Gender Differences in Gift Giving

In a recent advertising pitch from a publication, I was advised to advertise my business in a publication aimed at secretaries. This reminded me that many of our corporate gifting clients are in fact women, even if they have a final decision maker who is male. This made me delve a bit more into the gender psychology of gift giving. It is not that men do understanding the importance of gift giving. In fact the saying “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts”, stems from a final Greek vs. Trojan strategic move after a ten year battle, in which the cunning Odysseus, a Greek military strategist came up with the idea of a Trojan Horse created a very strategic gift. When the "Trojan Horse" was left at the gates of Troy, the Trojans thought the Greeks had left it as a pious parting gift because they had given up and sailed home. The Trojans welcomed the gift and took it within their walls; little knowing the belly of the beast was filled with armed soldiers who would soon end this battle. Some researchers believe evolutionary forces may have favoured gift giving. Men who were the most generous may have had the most reproductive success with women. Men do make excellent gift givers if motivated to be involved in the process. I can remember as a girl that my father always chose perfect gifts for me that showed his knowledge of me as a person and these gifts were always well received. However, generally women have a higher involvement in the process of selection, particularly where there are many people to give gifts to. Gender differences in gift giving seem to emerge early in life. Researchers at Loyola University Chicago studied 3 and 4-year-olds at a day-care centre, all of whom had attended the same birthday party. The girls often went shopping with their mothers and helped select the gifts and wrap it. Boys, meanwhile, were often unaware of what the gift was. “They’d say, ‘I took a nap while my mom went shopping for it,’” said Mary Ann McGrath, the associate dean of the graduate school of business at Loyola. Margaret Rucker, a consumer psychologist at the University of California, Davis, says men are typically more price-conscious and practical when it comes to the gifts they give and get, while women tend to be more concerned about giving and receiving gifts with emotional significance. Many corporates make use of the benefits of gift giving. Corporate gifts make a more personalised form of marketing and corporate gifts definitely help to strengthen bonds and in some cases gift giving can ease tension between enemies. At the beginning of the year when the motivation to go back to work, corporate gifts can certainly help improve morale and get staff’s excitement levels to be back to work a boost. So where does the gender difference come into making corporate gifting decisions? Women’s natural skill at gift selection can assist in choosing something that is special and theme appropriate. They are also able to select items for a varied group of people. Before we stereo type everyone, I have to point out that I have known women who are clueless at gift giving. I have family members where I have wondered, what on earth were they thinking when they give out gifts. But if it be foolish to not recognise that genders have a trend of natural abilities and the best leaders acknowledge that, while being mindful of individual skills. So harness the strategic, budget setting and emotional intelligence of your team to make the best corporate gifting selection. Should you require any additional information about corporate gifts, please contact us on: info@belleregalo.co.za or call us on 082 948 7461

Why is a Conference Bag still a Good Corporate Gift?

By Kim Vermaak 07 January 2014 The simple conference bag has stood the test of time in the

corporate gifting market. Conference bags are use over and over again giving them an excellent cost per impression rate. With proper thoughts, your firm can still get good mileage out of conference bags. When I started out in the industry, you had the “huge” selection of navy or black conference bags to choose from. Anything else had to be custom made and so this conference bag option was reserved for the best planners as the lead time for custom conference bags was so long. Nowadays there is a much wider selection of stock conference bags in a wide variety of colours. If you get a good and functional design, the conference bags will be used again and again. With many more affordable laptop packages available, through cell phone packages and or though leading banks more and more people are using laptops and tablets. That means mobile offices are now no longer a futuristic visions, they are available now and here. This has greatly increased the use of conference bags and laptop trolley bags. I personally use the ladies laptop handbag. It has a compartment for a tablet, a small pouch for my personal items such as a lipstick, pens, a coin purse, etc. It carries a 17ich screen laptop and I also can fit a 3 presentation folders in it. If I remove the laptop and only use an IPad, I can also fit our rather bulky corporate gifting catalogue inside it, as well as a small cosmetic bag and my hairbrush, making it the ideal mobile office bag for a female executive. When choosing a conference bag or laptop bag, think about the following: Who is person receiving the conference bag? Are they an executive or are they at a managerial level. If it is a top executive, then they will not be reusing a basic document bag. For an executive, you can consider the leather laptop bags or a lower cost yet still executive looking lichee conference bag. What kinds of activities will be at your conference? If it is a long conference with lots of workshops and note taking, then choose a conference bag that has pen compartments, enough space for files and a side pocket for a water bottle. If there are masses of large files at big policy making sessions, then a trolley bag will be a better option for the delegates at this type of conference as no one wants to lug around huge files over the course of a conference using a shoulder strap of a conference bag. Do you want your brand to have repeat viewing? If you are only interested in your bag being used at the event, then you can go for a lower budget. If however, you want this bag to have longevity, then spend more on a functional conference bag that can be used frequently. I personally like trolley bags for this purpose. One with a small branding plaque, which is subtle enough for an executive to be prepared to use again, but still gives your brand presence. The reason that I like laptop trolley bags is that some of them can also be used as overnight bags for a short business trip. I like Europa Laptop Trolley Bag. It has a great stylish look. We have engraved logos onto bags before and this also gives a subtle branding. What is your budget? Balance your budget with the impression that you want to create. Rather spend more on one great item than give out lots of little cheap items. Remember that for the duration of your conference all these delegates are going to be walking billboards advertising your product. If you were a stranger passing by, what would you think of the company whose logo is on those conference bags? For more information about corporate gifts for conferences and exhibitions, contact Belle Regalo on info@belleregalo.co.za or call us on (011) 593 2450 or 082 948 7461.

Practical Gifts for Conferences and Exhibitions

The adage meetings mean business might sound like a cliché, but it’s the absolute truth of the matter. Networking at events lays the groundwork for excellent business deals. Some of them are even singed at the venue. While there is strong growth in website and other digital marketing, people do feel safe when dealing face to face with people. You get to see if the person’s smile is genuine, if their handshake is form and get a better understanding of the person that you will be doing business with. Here are some ideas to enhance the experience of the visitors and delegates at your conference or exhibition. Name cards on lanyards meetings are vital. Sticker badges say “tacky, unprofessional.” They will disappear for good when the sweater is put on or removed, and they can’t and won’t be transferred to new garments on the following day. We have all heard of presenters who have had their entire hard drive was wiped just as they are about the present at an events. Memory sticks or USBs not only give you the opportunity to give a small conference gifts but they also allow you to add the presentation to the USBs, so that the conference delegates can re-print the notes afterwards. In addition, they make excellent back-ups for presentations. If you have the budget you can have a custom USBs moulded into the shape of one of your products. This definitely sets you apart from the rest. Business card holders are not often thought of as many people believe that delegates have their own business card holders. But I have fund it invaluable to have an extra card holder as this allows me to put the business cards of all the delegates that I would like to keep cards of. This practical corporate gift that you can use again and again. If you have a refreshment stand, why not handed out a free coffee mug or branded glass at the stand. If this is a bit above your budget, then have disposable branded coffee sleeves to put around your disposable cups, this will show off your logo and attract more people to your stand. Notebooks are a terrific conference and exhibition gift as they allow delegates to take notes of the stands that they likes or people that they want to reconnect with. I have often written a note on the back of a card in the hope of looking at it again and have forgotten where I put the card, so a notebook would be great way to relook at the notes made at the event. By the end of an exhibition all the shopping bags that countless companies hand out, start to dig into my hands and so one of the best exhibition gifts that I receive was a luggage spotter handle. They make holding a whole bunch of shopper bags filled with catalogues, so much more comfortable. At another exhibition that I attended a stand sold trolley bags with their logo on. People flocked to this stand to relieve them of their stock. Some exhibitions do not allow the sale of products, but perhaps you can arrange for your top clients to stop by and get their free trolley bag or you can have an hourly lucky draw for conference bag. Over a 3 day conference you would only need 25 trolley bags for a competition. These are add onto the normal conference gifts such a conference bags, conference folders, pens, stylus pens, trolley bags There are so many conference gift options to choose from, but the ones mentioned in this article solve some of the practicalities that need to be take care of at an event. For more information about corporate gifts for conferences and exhibitions, contact Belle Regalo on info@belleregalo.co.za or call us on (011) 593 2450 or 082 948 7461.

Creating a 2014 Corporate Gift Plan (Part 1)

At the beginning of the year, you should create a corporate gifting campaign, just as with any planning that you will do. Have a look at typical corporate gifting events and see if they align with your overall corporate goals and strategies. Your corporate gifts strategy should cover the following areas. Customer corporate gifts strategy Staff corporate gifts strategy Social responsibility corporate gift strategy Customer Corporate Gifts Strategy Customers are the life blood of your organisation. They choose to spend money with you rather than competitors. So your corporate gifting strategy should include a relationship building strategy. Corporate gifts are an idea way to enhance your relationship with clients. Events such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, hospitality packages and year end gifts etc. work well with client corporate gifts. If you have planned ahead of time there will be fewer emergencies. Valentine’s Day gifts ideas include chocolates, coffee mugs, hampers, heart shaped stress balls, mint tins, novelties, teddy bears etc. Easter Gifts include, chocolates, hampers, Nomu hot chocolate, puzzles, toys Throughout the year there are a number of sporting events that you can invite your clients to such as cricket, rugby and soccer. For these sporting event corporate gifts will include, backpacks, binoculars, caps, clothing, glasses, key rings, scarves, sports bags. In the next edition with we will cover staff corporate gifting strategy…. For more information contact Belle Regalo on info@belleregalo.co.za visit us on www.belleregalo.co.za or phone us on 0829487461.

You can Go Green and Still Have Great Corporate Gifting Strategy

The evolution of eco products seems to be slow, but there are far more gifting options than before.

One of the things that I really love is that we cannot use your corporate banners and recycle them into a range of conference bags and other items that help us reduce waste. This does take a bit of panning, but there are also now ex stock items such as bamboo gifts in the form of pens, home ware gifts and a number of other fun gifting options. You may wonder why you should go for “green” gifts. • The customer gets it: Many consumers are gearing towards supporting companies that have greener business

practices. This is not just a fad doing the rounds now, but a trend that is gaining. If you would like to be seen as an eco-friendly company, heed the small details too and tap into this emerging consumer base. • Novelty doesn’t mean expensive: With the eco-friendly promotional gift option comes the opportunity for innovation. This means that you can think outside of the box and get great gift ideas like eco stationery sets and eco corporate wear without breaking the bank. Eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily translate to more expensive. • Sustainable and responsible: Not only will you solidify your commitment to greener business practices among your consumers, but you will also be contributing to a cleaner and safer environment. These are only a few of the reasons why it will pay to opt for eco-friendly gifts for your employees and consumers. Get it Right with Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas! One thing to remember is that when you opt for the eco gifts option, you don’t have to settle for the ordinary or boring. You can still let your imagination run free and come up with exciting and novel promotional gifting options. Here are a few gift ideas to get the message across: • Bamboo Pen sets. Every year thousands of pens are sent out. While recycled pens are low cost, the bamboo pens options are more upmarket and are a lovely gifting option. • Bamboo notebooks. As green as you want to go, it is hard to have a truly paperless world. That is why the bamboo notebook option is a great combination of eco friendliness and practicality. • Gift baskets: If your budget allows you can compile gift baskets that contain many different small promotional gifts that together will have the desired impact on the recipients – making them feel appreciated. • Eco-friendly mouse and mouse pads: Who doesn’t use a computer mouse and mouse pad these days? Ever thought of branding this ubiquitous piece of hardware and using it as a promotional gift? • Solar powered radio: This novelty is a great idea if you want to drive home the eco-friendly aspect of your promotional gifts. Solar powered radios can easily be branded and it’s such a novelty that your company’s name will be displayed wherever the radio travels with its owners. • Recycled banners for conference bags. There are now some stock options, but you can also use your own large format banners to make up conference bags, folders and even pencil cases. • Organic corporate gifts. Herbs and plants also make superb corporate gifts and are a gift that has longevity. For More information contact us on info@belleregalo.co.za or visit us on www.belleregalo.co.za

How to Choose Year End Gifts

Very often people are unsure of what to give out for year-end gifts. Especially if it is either the first time that the gifts are being handed out or if so many gifts have been handed out that you are now at a loss of what to give as year end gifts. A good starting point is to ask yourself some questions. 1. Are the majority of your clients men or women? Some companies chose to have our unisex corporate gifts, however to get the true benefit of the corporate gifts it is a wonderful to have a more personal approach. So for example if you are handing our conference bags, why not hand out a ladies laptop bag as a conference bag for the ladies and a unisex conference bag for the men. 2. What is the lifelong value of the client receiving the corporate gift? If this corporate gift is an appreciation gift for the business that the client has given you over the years, then consider carefully what you want to give as a corporate gift. The gift needs to have longevity, so that it can be used frequently and each time the corporate gift is used, your company will be remembered. 3. Are there any budget constraints for your corporate gifts? Instead of giving out a lot of cheap gifts, rather segment your clients and hand out gifts only to the top 25 or 50 clients depending on what you are able to afford. It is better to hand out quality gifts to the few that are the most loyal to your company than to not hand out corporate gifts at all. For ideas on corporate gifts, contact us on info@belleregalo.co.za or visit us on www.belleregalo.co.za

Top Woman's Day Gifts

There is a lot of talk about woman’s Day gifts as corporate gifts at the time of the year. Woman’s day is historically about celebrating what women did in history for other women. More especially getting women the right to vote. This is something that many women in this generation take for granted. The original “fight” to have women have the right to vote, does not mean that women “want the wear the pants” or other such rather offensive terms. A woman who has the freedom to be able to make choices about her family and who governs the country is an essential part of life. Men and women are designed different for a purpose. They are mean to complement each other and not compete and country that is governed by a single gender perspective looses out on the benefit of the other gender’s unique perspective. On this day we celebrate this feminine uniqueness. Woman’s Day gifts do not have to necessarily be “girly” gifts, but they certainly must be the kind of corporate gifts that women can use. Some corporate gifts that make good woman’s day gifts. Auto Took Kit – This may note sound like a woman’s gift, but if you have every been stranded without jumper cables, you know that this is essential. Yes, a knight in shining armour can come rescue you, if that is what you need at the time. But it is good to be prepared then just ask the night to get his hands dirty and save you manicure for another emergency. Beach Bags – Yes, this is a great feminine corporate gift, highly recommended for a woman’s day gift. Car bag seat organizer – This is a wonderful woman’s corporate gift, especially if women have children. It just cleans up all that clutter that many moms have. Cosmetic Bags – This is an ultra feminine corporate gift. There are some pretty new designs of cosmetic bags available for woman’s day gifts. Diana Carmichael – I love the Diana Carmichael range as corporate gifts. They ooze luxury and are a great talking piece. Hampers – Hampers are still a great favorite gift. Handbag Hooks – handbag hooks are a terrific corporate gifts that makes sure that your handbag stays close to you and is less of a target. Lap top bags – These days you get wonderful ladies laptop bags. Many of them are now styled in a handbag styles, which makes them a great fashionable corporate gift. Mini Tote Bag - A cute and practical woman's Dya Gift Mirror – a mirror is a superb low cost corporate gift as a woman’s day gifts. Moleskines – These are wonderfully classical corporate gift. The luxurious feel of the Moleskine makes it an elegant woman’s day gift. Nail sets – This corporate gift is great for those inevitable little snags that you get on your finger nails. It is a great practical corporate gift. Notebooks – Notebooks now come in a range of feminine colours for woman’s day gifts. Photo frames – A photoframe is a great way for a woman to celebrate those special people in her life whom she loves. Sewing kits – This is a wonderful small item for a woman’s day gift and although it is a low cost corporate gift, the value is immeasurable especially if you have a ripped skirt just minutes before an important meeting.

Laptop Bags

For a long time laptop bags had limited designs. Laptop bags were unisex and it was pretty obvious to people that you had a laptop bag. Now there are a number of ladies laptop bags. The great thing about these laptop bags is that many of them have a look of a handbag. So not only is this a stylish bag, but it also limits your theft risk and people who are targeting laptops will not see you as an obvious target. Ladies Laptop bags are a great corporate gift for any function where women are guests. We have a number of ladies laptop bags. Ladies executive laptop bag, ladies executive laptop bags and ladies stylish laptop bag. We are also have a range of conference bags from basic document bags to executive messenger bags with media holes. For more idea visit us on www.belleregalo.co.za or e-mail us on info@belleregalo.co.za

What Banner Do I Use?

People are often confused as to what kind of banners to use for which purpose. This article explains some of the differences. Pull Up Banner, Retractor Banner, Roll Up Banner. In Door Banner: This banner is definitely for indoor use. Clients will often use the retracta or pull up banner outside their venue to let delegates know where the venue is or for information or product launches. Ideal for tournaments, golf events or showrooms. This may be consuming, but essentially they are the same thing. Some of the names have copy writes on them, which is why manufactures will sometimes use different names. Digitally or screen printed onto banner weave. It is supplied with or without side panels. It has a lightweight aluminium frame and a carry bag It is easy to assemble, in under 3 minutes by 1 person The rollup banner is also referred to as Roller banner or Pull up banner. A Frame Banner Outdoor banner: These are often put up outside the venue to indicate to guests where the venue. A-Frame banners provide many alternatives to traditional advertising ideas that include lightweight, easy to use highly visible designs. All A-frame banners come as a complete set that includes a carry bag. The unmatched branding opportunities available with the A-frame banner include brilliant, vivid digital printed graphics or advertising messages. A Banner Wall Indoor Banner: This is a wonderful large surface branding area that create a huge impact at a function. Bannerwalls are digitally printed onto banner weave (as a single panel). Versatile back wall exhibition stands that are lightweight and easily assembled in less than three minutes by one person. This banner is supplied as a single unit in a carry bag.