Dress Up the Desk: Office Rewards
July 07, 2008
Luxury writing instruments, not to mention decorative globes, put a creative twist on rewards programs
By Dan Butcher
A choice that means something special to the recipient, whether due to its beautiful craftsmanship (perhaps it is fashioned from precious gold and silver) or because it reflects something about the owner (a sense of intellectual curiosity, perhaps) will win out over gadgets and trinkets every time. Writing instruments and other desk accessories offer high-quality solutions as incentives in a wide range of price points, though they might not be top-of-mind for incentive buyers. Maybe it's time to take a new look at desk accessories.
The Pen Is Mightier…
In the current business climate, companies must adapt to the ever-changing needs and desires of the workforce by evolving their incentives, rewards and recognition programs. "Especially over the past two to three years, the whole incentives business has been changing," says Jeff Thompson, vice president of sales, corporate markets, for Victorinox, best known for its celebrated Swiss Army knives. "It's become more common for people to jump around [from job to job], so it's incumbent upon companies to make them feel appreciated."
Thompson, who is based in Shelton, Conn., continues: "Companies recognize the cost of losing employees; recruiting and training new employees is expensive, so they are spending more time and effort to keep the employees they have. Whereas in the past, it was common to give an award when an employee retired, today younger employees demand constant affirmation that they are valued."
In addition to its famous knives, Victorinox also offers a ballpoint pen with the Swiss Army brand insignia on its stainless steel tip and a chromium-plated, polished stainless steel clip with lasting spring power, which retails for $75, but is available in incentives packages for as little as $47.
Thompson believes that a pen, while not thought of as a typical recognition award, is an ideal option for an incentive program. "Our pen can work as a stand-alone product or be implemented into a package, which can include timepieces, high-end cutlery, flashlights, binoculars and Swiss Army knives, depending on the desired price point and the level of service you want to reward," says Thompson.
A company can imprint its logo onto each pen, using one of two methods: laser engraving or pad printing. Victorinox works with large incentive houses such as O.C. Tanner, Carlson Marketing, and BI, which "use Swiss Army–branded products as a solution for corporate incentives programs" and have sold Victorinox products "to pretty much every Fortune 500 company," Thompson says.
Another excellent option for incentives and rewards is Colibri's various lines of stylish writing instruments. These offerings range from affordable (retail $30-$40) to mid-range (retail $100-$200) to high-end. In the latter category is Colibri's Sterling Silver Engravable pen, which can be embossed with initials or a corporate logo. A popular option is to group together a pen with a key ring and money clip, or pair it with a variety of gift items, such as a Colibri-brand lighter, pocket watch, business-card case, bracelet, pendant or cuff links.
Writing Instruments as Status Symbols
High-end writing instruments have emerged as a sought-after commodity that connotes status in the manner of a luxury watch or car. "Brand-name merchandise with a high perceived value has been of increasing interest to companies over the past few years to utilize as gifts and awards," says Andy Finn, vice president of corporate sales for Tourneau, in New York City, which distributes the complete line of Montblanc writing instruments and accessories to the incentive marketplace. "Montblanc is a world-renowned luxury brand name, and as such is thriving in today's retail and incentive market," says Finn, who has been in the incentive business since 1980.
Montblanc's pens range from the Generation model, which features black precious resin, an inlaid white star on the cap, gold-plated rings with embossed logo trim and a gold-plated clip (retail: $230) to the deluxe Meisterstuck Solitaire model, with a 925 sterling silver barrel and cap inlaid with a white star, three rings in gold-plated 925 sterling silver, and a gold-plated clip. While every Montblanc pen will impress, the Meisterstuck Solitaire is the Rolls-Royce of writing instruments.
"When choosing a reward for your most valued employees or a gift for clients, Montblanc will help deepen your message," Finn says. "The writing instruments are purchased for use in employee recognition programs, as holiday gifts, in-room gifts, incentive programs and service awards," he continues. "The occasion can be further commemorated by adding special personalized touches, such as signature engraving, initials on the clip and deluxe gift wrapping." The more individualized the gift, the more meaningful and impactful the gesture will be for each employee.
"Keep in mind that the recipient will use a pen often each day, and this will serve as a constant reminder of its source," says Finn. That continual reinforcement will strengthen the bond that employees feel for their company and promote teambuilding and a "we're-all-in-this-together" mentality. "Not only is a Montblanc pen functional and useful, but it's also fashionable, with additional status appeal," Finn says. This type of luxury gift sends a clear message that the recipient is a highly valued member of the team, a message that inevitably leads to increased productivity and loyalty.
"Montblanc writing instruments are utilized by our clients in many different types of programs," says Finn, "including gifts at corporate conferences [and] as a merchandise gift combined with an incentive travel program or corporate meeting, a sales award for achieving a goal, a gift choice in a loyalty-based points program, years of service awards programs, a 'thank you for your business' gift, a holiday gift for employees or clients, and for use in board of directors meetings."
Go for the Globe
Writing instruments are but one of many desk accessories that may serve as a daily affirmation of employees' value to the company. Paperweights, paper-clip and business-card holders, desktop organizers and perpetual-motion machines such as those click-clacking metal balls are all popular options. However, if you'd like to give a gift that's unique, sophisticated and decorative, consider a desktop or desk-side globe.
Ever since Columbus sailed the ocean blue, people have been fascinated with detailed miniatures of our planet. "Globes have gravity, and they are increasingly present in the incentive markets," says Maureen Kehoe, direct marketing manager for Replogle Globes in Broadview, Ill. "Every time a major world event occurs, we see the interest level [in globes] soar through increased activity on our Web site and by sales inquiries to our company." Curiosity about other parts of the world is universal, a part of human nature.
"A global perspective, now vastly present in our American economy, has spurred the growth of Replogle Globes to be included in a wider variety of incentive and points-based programs than ever before," Kehoe says. "Not only are our globes present in incentive programs, but they redeem successfully against the endless choices of jewelry, crystal, housewares and electronics," she continues. Each globe can be customized with the sponsor's corporate logo or personalized with a special message.
Replogle currently participates in casino, safety, hotel rewards, bank, and credit-card programs. "Our newest program, titled the Three G's (Give Globes and Goodwill), allows a sponsor [corporation] to recognize an employee and give back to the community, all at the same time," Kehoe says. "A recognized employee selects a globe that is then drop-shipped to the organization of their choice. The local paper is contacted and generally the sponsor receives written recognition for their goodwill." Thus, the gift is doubly effective: It makes the employee feel valued and appreciated, while at the same time potentially bringing positive, feel-good press coverage to the company.
Jane Quinn, sales manager, U.S. and Canada, for Replogle says, "in a society that strives to be recognized as 'global' there is nothing more functional—with unlimited applications—than a quality Replogle Globe." She also cites many different ways that her clients use her products as incentives, including safety gifts (engraved with slogans such as "We Think the World of You," "A World of Thanks," and "300 Days/No Lost Time") and as part of a rollout for global expansion (with a caption such as "A World of Thanks…We Did It").
Two popular models in the incentives market are the Mikado desk globe (model 85000) and the Lancaster floor globe (model 37806).For those seeking "green" products, Replogle offers many globes made from 100 percent reclaimed paper fiber. In addition, as an exclusive licensee of globes for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Replogle Globes is authorized to produce high-quality floor and desk globes that are inspired by Mr. Wright's designs. In the summer of 2008, Replogle will launch this new collection of globes with five models, and plans to expand the line by several more models in early 2009.
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