A company’s success comes from the value it places on people. Think about it: your employees keep the gears turning, and your clients fuel the machine. Recognizing their contributions goes far beyond simple gestures. It’s a strategic move that drives loyalty, engagement, and long-term growth, and that’s the foundation of Return on Appreciation™ (ROA).
If you treat corporate gifting as an expense, you leave value on the table. ROA truly changes all that for the better, helping you unlock the true potential of corporate gifting.
ROA is all about seeing gifting as an investment. When you send meaningful, thoughtful gifts, you strengthen relationships and foster loyalty—it is much, much more than your average “thank you.” A well-planned corporate gifting strategy improves employee retention, boosts morale, and even keeps clients coming back for more.
Everyone wins. Your team feels valued. Your clients feel appreciated. And you? You get measurable benefits, from increased productivity to better customer retention and potentially even new business opportunities. It simply makes sense.
Sure, a gift might seem small, but its impact can be huge. It’s an opportunity to strengthen relationships, guaranteeing your efforts are both impactful and strategic. So, what can you do when you measure ROA?
Figure out what works. Knowing which gifting strategies create meaningful connections helps refine your approach.
Justify your budget. Clear data on employee and client satisfaction support your case for continuing or increasing gifting budgets.
Improve retention. Thoughtful gestures boost employee morale and client loyalty, keeping the people you value close.
Demonstrate impact. Show stakeholders how a thoughtful gifting strategy positively affects your bottom line.
The true value of thoughtful corporate gifting lies in its ability to drive results. Tracking ROA lets you see the direct and indirect benefits of your employee and client appreciation efforts, from better retention to stronger relationships.
Follow up with recipients. Use surveys or feedback forms to gather insights on how your gifts are received.
Monitor retention rates. For employees, track productivity and engagement. For clients, look at renewals or repeat business.
Tie gifting to revenue. Look at sales opportunities created or revenue generated after sending gifts.
Analyze long-term effects. Consider how your gifting strategy impacts employee retention, customer satisfaction, and loyalty.
With data in hand, you’ll see the tangible benefits of appreciating the people who matter most to your business.
Want to get the most out of your corporate gifting efforts? Here’s how to make it even more worthwhile:
Personalize your gifts. A generic gift says you tried, but a personalized gift says you care. Whether it’s tailored to your recipient’s interests or includes their name, personalization makes all the difference.
Choose premium options. Quality matters. A gift that feels luxurious leaves a lasting impression. And remember, you don’t have to spend more to deliver value.
Build long-term connections. Don’t stop at a single gift. Follow up with a second touchpoint—a concept we call “multi-touch appreciation.” For example, pair a welcome gift for new hires with a 6-month work anniversary token.
Leverage data. Use analytics to understand your recipients better. What do they love? What’s meaningful to them? Let the numbers guide you.
At its core, ROA is about shifting from a transactional mindset to a relational one. A random bottle of wine might check a box, but a thoughtful, tailored gift creates a moment. It makes your team feel seen. It makes your clients feel valued. And those moments of genuine appreciation? They build the kind of loyalty that drives growth.
In 2025, let’s stop treating corporate gifting as a line item and start viewing it as a thoughtful investment. When you prioritize appreciation, you’re creating better relationships and outcomes for everyone involved.