men like." After several minutes you finally grab the best item you could ever find: the most expensive boxing gloves! Guess what? Your boss hates the sport.

Instructional tapes and videos. Even if you know that the recipient of the gift is a big fan of Yoga or Pilates or any exercise you see on instructional tapes and videos, it is not advisable to give him or her such gifts. Why? You are not sure that that tapes you are giving is not on his collection. He or she may thank you but you are just wasting your money.

Items "seen on TV!" Ah! Yes, you have seen the George Foreman Grill or the Magic Chef and you want to give one to your client or boss. But what if he hates boxing and grilling, and sports and cooking in general? What if he has already a George Foreman Grill or the Magic Chef? It is easy to call those numbers on your screen but it is hard to tell if the recipient has it or not... or will love it or not.

As cheap a rock. A $5 dollar bill may take you somewhere but it will not certainly provide you much of a choice when thinking of corporate gift. Sure, you may get something out of it but would you think the recipient would be happy for it?

Apparel. Unless it is a $100 necktie, you might as well find something else. A coat could cost to too much. Yes, you may want to impress the recipient, but do you know exactly his size? Do you think the recipient will wear it? Do you really know that he likes the color or the type of clothing you will give? There is no problem with giving apparel or clothing; that is if you live with the recipient. But since it is a corporate gift, it is kind of awkward site when your boss wears a coat or a sweater you give. A necktie would be okay since it can be discreetly hidden under his coat but still it is a risk you have to take. Better yet, give a gift certificate or gift voucher.

Langerie. Lingerie? As a corporate gift? Okay, you are single and she (your client or your co-worker) is single as well… You are so temped to buy her lingerie... Stop right there because you can put yourself in deep trouble if you continue. Have you ever heard about the term, "harassment?" Be careful.

Handmade gift. So you want your gift to have your personal touch? Or you want to save some money with the gift you will give? Whether you are super talented or have all the time in the world to make the gift on your own, it is never advisable to do it. Why? Two reasons: One, you will end up spending too much on materials and tools than by buying a ready-made on the store, and two, you will end up giving up your sleep in exchange to finishing the gift.

A thoughtless thoughtfulness. Chocolate or gourmet gift basket is so tempting but if the recipient is diabetic, then would you think he or she will be touched or will ever be thankful on what you have given? Or you have decided to give a book on "how to lose weight' or "how to become successful" to your colleague. Even though your intentions are pure and your conscience is clean, you stay away from these kinds of gifts.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Shopping For Corporate Gifts Online

With the availability of the internet, it is much easier to see different types of corporate gifts. Sites that offer wide range of gift items are easy to find too. The comfort and ease these sites bring give you the advantage of avoiding the stress of rushing to the department stores and saving time to conveniently shop at the comforts of your home or office. However, too many sites and choices can sometimes bring confusion, especially if you do not have an idea what and where to buy your corporate gifts.

But the truth is, it doesn’t matter if you know what to buy or not, what is important when shopping for corporate gift items online is the content of the site itself. In other words, knowing what type of gift items to buy is not only the way to avoid confusion when buying corporate gifts online; you also need to know are the sites to should go to and the services these sites have.

So what are these?

Price – Some would treat corporate gifts as investments on business relationship and thus, price counts. Although this is correct in some ways, you should always be wise on the price of the gift items you will give (that the price of the corporate gift will provide good return). Meanwhile, when looking for a corporate gift online, price should always be checked from one site to another. Like departments stores, different online sites offer the same items at different prices. If you have a particular item in mind, make sure you shop around and compare prices.

Volume discounts – Many corporate gift sites online offer a very wide array of gift items to choose from but only a few offers volume discounts. If you are buying on volume, it is recommended to search for sites that offer such discount. If you, however, are only planning to buy one or two items as a corporate gift, you only have to search for sites that offer specially items or items you are looking for.

Free delivery – Most sites offer this. Sometimes this service is included to every purchase, sometimes you have to pay extra. The gift you purchase is either delivered to you or to the intended receiver. Make sure you check the site's delivery policy before purchasing.

Specialties – If you are looking for a particular item but do not know what site to go, it is a good to visit first the sites that specialize selling on the item you are looking for. Not only you will get a better quality item, you can also receive a wide set of choices. Specialty shops may cost a little higher than others but it is a small price to pay for an assured quality.

Return policy - If in case you are not satisfied with the product you buy, the return policy is the only thing that matters to you. It may not be important to some buy knowing that you have the option to return the item and get the money you pay is always an ease.

Product categories – If you are shopping for several different items, sites with wide product categories come in handy.

You may not have to apply all these when shopping for corporate gift items online. Just select on what is applicable to you.