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The Empuls Glossary

Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms

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Corporate Gifts

Corporate gifts are items or products given by companies to their employees, clients, partners, or stakeholders as a gesture of appreciation, recognition, or goodwill. These gifts can range from branded merchandise and luxury items to personalized tokens, and are often used to strengthen relationships, celebrate milestones, or recognize achievements.

What are corporate gifts?  

Corporate gifts are items or experiences given by a company to employees, clients, partners, or prospects as a token of appreciation, gratitude, or to build or strengthen relationships. They can range from tangible items like branded merchandise or personalized gifts to intangible experiences like event tickets or exclusive access.

Why is corporate gifting important?  

Corporate gifting is a strategic tool that can yield significant benefits for a business. Here's why:

  • Builds and strengthens relationships: A well-chosen gift can deepen connections with clients, partners, and employees, fostering a sense of appreciation and loyalty.
  • Enhances brand image: Thoughtful and high-quality gifts can elevate a company's brand perception and create a positive impression.
  • Boosts employee morale: Recognizing employees with gifts can boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and foster a positive work environment.
  • Drives customer loyalty: Gifting clients can encourage repeat business and customer advocacy.
  • Celebrates achievements: Corporate gifts can be used to mark milestones, promotions, or company anniversaries.
  • Generates goodwill: A well-timed gift can turn a neutral interaction into a positive one, creating goodwill and a favorable impression.
  • Shows appreciation: Whether it's a client, employee, or partner, a gift can be a tangible expression of gratitude and appreciation.
  • Differentiates your brand: Unique and personalized gifts can help your company stand out from competitors.
Listen, recognize, award, and retain your employees with our Employee engagement software  

What are the rules for corporate gifting?

Corporate gifting, while a powerful tool, comes with its own set of rules and regulations to ensure ethical and legal compliance. Here are some key considerations:

1. Legal and ethical guidelines

  • Bribery and corruption: Avoid gifts that could be perceived as bribes or inducements to influence business decisions.
  • Gift limits: Many companies set specific monetary limits on corporate gifts to prevent excessive spending and maintain consistency.
  • Gift restrictions: Certain types of gifts, such as cash or gift cards of significant value, might be prohibited.
  • Government regulations: Be aware of any specific laws or regulations in your region regarding corporate gifting, especially when dealing with government officials or entities.
  • Company policy: Adhere to your company's internal gift-giving policies, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and legal requirements.

2. Gift selection and presentation

  • Relevance and personalization: Choose gifts that are relevant to the recipient's interests or profession. Personalization adds a thoughtful touch.
  • Avoid overly expensive gifts: While appreciation is important, excessively expensive gifts can raise eyebrows and create uncomfortable situations.
  • Consider the occasion: The type of gift should align with the occasion, whether it's a holiday, a business milestone, or a personal achievement.
  • Gift presentation: The way you present the gift is crucial. A handwritten note or a personalized message can enhance the impact of the gift.
  • Tax implications: Be aware of any tax implications associated with corporate gifting, especially for high-value gifts or frequent gifting.

3. Gift recipients

  • Employees: Gifts for employees can boost morale and loyalty. Consider performance-based rewards, holiday gifts, or gifts for milestones like work anniversaries.
  • Clients and customers: Gifting clients can strengthen relationships and encourage repeat business. Personalized gifts or gifts related to their interests can make a lasting impression.
  • Business partners: Building strong partnerships is essential. Gifts can be a gesture of appreciation and collaboration.
  • Government officials: Be extremely cautious when gifting government officials due to strict regulations and potential legal implications.

How much should I spend on corporate gifts?

Determining the appropriate budget for corporate gifts depends on several factors:

  • Relationship with the recipient: The closer your relationship, the higher the budget might be.
  • Company size and budget: Larger companies often allocate more for corporate gifting.
  • Industry standards: Some industries have established norms for gift spending.
  • Occasion: The significance of the occasion (e.g., holiday, client appreciation, employee recognition) will influence the budget.
  • Gift type: High-end gifts naturally command a higher price point.

General guidelines

1. Employees

  • Small tokens of appreciation (e.g., branded merchandise, gift cards): $25-$50
  • Milestone achievements (e.g., promotions, work anniversaries): $50-$150
  • Holiday gifts: $50-$100

2. Clients

  • Small tokens of appreciation (e.g., personalized gifts, branded merchandise): $50-$100
  • Major clients or business partners: $100-$250
  • High-value clients or special occasions: $250+

Employee pulse surveys:

These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).

One-on-one meetings:

Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.

eNPS:

eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.

Based on the responses, employees can be placed in three different categories:

  • Promoters
    Employees who have responded positively or agreed.
  • Detractors
    Employees who have reacted negatively or disagreed.
  • Passives
    Employees who have stayed neutral with their responses.

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