A successful organization thrives on high-performance, dynamic culture. The key is to build a base of people, at all levels that will critically scrutinize their own practices and voluntarily ask themselves if they are doing all they can to their full potential. The mindset needs to be changed, though! But how to make this happen, you must be wondering! This is where gift certificates come into play.

If you want to encourage loyal and hard working employees and are keen to hold onto them, you need to increase their motivation levels and learn to recognize performance with timely presents like gift certificates.

You may consider the following types of incentives and rewards for your employees:

• Create an attractive incentive structure. For example, give an opportunity to your employees to win a gift certificate equaling a certain percentage of their total sales achieved.

• Set up a ‘points’ ladder, which allows them to win certificates of higher value for increased levels of sales.

• Offer gift cards as part of yearly bonus rewards plans so all team members will encourage each other to improve their productivity. For instance, announce that the team that records the most sales, manages to get the highest customer satisfaction index rating, and completes the most projects on time will get large denominations of gift certificates to the store of their choice.

• Give gift certificates to those employees who exhibit effective leadership skills, brainstorm outstanding solutions on key projects, go an extra mile to help a co-worker or come up with a money saving strategy for the company.

Let the employees select what gift certificate they want to keep from a variety of gift cards options from bookstores, music stores, shopping malls or restaurants. The customized and personalized format of the giveaways will sure motivate the staff to contribute valuable inputs to its growth.

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A popular form of a gift card is the one issued by retail establishments. A retailer will give a card instead of a voucher. This type of card is an improved version of a gift voucher, as it allows multiple transactions to be carried out. Landmark, for instance, has similar cards on offer.

On such occasions, shopping reaches its peak across India. A festive season is obviously one for shopping clothes, accessories, furniture, gadgets and much more as there are lots of discounts, cool deals and offers available during this period. Keeping this in mind, gift certificates are ideal for grand festive occasions like Diwali, the festival of lights that brings a large family, a group of friends or even a work unit together. And obviously when a group of people meets at one place during a major festival, there is bound to be some gossip, partying as well as exchange of wishes and gifts…

Gift vouchers are in keeping with the tradition of gifting during a festival as part of the time-tested ritual of wishing each other joy and prosperity as well as exhibiting the spirit of sharing and caring. Every person, who looks to make a gifting gesture, also makes an effort to save money. From this angle as well, a gift voucher is a smart corporate gift option. An individual can present it to family members, friends, colleagues, employees and relatives.

Gift vouchers are widely presented on festive occasions as they entail a lot of benefits. First of all, they would enable the receiver to buy a gift of his or her own choice. Next, they also enable the receiver to save money that would have been spent in buying their choice of gift anyway. On the other hand, gift vouchers allow the giver to save the hassle of customizing a gift. Whichever way you look at it, a gift-voucher is a smart way to gift during a festive occasion. So what are you waiting for?

To sum up, keep in mind the following keys to successful gifting:
1. Define the Purpose of Giveaways

2. Set Your Budget and Quantity

3. Logo or no long and personalization

4. How will you distribute? - In person, mail, trade shows

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‘It is not the size of the gift that matters but the size of the heart, which gives it!’ - Quotation in ‘The Angels’ Little Instruction Book’ by Eileen Elias Freeman

‘Tis blessed to bestow, and yet,
Could we bestow the gifts we get,
And keep the ones we give away,
How happy were our Christmas day!’
- Carolyn Wells

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On the eve of Giftex 2012, where you are all set to get a kaleidoscopic view of the best gift ideas on offer under one roof, we also feel it is pertinent to know some of the key norms – dos and don’ts of corporate gifting – generic or those given on special occasion.

1. First and foremost, check the company policy on giving and receiving gifts. Know whether they prefer token gifts or something fancy or jazzy as well. Putting a logo on the gift is important, but do so in a subtle manner!
2. One should remember cultural and geographical barriers. Each state and country has its different values on basis of which gifting strategy should be devised. Follow the local conventions or else you might end up offending your international clients.
3. When giving a gift to individuals, it’s always a good idea to give a gift that is personalized in nature. Cost is not always the factor; try to follow the person’s tastes and know about his or her tastes. For example, if a client enjoys a particular sporting activity, he or she should be given free tickets to that game or a souvenir.
4. Gifting activity should not be too personal or centered around only few individual as it may create a misunderstanding. It should not be politically incorrect. For example, you should not be gifting a weight loss certificate to a fat person or a box of sweets to a diabetic this may create a misunderstanding. Avoid gifts that are based on religious themes. Generic gift ideas work best.
5. Do not repeat a gift idea year after year. Rotate them skillfully so that each year the program should arouse interest, thus making the client appreciate it more.

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One thing that will differentiate a sub-standard vendor from a quality one is the value addition the latter can bring to clients. The process is not just restricted to manufacturing, purchasing, or disturbing the gift. A winning and long-lasting association with the clients is possible only by striking a rapport and understanding their psyche. It requires a great deal of insight and sensitivity on part of the vendors.

An understanding of factors such as budget constraints, timeliness of a gifting plan, correct choice of occasion, relevant theme for gifting is essential. The success of a corporate gifting business is not merely about the “art of selling’. It’s more to do with discovering the ‘joy of gifting’ them. Packaging ideas also matter a great deal (not to forget ‘out of the box’ gifting products!)

A unique selling proposition will help to transform the gift into a motif of relationship-building. This again is never an easy task. First study what a bunch of business players around you are doing and think how you could do it better. Before you push forward with your gifting business plan, be clear about its focus. You then can sell the idea itself.

The logistical issues will then come into play as you will need to explore things such as distribution & partnerships, and work out establishing relationships with a host of corporate gift representatives to market and sell your product portfolio to their corporate clients.

It may not be always easy to approach end-users directly when you are likely to compete with an entity that has almost everything else on its side, including a strong sales relationship with your potential customer-base.  Before you make a move, get some sense of the market dynamics and what exactly you are up against!  This is critical to make foray into the domain of corporate gifting business successful.

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Shining and sizzling silver has an uncanny knack of adapting to every fashion trend - traditional to bold and dramatic; classic to contemporary. Silver signifies faith and purity as a color, and is as glamorous as gold. The metal is not looked upon as a mere luxury symbol world over. The Chinese, for instance, believe a silver locket around a child’s neck would drive away any evil spirits, whereas the Incas of Peru have called it ‘the tears of the moon’.

You can make your choice from a wide array of designs, and even personalize your jewelry and accessories in silver. While going for a gorgeous gift for your loved one, you can buy cufflinks, buckles, hip flasks, collar stays or key rings that make a perfect fashion statement.

Gifting of silverware is an idea that jells perfectly with Indian tradition. Silver thalis are now a must-have at ceremonies. Cute silver boxes are there for holding mouth fresheners and silver coins are now commonly presented in embroidered bags. While silver watches, belts and jewelry are more suitable as generic presents, utensils in silver are ideal for traditional or festive occasions.

The mellifluous metal signifies status and wealth. It is perceived to fetch good luck. Importantly, it can indeed get cool and fashionable. An elegant pendant, opulent choker, or handsome hair ornament of traditional white or pastel colored pearls set in sterling white metal will make a fashionable gift to suit one’s tastes, style quotient and sentiments. Attractively colored pearls set in sterling silver will make an exquisite, glittering gift! Even the men’s jewelry is now getting popular. New-generation uber-cool men now flaunt to love accessories! For men, you may also consider stick to watches, silver coins or a silver household object.

One indeed is spoiled for choice here!

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Corporate gift giving is undoubtedly a serious business. As part of a well-devised program, it can help in establishing or enhancing critical business relationships and, in the process, serve as a cost-effective mode of imparting an element of goodwill to your business. We shall consider the many issues and ideas relevant to the corporate gift program’s success.

There can be multifold reasons for conducting a corporate gift program. For example, you may wish to thank your long-standing customers for their contribution to your business or recognize efforts of a committed employee for working overtime to meet a deadline. Mostly, the idea is to affirm relationships and subtly enhance the personal connection between a gift giver and recipient. It’s important to understand that gifts are different from incentives.

Customizing is a critical element for the success of a corporate gifting program. We have already checked some basic guidelines to follow for corporate gifting during festivals. Of course, these may vary based on your company policy. It needs to be decided whether to go for personalized packaging with special notes inserted in them. A nice note accompanying the present can reduce a sense of obligation, if any, on part of the recipient.

Ideally, the gifts should be given sans a precondition or a hidden motive. Of course, it would be naive to believe that there’s no bottom-line benefit to be drawn from corporate gift giving, but that aspect should be secondary.  Even though it’s an integral part of marketing strategy, corporate gift program should be subtly aimed at building bonds and a sense of long-term partnership with valued associates to make a gifting program successful.

The whole exercise should be planned well in advance well before the festival season sets in. This will give you enough time to negotiate the price for the gifts you are looking for and also to avail of attractive discount offers. Inputs from experts are very essential in this regard.

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Specific rules and norms are set by respective advertising standards authorities in different countries. The same are monitored by committees that keep a tab over advertising practices that can often be misleading. These bodies are independently administered and serve like a watchdog.

For example, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) functions as a self regulatory voluntary organization. The role and functioning of ASCI encompasses addressing complaints received from consumers and industry against advertisements and claims that are considered as false or misleading. It is important in this context that we consider the difference, albeit subtle, between a prize (awarded to a lucky few winners) and a gift (available to all or a majority of entrants to a promotion irrespective of the fact whether they win or lose).

This distinction should always be made amply clear to consumers who are being targeted or approached through promotional offers. If all or almost all participants are entitled to an award in a promotion, it should not be termed a prize. In such a case, it may preferably be denoted as a ‘gift’, ‘reward’, ‘award’ or a similar such term as long as the context does not get misleading to consumers.
For example, promoters should not make a claim that respondents will get to ‘win’ a ‘gift’ because the terminology is improper, confusing and inconsistent. Rather state they would get to ‘win a ‘prize’ or will be ‘given a ‘gift’. Let’s take a practical case. A few years ago, the UK based Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) mulled over a peculiar promotion that involved the promoter offering several prizes and gifts.

The promoter considered that since recipients got one of two or three gifts on offer with no single gift going to ‘all or most’ of them, each gift could well be described as a prize. However, the authorities stipulated that since the vast majority of respondents would get one of two or three low-value items, they should be termed as gifts. The promoter thus had to withdraw the claim that these were rather prizes and not gifts.

So make sure that you promote the program in a proper context so that it is not perceived to be misleading consumers. In other words, drawing a fine line between a gift and a prize is vital.

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Adding a natural touch to one’s home or office settings will make a perfect gesture and a great gift! To make your task easier, many nurseries are now innovating. As a result, there is ample choice to add to the green quotient of your friend’s or colleague’s office or home environ. Here are some Gorgeous ‘green’ gift ideas:

1. If you’re looking for wonderful ways to add a tinge of green to your friends’ or coveted client’s living or working space, we recommend you some gorgeous ways of helping your corporate friends to go green.
2. You can get beautiful Bonsais, succulents and cacti based on your budget and also the person whom you are gifting it. Potted plants such as adenium or desert rose and lavender are worth a buy.
3. If you are looking at bright, colorful varieties, bird of paradise, orchids and are recommended. Benjamina or starlight are preferred options in smaller garden plants.
4. If you want to pick exotic varieties, landscaping will help in accentuating the plants. Seeking help of a landscape consultant is a good idea to understand how to do it. The choice of plant depends on the kind of space available.
5. If it is for the interior surroundings, the decor of the space matters. You need to take into account the size of the plant. For instance, if you are getting bonsai, suggest that they be placed in front of the bigger, taller greens.
6. For home garden gifting, there are a wide range of ornamental, aromatic and medicinal plants available. You may consider creepers for wide spaces, though they may not be exotic. Of course, everything exotic need not be expensive!
7. A wide variety of them are generally seeded in October. Sunflowers and Zinnia elegans are among the available options; they bloom well in this season.
8. You can go for the willowy, tall lupins in purple that are easily available in pots as well as seeds at most nurseries. Other more exotic varieties are anthuriums or orchids. Mody Exotica, a cultivation facility, redecorates open spaces if you can afford it.

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Specific rules and norms are set by respective advertising standards authorities in different countries. The same are monitored by committees that keep a tab over advertising practices that can often be misleading. These bodies are independently administered and serve like a watchdog.

For example, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) functions as a self regulatory voluntary organization. The role and functioning of ASCI encompasses addressing complaints received from consumers and industry against advertisements and claims that are considered as false or misleading. It is important in this context that we consider the difference, albeit subtle, between a prize (awarded to a lucky few winners) and a gift (available to all or a majority of entrants to a promotion irrespective of the fact whether they win or lose).

This distinction should always be made amply clear to consumers who are being targeted or approached through the promotions offer in form of prizes or gifts. If all or almost all participants are entitled to an award in a promotion, it should not be termed a prize. In such a case, it may be denoted as a ‘gift’, ‘reward’, ‘award’ or a similar term as long as the context does not get misleading to consumers. 

For example, promoters should not make a claim that respondents can get to ‘win’ a ‘reward’ because the terminology is improper, confusing and inconsistent. In other words, respondents get to ‘win’ a ‘prize’ but are ‘awarded’, ‘allocated’ or ‘given’ a ‘gift’. Let’s take a practical case. A few years ago, the UK based Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) mulled over a rather complicated promotion that involved the promoter offering several prizes and gifts.

The promoter considered that since recipients got one of two or three gifts on offer with no single gift going to ‘all or most’ of them, each gift could well be described as a prize. However, the authorities stipulated that since the vast majority of respondents would get one of two or three low-value items, they should be termed as gifts. The promoter thus had to withdraw the claim that these were rather prizes, and not gifts.

So make sure that you promote the program in a proper context so that it is not perceived to be misleading consumers.

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