PROMOTIONAL MERCHANDISE
WHY BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD USE BRANDED MERCH TO ATTRACT AND MOTIVATE STAFF
Everyone loves to feel valued. It’s human nature, right? We all need mood boosters to keep us going. Just ask any parent how many times a day they use “incentives” to get their kids to do anything. How do you think our Founders, Em and Rob, managed to get out the door when they had triplets?! Yep, a bribe (or three)!
Now, we’re not suggesting that grown-ups need to know what’s in it for them in the way that toddlers do, but hey, even adults like to feel acknowledged and valued. We just don’t throw tantrums when we don’t get what we want. “You get what you get and you don’t get upset, right?”
It turns out that managing a team, and wrangling kids have something in common. We all like to feel a sense of belonging and to feel seen. Employee rewards and corporate gifts are gestures of goodwill and tokens of gratitude. Whether it’s a gift voucher or a customised laptop bag, branded merchandise can go a long way towards making your employees feel valued.
So, whether you’re trying to motivate a sales crew or build team rapport, offering promotional items as an incentive is a great way to get the ball rolling. Branded merch, from t-shirts and tote bags to surprise gift hampers, draw the attention of the recipient, and help build goodwill.
IT IS A GREAT SOURCE OF RECOGNITION AND VALUE
Branded merchandise can be used in so many ways. It makes a nice gift during employee induction, enhances morale at exhibitions and marketing campaigns, and can be used as an appreciation for stellar performance. In each of these ways, branded merch can positively reinforce your workforce and build trust, making it a great place to work. Use it to boost employee morale and engagement.
BRANDED MERCH CREATES A LASTING IMPRESSION
Hiring and onboarding are expensive, but an employee may not always see the real cost incurred by the employer. Branded gifts indicate to newcomers that the business is spending real moolah to get them on board. As employees begin to feel invested in, branded merchandise bolsters company culture and provide a spur in motivation and drive to do better.
A surprise gift will bring a surge of adrenaline to the recipient. This, in turn, will influence trust, reciprocity and loyalty. Basically, it will make the newbie will all the warm and fuzzies!
EMPLOYER BRAND BUILDING
Today, visibility is everything, and investing in branded merchandise creates an item that travels with your employee, whether that’s a water bottle, a tote bag, or even a simple pen. Think about it: pens are often borrowed and rarely returned, which means newer eyes are looking at your brand’s logo, without intending to! Hello, brand recall.
In many cases, good-quality branded merch could even outlast the employee’s association with the brand and continue to be a walking advertisement for it!
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
Social, community and physical well-being are now the top priorities of every employee, without which, they will not hesitate to find another job. This is even truer with the young Gen-Z workforce which has more workplace options than ever now. Businesses can step up and account for their employees’ well-being by creating employee wellness programs.
For employees working remotely from home, corporate gifts in the form of Fit Bit Health and fitness smartwatches and fitness bands. For employees working remotely from home, corporate gifts in the form of fitness smartwatches, gym bags, water bottles and headphones, along with membership to fitness apps could motivate them to build healthy habits.
IN ARETHRA’S WORDS… R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Respect given is respect earned. Gifting your employees as part of a regular reward program can imbue a sense of pride in them and make them truly believe that they’re working for a respected industry leader. This has an impact on the kind of talent you attract and retain.
Whether as little as a laptop sticker and keychain or as big as headphones or Bluetooth speakers, corporate gifts and branded merchandise are powerhouses of employee engagement, adding elements of fun and surprise to the employer-employee relationship.
A PERSONALISED TOUCH
“Money talks” as the saying goes, and no employee is ever going to shun a financial bonus. But giving money as an incentive can be perceived as impersonal. Branded merchandise that has been personalised, however, shows the recipient you’ve put thought into the items you’re giving them.
Items like mugs or hats can be co-branded with the recipient’s name printed on them, giving them a truly personal touch. When you give a promotional item as an incentive, you’re not only motivating sales, you’re showing your employees and customer base that you care.
IT IS A GREAT SOURCE OF RECOGNITION AND VALUE
Branded merchandise can be used in so many ways. It makes a nice gift during employee induction, enhances morale at exhibitions and marketing campaigns, and can be used as an appreciation for stellar performance. In each of these ways, branded merch can positively reinforce your workforce and build trust, making it a great place to work. Use it to boost employee morale and engagement.
BRANDED MERCH CREATES A LASTING IMPRESSION
Hiring and onboarding are expensive, but an employee may not always see the real cost incurred by the employer. Branded gifts indicate to newcomers that the business is spending real moolah to get them on board. As employees begin to feel invested in, branded merchandise bolsters company culture and provide a spur in motivation and drive to do better.
A surprise gift will bring a surge of adrenaline to the recipient. This, in turn, will influence trust, reciprocity and loyalty. Basically, it will make the newbie will all the warm and fuzzies!
EMPLOYER BRAND BUILDING
Today, visibility is everything, and investing in branded merchandise creates an item that travels with your employee, whether that’s a water bottle, a tote bag, or even a simple pen. Think about it: pens are often borrowed and rarely returned, which means newer eyes are looking at your brand’s logo, without intending to! Hello, brand recall.
In many cases, good-quality branded merch could even outlast the employee’s association with the brand and continue to be a walking advertisement for it!
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
Social, community and physical well-being are now the top priorities of every employee, without which, they will not hesitate to find another job. This is even truer with the young Gen-Z workforce which has more workplace options than ever now. Businesses can step up and account for their employees’ well-being by creating employee wellness programs.
For employees working remotely from home, corporate gifts in the form of Fit Bit Health and fitness smartwatches and fitness bands. For employees working remotely from home, corporate gifts in the form of fitness smartwatches, gym bags, water bottles and headphones, along with membership to fitness apps could motivate them to build healthy habits.
IN ARETHRA’S WORDS… R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Respect given is respect earned. Gifting your employees as part of a regular reward program can imbue a sense of pride in them and make them truly believe that they’re working for a respected industry leader. This has an impact on the kind of talent you attract and retain.
Whether as little as a laptop sticker and keychain or as big as headphones or Bluetooth speakers, corporate gifts and branded merchandise are powerhouses of employee engagement, adding elements of fun and surprise to the employer-employee relationship.
A PERSONALISED TOUCH
“Money talks” as the saying goes, and no employee is ever going to shun a financial bonus. But giving money as an incentive can be perceived as impersonal. Branded merchandise that has been personalised, however, shows the recipient you’ve put thought into the items you’re giving them.
Items like mugs or hats can be co-branded with the recipient’s name printed on them, giving them a truly personal touch. When you give a promotional item as an incentive, you’re not only motivating sales, you’re showing your employees and customer base that you care.
Remember this – every person associated with your business — whether that is an employee, client, distributor, or supplier — has the power to be a potential Brand Ambassador for your company, communicating the ethos and culture of your organization to their circle of influence, online and offline.
P.S. Just a heads up, your employees may start calling you the “merchandise fairy”, but trust us, they’ll love you for it!