Giving out corporate gifts is a great idea for the retention of clients and the retention of great employees, too. Figuring out who to give them to is as easy as deciding who you wish to thank and to reward for their loyalty, or who around you is in need of a congratulations. When it comes to employees, this is easy!



Your employees should be rewarded when they accomplish lofty goals or when they reach milestones within the company. Promotions and the accomplishment of difficult projects are worthy of reward with promotional gifts, and a celebration of all they have accomplished with your company, for your company. If you know who to reward or who to promote, then you know who should be getting a corporate gift on these occasions.

Another occasion to celebrate is the anniversary of employment for your employees as they hit such milestones as five years, ten years, or fifteen or more years with your company. Ever five years represents another great occasion for celebration, and another opportunity to reward a hard working employee with a corporate gift to thank them for their hard work and longstanding loyalty. Again, who receives a corporate gift should be relatively easy to determine just by tracking hire dates and keeping track of upcoming anniversaries.

Other, slightly less obvious reasons to give out corporate gifts include the birth of a new child to an employee (particularly the first child), engagements or weddings, and other personal milestones or on the occasion of a personal grief such as the loss of a parent. Those new to HR may not realize that such occasions also warrant a corporate gift at some companies because these moments tend to warrant private gifts instead of public celebration, however these moments are perfect ones in which to connect with the employees and to truly make them feel that the company cares about them.

Corporate gifts are also a great way to make that kind of special connection with customers. Find out who at your clients’ companies is responsible for dealing with your company and the decision to work with you or not, and make a point to get to know that person to some extent. A corporate gift to your best clients can ensure continued business from them almost as easily as offering their company a financial incentive or discount. It all comes down to making the right contacts within your customers’ businesses to ensure that your company remains the business of choice for that client.

Giving out corporate gifts should be considered a standard cost of doing business, as it encourages better performance, builds a bond with employees, and encourages loyalty in your best customers. Anyone in your own company who is working hard for you is a great candidate for a corporate gift, and anyone at another company who helps to determine your success or failure is a good candidate as well. Through triumphs and celebrations, corporate gifts can make a world of positive difference.