Employee Gifts and Staff Engagement – The statistics to back up corporate gifting
You know that promotional products aren’t only for external marketing. The PPAI (Promotional Product Association International) conducted a study to investigate how brands use promotional products in the workplace. This study revealed that US brands are spending $4.3 billion on employee relations and gift-type products. They recognise the link between employee gifts and staff engagement. So, they’re betting big money on it.
If you want your workforce to work harder for you, one thing you can do is show appreciation through corporate gifting!
Promotional products and the millennial workforce
According to the 2019 Deloitte Millennial Survey, those born between 1980 and 2000 make up 40% of Australia’s current workforce. So either you are one or you’ve got one on your team. This generation has developed great flexibility when it comes to education, technology and employment. As a result, they are used to fast-paced developments and great leaps in accepted knowledge and understanding.
The millennial age group is more aware of global issues thanks to their near-constant media exposure. The never-ending stream of biased messaging and advertisements has fostered distrust towards government and business motives. It is at a point that the most commonly used advertising channel – print – is now the least effective at capturing the millennial consumer.
On the other hand, promotional products are the most effective.
The statistic for this is impressive – 88% of surveyed millennials would be more likely to do business with a company from whom they received a promotional product.
Studies have shown that almost every single millennial has received a promotional product in their life – approximately 30% have received between one and five promotional products in the last six months.
So why does promotional product marketing do so well with this demographic?
Effective branded merchandise fits seamlessly into day-to-day life.
We’re all busy, especially in recent years. Consequently, we shouldn’t need to stop to view an advertisement. That’s where real, branded products deliver unreal results.
The PPAI’s consumer study reported that 86% of millennials will keep a product they deem practical. Furthermore, 48% will hold onto a product that suits their personal style or personality and 31% will keep it if it carries a personally relevant message.
Standing out in an ever increasing and connected population is difficult. So if your brand gifts an individual something that speaks to their personality and helps them express their individuality, they’re sure to incorporate it into their lives.
Employee gifts and staff engagement
Referencing the overall workforce, promotional products are also extremely effective for internal branding.
If you’ve read our article about successful internal marketing, you’ll know that consistent messaging is vital. So vital, in fact, that 98% of employees have greater confidence in their employers when external and internal marketing are in sync.
Above we stated that brands spend $4.3 billion on employee relations and gift-type products. In 2017, the largest percentage (18.5%) of promotional products sold were used for employee relations. Business gifts were third, at 12.7%. That sum and consistent investment in internal promotions indicates a correlation between employee gifts and staff engagement.
Deloitte found that as trust in business leaders diminishes, trust in employees grows. You may then be seeking to strengthen your team’s engagement and brand advocacy.
Let your workforce’s genuine enthusiasm do the talking.
The PPAI’s study into promotional products’ role in the US workforce reported that companies with engaged employees out perform those without. The margin is 200%, saving $550 billion in lost productivity. Knowing they’re appreciated Employee engagement from staff knowing they are appreciated.
Show appreciation and see results
Demonstrating to your staff that they matter and that the work they do is valuable is reflected in their efforts. It also shows in the way they represent your company out-of-hours.
The majority of employees (90%) are proud to represent their company publicly. So, there’s no need to be shy about the merchandise you provide them with. However, the products you gift your employees must be thoughtful.
As stated earlier, the more practical and relevant they are to your staff, the more use they will get. Additionally, your brand will become more integrated into their lives. The logical effect is that your staff are more instinctively on-brand, representing brand values and building your clients’ trust.
Showing you value their work and contributions through corporate gifting is an effective way to retain great staff. PPAI found that 57% of the US workforce would stay with a company that provides promotional products to their employees. This figure is even more significant considering the 1980 – 2000 age group. Millennials, who make up a significant portion of the workforce, are shown to only stay with a company for two to five years before moving on to a different opportunity.
It is clear, then, that the key to staff retention and engagement is employee gifts.
There’s no need to be stuck for ideas. Below are some of the best employee gifts for staff engagement. We can decorate them all with your brand, and even personalise them using the various methods available.
Contacts us for more ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas.
Employee Gift Ideas
