Gift Cards as a Corporate Gift
According to various research organizations, the
most common “corporate gift” is a card. Intuitively this makes a great deal
of sense. Cards are usually included with all larger, more expensive
corporate gifts, and often cards are purchased individually to thank
customers and say hello to new employees, among many other uses.
Cards make fine gifts, but they are not something
you should throw around haphazardly. Though they may be inexpensive, there
are several things to consider before you decide to go with cards as a
corporate gift.
1.
Are You Giving Something Else?
Though it is not always necessary, a card alone
does not show the type of appreciation as other types of corporate gifts.
Those that receive cards may smile, but unless the message inside was
particularly meaningful for the recipient, that smile will be the full
extent of their reaction. It is best to pair the card with something,
especially when giving one to your own
employees.
2.
Is the Card Appropriate?
Funny cards are great for friends and family, but
even the most humorous of individuals should always receive a professional,
nice card. The person receiving the card should always look at the company
with the utmost respect, and a professional card is the only way to portray
that respect.
3.
What’s Inside?
There are cards that already have a great deal of
content inside – often jokes, poetry, words of wisdom, images, etc. If the
content is particularly meaningful to the recipient, this is acceptable, but
if possible it would be best if upper management filled the card with
personal messages that the recipient will appreciate. Longer messages are
fine – the more writing there is, the better the card is.
4.
Who Signs it and How Much Do They Write?
It is not uncommon for cards – especially cards for
internal employees – to be passed around to a variety of executives and
managers, and each one signs it, possibly with a short sentence or two. In
the past this has been considered good practice, but lower level employees
will feel far more appreciated if those that sign it write real messages
intended directly for the recipient. If someone is simply going to sign it
and pass it on, that person’s signature may not be necessary.
5.
To Increase the Impact, Give the Card for No Reason
Corporations have a tendency to only give gifts
when they feel like they need to. But employees and clients are people too,
and like most people they will appreciate the smaller things more when they
are unexpected. A card is not the greatest “gift” compared to other gifts
that are available, but if you can show employees or clients appreciation
when they least suspect, you are greatly increasing the impact of the card,
especially if you have personal messages of thanks or appreciation written
inside.
Cards on their own are not the greatest of all
corporate gifts. But they are still nice, and they are an inexpensive way to
communicate in a more personal way.