| Cutting through the
Christmas clutter….. When it comes to picking
out seasonal gifts for clients and suppliers, it’s
the thought that counts.
Christmas is a time of giving – not least when
it comes to corporate incentives. Whether it be cards,
bottles of Champagne, hampers or a more extravagant
display of generosity, companies are keen to impress
commercial partners, thank them for the past year
and secure their loyalty for the year ahead.
Christmas Incentives – Dos and don’ts
- DO profile the target audience
- DO choose a corporate incentive
that reflects your company’s values.
- DO give a good quality gift.
- DO consider giving recipient
choice, by offering vouchers or experiences.
- DO take personal or religious
sensibilities into account.
- DO ensure the supplier has a
rapid, secure delivery service.
- DON’T leave ordering until
the last minute as most suppliers have a cut off
date and popular items sell fast.
- DON’T ignore consumer-buying
habits. Try to anticipate what people really want.
- DON’T give a corporate
incentive as a bribe. Be aware of sending a “thank
you” that is beyond the bounds of what corporate
policy allows the recipient to accept, as it may
have a negative effect.
- DON’T compromise on presentation.
A gift that is stylish packaged and eye catching
should help ensure that the gift stands out from
the crowd.
Creative Ideas
Unusual gifts are an excellent way of making an impression
on the recipient. “The festive period is an
opportunity to tap into the genuine feel good atmosphere.
It offers more scope for creative incentives,”
says Oliver Duval, managing director at incentives
provider Unmissable.
Spending the budget on an experience can have a
lasting impression, and be surprisingly cost effective.
According to Duval for brands that can afford it the
most popular gifts are trips to Lapland to visit Santa
and shopping at Europe’s Christmas markets or
in New York.
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