‘Unique Gifts’ Articles
Written by Tami Ross on 10 February 2010
As a gift specialist I’m involved with various types of recognition programs and on occasion have been involved in the creation of such programs.
Although Employee Recognition programs on the surface are created to reward competencies and work performance many of them also hope to motivate under performers. Unfortunately this mindset usually never works and can lead to unfriendly competition within the company and shouldn’t be considered when creating or continuing with an Employee Recognition program.
Creating a successful program that both rewards and recognizes performance starts and ends with communication:
- Employees need to know what is expected. Define what meeting expectation looks like and what exceeding them looks like and the impact it has on the business. Are you going to reward for meeting, exceeding or both by offering a tiered awarded system.
- Is recognition open to all employees? Recognition tends to relate to sales goals which can be easily tracked. Does your program recognize support staff and non-sales employees? Creating a program inclusive of all positions and levels is a challenge because it starts with clearly defined roles and performance expectations.
- Peer and customer nominations. In some businesses, peers and or customers can nominate employees whom have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This can be a great way to create a bottom up recognition program that highlights and encourages both the vision and mission statement of the business.
- There is no “I” in Team. Offering individual, team or department rewards is something to consider. A team may have its own set of expectations and through combined strengths stand out in the organization.
- The reward. The options are endless. From monetary to a paid day off. From gift baskets to cruises, car leases and more… companies have a variety of options to reward their top performers. And as pointed out on the Terryberry Employee Recognition Blog – Recognition letters are one of the top workplace motivators!
Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
Be Original! Give Original!
Tags: Corporate Gifts, employee recognition programs, performance rewards, thank you gifts, thank you notes
Posted in Corporate Gifts, Employee Recognition, Gift Baskets, Nashville TN, Tami Ross, Unique Gifts | No Comments »
Written by Tami Ross on 06 January 2010
This will be exciting for anyone caught up on the Twilight series… book or film!
The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center will be hosting a 3 day event this January 29-31 that will include panels, parties and autograph signings.
Parking can run you $16 a day so you may want to head out with a car load of fans or check into the shuttles that run from downtown.
Of course the whole idea has me thinking up vampire gift basket ideas complete with the books series or the first movie… decorated with a few pieces of garlic and maybe a cross. How perfect would a chocolate cross wrapped in silver foil be???
Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
www.obbgiftsnashville.com
Be Original! Give Original!
Tags: Twilight series
Posted in Gift Ideas, Nashville TN, OBB Nashville, Tami Ross, Unique Gifts | No Comments »
Written by Tami Ross on 28 December 2009
With Christmas behind us (can you believe it?) we’re looking forward to watching the ball drop in New York City and usher in an era of courage…
As we looking forward to the New Year’s Eve parties coming up this week. The “What can I bring?” isn’t always answered with something specific but it’s always nice to arrive with a little something. A bottle of wine or champagne can work, as can flowers, candles or a game…
Wine is a big hit with my friends. We usually bring a bottle for the party and a bottle for the hostess. Dinner parties can be a little tricky as wine changes it’s taste based on the foods it is paired with. A fun gift is to pair a bottle of wine with a great cheese and give them both. It could work with the party or as a little snack in the days to come.
I love winter flowers… the bright colors seem to offset the dreary winter weather. It’s good to pick flowers already in a container so the hostess doesn’t have to worry about that during the party.
Candles wrapped in a little cellophane and tied with ribbon can be a nice thank you gift. I like to include a little match book or lighter… again so there is no hunting anything down to use the gift. It’s like getting an electronic gift that comes with batteries!
Games! Yes… some people have great traditions of game playing. Games are great for the night and can be used long after the event. My new favorite is all the city versions of Monopoly… anyone can play and enjoy a featured city.
If you have any favorite hostess gift ideas you’d like to share please post them in the comments section.
Happy New Year!
Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
www.obbgiftsnashville.com
Be Original! Give Original!
Tags: Happy New Year, Hostess Gifts, Nashville Gift Baskets
Posted in Gift Baskets, Gift Ideas, OBB Nashville, Unique Gifts | No Comments »
Written by Tami Ross on 28 October 2009
Cheekwood in Nashville, TN hosts an amazing and creative display of scarecrows designed by local schools, business’s and individuals.
Along with the scarecrows you can take in the fall colors and gallery displays inside the main house. Memberships make a unique holiday gift to be enjoyed all year long.
Ideas for packaging the membership could be to include it in a picnic basket, inside a journal, or with a disposable camera…
Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/
Be Original! Give Original!
Posted in Gift Baskets Nashville, Nashville Gift Baskets, Tennessee, Unique Gifts | No Comments »
