Corporate gifting has become an essential part of business culture. It’s not just about showing appreciation — it’s a strategic tool that business owners can use to build relationships with their employees, improve brand recognition, and even secure new business opportunities.
When done right, corporate gift ideas can leave a lasting impression (both on the employees receiving said gift and on potential clients who notice the cohesiveness of your company). Corporate gifting isn’t always easy, though, and many companies fall short when it comes to making their gifts both meaningful and memorable.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at six common reasons businesses struggle with corporate gifting. We’ll also provide you with a fantastic corporate gift idea so that you can get the ball rolling early this holiday season. Let’s get started!
Questionable Product Quality
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to corporate gifting is choosing products that fail to meet quality expectations. These days, it can be hard to tell which products are high quality because advertisements can make mediocre products seem appealing.
When your employees receive items that break or wear out within a couple of weeks, it reflects poorly on your business. Low-quality gifts can be the result of cost-cutting measures or a lack of research into the supplier. While budget constraints are a very real thing, investing in well-made products is more likely to create a positive and lasting impression.
We’d recommend opting for gifts that are well-loved by the public (this is why it’s always a good idea to check customer reviews). For example, signature cheesesteaks from Tony Luke’s are very popular in South Philly (and all over the country, for that matter). You can even have frozen cheesesteaks delivered to your remote employees’ doors!
Giving Gifts That Are Too Generic
Sending the same gifts as everyone else (i.e. generic mugs, pens, or paperweights) won’t make your company stand out. Instead of strengthening relationships, these uninspired gifts feel transactional and are easily forgettable.
Remember, the goal is to establish a genuine emotional connection with your employees. In order to do this, you’ll need to get creative. The more unique and thoughtful your corporate gifts are, the more your employees will feel valued and appreciated.
There are a number of ways to stand out with your corporate gift-giving, but one of the best ways is to give your employees a taste of home. For example, if you live and work in Philly, you might give your employees a basket full of Philly-themed gifts.
Not Knowing Your Recipient
Not knowing your recipient well enough goes hand-in-hand with giving out gifts that are too generic. Customizing your corporate gifts shows that you’ve paid attention — it shows that you’ve put the effort in to get to know your employees.
Of course, actually getting to know your employees is easier said than done. If your company has a CRM system, we’d recommend using it to log certain details (like dietary preferences or hobbies). Something as simple as knowing whether an employee prefers sweet or salty snacks can make a world of difference.
You also shouldn’t be afraid to ask what your employees might like. For example you could send them an email that says, “We’d love to send you a gift! Here are a few options — let us know what you’d enjoy most.” This builds anticipation, and you’ll be able to make sure that your corporate gift for that person actually hits the mark.
Failing to Personalize
We can’t stress this enough! A generic gift isn’t just uninspiring; it can make your employees feel like an afterthought, or like you don’t really care. This is why taking the time to add personal, meaningful touches to your corporate gifts is worth it.
Personalizing corporate gifts is easier than you might think. If you decide to send your employee from Philly who’s missing home a Philly-themed gift — like a frozen cheesesteak from Tony Luke’s, for example — you can personalize it by including a handwritten note.
Giving Gifts That Don’t Align With Company Values
It probably goes without saying that corporate gifts should reflect your brand’s company values. If the corporate gifts you decide to send to your employees don’t quite match up with your company’s ethos, it could potentially create confusion — or even hurt your company’s reputation.
For example, if sustainability is one of your company’s values, sending single-use plastic items to your employees might not be the best idea. This is just another factor to take into consideration when it comes to corporate gift-giving. Keep your company’s values in mind, and you’ll be able to avoid making costly mistakes!
Neglecting the Senses
It’s easy enough to give your employees paperweights or company branded mugs, but by giving out generic gifts like this, you’ll be neglecting your employees’ senses. The more senses you’re able to engage with your corporate gifts, the more your employees will remember and enjoy them.
Tony Luke’s frozen cheesesteaks are an excellent example of a corporate gift that engages all five senses. The rich aroma of melted cheese, the satisfying crunch of a perfectly toasted roll, and the incredible taste of high-quality beef create a multi-sensory experience that your employees will definitely remember.
Conclusion
As you can see, when it comes to corporate gifting, the more thought you put into it, the better. Don’t settle for poor-quality products or generic gifts — put a little time and effort into picking out gifts that you know your employees will love. When in doubt, go with a food-themed gift. Everyone eats, and Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks are an especially delicious choice!
Remember, the best corporate gift ideas are those that engage all of the senses, are personalized based on the recipient’s interests and preferences, and align with your company’s values. Feel free to check out the Tony Luke’s blog to learn more about Philly-themed gift ideas, the history of the Philly cheesesteak, becoming a cheesesteak franchisee, and more.
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