Dec
9
Corporate Gifts in the Time of Recession
December 9, 2009 |
Corporate gifts are an integral part of doing business. Advertising is the life blood of business. The purpose of advertisement is to improve the brand recall value of the business and generate positive image about the business. In that respect, corporate gifts are an important part of the Ad Budget of any corporation.
Corporate gifts take many forms. Right from small give away like pens or stocky notes to table tops, bags with logo, clothes and for special occasions gourmet gift baskets. Corporate gifts to business associates are a delicate balancing act. On one hand it should not look like an attempt to influence favors. On the other hand it should not be a cheap affair either which is more of a turn-off. Now-a-days many corporations have a very strict “No Gift” Policy from its vendors and suppliers. Not surprising, say the industry observers. In good times, there have been many instances, when corporate would wine and dine the key contacts, provide even with foreign tours and vacations and try to pull out all stops to influence the decision makers.
Corporate Gift giving has now changed somewhat. With recession still looming, unemployment at record high and market situation weak, not many companies can afford to spend huge sums of money on gift giving. But at the same time, Companies need to keep reminding others about their brand and themselves. They need to develop the business relationship and create and or develop a positive image of themselves in their circle of operation. Therefore, the focus has now shifted to such gifts which can be shared by everyone in an office environment. Only one such gift fits the bill in this respect and that is a gourmet gift basket or gourmet gifts.
Corporate gift baskets need to be upscale and full, by its very nature. One cannot give a Corporate Gift Basket which is cheap or contains small, insignificant products. It is an expression of the image of the giving company and hence need contain high end chocolates, cookies and candies among other things which will create that “WOW” factor. Only then the purpose will be served.
In this time of economic recession, when companies are trying to do more with less, corporate gift baskets are the perfect answer to the small budget and other considerations. No longer have Companies had to give individual small gifts to many people in one department. One big gourmet gift basket will serve the purpose at fraction of the cost and will satisfy many.
Corporate gift baskets are also perfect give away for seminars or meetings, employee appreciation gifts, congratulation gifts etc. The name and logo of the giving company can be imprinted on the ribbon decorating the gift basket, thereby creating and reminding of the corporate image. Not to say that a corporate gift basket with personalized ribbon is a much classier gift than a table top gift.
Corporate gift baskets are also becoming more and more popular as a year end gift by the companies. Whatever the reason or occasion, every one likes to indulge on high quality chocolates and cookies and so it seems the days of corporate gift baskets are here for a long time to come.
