How to Beat the Cold with Promotional Gifts

By Kim Vermaak Corporate Blankets When I used to be a reading mom at my daughter’s school, we had to sit outside the class and in winter this was terrible. Small children in skirts and long socks. Where designed that style of uniforms obviously did not have any nerve endings in their bodies, Nevertheless, I used to pitch up with a trusty blanket which we draped over our legs and reading became a lot more pleasurable. Headwear When I first found about some of the real culprits of heat loss, I was amazed. But because the brain is a vital organ, heat gets transferred to it to keep you alive. If you are do not have a head covering like a beanie, or hat, and then you will lose heat far more easily. Knitted beanies have a great classical look. But a fleece beanie is soft and really warm. Both the fleece beanie and the knitted beanie are excellent choices; it just boils down to personal preferences. Jackets The natural choice is the winter jackets when temperatures plummet. In the past we would opt for a great padded and heavyweight jacket, but the move these days is towards performance tested soft shell jackets. My personal favourite brand is the First accent jacket. What I like about the First Ascent Jacket is that while there are many soft shell jackets on the market, the First ascent range of jackets are performance tested in the field. The brand specialises in extreme conditions and so their jackets are designed with top materials in mind, Another first favourite is the 3 in 1 jacket. What makes this a great jacket is the versatility of the jackets. It is an end winter garment featuring removable fleece inner jacket. Outer jacket features concealed zip off hood with nylon aertex lining throughout zippered storm flap, welted outer pockets, inner pockets and phone pouch. Available in four colour way options When the days begin to warm up, many people like to wear a body warmer. These are fashionable and versatile garments, ideal for outdoor or casual wear. Water resistant outer jacket. Fully lined. Features include two side pockets, quilted padding, and polar fleece collar trim and top stitched panels. A cost effective jacket is the Hi-Tech Bomber Jackets, which is Also available in a stylish ladies fit with curved side panels. Best value in a classic bomber jacket. Zip away lining panel for embroidery access. Water resistant outer fabric. Available in four colour ways. for more information visit www.belleregalo.co.za

Beat Cold Stress

By Kim Vermaak 09 July 2014 At the moment, the weather is getting extremely cold in the morning. Personally I would like to be a bear and spend my time hibernating for the next few months, but alas, we have to work through these cold times and that can produce cold stress. Cold employees aren’t just uncomfortable, they are distracted. It is estimated that a drop in performance costs employers 10% more per hour, per employee. When our body’s temperature drops, we expend energy keeping ourselves warm, making less energy available for concentration, inspiration, and insight. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, like South Africa near freezing temperatures are considered factors for "cold stress." Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can more rapidly leave your body. These weather-related conditions may lead to serious health problems. Employees should avoid exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible. When cold environments or temperatures cannot be avoided, employees should follow these recommendations to protect themselves from cold stress: Wear appropriate clothing. You can assist staff by providing a warm winter jacket. Although many businesses are concerned about cash flow, loss of productivity through staff who are suffering from cold is a factor that needs to be seriously considered. Cold stress is not just for outdoor workers. Many factories and warehouse environments are very cold. I can attest to this as in the very early weeks of if winter, I was in the new branding sections, which is in fact a warehouse and I just could not get out of there fast enough. The high ceilings and poor insulation make warehouses terrible to work in. Wear several layers of loose clothing. Layering provides better insulation. Tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities. So recommend to your staff to get a jacket that is one size bigger than they would normally take, so that they can put other layers under the jacket. When choosing clothing, be aware that some clothing may restrict movement resulting in a hazardous situation. Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather. Boots should be waterproof and insulated. Wear a hat; it will keep your whole body warmer. (Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head.) Beanies make an excellent form of protection for staff. Employers can also assist by: Scheduling cold jobs for the warmer part of the day. Reducing the physical demands of workers. Using relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs. Providing warm liquids to workers. Giving each staff member a flask and having access to hot water, tea, soup etc. will go a long way in supporting them. But use a brand name like Isosteel that will remain hot for many hours. Warm, non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic drinks should be consumed frequently. Caffeine is a diuretic and causes dehydration, which is linked to heat loss. Provide warm areas for use during break periods. Warm-up and Stretch. Working in cold environments may increase the risk of back injuries and other musculoskeletal injuries. Workers should perform warm-up stretching exercises before handling heavy equipment and material. In the last stretch towards the end of winter, keep yourself and your employees warm to beat cold stress, improve morale and productivity. It just makes sense.

How to Choose a Winter Jacket

The long term weather forecast for Johannesburg put us with average low temperatures of between 8 and 6 degrees. While the days remain a pleasant temperature, much to my delight, like most people I have to get up early to get to work and those chilly mornings and the sudden drop of temperature at sunset and not to my liking. To see the long term view for weather have a look at http://www.accuweather.com/en/za/johannesburg/305448/may-weather/305448?monyr=5/1/2014 That is why a good winter jacket is essential at this time of the year. Initially jackets are worn primarily in the early morning s and after work, but as winter progresses; a good jacket is an essential element for a corporate winter wardrobe. Choosing the correct winter jacket for your staff and clients can seem a bit tricky. But if you use some basic guidelines, you will be able to choose the most suitable style for your company, based on the average type of use for the winter jacket. 1. Choose your budget. On average companies who are paying for the full price of the jacket, will choose a style every second year. This means that you need able to choose a quality jacket that will last and still look good after two years of wearing. So there needs to be a balance of cash flow and value. For companies who get staff to pay for their own jackets, budget works around what the average employee can afford. The more advanced the technology of the jacket, the higher the budget will be. However it is important to consider the cost per usage value. I have jackets that I have worn for years and then I have jackets that I have only been able to wear for a season. A quality jacket that lasts may initially seem price, but given the cost per usage of the jacket, it makes it a good value for money option. 2. Choose the best jacket for your needs. Where your staff are working on site and primarily outdoors, then an insulated padded jacket is a must. However if you staff will wear them primarily around the office, then a good soft-shell jacket will work. While jacket that works well for the rainy season, such as a Drimac Jacket or a MacJack, these are very casual looking jackets and are not suitable for corporate wear. 3. Consider the brand for your jackets. There are a number of promotional jackets on the market, Such a Barron and Altitude. These are good value for money options and often have a large selection of styles and colours. Popular winter jackets from the Barron Range include Another brand which has a limited range, but is an excelent corporate choice is the Caddy Master jackets. The Tony jacket by Caddy Master is a Showerproof micro peached outer fabric with 200g micro fleece lining for warmth. Another very corporate choice that makes a good all year round jacket is the Ernest Jacket by Dunbar, which has a cotton outer with poly/cotton lining and ribbed collar. Many retail brands are designed around fashion trends are do not always work for a corporate unless you are willing to stick to black and as good base colour. However certain brands available at a retail level are performance driven brands. Brands such as First Ascent are performance tested and due to the fact that they last a long time, they often value for money in comparison to servicing an immediate cash flow issue. The First Ascent Soft-Shell fabrics combine the insulation benefits of a soft fleece with the water & wind repellent benefits of a hard shell. Fusion Soft-Shell fabrics are research inspired fabrics developed to move fast and light and simplify your wardrobe. Fabrics are lightweight, durable, and easy to wear and for the most part outperform a traditional hard shell, except in extended rainy conditions. In the First Ascent Jackets, the jackets that use this technology include • Ladies Bernina Body Warmer • Ladies Minstral XT-2 Jacket • Ladies Oracle XT-1 Jacket • Ladies XT-2 Jacket • Matterhorn Body Warmer • Men’s Phantom XT-2 Jacket • Men’s Oracle XT-1 Jacket • Solace XT-2 Jacket 4. Consider the tasks of the staff members. Warehouse environments are extremely cold and so performance jackets are more suited to this environment. We find that a good 3-in-1 jacket allows versatility, as it can be used as a body warmer, jacket or a jacket with a fleece lining. However styles of 3-in-1s do differ from time to time. However offices often have air conditioning so staff have some protection form the elements during the day. Working on a computer requires upper body mobility, which is restricted with many of the padded jacket options. Once you have juggled, the needs to your staff, the performance of the brand and your budget, you will be able to come up with a good jacket choice. While you can’t please everyone all the time, your can come up with a jacket choice that will keep the majority of your staff happy and attract the attenti

Top Winter Jackets

The Top Scoring Average Winter Jacket The Exec Gents and Ladies Winter Jacket got the top average. The Jacket is warm, stylish and comfortable. The styling allows to be worn with jeans as well as smarter looking garments, making it a very versatile jacket. The Top Scoring Jacket for Warmth The 3 –in- 1 Jacket scored top scores for warmth. But it is also a very versatile jacket as you can use the body warmer section on cooler summer evening and the full 3-in-1 for cold winter days. Clients who have used these jackets Callaho, WBHO and Central Developments. Although there are many jackets in our winter range, these top selling jackets are the ones that we have evaluated as every one in the panel has had exposure to these particular jackets. Top Winter Jackets Individual Evaluations Men and Ladies All Weather Jackets There are our favorite jackets for convenience. These jackets are constructed from windproof and water resistant rip-stop nylon. We find that they are great for convenience. They come in a loose zipper pouch for convenient storage. They are very convienient to have in the boot of your car and even if you have a large handbag, for when there are those unexpected winter rains. Winter jacket Versatility: 4/10 Winter Jacket Warmth: 3/10 Winter jacket Style: 5/10 Winter Jacket Convenience: 9/10 Winter Jacket Comfort: 4/10 Average: 5/10 Colours Available: Black; Lime; Navy; Red; Stone The All Weather Jacket ranged the highest out of convenience, because it is light weigh, easy to carry and store, and there just when you need it. Clients who have used this jacket are Stefanutti. Ladies and Men’s Urban Jackets This is our seasons’ top selling winter jacket. It is a light weight soft-shell jacket featuring a full zip front with inner storm flap. It has an adjustable cuff to give it a snugger fit for those cold days. We find this jacket quite versatile. It is also great that it comes in a ladies and gent’s matching styles. Winter jacket Versatility: 5/10 Winter Jacket Warmth: 5/10 Winter jacket Style: 6/10 Winter jacket Convenience: 8/10 Winter Jacket Comfort: 7/10 Average: 6/10 Colours Available: Black, Navy, Red, Royal This jacket ranked high in convenience as it has a zip off hood, but the jacket is still stylish and comfortable. Clients who have used this winter jacket are Maersk Line and Central Developments. Men’s and Ladies Exec Jacket This is my personal favorite winter jacket. This jacket is a light weight lined jacket with high end finishes. It gives great warmth, but is an up market and styling jacket. I love the belted look for the woman’s winter jacket. Winter jacket Versatility: 7/10 Winter Jacket Warmth: 8/10 Winter jacket Style: 9/10 Winter jacket Convenience: 6/10 Winter Jacket Comfort: 7/10 Average: 8/10 Colours Available: Black; Khaki; Navy This winter jacket scored high on style as well as warmth. The ladies in our panel liked the fact that it could be worn with corporate wear as well as jeans. Men’s and Ladies Studio Jacket This is a great winter jacket for warmth. It is a contemporary quilted medium weight padded jacket. I love the padded look for winter. Winter jacket Versatility: 4/10 Winter Jacket Warmth: 8/10 Winter jacket Style: 6/10 Winter jacket Convenience: 5/10 Winter Jacket Comfort: 6/10/13 Average: 6/10 Colours Available: Black, Navy, White Men’s and Ladies 3 – in – 1 Jacket This is a top selling winter jacket. It is top end winter garment featuring removable fleece inner jacket. Outer jacket features concealed zip off hood with nylon Airtex lining, zippered storm flap, welted out pockets, inner pockets, shock cord with toggles and superior chunky nylon zippers. Winter jacket Versatility: 7/10 Winter Jacket Warmth: 9/10 Winter jacket Style: 7/10 Winter jacket Convenience: 5/10 Winter Jacket Comfort: 7/10 Average: 7/10 Colours Available: Black/Silver, Navy/Silver, Sky/Navy, Slate/Red

Top Winter Corporate Gifts

Corporate gifts are a great way to boost morale in winter. Usually everyone starts going into sluggish mode at home. As a woman I strongly believe that we should just be hibernating or eating chocolate during winters, but as business woman productivity is important. So how do you motivate people over winter? Great winter gift ideas for staff and customers are: Winter Jackets as a Corporate Gift Jackets make wonderful winter corporate gifts. They are very seasonal and meet a very real need, so you know that this is a corporate gift that will be well received. If you want to give winter jacket to staff, then brand the jackets with a nice big embroidered logo in you full corporate colours. If you have a prestige brand then you can so the same for client gifts. However if your brand does not have the coca cola or Mercedes Benz status of a brand, you may want to consider doing a colour on colour logo so that it will increase the wear ability of the garment. A lot of people do not like to wear heavily branded apparel unless is a very popular retain brand Blankets as Corporate Gift While in hibernating mode, there is nothing better than to snuggle up with a dvd on the couch and a nice warm blanket to wrap around you. This is what makes blanket a great winter corporate gift. Not only is a blanket a great personal gift, it is also great to have them around when you have guest around for a winter braai, because although the days may be sunny, after 16H00, the sun starts to dip dramatically and with it the temperature, so it is nice for a hostess to hand out a few blankets when the conversation is good and the chill is an invasion. Flasks as a Corporate Gift To be honest, my personal preference will always be isosteel flasks. Are they more expensive, of course! We are talking German engineering and superior heat retentions. When my baby was very young I kept a flask of hot water next to my bed to heat up milk for baby. When it was normal promotional flask, at 01H00 it is cold, but if it is an Isosteel flask then the water is still hot. So if you are serious about quality there can be no other choice in flask. Coffee Mugs as a Corporate Gift For a low cost corporate gift with great impact, you simply cannot go wrong with a coffee mug as a corporate gift. It is great to wrap those chilly fingers around in winter. Plus you can get to fill them with all kinds of great goodies, like nougat or Lindt chocolates. A very nice touch is to have them personalised with your client’s name. Fluffy Bath Robes as a Corporate Gift While you may have a great hot water bottle or an electric blanket in your bed, depending how electricity wise you are, a great warm bath robe is a wonderful gift to lounge around in until it is time to get into bed. Thick Fluffy Bath Sheets as a Corporate Gift After a warm soak in the bath, no one likes getting out the bath, but a great thick bath sheet to wrap around you is a must in winter, so these make superb winter gifts as well. When it comes to winter corporate gifts, there are so many great options, the ones that I mentioned are just a few, so let your imagination go wild or contact us on info@belleregalo.co.za

Best Buy Jacket for Winter

With winter literally yanking at our door, I thought that I would share what is my best buy from our corporate jacket range for this season. My all-time favourite winter jacket is definitely the Executive Ladies Jacket. It is fully lined, so it gives great warmth, yet light weight enough to be very comfortable. It is manufactured from stylish mock suede. I love the belted look, as it can be pulled in to make a more flattering view of your waist. I also love the length of the jacket, as it covers your bottom and the dimpled sins of all those carb cravings that come with winter. But more importantly it covers that lower back section between your lower spine and mid back, which I find tends to get cold when those shorter jackets sneak up when you sit down. As there are so many hipster styled pants these days, this little portion of a lady’s body tends to take a hit during the winter chills, so it is comforting to know that you can still wear hipsters and keep your back warm. It is not a formal jacket; however it is far more fashionable and stylish than a conventional promotional jacket. I personally have two colours, one black, which I wear with a black pencil skirt and corporate shirt on cool days and the stone which I wear with jeans and knee length high heel brown boots. This winter jacket actually comes in three colours, black, stone and navy. I think that I should rush to get a navy one to wear with blue jeans and crisp white shirt or polar neck. This look is ideal for casual day. The jacket also comes in a matching gent’s style, but without the belted waist. But don’t run out and tell them about it, they just may want one too. For other jacket options have a look at www.belleregalo.co.za Or call us on 082 948 7461 or e-mail us on info@belleregalo.co.za Be kind to your self this winter. Kim Vermaak  

Time for Winter Promotional Jackets

At this time of the year I struggle to get up as my body is telling me that it is still night time when the arm goes off. Although the days are warmer, chilly morning and evening mean that I have to haul out the winter promotional jackets. Promotional jackets are a terrific item to purchase at the beginning of autumn. They will definitely be a very well received promotional clothing item. The preferred branding for promotional jackets is embroidery. Embroidery of winter jackets or promotional jackets is usually on the left chest of the promotional jacket or winter jacket, however a lot of companies also consider making their logo colour on colour. This is a very subtle form of branding. But if you want to have strong corporate identity of your promotional jackets, then choose your corporate colours for branding. For sporting events you may want to embroidery your promotional jacket with a large logo on the back for the best visibility on your winter jacket. Whatever type of branding you choose for your winter promotional jackets, please do consider your client. Staff are often happy to have a large logo on their promotional jacket, but client may choose a more subtle form of branding.

Corporate Clothing

Corporate clothing is a wonderful option branding options. Corporate clothing can be both a subtle form of branding or create a strong message. If you choose colour on colour branding for your corporate clothing, that means that the corporate clothing will be embroidered in the same colour thread as the thread that the garment has been manufactured from. For more dramatic corporate clothing branding statements you can embroider or silk-screen in more dramatic colours. You can also brand the back of the corporate clothing with larger format silk-screening or embroidery. We recommend that for large format you use silk-screening or heat press as embroidery can be very expensive for large area branding on corporate clothing. Popular corporate clothing for May to July are jerseys, long sleeve shirts, fleece garments and winter jackets.

Winter Jackets

This is perfect time to start ordering your winter

jackets. There is now a really vast range of winter jackets. Some of our winter jacket ranges include 3-in-1 jackets, 4 in 1 jackets, All weather jackets, Concealed jackets, Fishing jackets, Safety jackets, Utility jackets Please visit us on www.belleregalo.co.za or http://belleregalo.bcgshop.co.za/Products/Jacket.aspx

I Love the Winter Jacket

I can not claim to be a winter person. But sadly as my business is not yet a multi-national, I have to keep regular seasonal patterns along with my collegues, freinds and family.

So while I am trapped in winter, I have to find things to be thankful for and one of thise is definately the winter jacket. Thankfully there are a lot more fashionable items in the corporate clothing and promotional clothing ranges of of winter jackets. Even ladies have now been recognised when it comes to corporate clothing with more and more ranges including both a ladies and gents version of the winter jacket.

Lately I have been eyeing out ladies belted jacket. The one that I have in mind (see image above), has lovely top stitching detail and is a fully padded jacket. Oh what a joy to be snug, warm and stylish as well.

Winter jackets are very well received as corporate gifts. The trick is to start planning in advance and to keep a database of the sizes of your best clients. That way you can reuse it for golf days, soccer viewing get-togethers, and other corporate events. Keep in contact with your client's PA who can discreetly tell you if too much winter comfort food has been on the boss's desk and that they may have to upsize.

Always order and few additional sizes so that if your client does not fit their winter jacket, that you can easily swap the jacket out with your winter jacket stock without too much fuss or embassment.

If you are using winter jackets as a branding tool, then put your logo on big and bold. But if you are relationship building, then you may want to keep your logo on your winter jackets small and discreet.