Common Corporate Gifting Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a corporate gift-giving attempt, you’d know how generic and, thus, boring it can get. Gone are the days when corporate gifts UAE or for that matter, any part of the world, were limited to branded pens and mugs; on the contrary, thoughtful Corporate gifting can play a key role in strengthening professional relationships and fostering goodwill; it’s no longer just an item to be ticked off the list. It’s important to do it the right way, and by that we mean, choosing a gift with a personal touch without being embarrassing or offensive.
In this blog, we will take a look at how corporate gifting can go wrong and how we can avoid the pitfalls:
1. Impersonal gifts:
Who would want to add yet another bland coffee mug or stationery to their collection? The trick is to give the impression that you’ve put some thought into the gift to make it stand out. After all, corporate gifting is a way of conveying how much you value your association with the recipient, so what’s the point of going for the same old, done-to-death gift ideas? When it comes to picking promotional items for a business, opt fot something that establishes a connection and reinforces a positive brand connection.
2. Being unaware of the recipient’s tastes:
bespoke gifting is indeed an art few can master; it goes a long way in building relationships, especially if you are in a client servicing role. Put in some research into choosing a gift that will truly resonate with the recipient so that your gift turns into a memorable experience for them. If possible, you can consider having a CRM in place to list preferences. This will give you an edge over your competitors as the better you know your client, the more empowered you are. You will be spoilt for choice if you browse through promotional gift items suppliers in Dubai. In fact, these gifts need not always be physical; it can simply be a birthday wish or a well-timed email without any direct sales motive involved.
3. Inappropriate gift choices:
sometimes, a gift that is too personal or too expensive might backfire. Also, make sure your gift has some link with the operating work environment. Besides, some organizations have a Gifts Policy that you should adhere to. If you violate such policies, it may lead to your gift being returned, which only puts you in an awkward spot. Additionally, more often not, corporate organizations have employees from different cultural and religious beliefs. If you are choosing the same gift for a large number of people, make sure it does not disrespect any culture or tradition.
4. Misusing or overusing branding opportunities:
branding never fails to create a lasting impression, be it in the form of the logo, company name, or even just a unique design. Corporate gifting is an effective way to boost brand recognition and visibility, especially for potential clients. Look at them as powerful marketing tools; whenever the recipient sees or uses the gift or maybe just puts it up on display, it should act as a reminder for your brand. This can work wonders to increase customer loyalty. However, over-branding corporate gifts is not a good idea; it seems too self-serving and seems like a marketing ploy.
5. Using cheap packaging:
Of course, the actual product is the main thing, but the packaging should be well-chosen, too. Using poor-quality packaging material for a corporate gift can be quite a dampener; on the other hand, the campaign should complement your gift and reflect your elevated tastes and status. You may save bucks by going for economical packaging, but it will damage your brand perception—you certainly don’t want that, right?
6. Gifts not aligned with your company’s values:
corporate gifting should be in sync with your company’s values as they help push your company’s strategy. For example, if your company promotes sustainability, you should opt for eco-friendly and reusable corporate gifts that reinforce your commitment. This encourages a positive association and will strengthen your client’s loyalty. On the other hand, not practicing what you preach, in the form of corporate gifts can confuse your clients and take a toll on the relationship you’ve built with them.
7. Overspending on underspending:
budget is an important consideration when it comes to corporate gifting. It is advisable to avoid either extreme when setting aside the budget for gift-giving purposes; that is, a gift that is too extravagant creates a sense of expectation that the recipient will also need to return the same value, which might make them uncomfortable. You should also avoid gifts that are too low-priced as they reflect a half-hearted attempt and lack of thoughtfulness.
Now that we’ve explored the common corporate gifting mistakes, here are some quick tips on how you can get it right:
- Research extensively to find out as much as possible about your recipient. The more you know about them, the netter you will be able to personalize the gift.
- Do take into account the occasion and choose befitting gifts accordingly. A holiday gift should not be the same as the gift for a milestone or an accomplishment. Likewise, a birthday gift will not be the same as a promotion gift. The event in question should determine your choice of gift.
- Presenting your gift well makes a lot of difference; you can create a strong visual impact with attractive packaging.
- A handwritten note can take the emotional value of your gift notches higher and create a lasting positive memory. Needless to say, it will reflect on your business relationship as well.
A thoughtful, well-chosen corporate gift plays a key role in taking business partnerships ahead. The idea is to make your gift pop out amongst other run-of-the-mill gifts that are simply sent as a formal ritual. So, the next time you’re brainstorming what corporate gift to settle for, do keep these tips in mind. Don’t be skeptical about spending some extra bucks; it is one of the best investments your organization can make!