What's a Corporate Gifting Program and How to Build a Great One 💡

We’ve said it a hundred times and will keep on keeping on: employee engagement matters! And, a very popular technique of employee engagement is incorporating a gifting program. But, what exactly is a corporate gifting program and how do you nail it? Good question. You’ve come to the right place…

What's a Corporate Gifting Program and How to Build a Great One 💡

 

What's a Corporate Gifting Program and How to Build a Great One - Mercha

 

First thing’s first: corporate gifting programs are initiatives undertaken by companies to give gifts to clients, employees, partners, or other stakeholders as a way to express appreciation, strengthen relationships, or promote their brand. It’s also a great way to bolster employee benefits, celebrate milestones and KPI achievements. 

Building a great corporate gifting program involves careful planning and execution. Of course, we're all about great quality branded merch and promotional products – it's a great way to nail corporate gifting, while also amplifying your brand awareness, representation and credibility. Though whatever your vibe, here's how to do it effectively!

 

  1. Define Objectives: Determine the purpose of your corporate gift program – is it to strengthen client relationships, reward employees, or enhance brand visibility? Having clear objectives will help guide your gift selection and distribution strategy. Think of how products will help their role in the company, or support their work-life balance, like branded laptop sleeves, new shirts, or picnic rug for the weekends. 


    Branded shirts, picnic rugs, laptop sleeves and more online at mercha.com.au


  2. Understand Your Audience: Know who your recipients are and what they value. Consider factors such as their preferences, interests, cultural background, and any policies or regulations that may govern gift-giving within the organisation.

    Is your team mostly gym junkies? Or perhaps they’re wine connoisseurs or young parents? Get the cogs turning to really show you care about their own interests and backgrounds.

  3. Set a Budget: Establish a budget for your corporate gift program and consider the number of recipients and type of gifts you want to give. We have a completely transparent pricing system – just add your quantity to the product you’re looking at, plus the type of printing, and voila! If you have any further queries on our pricing, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team

  4. Choose High-Quality Gifts: Forget the days of generic gift cards, wine hampers, and discounts to the local cafe – it's about putting genuine care and thought behind it! 

    Select gifts that are of high quality and align with your brand image while avoiding generic items. Opt for thoughtful, practical, and well-made gifts that reflect the value you place on your relationships.

    We pride ourselves on our curated product selection and ethical suppliers we work with to ensure our gear will be worn out, not thrown out. 

  5. Personalise When Possible: Whenever feasible, personalise corporate gifts to make them more meaningful to the recipient. This could include adding their name, initials, company logo, or a personalised message.

  6. Consider Cultural Sensitivities: Be mindful of cultural differences and sensitivities when selecting gifts. Avoid items that may be considered inappropriate or offensive in certain cultures or lifestyles – this will certainly also show your care factor, too!

  7. Stay Compliant: Familiarise yourself with any legal or ethical considerations related to corporate gift-giving, such as gift acceptance policies, anti-bribery laws, or industry regulations.

  8. Plan Distribution Logistics: Determine how and when you will distribute gifts to recipients – is it when they hit a milestone at the company or reach targets? Consider factors such as shipping logistics, timing, and any special considerations for remote or international recipients, too.

    Don’t forget, we can help out with shipping merch packs directly to your team to save the hassle!


    Company branded merch packs – Go shopping online Australia for branded products at mercha.com.au


  9. Track and Measure Results: Establish metrics to track the effectiveness of your corporate gift program, such as recipient feedback, client retention rates, or employee satisfaction surveys. Use this data to refine your program and improve future gift selections.

  10. Maintain Relationships: Follow up with recipients after they've received their gifts to express gratitude and reinforce the relationship. A personal note or phone call can go a long way in showing appreciation and building rapport. Otherwise, a simple Google Survey will often do the trick!

 

Conclusion

By following these steps and being thoughtful in your approach, you can build a great corporate gift program that enhances relationships, promotes your brand, and leaves a lasting impression on recipients. If they’re proud employees, your brand awareness will sky rocket!

Need more inspo? Check out these 10 ideas for small teams, or explore the idea of merch packs, directly with our team here.