5 Things Companies Should Avoid When Choosing Corporate Gifts

Corporate gifting looks simple from the outside. Pick a product. Set a budget. Add a logo. Place the order but that approach can turn a thoughtful gesture into just another corporate box.

If you are choosing gifts for employees, clients, CXOs, business partners or VIP guests here are five things a company should avoid when selecting corporate gifts.

1.      Choosing the gift before the recipient

 Starting with ‘What should we buy?’ is often the wrong first question. Start with ‘Who are we gifting?’

An employee, client, CXO, Director, business partner or VIP guest can have completely different expectations and relationships with your company. The recipient should influence the gift- not the other way around.

2.      Choosing only by price

 A budget is important but it should not become the entire selection strategy. Two corporate gifts can cost the same and create completely different experiences. One can feel carefully considered. The other can feel like something selected simply because it was available within the budget. The objective is not simply to spend more. It is to make the spend count.

3.      Giving everyone the exact same gift

 One box for 500 employees can make operational sense but does the same box need to go to your employees, clients, Directors, CXOs and key business partners? Different relationships carry different significance. Same occasion does not always mean the same gift. Thoughtful corporate gifting can have different levels of curation without making anyone feel overlooked.

4.      Filling the box instead of curating It

 More is not always more. A hamper packed with products can look impressive at first glance yet feel random once opened. A smaller selection of premium, relevant products can create a much stronger impression. Luxury is often felt in the selection not the quantity. Every item should have a reason for being there.

5.      Letting the company logo take over the gift

 A corporate gift should represent the company but it should not feel like an advertisement. Too much branding can shift attention from the experience to the brand. Subtle branding, thoughtful packaging and a well-designed presentation can make the connection feel much more natural. Let the gift be remembered. Let the brand be remembered with it. Before finalising your next corporate gifting, order don't ask only - ‘What can we give within our budget?’ Ask - ‘What will this gift say about us and what will the recipient feel when they open it?’

          That is where better corporate gifting begins and when the answer calls for something beyond a standard catalogue, premium, curated and customisable corporate gift hampers can turn a routine corporate gesture into something genuinely worth remembering.