Companies favor meaningful business gifts

Much more than a simple gesture of thanks, business gifts are evolving and becoming a powerful vector of emotions, whether addressed to employees or clients. This growing trend towards offering meaningful business gifts is observed daily by SWISS GIFT SELECTION SA, a company specializing in the creation of 100% Swiss-made and customizable gifts, which sold more than 30,000 gifts in 2023.

Interview with Hervé Badan, founder and director of SWISS GIFT SELECTION SA

What is important today when it comes to business gifts? What are companies sensitive to?

Today, companies are looking for gifts that embody strong values. It's no longer just about surprising or rewarding, but about building a deeper connection. Whether through sensory experiences, local products, or personalized handcrafted items, each gift aims to convey an authentic and lasting message. As companies need support in this process, we help them find the gift that makes a difference and makes it memorable.

The growing demand for ethical and responsible business gifts also reflects a growing awareness, as companies seek to align their actions with their values. To meet this growing demand, we offer creations that showcase Swiss expertise drawn from our network of more than 300 local artisans and producers. Given our growing success, I can confirm that local is an important factor today. Not only in terms of product provenance, but also in terms of social work, the materials used, and suppliers' commitments to the environment in general.

Are companies more likely to give gifts to their employees or their clients?

Both remain important. Offering a gift to your employees, whether it's a gift box or a small gesture, is a way to show gratitude, to thank them, to build loyalty, to reduce the distance imposed by teleworking and to strengthen the sense of belonging to the company. However, the gift must now offer a more complete experience, combining emotions and creating memories. For example, we recently created a gift box including a book, a drink and a playlist to listen to for a multi-sensory experience, or a Christmas kit with a baking mix and a wooden spatula in the shape of the company logo. Board games with popcorn or even a candle and a wellness box, the possibilities are limitless, leaving plenty of room for creativity and the message the company wishes to convey.

For customers, the approach is similar, favoring meaningful gifts that companies reserve for their best customers. The trend is toward offering fewer, but higher-quality, gifts. Delivering your own gift box is also gaining momentum and allows you to express your gratitude in a meaningful way, explain the meaning of the gift, and maintain a strong connection with your customer.

What other occasions might there be during the year, for example?

In addition to traditional end-of-year gifts, companies can offer gifts on May 1st, International Women's Day, Easter, the new seasons, or other holidays throughout the year. For employees, anniversaries, professional birthdays, and individual achievements offer excellent opportunities to express appreciation. On the customer side, companies can take advantage of events such as partnership anniversaries, milestones in customer relationships, or shared achievements to express their gratitude.

To learn more, also read: “ Thanking your employees and customers: an approach to maintain all year round ”

For more information, contact us !