About two decades ago, a dynamic a husband & wife team of Mr. Prashant and Mrs. Bijal Kalbag launched a vivacious venture, namely Creative Awards & Rewards. What forms the crux of their business process and philosophy? Let us try to find out…

The company strives up to provide complete personalized solutions to meet the creative demands of its corporate customers. With emphasis on constant innovation and experimentation coupled with a ‘Never Say No’ attitude, the duo has steadily established the company into a domain leader, steadily growing its offerings by adding diverse materials into their existing range. Here are some of the highlights of its extensive product range and its exquisite features:

•    Just to elaborate, Creative Awards & Rewards provides a bouquet of perfectly crafted products made of Metal, Steel, Crystal/Glass, Wood, Acrylic, Fiberglass, Soft PVC, Leather and Ceramic to suit every budget.

•    Besides, Trophies, Presentation Plaques and Cups, the Company also offers a range of Corporate and Promotional Gift items like Crystal Candle Holders/Paperweights/Min. Clocks/Ganeshas/Vases/ Glasses/ Bowls, Time Pieces – Wrist Watches/ Wall & Desktop Clocks.

•    Creative Awards & Rewards provides outstanding stationery Items in Wood and Metal like Photo frames /Pens and Pen holders, Calendars, Pen/Mobile & Visiting card holders.

•    Also there are magnificent items like Coasters, Ceramic Mugs and Plates, Bar Sets…… and promotional and gift items made of  Stainless Steel, Leather, Soft PVC, as well as Lenticular Products made precisely as per your design and specifications.

•    The whole gamut of operations- right from computerized designing, crystal, metal casting, wooden, acrylic, painting and packaging department- are all available under one roof to ensure quality and timely deliveries.

The idea is to help a client achieve the desired impact through highly rewarding and fulfilling corporate appreciation programs. That’s exactly why it has come up with a new range of products in the above mentioned categories. You just need to get in touch with the company’s sales representative by giving them a call and they will respond. Alternatively, you may send an online enquiry through the official website, http://www.creativeawardsnrewards.com/.

Giftex heartily supports the exciting business idea of Mr. Prashant and Mrs. Bijal Kalbag. Our best wishes to the enterprising couple…

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With stock market in a tailspin, people are looking to build a more diversified portfolio of investments that will cushion them against such random and rapid falls in equities. Indeed, stock markets world over have turned topsy-turvy in recent times as the indices have become hyper-sensitive to inflation, recession and any negative macro or micro-economic clues. Experts are advising investors to stay away from the stock markets, and rightly so!

On the other hand, Indian art and artists have truly gone global with a string of shows – solo as well as group – involving both established and emerging artists. Global art auction houses and event directors are giving a place of pride to practitioners from the country, leaving an indelible mark on the international art scene. Indeed, contemporary Indian art and artists have gone global with a string of shows. We take a quick look at some of the internationally acclaimed artists who will continue to find favor with collectors and/ or investors…

Atul Dodiya: His diverse and dynamic art practice, socially and politically responsible in nature, has evolved to become increasingly complex, with the subjects of his address, and his references more specific. His striking imagery has invariably been packed with a stirring swirl of motifs: Bollywood, film stars, political icons, Hindu mythology characters, and so on.

Subodh Gupta: Though he often dwells on domestic themes, he has become an internationally renowned artist. A sculptor, installation-maker, video artist and painter -all rolled in one, this multi-faceted practitioner incorporates in his works everyday objects like bicycles, thali pans, and milk pails, as well as the mass-produced steel boxes used to carry lunch.

Bose Krishnamachari: As a creator, curator and practitioner of art in various forms and domains, he likes to challenge and defy conventional concepts of visual art practices to set his own norms. He has further broadened and deepened his curatorial vision with the Mumbai-based Gallery BMB.

Jitish Kallat: Counted among the most exciting and talented contemporary artists not just in India, but also internationally, he has received recognition for his dynamic work that reflects an involvement with Mumbai.

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Thanks to a truly challenging business environment, today’s businesses have been forced to think beyond lofty or impracticable promises of big bonuses and lavish retreats.

As all of us would readily agree, businesses cutting across domains and irrespective of scale, are now facing the tricky challenge of sticking to stringent budgets as well as conceiving newer, more novel ideas to show their ‘human’ side to clients and employees and to express their heartfelt appreciation. In such circumstances, a little help from outside is always welcome. This is where Giftex 2012 will come into play.

A gift is an ideal tool, object or gesture, whichever way you consider it, when it comes to making a permanent and fulfilling impression on your clients, business associates as well as your valued employees. Gift giving is not a mere ritual. It has emerged as a crucial corporate strategy as part of a larger jigsaw. Generic gifts picked by harried administrative assistants are giving way to personal gestures designed to indicate just how much your truly care for your corporate buddies.

An old cliché goes that ‘it’s the thought that counts’ has perhaps never been more dead-on that now! Today’s corporate culture demands more creative, more innovative and more thoughtful ways of expressing genuine appreciation to the people you care the most – clients, business contacts and your own employees.

In the field of sales & marketing services, clients expect gifting-industry consultants to be right on top of trends; be innovative and tuned to new technology. Part of their responsibility and role to our clients is to come up with innovative ways to get their messages across. For those keen on sourcing the best corporate gifting options, Giftex 2012 provides the perfect opportunity. The event spread over the spacious halls of Nehru Centre will bring together the best from the gifting industry under one umbrella.

A trendsetter and torchbearer in every sense of the corporate gifting industry, Giftex is bound to be a grand success. Be a part of this grand event to grasp various finer aspects and get practical ideas to simplify the task of corporate gifting.

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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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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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The occasion is celebrated across the world in the memory of Saint Valentine. But who exactly is this mysterious man? We are sure you would be curious to know as why we celebrate this day. We take this opportunity to dig into the history of Valentine’s Day and throw light on the patron saint who is associated with the day. Read the rest of this entry »

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