The Promotional Gifts Blog

The amusing story this week of the English Professor who claims she was thrown out of Starbucks for refusing to use their corporate language has been one of those stories that everyone feels strongly about. The professor’s apparent distaste for corporate language seems to have resonated with many of us who object to being told how to use language by a company.

It’s easy to feel slightly stupid ordering coffee from an American store in Italian, then there is the added confusion of just what the names of those coffees actually mean. It’s not only this particular chain of coffee establishments that practice this form of marketing speak however, and now you feel like you should go armed with a phrase book whenever you enter a different coffee chain. Evolution takes place in every language, but have we seen the dawn of linguistic evolution started by corporations?

With stories like this it is easy to have a short memory and think that only modern companies are trying to get us to talk their language. There’s no doubt that it has become a legitimate marketing technique to use specific words, phrases and music to remind us of an individual brand. Starbucks use the terms tall, grande and venti to sell their different sizes of coffee, a practice that riles many people. There is an argument however that given the aura of exclusivity that goes with coffee drinkers in Britain and the US that pretentious language is part and parcel of the experience. After all, Starbucks haven’t done too badly at all out of the practice.

As I mentioned it would be misleading to believe that marketing terms entering everyday language is a new thing. How many people continue to “Hoover” the carpet, even though that particular term refers to a manufacturer and not a practice. We also make announcements over a “Tannoy” and “Google” a query online, yet these do not appear to provoke the same ire as the language used by a coffee establishment.

The real issue would appear to be the motives used by companies when this marketing terminology becomes part of language. The more accepted marketing and brand terms that are used appear to have naturally entered modern language without an obvious attempt by a marketing department to force feed us their language. In places where you are forced to order a product in the language given to you by a company, resentment can happen (has anyone else been tempted to tell the staff of a popular fast food chain to Mc off?!).

So what can the world of marketing and corporate gifts learn from this? Well, that there is no doubt associating language with your company is an effective way of promoting your business, but it’s the way you do it that counts. Come up with something snappy and inventive and if you’re lucky it might go viral. But don’t force people into accepting your brand language as you could very soon see people starting to avoid your company as a result.

And if you get lucky with your slogan and people love it, visit The Corporate Gifts Company and get it engraved on your next set of corporate gifts!

The Corporate Gifts Company have released their first new brochure for two years to mark an exciting period for the company. With the country emerging from the economic crisis, they felt that the time was right to venture into brochure production once more.

It will include new products and old favourites including the new Formula One inspired Carbon Fibre Range as well as a variety of golf themed gifts, clocks and key rings.

The Corporate Gifts Company brochure is highly regarded within the industry and many commented that they missed it last year. Web Marketing Assistant Alan Grainger explains:

“Last year, based on discussions with our customers, we decided that because of the economic climate we couldn’t justify producing a brochure at that time. I am happy to say that our new catalogue maintains our previous high standards and will be as stunning as ever.”

The brochure includes some new additions to The Corporate Gifts Company range which Alan believes are fun as well as functional:

“The new brochure gives our customers a great chance to see our new items, from our extremely popular Carbon Fibre range to some great new products with the “Fiddle Factor”. The sight of Company Directors playing desk golf with our golf club pen will show that office gifts can be fun as well as functional.”

The catalogue is available now and can be ordered for free through The Corporate Gifts Company website. (Click here to order your free copy.)

The World Cup is ticking along nicely over in South Africa, if you’re from one of the many South American countries who are prospering that is. While it’s all good news for the fans of Brazil, Paraguay and Chile, the European contingents are having a miserable time. England, Spain and France are among the high profile teams that are having a torrid World Cup so far, and although it’s par for the course from England’s point of view, it might well come as a bit of a shock to the other giants of the game.

But what effect does this have back at home? While I’m no economist, it can’t be denied that when England play well, people are on the whole a lot happier. Anyone in business will report the same thing, when England do well and people are happier, they are more inclined to spend money. The uniting effect on the nation of England’s World Cup aspirations is a rare event and one that is second only to Christmas in influencing people’s spending behaviour. Indeed, the World Cup has been coined “Summer Christmas” by some in the marketing industry due to the way companies devote their budgets so exclusively to one event.

This differs from the Christmas rush because it is influenced by positive results to the country involved. If England do well, you might be more inclined to go and buy that big TV to watch the final on. You might well use it as an excuse to buy something you wouldn’t normally have bought, “Well, I’m just celebrating England winning the World Cup….” The ecstasy felt on the back of sporting events cannot be underestimated, and the positive effects on buying habits could be vital in these delicate times.

So with an inevitably gloomy emergency budget looming tomorrow, a positive England result and some happy headlines in the papers could be just the morale boost the country needs. Throw in a heat wave and Andy Murray winning Wimbledon this Summer and who knows what might happen?! No pressure there then….  

If you want to celebrate your own company’s success this year then Corporate Gifts are your way forward. We can personalise your corporate gifts to suit your requirements, so even if England fail dismally this Summer, don’t be afraid to celebrate your company’s success with The Corporate Gifts Company.

There are some things that are recession proof such as food – we’ve all got to eat of course. But for the majority of industries and businesses the right recession will have some adverse effects. Right at the sharp end of these effects, however, are things that are subject to fashion, fads and crazes. In a recession, this year’s model is likely to fast become fadder for the scrap heap as quickly as you can say, “Quantitive Easing”. Think of all the momentum built behind eco – friendly and ethically sourced products; whilst we all still share the ideals that made this 2008’s hot topic, it’s rather slipped down the pecking order of our concerns. And what about organic food? According to recent data, sales have taken a battering. Imagine, then, how real fashion or fad items have fared now consumers are tightening their belts.
Sales promotion, too, has been hit hard and what holds up in recessionary times is tried and tested products, especially those with a classic style and high perceived value. Not only does it say; safe, it also feeds the desire and for a little bit luxury
(much needed in hard times).
The Corporate gifts Company specialise in premium incentives, particulary silver plated and sterling silver gifts diamond engraved with your corporate logo or promotional message.
Our products are classic with a timeless style; a reliable corporate gift solution with just the right amount of luxury and wow factor.