
Showing appreciation is an essential part of building client, partner and employee relations for any business. Corporate gifting has long been established as an excellent way to garner positivity and give an impression of a thoughtful, respectful approach to doing business. Personalised branded gifts are among the most effective promotional products, as it is clear to the recipient that care and attention have gone into the gift. Generic custom-branded products have their place and can be effective, but may be underwhelming when compared to a gift that has been carefully chosen and personalised.
At Branded Products®, our talented Branding Advisors are experts at creating beautiful and high-impact corporate gifts, including food-based products that need to accommodate dietary concerns and preferences. We are pleased to share our thoughts and advice here.
Food-based corporate gifts: Why they are effective
As marketing strategies and products have evolved and improved, corporate food-based gifts have emerged as a significant, highly effective trend. We will address the reasons for this, but suffice to say that any company wanting to broaden its reach and appeal to both new and existing customers should be aware of this tactic.
Traditional corporate gifts can be challenging to create, especially if the goal is to resonate with a significant proportion of the recipients. However, food-based gifts typically have a more universal appeal and can easily cater to a wide variety of preferences. The beauty of these items is that they can also be altered to be more personal to the recipient if their dietary preferences, requirements, and favourites are known.
Understanding and respecting dietary preferences
Considering people’s dietary requirements is an effective way of showing that your company respects the individual needs of the recipients, and values them enough to take steps to accommodate those needs. A thoughtful approach to promotional gifts will never be a wasted effort – and when the recipient’s experience is elevated to another level, positive associations towards the brand and recognition of the company’s caring, detail-oriented attitude are sure to follow.
Whether dietary restrictions are self-imposed or medically necessary, it is not for the business creating the custom-branded gift to pass judgment. The goal is to give the recipient a positive experience, which can only be achieved with a deeper understanding of their preferences.
How can food-based corporate gifts be customised to accommodate different dietary preferences?
Now that we have examined the popularity of food-based corporate gift-giving, let’s focus on the importance of customised products that cater specifically to those with alternative dietary requirements, such as:
- Nut or other allergies
- Lactose intolerance
- Vegetarian/veganism
- Gluten-free
- Halal
- Kosher
- Ethical preferences (free trade coffee and chocolate, for example)
- Alcohol-free
- Specific tastes, favourites and dislikes
Some innovative ways to customise food-based marketing products include:
- Mixed confectionery (individually wrapped if cross-contamination is an issue)
- Diet-specific hampers and collections
- Personalised messages and branding
- Links to the ethical sourcing credentials of any manufacturers
- Clear, concise labelling
- Guaranteed contents
Innovative packaging and presentation in promotional gift-giving
Almost as significant as the gift itself in creating a positive brand association is the visual appeal and the method of delivery for the gift. Some factors to consider include:
- High-quality, elegant packaging: Enhance the gift recipient’s experience with bespoke packaging that complements the quality of the gift and demonstrates the value placed on your relationship with the customer. A well-wrapped and packaged gift with sufficient void fill can also help to reduce or eliminate any damage caused in transit if you are using a courier.
- Personalised touches: Simple, thoughtful touches like handwritten notes and a finessed approach to design, content and presentation can leave a lasting impression on your recipient.
- Convenient delivery: Paying attention to the method and time of delivery can have a big impact on the overall experience of the gift recipient. A little research about the best address and time for delivery can go a long way to leave a positive impression – not only of your brand identity, but also your level of care and attention to detail.
- Exploring eco-friendly and sustainable packaging options: As the focus on eco-friendly products and services intensifies, your company might wish to consider such concerns and find ways of addressing them in your choice of custom-branded gifts.
All these factors contribute towards creating a memorable, positive experience that can help to foster brand loyalty. Receiving gifts is a universally joyful experience, and to find that the gift has been thoughtfully chosen and customised to suit our specific preferences makes it all the more special.
If all this talk of delicious food-based promotional items has whetted your appetite to create some unique versions for your potential and/or existing clients, business partners and employees, please reach out to Branded Products® today. Our branding experts are standing by to offer all the information you need for your custom-branded gifting strategy.
Leave a Reply