Working in direct sales can be challenging. Recent studies indicate that most sales professionals regularly work overtime and overcapacity – so it’s no wonder that burnout and turnover rates are at an all-time high.
As a direct sales team leader, you should do everything in your power to motivate your teammates and prevent employee burnout. Employee gifting is one great way to help your sales team feel more appreciated and valued, thereby improving their loyalty to the sales team and the company overall.
But what kind of gifts should you give to your sales employees? Let’s explore some ideas and important considerations so that you don’t waste your company’s time and money on things your sales team members don’t want or need!
Sales Team Gift Ideas
For sales team members that work from home, we love the idea of a gift that will make their workday more comfortable and enjoyable. This could be something like a pair of noise-canceling headphones, a portable office lap desk, or a potted plant to spruce up their home office. For something a bit more luxurious, this curated Home Office Upgrade gift set is full of thoughtful and unique items that will add a bit of pizazz and style to their desk. Gifts like these are great for new team members just starting out or for those making the switch to remote work. You might even notice a subsequent boost in their productivity!
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Almost everyone appreciates a bit of caffeine while they work, and consumable gifts rarely go to waste. A monthly tea or coffee subscription is a gift that keeps on giving and will continue to boost morale throughout the year. Another option is a gift set like this Morning Rituals gift box that comes with tea or coffee, a beautiful ceramic mug, a handwoven tea towel, and a few special treats. Your sales reps will come to work with a smile after starting their day off with a gift like this!
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Because direct sales reps often deal with consistently high-stress levels, another good gift option is something that encourages them to relax and practice some self-care. This could be a subscription to a meditation app for their phone, an essential oil diffuser, or a box full of wellness-themed products, like this Relax, Man or Wellness Everyday gift set. Direct sales employees who take good care of themselves are happier and healthier team members and less likely to experience burnout in the long run.
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Things to Consider with Gifts For Sales Reps
Before deciding on employee gifts, you should always check your company’s policy on employee gifting to ensure compliance. Your policy may include guidance about what is and isn’t appropriate to give employees as a present. When in doubt, it’s usually best to avoid gifting personal items, like clothing or jewelry, and items that aren’t allowed in the workplace, like alcohol.
Other things to keep in mind for great gift ideas? Quality and sustainability reign supreme. Employees will appreciate eco-friendly, small-batch, thoughtful gifts that come from local artisans and small businesses more than something plastic that’s cheaply made. Artisan-made products create unique gift ideas that employees will truly appreciate. It can be hard to curate thoughtful and sustainable gifts, but luckily corporate gifting services are available to help.
A final thing to consider is timing. Planning ahead is crucial, especially when the time comes for holiday gifting. Last year, holiday shopping was further complicated by unprecedented delays due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Start thinking about holiday gifting in September to stay ahead of the curve!
When to Give Sales Team Gifts
Gifts are a great way to welcome new sales reps and get them excited about working with your team. This onboarding phase is probably the best (and maybe only) time to give branded items and apparel as gifts. As you get to know your employees more, you can move away from branded swag in place of more personal and thoughtful gifts.
Employee gifting is also a wonderful way to celebrate important milestones and team achievements. Commissions are expected in the sales world, so surprising your sales team with a gift or fun team outing can make them feel extra special and rewarded for their hard work.
Last but not least… don’t forget about gifts for your sales team during the holiday season! Holiday gifting is a great way to boost seasonal morale and start the new year off on the right foot. It’s also the time of year when most employees most anticipate receiving a gift from their employers.
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Importance of Direct Sales Team Gifts
At the end of the day, gifts for your direct sales team members are a win-win. Research shows that employee gifting can help with company retention; more than half of employees surveyed said, “they would be more likely to stay at their job if they received meaningful holiday gifts from their employer.” So, spending some money on employee gifting can help save your company more time and money in the long run by minimizing turnover and keeping your valued employees on board.
Direct Sales Team Gifts with Bestowe’s Guidance
If you need more direct sales team gift ideas or tips, we’re here to help!
Our custom corporate gifting services at Bestowe will make employee gifting stress- and hassle-free. Your personal gifting concierge will work with you to curate the perfect gift to celebrate your direct sales team members. After that, you can leave the logistics up to us; we’ll take care of every last detail, from custom, branded packaging to timely delivery.
To get started, schedule a call with a Bestowe gifting specialist today.
