A prospective client is scrolling through her email inbox, fielding a mass of impersonal marketing emails. Somewhere in the bunch is your pitch, convincing and thoughtful, but the likelihood that she will click is low.
But then a gift arrives at her office: a basket full of stationery. The perfect supplies to help her run her business—considerate and practical. This gift will not only set your company apart in the moment, but the items included will have your brand on them, keeping your company in the client’s mind for months to come.
The value of recognition/gifting programs.
Company recognition and gifting programs are powerful tools for building brand loyalty. Delivered to prospective clients, customers, and employees, these gifts solidify personal relationships between the individual and the company.
But supply chain issues can put a damper on your recognition and gifting efforts. Especially at popular times for corporate gifts (like the upcoming Holiday season), the demand for promotional products can put too much stress on already frail supply chains. From worker shortages to raw material scarcity, gifting programs that will convert clients and inspire loyalty may need to be adapted—and now is the time to make plans.
The war in Ukraine and its effect on company recognition and gifting programs.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has created global repercussions. It has particularly affected the supply of goods that are exported from both countries. The shortage of products (from electronic chips to sunflower oil) may affect your company recognition and gifting programs.
Considering including a cute lip chap or helpful sunscreen bottle in your company gift this year? The sunflower oil shortage may require you to adapt these plans. Ukraine exports almost half of the global sunflower oil supply and the war is affecting their capacity to do so. As the supply of products containing sunflower oil continues to dwindle, take action to stay ahead of shortages and find alternatives when necessary. Contact your promotional products supplier today to place an order and stay ahead of widespread shortages.
The paper products that are signatures of company gifting programs are following the same trend as sunflower oil. Russian wood exports have ceased since the beginning of the war. This is causing issues for both paper-based products and any product that uses paper packaging. For branding and packaging purposes, paper is used frequently in company recognition and gifting programs. You’ll want to include business cards, branded stationery, and appealing paper packaging in your corporate gifting program, so be sure to contact us to find a way to source these products.
Hard-to-find corporate gifts—and how to access the alternatives.
Some current supply chain issues that may affect your company gifting and recognition programs are:
- Paper supplies. Strikes, inability to source materials from certain areas, and surging demand for paper products is making this material tough to access.
- Sunflower oil. With Ukraine exporting a large portion of the global supply of sunflower oil, a range of products will be out of stock.
- Aluminum cans. The pandemic, reduced output from China, and increased consumer preference for canned beverages has made it difficult for many companies to supply aluminum cans.
- Sugar and wheat-based products. Sugarcane is being diverted into ethanol production rather than sugar production. Because of high oil and gas prices, there is currently more incentive to make ethanol than sugar. This could cause a global sugar shortage. Wheat is similarly in short supply as the war continues between Russia and Ukraine (both are top suppliers of wheat).
Contact us to discuss a personalized plan that will allow your company to make the most out of its recognition and gifting program, despite shortages. The best way to get ahead of shortages is to order your company gifts as early as possible.
Holiday shopping in July: A new normal for company gifting programs?
With the current supply chain issues affecting company recognition and gifting programs, it’s important to get a head start on ordering gifts. Make sure to pay specific attention to whether you will be able to source products containing the main short-stocked items. Order your paper products right away, before holiday season rushes dwindle the supply completely. Look for alternatives to sunflower oil-based products, like shea-based lip chap. Replace canned beverages with reusable water bottles; an eco-friendly and accessible alternative. Get started early and find a promotional gift supplier who can offer you effective alternatives. This will allow you to select products that will resonate with your clients and employees.
American Apparel & Promotions can help you adapt and make the most out of your corporate recognition and gifting program. Browse a vast array of gifts and feel confident in your carefully selected choices, without compromise, by starting the hunt now. Put your clients, your brand, and your peace of mind first by ordering your holiday gifts early! Contact us to get started today.