Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotton. This is as true in the promotional market as in any traditional retail environment. This will hold through the credit crunch as both consumers and corporate identities seek better value for money. For business gifts this means providing a promotional item that is valued by the recipient and is recognised as a quality product.

A substantial and well regarded company should not seem desperate with cheap or ill-considered promotional products that may not be valued by the target audience. People prefer to be seduced by quality rather than just price.

When times are tough, as now, cheap solutions and promotional items reminds them times are hard. People want to feel part of something better, something to pick them up.

Here at The Corporate Gifts Company we have a comprehensive collection of executive gifts and promotional incentives that will fit the bill;

How about our range of executive accessories, or the ever popular professional business card case, or our fantastic range of corporate desk items.

Call our sales team today for more information on 0845 430 2902.

ISO9000 is a standard for quality management in an organisation.

ISO9000 certification is recognition of a company being consistent and reliable, delivering goods and services of a high standard and providing good customer service levels.

It sends a message that an organisation takes quality and customer satisfaction very seriously. Its purpose is to assure customers that its suppliers can provide quality products and services.

The Corporate Gifts Co has held ISO9000 accreditation since 1995 and has to pass an annual external audit, and last week the audit was passed with flying colours.

So what does this mean for the customers of The Corporate Gifts Company? It means that when you source your business and promotional products from us, you can rest assured that your advertising gifts will be of the highest quality, fit for purpose, delivered on time and with the correct corporate branding.

Recent research has shown that in a multicultural society mass marketing messages are less effective. What dilutes the message even further is the number of channels those “above the line” messages reach us by; television, magazines, etc. In the present economic climate it’s even more imperative that marketers engage with their target audience in the most cost effective way. Promotional merchandise is an extremely effective below the line way of engaging with customers, product launches, and creating brand awareness.

So what makes promotional merchandise so persuasive?

1. Engaging; touch and feel (something that TV and the internet cannot do). Imagine how powerful your logo engraved on a promo business card case would be http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_card_holders.html

2. Personalise; add an engraved individual name to make the promotional item even more effective; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_single_engraved_gifts.html

3. Longevity; a well chosen business gift can stay with the recipient for years - like this classic swiss army knife http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_victorinox.html

4. Lots of delivery mechanisms; events, face to face, conferences etc - like these very versatile keyrings; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_key_rings.html

5. Give to Get; you always need a response measurement to a promotion. A gift will help create a response and increase brand awareness like these high perceived value clocks http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_clocks.html

Call our sales team for ideas about how we can help you get the most for your below the line marketing activity.

On average it takes seven “touches” to convert a cold customer to a sale. Sounds daunting doesn’t it? If you’re using only one vehicle for your message (eg traditional advertising), that’s a lot of exposure, a lot of cost, probably over a prolonged period of time. Smart companies utilise more than one “channel” to get to their marketing target. 360 degree marketing in the modern jargon, although it’s good old fashioned common sense when you think about it.

So what “channels” are available to corporate companies for their promotional activities? Advertising, emailers, exhibitions, face to face meetings, post mail shots or catalogues, pr, and promotional advertising gifts. Obviously that’s where the Corporate Gifts Company comes in.

Corporate advertising products are an essential part of the marketing mix. They are, however, often the poor relation in the marketing family, left until last minute without much thought or attention. If it does indeed mean that seven touches of marketing activity are required to convert prospects to customers, then it’s obvious that marketeers need every weapon in their amoury.

Choosing the most appropriate promotional product, therefore, is essential and as much time, effort and care should go into the selection of your business gifts and advertising items as any other aspect of your marketing budget. Appropriate is the key word, of course, and like any marketing activity an ill considered “off message” piece of marketing can actually harm your company’s product or reputation.

So what about some examples from the experts? Who’s that, you cry. Why, the Corporate Gifts Co, of course.

How about these cufflinks for a conference including men and woman? http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_cufflinks.html . Rediculous you say. Of course you’d be right, but this is a true story. These are, however, perfect for an executive male option, and if you choose something for the men and something for the ladies, it really says you’ve put some thought into it.

How about this smart, contemporary yet traditional clock. http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_deco_clock.html Can’t go wrong? A safe bet for virtually any promotional activity, unless some or all of the intended targets are Chinese (where the clock signifies death).

This great hip flask http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_3oz_hip_flask.html, used for an AA promotion! Alright I made that one up (in fact it would be disasterous for either AA’s, alcholic and motoring). But great for a Christmas promotion.

Business card cases are one of the most effective and popular business executive gifts and the Corporate Gifts Co has a fantastic collection of these promotional stallwarts. http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_card_holders.html . Just make sure your target audience actually uses business cards - not great for the guys on the shop floor.

But don’t be alarmed at this potential minefield. Over the last 20 years The Corporate Gifts Co has seen it all (promotionally speaking), and our experienced sales team are available to help you make the right choice for your promotional gift, whatever the audience and event. Call them today on 0845 230 2902 and make sure this part of the “seven touches” of marketing is done right!

As hot topics go, green issues are red hot (if that’s not mixing my colour pallet too much). And this applies just as much to the promotional market as any other industry. My favourite eco-friendly buzz word is “greenwash” and refers to all those half-truths, misconceptions, and outright lies that surround the selling and marketing of so called green products.

For consumers and professional buyers alike, the whole area is a minefield, and to help us all out, environmental marketing company TerraChoice published the six sins of greenwashing. So helpful, in fact, I thought I’d share them with you all;

SIN OF THE HIDDEN TRADE-OFF : for example energy efficient electronics that contain hazardous materials.

SIN OF NO PROOF : self explanatory - buying a eco-freindly corporate gift? Ask for the proof.

SIN OF VAGUENESS : 100% natural promotional item, but naturally occurring substances can be hazardous like arsenic or formaldehyde. is

SIN OF IRRELEVANCE : marketing a promotional product as RoHS compliant when it is actually law that it is so.

SIN OF FIBBING : lots of examples but an obvious one is falsely claiming a business gift is cer tified by a recognised body.

SIN OF LESSER OF TWO EVILS : my favourite - eg organic cigarettes, a hybrid SUV, or dare I say it, an eco-friendly disposable promotional giveaway.

My (often irrelevant) opinion is that a truly eco-friendly or green corporate gift is an unattainable holy grail. Certainly true if you consider every aspect of the product and supply chain. Buy responsibly by all means, but corporate buyers should also be realistic about what’s possible and reasonable.

At the Corporate Gifts Company we’ll be delighted to offer you truthful and realistic advice on sourcing your promotional products responsibly - just call our sales team.

Thanks to TerraChoice for the Six Sins of Greenwashing.

In 2007, of every 1000 students admitted to degree courses in the UK, 546 were women and 454 men, moving in favour of women by 0.5% every year. The ratio is expected to be 60/40 by 2015. However, many professions are already at this ratio (such as Law or Medicine).

What does all this mean for the Promotional Gift industry. Well, for starters, as a buyer of corporate gifts you’re far more likely to be female than you were 5 or 10 years ago. The executive and professional arena was male dominated and corporate and promotional business gifts were bought by blokes for other blokes; and, it has to be said, without much enthusiasm, imagination or flair. Female buyers have certainly raised the bar when it’s come to promotional gift buying, demanding more choice, a greater retail-type buying experience, and quite frankly, better service.

All this means that a token geasture to the one or two females on any mailing list or at a conference or event are a thing of the past. Promotional gifts must have genuine appeal to both sexes and not stoop to the lowest common demonitor effect.

At the Corporate Gifts Company, we like to think we have met these demands and can offer a broad range of promotional business gifts appropriate to the new order.

If it’s actually a ladies gift that is required, we have some great ideas that will appeal to the 21st Century professional; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_ladies.html

This travel clock is an ideal travel or conference related promotional item : http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_duo_alarm_clock.html

Desk items are still very popular and this desk tidy is both practical and stylish with universal appeal; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/info%5fcorporate%5fgifts%5fcity%5fdesk%5fset%2ehtml

This leather travel wallet is available in black but also in pink, ice blue and chocolate (if you’re feeling adventurous); http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/info%5fcorporate%5fgifts%5fblack%5fleather%5ftravel%5fwallet%2ehtml

For more great ideas check out our website www.corporate-gifts-co.com and we hope our range of promotional business gifts is right up your street, and if it’s not, well, then get with the programme.

We can’t get away from gloomy economic news, and there’s no doubt that company staff will really need to pull together to get through these challenging times. Keeping morale high when all around you are losing theirs is no small task. So how can you keep the momentum going? At the Corporate Gift Company, we have a few ideas for affordable premium incentives.

Big Ideas : we all need to be thinking hard about how to save costs or find new customers. Reward good ideas with an engraved gift as a token of appreciation. This star paperweight is perfect and The Corporate Gift Company can engrave individual items; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_star_desk_award_paperweight.html

Team Building; it doesn’t have to be a trek through the Amazon rain forest, you can effectively team build in all sorts of ways (even a night out bowling will do the trick). Comemorate or recognose the event with a celebrational item like this champagne bottle stopper; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_celebration_champagne_stopper.html

Celebrate Birthdays; it gives a real lift to everyone when their birthday is recognised in the workplace; what about this travel clock engraved with the person’s name http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_teardrop_world_travel_alarm_clock.html

Employee of the month? An old cliche (and brilliant film if you haven’t seen it yet), but still effective; This star award was made for this http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_star_trophy_award2.html

Say thank you to the team for hitting a target or getting a big order; just a little thankyou like this torch keyring will go a long way; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_torch_keyring.html

And that’s just a few ideas, the list of opportunities is long and the list of our products that will help you make it happen is even longer, so give our expert sales team a call or browse the website to give you some inspiration.

There’s so much misinformation and misunderstanding about what makes a product green or eco friendly that when sourcing promotional products that need to be ecologically sound, you need to take a step back and really consider what you’re being told.

At the Corporate Gifts Company we have a range of promotional awards to fit any budget and fulfil any brief. And if it’s a “green” award your looking for, then we’ve got just the thing for you. http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/info%5fcorporate%5fgifts%5fbespoke%5fawards%5f8%2ehtml

This is an example of green slate; a totally natural material, 150 million years old, mined and manufactured using traditional craft techniques in the UK. This traingular shape has been laser engraved directly into the surface.

 Also very popular is our black slate. We can also use metal plates and designs to give your promotion maximum effect; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/info%5fcorporate%5fgifts%5fbespoke%5fawards%5f6%2ehtml

Slate or marble can be cut into any shape and size and has a very high perceived value.

Other award options can be found at; http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_engraved_awards.html

 Ask our experienced sales team for ideas on how we can help with your promotional award requirements.

In these days of faltering markets, volatile exchange rates and recession warnings, we at the Corporate Gifts Company are always a little heartened when we see the price of gold and silver increasing. It says that people still value the precious metals above all else – and in these troubled times, to receive a corporate gift made from sterling silver….well, what does that say about the company or individual who sent it?

The Hallmark of Quality
One of the desirable qualities of sterling silver is the hallmark; so what’s it all about?

A Hallmark is made up of four symbols each representing a different aspect of the product, the items have to be sent to an assay office which test the material and then produces the hallmark symbols onto the promotional gifts;

See this image for reference : http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/info%5fcorporate%5fgifts%5fhallmarked%5fsterling%5fsilver%5fcufflinks%2ehtml
1. The Makers or Sponsors mark. Normally individual’s or company’s initials or shortened version of the name.
2. The material and fineness (eg 925 for sterling silver) - it used to be a lion - much nicer - never mind)
3. The Assay Office at which the article was tested and marked (in our case Birmingham, England which has an anchor symbol). There are now only four British Assay Offices in existance; Birminham, London, Edinburgh, Sheffield.
4. The year in which the article was tested and marked - like an old car registration, this is the way of dating when an item was made.
5. We use an optional extra one - a lion which is the old symbol for sterling silver (much nicer than just 925).

REGISTER YOUR OWN HALLMARK

As manufacturers we can register a hallmark on a corporate company’s behalf. This is a fantastic way of adding real value and cache to your premium incentive. Combined with the date symbol, this is a great device for commemoratiing an important event; a merger, opening a new office, a landmark date or anniversary. We have done this many times before and it especially popular with international corporates and financial companies. We include an official assay office card explaining the hallmark and can also produce an information card to further exlplain the significance of the corporate gift.

Check out our standard range of sterling silver promotional items at http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_sterling_silver.html

Call our sales team for more information.

In these challenging times when the credit crunch is biting and marketing budgets are being slashed, how can companies get the biggest bang for their promotional buck?

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that when times are tight, marketing spend goes upmarket. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it? But the reason is quite simple; when marketing departments are awash with budgets and feeling bullish about activity (sorry about the stock market reference, a bit insensitive), they happily sign off on big spend projects with lots of items aimed at the widest possible audience i.e. low value high volume promotions.

As now, when you have to make every penny count, promotional activity becomes more targeted. More effort is spent getting the promotional message to the right person in the right organisation. This significantly narrows down the audience and despite the smaller budget, hey presto, you’ve got more to spend on each recipient. You know these guys are key decision makers so you have to make the right impression, so the plastic pen you did last year to everyone on your database simply won’t do!

A move upmarket is inevitable, and that’s where the Corporate Gift Company can help.

There are three traditional product areas that compete in the premium incentive sector; sterling silver and silver plate, leather, and crystal.

Solid Sterling Silver has made a real comeback in recent times, British made, ethically sourced, recyclable, and unmistakable quality. See the Corporate Gifts Company’s range at;
http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_sterling_silver.html

Good quality Leather reeks of quality – literally, and the Corporate Gifts Co has a great collection of standard gifts in presentation gift boxes, all can be embossed with your corporate logo for maximum impact.
http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/corporate_gifts_leather.html

And as for all of our other up-market corporate gifts and premium incentives, check out the following;
http://www.corporate-gifts-co.com/acatalog/

Ring our sales team for advice about what the Corporate Gifts Company can do for you to beat the credit crunch.