Mark Yokoyama is the Director of Marketing and Merchandising at ePromos and joined the company in early 2004. He oversees online and offline marketing and public relations programs, the ePromos online catalog and supplier relations.
What does a promotional products company have to say about employee gifts and recognition? A lot, actually. The two things may seem unrelated, but companies look to us to help branding within their organization almost as much as they rely on us for promotional products geared towards their customers.
The basic principles and execution are essentially the same. A tightly-knit corporate culture is an asset to any successful company, and branding and recognition programs within an organization are an important part of employee retention, just as business gifts increase client retention.
Internal Branding
Logo employee gifts help create a sense of community within an organization. They're a way of letting employees know you value them and making the workplace as dynamic as possible so your staff always has something to work towards. They're also a rare, and valuable, opportunity to take your brand into your employees' life outside the office in a positive way. The feeling they get when they sip their morning coffee from the mug you gave them or watch TV under their logo fleece blanket isn't something you can convey through financial incentives.
Awards and Recognition Progams
We're all human, and we all appreciate recognition for a job well done. However, most people feel more satisfaction under a company that gives them gifts they can use on a long-term basis as opposed to financial incentives. Studies have shown that well executed awards and recognition improve attitudes about the workplace and employee retention. Employee awards that are visible in the workplace motivate workers to be more diligent, enable them to feel as though they are working in an evolving company, and promote positive attributes by example. They also emphasize your commitment as an employer to providing a career path of personal growth.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Custom Promotional Products as Gifts
- Promotional Umbrellas Business Gifts That Stand Out
- Your One Stop Shop for Promotional Products
- Create brand awareness through Promotional Products
- Business Gifts - Expose your Company Name to Potential Clients
- Business Gifts - Breeding Happiness in your Company
- Promotional Products: Get Publicity, Increase Sales And Get Your Company A Nice Reputation
- An Effective Branding Opportunity With Promotional Products
How socially conscious packaging influences brand image
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009The use of environmentally friendly packaging and the implementation of environmentally conscious product packaging strategies is a great way to create a positive brand image in the minds of consumers.
How an organization can act socially responsible
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009Corporate social responsibility encompasses a variety of actions and decisions that can really make a difference both for the organization and the society. All it takes is determination and a conscious focus on society, people and the world in general.
Can socially responsible investments make good returns
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009Socially responsible investing does not diminish investment returns provided investors incorporate the right values in their portfolios. If responsible investors create SRI portfolios with values that can cause corporate changes, then these values can even lead to higher returns.
From hydraulic jacks to hoist rings – an overview of load moving systems
By: thomas | 26/11/2009Hydraulic moving systems have been available for many years, operating under tried and trusted systems little changed from the originals – proof of their effectiveness.
What makes a business socially responsible?
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009CSR initiatives need to be fundamental to a company’s business strategy. Organizations need to take action to make a broader impact on local communities. Although their actions vary in their level of commitment and implementation time, they all demonstrate focus on societal demands.
How to solve social problems without becoming a non profit company
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009Being profitable and socially responsible is not a new concept. Many organizations get involved in the idea of sustainability, implementing the CSR model. Instead of creating a charity to solve a social problem, they undertake social mission displaying social responsibility and environmental sensitivity.
A look at Better World Books' socially responsible business model
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009In an increasingly competitive business climate, BWB develops a customer-centric philosophy that is based on a triple axis strategy: offering customers a unique online bookstore; funding world literacy; and protecting the environment through book recycling.
How Better World Books is increasing literacy around the world
By: Christina Pomoni | 26/11/2009According to BWB founders, literacy can provide new opportunities to the marginalized people of our world enabling them to lift themselves out of poverty. Literacy creates the groundwork to education, which in turn creates the groundwork to development.
Not Your Average Campsite: Guerrilla Marketing With Promotional Tents
By: Mark Yokoyama | 20/07/2009 | Marketing TipsWhen it comes to business success, it's certainly survival of the fittest. Industry competition is ever-changing and becoming more sophisticated by the day, so companies have to look for more creative ways to advertise their business that differentiate themselves from the competition. One way companies have been doing this is through guerrilla marketing.
Logo Gifts - Business Gifts That Build Brands
By: Mark Yokoyama | 20/07/2009 | Marketing TipsAlmost all companies give away business gifts every year, but many do so in a haphazard manner, without paying attention to what kind of items their clients would benefit from most. Unfortunately, these businesses also don't understand how much more effective logo gifts are at building both relationships and brand recognition. Find out when, why and how to imprint company gifts with your logo for the maximum impact and best results.
Thanksgiving is The New Christmas for Gift-Giving!
By: Mark Yokoyama | 06/07/2009 | Marketing TipsOver the past several years many businesses have decided to distribute corporate gifts during Thanksgiving instead of Christmans. Here are some good reasons why your company should consider doing the same.
Fall Football Promotions: Use Promotional Products To Score A Winning Season
By: Mark Yokoyama | 06/07/2009 | Marketing TipsAmericans will soon be watching their favorite high school, college, and professional football teams duke it out on fields throughout the nation. Of course, successful seasons can be attributed to not only the players but the fans as well. If you want to make sure that your community enjoys the best season possible, you should plan on using promotional products. Let's take a look at some of the ways promotional products can make your football season a success and bring the fans closer together.
Gaining Yards: Utilizing the Football Tailgate to Your Advantage
By: Mark Yokoyama | 29/06/2009 | Marketing TipsNo matter the size of the team or community, all tailgates have several procedures and activities in common. Fans in parking lots are eating, drinking, and, for lack of a better phrase, being merry. You could even call these activities the three cornerstones of tailgating. So in this article we'll take you through how you can use these three essentials to create long-term football relationships with your clients, potential clients, and employees.
Effective Employee Gifts and Recognition
By: Mark Yokoyama | 29/06/2009 | CorporateWhat does a promotional products company have to say about employee gifts and recognition? A lot, actually. The two things may seem unrelated, but companies look to us to help branding within their organization almost as much as they rely on us for promotional products geared towards their customers.
Business-to-business Gifts and Promotions
By: Mark Yokoyama | 29/06/2009 | Marketing TipsHere we address the opportunities and challenges that are specific to business-to-business companies in the process of finding and converting prospective clients. Fortunately, we explain how they can use branded business gifts and promotional products to ease this cycle and gain more long-term customers.
The ePromos Holiday Gift Guide
By: Mark Yokoyama | 24/06/2009 | Marketing TipsThe holiday season is the perfect time to show your customers how much you care about them. A well-planned holiday gift program enhances your long-term relationship with customers, sets you apart from the competition, and continues to have a lasting effect even after the holidays are over. Your first decision is whether you want to give relationship gifts to your top customers, give holiday gifts as a marketing promotion, or do both.