Gifting is an age-old tradition that warms the heart of both the giver and the receiver. It’s a gesture that crosses cultural lines and builds bridges of appreciation. It’s hard to have bad feelings toward someone who’s given you a heartfelt gift for a special occasion or just because. Gift-giving can have positive outcomes in both private and professional settings.
As a manager or CEO of a company, thoughtful gifting is a great way to show your appreciation for your employees. It can help them feel seen and valued for the work they put in to help the company succeed. When done sincerely, corporate gifting can also build employee loyalty and squelch desires to potentially seek employment elsewhere. Here’s how companies can build employee loyalty through thoughtful corporate gifting.
Why Employee Loyalty Is Important
Employee loyalty refers to how committed, involved, and emotionally attached workers are to the organization they work for and with. Employees who trust and respect the company that employs them are less likely to seek work elsewhere.
Loyal workers are more inclined to look for advancement opportunities within the company and may even spend the remainder of their working years there. Employee loyalty is important because it reduces turnover rates, increases productivity, and creates a positive workplace culture.
Ideas for Thoughtful Corporate Gifting
Many people assume that salary is the main factor that determines whether an employee chooses to stay or seek another job. While pay is certainly a factor, it may not be the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to employee loyalty. According to a McKinsey study, the most important factors driving long-term retention include having a supportive work environment, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose.
Giving gifts is a great way to show employees you support and value them. It can strengthen employee-management relationships and encourage loyalty. However, to get the most impact from your efforts, it’s essential to make sure the gifts you give are thoughtful. Trite, disingenuous gifting might backfire and decrease employee trust. Here are some great ideas for thoughtful corporate gifting.
Gifts for Hard Times
When you think of corporate gifting, sympathy gifts may not be the first things that come to mind. However, supporting employees during hard times can be even more meaningful than supporting them in good times. If you learn an employee has recently lost a loved one, consider sending a beautiful bouquet to the funeral or a memorial gift directly to them.
Similarly, if you learn that an employee has taken time off work for a complex surgery or illness, take the opportunity to send comfort. There are many get well soon gifts that contain comforting items such as ready-made food, cozy comfort throws, and soothing care items. Employees who receive such gifts during difficult times are more likely to feel a deep connection to you and the company in general.
Gifts for Recognition
If you don’t have a strong employee recognition program, your workers might not feel like the rewards they receive are worth the work they put in. Lack of recognition could lead to a drop in both productivity and morale. While verbal recognition is a great first step, most workers also appreciate a well-considered gift of appreciation.
Ideas for recognition gifts include branded items like plaques, certificates, and swag items that employees will use regularly. For larger achievements, you might offer a paid vacation, a hefty cash bonus, or additional paid time off. Consider polling your staff to find out what types of gifts are most likely to motivate them to work harder and more proficiently.
Gifts for Reinforcing Company Culture
Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are those that are offered “just because.” They come seemingly out of the blue and aren’t attached to any particular behavior or achievement. “Just because” gifts help reinforce a positive company culture and drive employee loyalty. They also foster feelings of trust and contentment.
If you choose to give random gifts to reinforce company culture, all employees should feel equally respected and appreciated. To achieve this goal, choose gifts that benefit everyone equally. For example, you might offer each employee a generous Christmas bonus. Or you could treat the entire company to free lunch or a paid workday at a local amusement park. Be creative and try to come up with gift ideas that will please everyone.
Best Corporate Gifting Practices
When creating your company’s unique gifting practices, keep the following considerations in mind:
- Always be culturally sensitive and keep employees’ cultural differences in mind, especially if you operate a global company.
- Choose gifts that match the recipient’s preferences and interests whenever possible.
- Remember that a single, thoughtful gift can have a bigger positive impact than multiple cheap, meaningless gifts. Always choose quality over quantity.
Try to keep your brand values in mind when selecting gifts. If you operate a wellness company, consider gifting items like paid gym memberships, wearable fitness trackers, premium water bottles, and other health-promoting items. Gifting unhealthy gifts such as alcohol, sugary treats, and fast-food gift cards can feel incongruent with your company’s values.
Conclusion
Thoughtful corporate gift-giving is an art that can strengthen connections and build employee loyalty when utilized strategically and authentically. If you’re passionate about reducing turnover rates and boosting workplace morale, consider using these tips to come up with an effective, thoughtful corporate gifting strategy.
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