Q. I work for an internet advertising firm; we used to send valued clients flowers on their birthdays. Now we’re considering sending something with our logo on it instead, so that our brand stays in front of the client. What would you suggest?
A. “First, congratulations on marking a wise decision,” says Mickey Samson, principal of Sales Solutions, a marketing consultancy. Sending a branded product is a much better idea than flowers, Samson says, “because flowers, while nice, just don’t have the staying power that a quality product has. And, they don’t have your logo on them.”
Since this is a gift, however, “you’re going to want to make sure the item has a high perceived value,” he says. “Opt for a nice performance jacket, rather than a T-shirt, for example,” he says.
Michaela Raner, president of Mack & Jack’s marketing solutions, an advertising and marketing consulting firm, agrees. “You need to choose an item the client will actually use or wear,” she says. Raner often opts for useful items. For instance, her company was recently tasked with the challenge of finding client gifts for a ski resort based in Utah. The solution: A package that included useful products along with some education. “We packaged an aluminum water bottle with a carbineer, a sunscreen, and a USB drive together,” she says; the USB drive contained pertinent information about the resort. “Their customers loved it,” she says.
If you’re considering apparel, one popular option is a custom scarf or tie. “Just make sure that if you logo these items, you do it in a discreet way,” Samson says. “For instance, you might put a small company logo on the corner of a scarf, but in the same colors of the scarf.”
Gifts for the home always go over well, Samson adds, and again are often-used. Wine glasses or accessories, coffee table books, and attractive journals are all items a client would want to hold onto.
Q. We are a hospital that is looking for gifts for when our employees reach the five-, ten- and twenty-year anniversaries with our company. What type of items would you suggest?
A. In the healthcare field, attracting and retaining employees can be tough. So setting up this type of program is a great tactic to boost retention, according to Marjorie Deluca, founder of Go-to Marketing, a marketing consultancy. “You’ve taken a great first step just by committing to this kind of program,” she says. But finding the right product to present at these key milestones of a person’s career can be tricky, she warns. “Obviously the gift cannot be gender specific,” she says, “and it needs to be something that employees will keep within their workspace and see or use everyday.” Plaques, awards, or statues are always popular items, she says. Awards now come in many interesting materials, including crystal, brass, copper, and bamboo. “You might even consider a custom award in the shape of your company’s logo, or perhaps even the hospital building,” Deluca says.
If not all employees have individual work spaces, however, you may want to get a bit more creative, Raner says. “For a five-year milestone, a nice portfolio with your company’s logo embossed on it or a computer bag would be something that could be used daily,” she suggests. For a ten-year anniversary, Raner recommends a beautiful logoed watch or clock.
“For the twenty-year milestone, which is a huge one, I would provide a nice luggage set,” recommends Raner. “Just be subtle on how the logo is showcased on the luggage,” she warns. “Make it professional and understated.”
Q. Our company, a recycling organization, wants to give inexpensive eco-friendly birthday gifts to employees. What’s available?
A. Here’s some good news: “Just about everybody’s going green these days,” says Deluca. “That means that there’s no shortage right now of creative products to help you promote your eco-friendliness.” While many people already have eco-friendly bags, “surprise employees with an item they might not have,” she says. For instance, you can now purchase flash drives in interesting, eco-friendly materials like bamboo. Also available are universal chargers that power cell phones, MP3s and other devices using solar power.
Another idea: There are all kinds of eco-friendly writing instruments on the market right now. “Employees use pens and pencils every day, so this is a wise choice,” says Samson. Many eco-conscious pencil suppliers offer versions made of recycled tires, for instance. And biodegradable pens, with your logo on them, are now widely available as well.
If you’re looking for a special gift, consider a jotter and pen set made with eco-friendly material. “This is a cost effective product and it will be used daily,” Samson says.
Another fun option: plants, seeds, and tree-planting kits. “How cool would it be for an employee to plant a tree you provide him right in his backyard?” says Samson.
Gioia Macey is a freelance writer based in CT
