Corporate gifting is traditionally done at the end of the working year as a way of appreciating loyal
customers, rewarding employees and retaining key clients.
Although it can be an effective internal and external engagement tool. It is time to rethink when, how and why it is done. More and more people are looking for health conscious ways to de-stress, unwind and relax.
And let’s face it – after the year most people have had – a thoughtful gift inviting them to slow down and take a breather will be a gift they remember for the right reasons.
Winston Churchill famously said; “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. It is a powerful phrase inviting
us to look for opportunities that lie obscured in anxiety, chaos and uncertainty.
Corporate gifting can be used more effectively to engage and retain employees working remotely, reinforce partnerships with existing clients and secure new business in highly competitive industries.
Find an opportunity to give
If your workforce is working from home, chances are the lines between work life and home life are blurred. According to the Blackdog Institute, common experiences for people working from home are “isolation, disconnection from team members, reduced boundaries from work and personal life” which may lead to stress, burnout and low productivity.
A corporate gift received unexpectedly may go a long way to help an employee feel appreciated and remain engaged. Remembering birthdays and important work-related milestones – can help maintain a sense of collegiality and belonging – which in turn translates into a more engaged and productive team member.
Other opportunities to gift include onboarding new employees who may be joining the team remotely, retiring employees or those facing personal challenges.
Incorporate wellness into corporate gifting
A modern way to gift acknowledges the health and wellbeing of the receiver. Gone are the days
of sending alcohol, nuts, lollies and a branded cap to express appreciation.
Insomnia, alcohol abuse and loneliness are on the rise as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. If your gift can help address one of these issues it will be welcomed, useful and remembered.
Consider incorporating wellness products such as herbal teas, diffusers, room mists, healthy snacks, nutrition guides, exercise plans and workplace ergonomic tips into your suite of corporate gifts.
When gifting employees, use the opportunity to reinforce your organisations employee assistance program (EAP) or similar support arrangements. This can easily be done by including contact details of organisations they can reach out to when in need of mental health support.
Use gifting to reposition / reinforce your brand
Invent opportunities to give that lie outside of traditional gifting seasons to help keep your organisation front of mind during these unprecedented times.
Real estate agents, building companies and recruitment firms have successfully embraced corporate gifting as an extension of their customer service experience and brand awareness activity.
The time is right for you to do the same.
Be inspired to think outside the box with health and wellness in mind.
The time to give is now.
AUTHOR | Ennia Jones
Ennia is the Founder and Director of Fleurette – a Newcastle based holistic wellness
business incorporating health and wellbeing into modern, conscious corporate gifting. Enquire
about practical, well-made and thoughtful gifting options.
