4 Tips on Mastering Personalisation of Business Gifts

Let’s take a moment to talk about corporate giving. Most companies are familiar with the concept of business gifts – whether it’s gift bags handed out at conferences, stationery with well-known brand logos given to clients, or bonuses used to keep employees loyal.

When used correctly, a business gift is a great way to build strong business relationships. The vast majority of recipients of such gifts said that corporate giving improved their relationships with the companies from which they received the gifts. Also, nearly half of companies surveyed reported that their gifts made recipients feel more appreciated, and many others said they improved customer loyalty and led to better employee performance. Unfortunately, corporate giving isn’t always an easy strategy to take advantage of. The best gifts are those that are personal, personalised and imbued with an unforgettable brand appeal.

Receiving a personalised gift makes everyone feel valued and important, so these kinds of moments are truly something special! Everyone deserves that feeling of gratitude, and your employees are certainly no exception. There is certainly nothing wrong with giving sweet surprises or gift cards, as even the smallest gifts show your appreciation. Still, think how appreciated your employees will feel if you put a few minutes more thought into their gifts! Of course, there are countless options when it comes to choosing business gifts, but first there are a few tips to keep in mind to make your gift stand out.

Here are four of the most useful tips when it comes to personalising gifts and rewards for your employees!

1. Get to know your employees

The first step in choosing employee gifts is to consider the personalities of the recipients on your team. You certainly don’t intend to give away something that might make one of your employees feel uncomfortable, do you? If one of your employees is a member of Islam, you probably won’t give them a bottle of wine. Workplaces are filled with all kinds of personalities, so try to tailor gifts to each member of your team.

An entrepreneur should do their best to understand their target audience and then tailor the gifts accordingly. Take into account the different characteristics of individuals. The gift should definitely be suitable for the recipient’s age – distinguish between gifts for young people, adults and the elderly. If you know the hobbies of the employees, adjust the gifts accordingly; otherwise, ask them about their hobbies and other activities over a cup of coffee during a break.

You can also design gifts based on important personal achievements of your employees. On special days such as their birthday, wedding night or the birth of a child, you can surprise the employee with a care package that reflects this special moment in their life.

2. Reminisce about the past year at the office

Did your employees show more effort this year? Maybe you all had some important experience together? If so, try adding that personal touch to your gift. Gifts mean so much more when they come from the heart. This will let your employees or business partners know that you follow their efforts and that you care about the moments you spend with them.

Similarly, you can surprise new and old employees – give apprentices or new employees gifts that will help them through the first weeks in their new job. You can also say thank you to retiring workers – show them gratitude in the form of business gifts that will reflect their hard work throughout the years they spent with you.

3. Add your brand to the gifts

One of the most obvious and important ways of personalising business gifts is to include your brand. You need to brand the gifts you send to customers and employees so they remember to associate the happiness they feel about the product with your company. Adding your logo is a great way to do this, but be careful not to overdo it. For example, printing your logo on the front of a shirt or all over a blanket can make your customers reluctant to use the gift. Instead, keep your company logo or name small and elegant – you can also opt for your company slogan, which will promote your company despite the absence of your logo.

You can also be creative with other ways to present your brand – instead of printing a logo, you can choose a product in your brand colours. You can also consider personalising the packaging.

4. Choose the right type of personalization

There are many branding methods, although the choice is sometimes limited by the material or shape of the gift. Also, different ways of personalization can add a layer of sophistication, elegance, modernity or even youth to the product. Therefore, it is extremely important that when choosing branding, we do not only look for the cheapest or fastest possible option. We can choose from the following:

• pad printing
• screen printing
• round screen printing
• digital transfer
• doming
• blind print
• engraving
• embroidery

For example, if you want to add a touch of sophistication to your gift, choose a branding method such as engraving or embroidery. Again, the choice of personalization also depends on the motive itself – if it is simple, you have a free way to choose. The more colours and smaller details there are, the more limited your choice will be; the wrong type of personalization can distort your motif, making it unreadable after execution.

Read more about branding methods here.