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 Unique Corporate Gift Ideas: What Motivation Theories Say |
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Sunday, October 15 2006 @ 04:10 AM Central Daylight Time
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Corporate gifts have come to stay in the corporate world because of the goodwill they generate among the recipients. Integrating unique and innovative ideas during the corporate gift selection process ensures that the gift given will evoke the desired effect. This type of corporate gift idea is developed to demonstrate special appreciation and make an occasion memorable for the recipient. Furthermore, motivational theories of renowned social scientists such as Maslow point to the fact that corporate gift giving is a positive way of reinforcing employee productivity and performance, as well as ascertaining their loyalty to the company.
A unique gift idea usually has a surprise element attached to it. It is not something that one would be able to find easily on the shelves. It is a style statement to let the receiver know the importance of the occasion and their value to the corporation.
In an article published in the Wall Street Journal, Kemba Dunham discusses strategies for motivating employees. Basing upon Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the gifts that a company gives to its employees satisfy first and foremost the employee’s need for esteem or ego needs, as the management usually bases these extra incentives on employee’s performance and dependability in production. This means that an employee is rewarded an incentive that is more or less proportional to his or her level of performance measured by particular metrics, thereby reinforcing their personal sense of competence. Secondly, the motivational strategies such as corporate gift giving satisfy the employee’s need for self-actualization. Being performance-based incentives that they are, employees are able to derive a cue in improving their current performance in order to gain a larger incentive in the future.
The motivational strategies discussed in Dunham’s article exemplify Skinner’s reinforcement theory, which is in turn akin to Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning theory. Corporate gifts are therefore seen by employees as a positive reinforcement of a good performance, and thus they will associate good performance with rewards. Corporate gifts reinforce positive employee work behaviors that lead to positive results.
Unique corporate gift ideas are planned well in advance. As the idea is one that may have been chanced upon and with someone specific in mind, it does require some thought to be invested into the decision making process. It is a concept of relating to an individual’s tastes and preferences and using one’s imagination in select a gift that surprises and impresses the recipient. Most unique corporate gift ideas are also ordered well in advance. A unique corporate gift idea, if well implemented, remains a cherished memory for years to come and sustains business relationships over a long period.
A unique corporate gift idea is also usually created to represent the loyalty and sincerity of an employee. It is worked upon appropriately so as to not undermine the sentimental and emotional considerations. The idea in its physical form has to be something that can be appreciated. The gift would typically have a corporate logo and the receiver’s name carved or embossed on the gift. Gifts could range from country specific traditional decors, masks, exotic flowers, silk shawls, customized sterling jewelry or even a vacation. Irrespective of the specific product used as a unique corporate gift, the intent is to make the recipient happy about the business relationship for years to come.
Earl Juanico
http://www.celebrateahero.com |
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