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Why Merchandise Is Becoming Part of Employer Value Proposition (EVP)

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  Corporate merchandise was once a relatively small part of the employee experience . At annual meetings, companies handed out branded T-shirts, or notebooks and bottles to employees, or had welcome kits for new hires.  The intention behind these products was to promote the brand but they were often seen as promotional products rather than an addition to the organisation’s bigger people strategy. That’s beginning to change. With companies placing more of an emphasis on employee experience, workplace culture and employer branding , merchandise is becoming another way to convey what it’s like to work for a company.  Instead of just slapping a logo on a product, companies are using merchandise to create moments of recognition, belonging and connection. It’s slowly creating merchandise as an interesting part of the Employer Value Proposition or EVP . EVP Goes Beyond Compensation An Employer Value Proposition is what an organisation offers to employees in exchange for the sk...

Merchandise as a Recruitment Marketing Tool

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  Recruiting is so much more than posting job ads and hoping people will apply. Today’s candidates are looking at organisations as well as organisations are looking at candidates. A candidate’s decision to apply or accept an offer is influenced by salary, benefits, company culture, growth opportunities and employer branding . Corporate swag turns out to be an unexpectedly effective recruitment marketing tool in this changing landscape. Branded merchandise is no longer only for clients or for promotional events. More and more organisations are leveraging well designed merchandise to enhance their employer branding, create memorable candidate experiences and generate excitement throughout the hiring journey. When used strategically, merchandise is more than a branded item. It’s a tangible representation of the company’s culture and values. Recruitment Marketing: Advertising for More Than Recruitment Recruitment marketing is marketing the organization as a great place to work. It’s...

Why Procurement Wants Repeatable Gift Programs Instead of Seasonal Buying

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  Corporate gifting has always been linked with festive seasons, year end celebrations and special occasions. Procurement teams would start looking for vendors, comparing prices, requesting quotations and rushing to place orders before deadlines every year. This seasonal approach worked for many years but changing business priorities are prompting organisations to rethink the way they manage corporate gifting. Today’s procurement teams are moving away from one-time seasonal buys and toward repeatable gift programs . Companies are shifting from adhoc gifting to structured programs that can be used year round for employee recognition , client appreciation , onboarding, milestone celebrations, loyalty programs and corporate events. A repeatable gifting program is more consistent, offers better financial control and more operational efficiency, and is a preferred option for today’s procurement teams. Budget Better One of the biggest advantages of a repeatable gift program is improved ...

The Rise of Vendor Consolidation in Corporate Gifting

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  No more just hampers and promotional giveaways, is the new trend in corporate gifting . Today it is an integral part of employee recognition , customer retention, partner engagement and brand building . Gifting strategy management challenges are becoming more complex. Gifting strategies are becoming more sophisticated. Many companies that once relied on a handful of vendors for the sourcing, branding, packaging and logistics are now re-assessing their approach. Companies are shifting from having lots of suppliers to more vendor consolidation — fewer, more capable vendors who can handle multiple parts of the gifting process. It's about efficiency, consistency, cost control, and a better overall experience. What Is Vendor Consolidation? Vendor consolidation is the process of reducing the number of vendors used by a company and increasing the amount of work done by each vendor. Businesses are abandoning the traditional model where one supplier provides the products, another handl...

The Procurement Checklist That Every Corporate Gifting Vendor Should Know

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  Gone are the days of gifting branded merchandise and festive hampers. Corporate gifting has evolved. Today corporate gifts are seen as a strategic tool to build client relationships, appreciate employees, reward channel partners and boost visibility of the brand. But before a corporate gifting vendor is brought on board, procurement teams scrutinize them against an elaborate checklist to ensure quality , compliance, cost-effectiveness and reliability. Vendors who gift in a way that reflects an understanding of what procurement professionals are looking for can build trust, improve their offerings and win long-term business. Whether you’re a new supplier or an established corporate gifting company, this procurement checklist will help you to meet buyer expectations. 1. Quality and Consistency of the Product The first thing procurement teams will look at is quality. Corporate gifts are the company’s brand, and inconsistent or inferior products can damage the company’s reputation....

Onam Corporate Gifting: Strengthening Business Relationships Through Thoughtful Festive Gestures

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  It’s not only about the festival celebrations, it’s also about making relationships, showing gratitude and making a mark. Onam is a widely loved festival in India and is a celebration of prosperity, unity and bounty. Onam was previously celebrated in Kerala but today it has become a well known celebration throughout the country. Thoughtful corporate gifting offers a great opportunity for businesses to connect with their employees, clients, partners and stakeholders. Corporate gifts for Onam are not the normal ways of gifting. They foster better professional relationships, express appreciation, and reinforce the company’s values. Whether you are a small business or a large company, spending on thoughtful gifts for Onam can have a long term positive impact. Why Onam is the Most Rewarding Corporate Gifting Opportunity Onam is a festival celebrating the annual homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali . The festival is associated with joy, equality and prosperity. Families and com...

What Happens Behind the Scenes of Bulk Corporate Gifting Projects

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  There is more to mass corporate gifting than picking products and slapping logos on them. There is intensive execution and planning behind the scenes for every large project. Companies wanting gifts for clients, new employee welcome kits , or conference giveaways, need to consider every aspect of the project. There is so much behind gifting that needs to run seamlessly. A lot goes into gifting from sourcing products to branding, quality verification, and arranging the logistics. These things need to be done impeccably if there is a positive lasting impression that comes with the gifting. Corporate gifting is so much more than the physical product that was chosen. It is the result of effective planning, collaboration, and project management that was done efficiently. Planning, Sourcing and Production The initial step in every large scale corporate gifting project is to understand the customer’s goals, budget and demographic. The gifting partner meets with the customer to underst...