subject: 10 Tips For Company Gifts [print this page] Whether for the holidays or a special event in the life of the company, giving company gifts is a great way to boost workplace morale and motivate employees -- if done in the right way. Here are ten tips for every boss to keep in mind when planning your company gifts.
1. Make company gifts specific. If possible, customize company gifts for each employee, choosing products that pertain to the specific interests of the person. If Kim is the only person in the sales department who hates golfing and you give everyone in sales a set of golf balls, the impression is worse than if youd given no gift at all. If Kim is a wine connoisseur, however, a gourmet wine bottle opener is one company gift that shows that you care about Kim as an employee and a person.
2. If you simply dont have time to put together personalized company gifts for each employee, consider something that everyone can use, like food, money or gift certificates. Bags, kitchen items and picture frames are also useful and popular company gifts that have a bit more character.
3. Avoid health-related company gifts. No one wants to be reminded on a special occasion that they need to go to the gym.
4. Stay relevant and up-to-date with company gifts. Keep a log of what you give. By the time the holidays roll back around you may not remember that you gave all the account coordinators pens last year, but they will. And believe me, no one wants to get pens two years in a row. Eco-friendly is the biggest trend for company gifts this year, so everyone will appreciate a titanium water bottle or reusable tote bag. However, dont try to get any trendier than that. Everyone knows that youre the cool, hip boss -- you dont have to dole out Hannah Montana calendars to prove it.
5. Keep extra company gifts on hand. Just like the seven dwarves, there is always that one pesky client or employee that you forget. If you are ordering in bulk from a vendor, make sure to order one extra product for yourself, so that you can test it out and make sure you made the right choice.
6. Avoid giving apparel. Receiving a tie from your boss is a little like getting one from your grandmother. Everyone has different tastes regarding fashion, so giving clothing often obligates insincere enthusiasm from the recipient. Its best to stick with something your employees can definitely use, like luggage or clocks.
7. If you are ordering from a company online, the website will usually list their most popular or recommended items. The company knows their products best, and these have stood the test of time and find mass appeal.
8. Erect traditions around company gift giving. Start a Secret Santa exchange, or establish a special event at which employees receive their gifts. Getting up and saying a few words about why you chose the company gifts you did will reveal that you put thought into the process. Further, invite families to the event. Often company gifts end up in the hands of an employees children or spouse anyway.
9. If you can, hand-deliver company gifts. As the boss, adding a personal touch will show that the gifts come from you, not Human Resources. If you have too many employees to hand-deliver each gift, recruit managers to pass them on. It is supervisors who drive employee motivation, so you want to make sure the employee sees the company gift as recognition from her superiors. No one cares if Susan in H.R. wishes him a Happy Holidays if his boss forgets to.
10. If an employee or coworker gives you a gift, make sure to send a thank-you note. It seems like a small token, but a word of thanks goes a long way. Employees make decisions about whether or not to stay at a company based on their relationship with their boss, so make sure you provide verbal and written appreciation whenever possible. Genuine recognition, whether in the form of a gift or thank-you, is worth ten cups of coffee in terms of motivating employees to do their best work.
