‘Tis (almost) the season to be jolly. Jolly confused about what to give, and who to give it to? Procure navigates the maze of corporate gifts to get you set for the season.
Choosing appropriate Christmas gifts for friends and family can be a minefield. But it pales in comparison to the fog of confusion that descends on the business world at Christmas.
Who is gift-worthy and who just gets a card?
How much to spend? Too little, says cheap; too much can look like a bribe.
Practical is good. But can you be too practical? One famous example of too practical was former Federal Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone’s gift-giving, which made headlines in 2005 when she gifted her staff vitamin B shots to ward off Christmas hangovers.
And watch the line between quirky and downright strange, such as the CEO of a major Queensland resources company who gleefully presented some foreign business associates with coin purses fashioned from kangaroos’ nether regions.
Confused business owners often end up reaching for the ‘too hard basket’- otherwise known as a Christmas hamper.
But Gold Coast-based Promotions Now owner Stuart Paton said don’t be tempted to go generic.
“From a personal point of view, hampers, wine, puddings – all that sort of stuff – reeks of very little forethought. It’s too easy,” he said.
The good news was that tight economic times meant expectations had changed. So others would be touched by your level of thought, not necessarily your level of spending.
“From 2007 onwards, where things have been scrutinised far more, people want value and they want something practical that will actually be used,” says Paton, whose company specialises in putting corporate logos on anything from caps to selfie-sticks.
If a gift was used, it kept your logo in a client’s eye line and hopefully in their mind throughout the year. Traditional but practical gifts such as golf umbrellas and beach towels always delivered value. But taking a risk could make more impact.
“There are clients that are willing to take more of a quirky approach. We’ve done yo-yos for Christmas that light up,’’ he said, explaining they formed part of a larger, bespoke hamper.
Beware of being behind trend, too. For example, branded portable power banks (for recharging mobiles on the go) were a hit a couple of years ago, but Paton believed many in the business world now had a drawer full.
For micro and small to medium businesses, Paton advised crunching the numbers first – how many gifts are you giving and what is your budget? Don’t forget to factor in whether gifts would be hand- delivered or posted, as this can add significantly to the cost.
When it comes to giving his own Christmas gifts, Paton admitted he felt the pressure, but stuck to a KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle. A simple branded container (which can be reused as a desk organiser) filled with quality chocolates, covered the business imperative, while adding movie tickets to the bundle added a personal and practical touch. It’s an easy and cost-effective approach, which would be appreciated more than a generic hamper of condiments and crackers.
Another popular but different option was a donation to charity in the name of your client. Most charities now have personalised, downloadable Christmas cards online to mark donations in your clients’ names to causes such as the Smith Family Christmas toy appeal, Unicef Australia or the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The site mycause.com.au has more than 1200 charities to choose from.
The next big decision employers have is what to do for their employees – a Christmas party, end-of-year bonuses or a simple gift.
It may simplify the decision somewhat to learn that some studies suggest that in order to make a significant impact on motivation and happiness, a Christmas bonus needed to be about 7 per cent of total salary.1 So, employers can get significantly more bang for their buck by putting their money, instead, into a Christmas party or small gifts.
And while Christmas parties undoubtedly have the capacity to boost morale and help staff bond, they can be fraught with alcohol-related pitfalls.
In June this year, the Fair Work Commission found an employee at a major construction company had been unfairly sacked after he sexually harassed colleagues and abused one of his bosses at a Christmas party where alcohol was not limited. The commission ruled it may be untenable for employers to insist on acceptable standards of behaviour when they supply employees with unlimited alcohol.
For employers who don’t want to risk the drama, some thoughtful gifts can make employees feel valued. The more personalised your message, the greater the impact – movie tickets for the film buff, boutique coffee for the caffeine nut or sporting tickets for the football fan.
Australian Human Resources Institute president Peter Wilson said employers should never underestimate the power of a personal thank-you at Christmas. “People want to feel they are valued. It’s about recognising their contribution, not just giving them money,” he said.2
1 – Riggio, Ronald E, The Psychology of Bonuses vs Satisfaction, Psychology Today website, November 30, 2014.
2 – Cain, Alexandra, Holiday Bonuses Lose Out, Sydney Morning Herald, December 10, 2012.
Think out of the box
A BOX OF NESPRESSO COFFEE PODS – George Clooney’s coffee of choice and a sure fire way to please the caffeine hound.
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A BOX OF ARTISAN TEA – Such as the strikingly packaged T2.
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SMARTLY CHOSEN BOOK – Like the bestselling Rework by Jason Fried, a radical business book that turns conventional thinking about success upside down. It’s an easy read full of brilliant, simple wisdom debunking traditional business myths. And don’t forget to write a personal message on the inside cover!
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