Defining your brief! For memorable corporate gifting.

Defining your brief! For memorable corporate gifting.

In a world where clients, employees and partners receive more branded merchandise than ever before, simply sending "something nice" isn't going to land.

Businesses investing in corporate gifting services want gifts that create lasting impressions, strengthen relationships and support wider commercial objectives.

Start with the desired outcome, not the product

Before selecting a gift, ask yourself some question:

1.       Who are the recipients and how well do you know them?

Are they a few close contact you worked with on long-term projects and got insight into during regular meetings. Or are they a large cohort of teams and you only usually work with one contact within those wider teams. This helps defines how personal gifts should be. If you don’t know each contacts preferences or want to unify gifts, it can be helpful focus on quality choices that the majority would enjoy. Its unlikely you’d replace their favourite mug at home but a travel charger or flask would be handy additions to most.

2.       How do you want the recipient to feel?

Appreciated? Valued? Surprised? Joyful?  Its important to think this through and also consider any recipients who might not be able to enjoy certain gifts. For expectant parents in employee reward programs, you might want to check for non-alcohol choices and for year-end gifting you might need to consider some religious or dietary requirements. Minor adaptions for Happy Holiday sentiments can make all the difference in helping everyone feel included in you are unsure they all celebrate holidays such as Christmas or Easter.

3.       How do you want it to represent your brand?

What is your brand personality? Does it shout or whisper? Are you reinforcing typical brand signals or wanting to launch a rebrand. This will help direct product colours, whether you add a logo, go modern or traditional. The gift should be an extension of your brand or event values. Whatever level of branding you consider, make sure to include gift card notes so the recipients know who arranged the gift.

4.       What budget makes sense for the expected outcome?

Are you running a customer acquisition campaign at a trade event or rewarding top team talent. If you have commercial outcomes in mind, this can guide the gift budget. If one tier of client spends X annually and another Y, you made decide to consider tiered gifting budgets. Keep in mind customers who are likely to scale up if you build on relationships as they may be worth stretching to include in the next tier. For higher value gifts, it may be worth checking if employees can accept gifts (considered taxable benefit in some circumstances from £50.00+).

5.       Where will the gifts be given?

Will they be handed out at an event? Distributed at offices? Or delivered direct to home addresses? If they have travelled to an international conference, you’d want to make sure the gift was portable and ok to take through customs. If you deliver to offices, it will need to be clear who is included in the gift program. For home delivery plans, will you have permission to have recipients addresses and share those securely with suppliers.

6.       When will you gift?

This is crucial to know so suppliers can work within deadlines. A company milestone or seasonal holiday dates do not move so make this clean in project brief plans from the start. If you’ll need extra time in advance – for example you plan to take them to an oversea event, its important to factor this time in too!

7.      Supply Preferences

If you know gifts need to be vegan or sustainable or from a particular region, add this to your brief. This will help direct your suppliers and style of gift.

Once you define these desired outcomes, your corporate gifting strategy becomes far clearer. Instead of searching through endless unsuitable products, you're creating a brief that gives suppliers the context they need to develop meaningful, tailored solutions.

That's why leading organisations increasingly treat corporate gift sourcing as a strategic activity rather than a simple procurement task. Gift Pitch services are here to help you consider the agenda and develop a brief. Our network are ready to pitch to support your plans once criteria is ready. Get in touch to discuss ideas and how we can support.

Your Brief Matters