Break up the monotony: Let promo gifts for employees renew their excitement

By Stephanie Lamie

While the 31% of employees opens in new window who say they are engaged, enthusiastic and energized at work are worthy of a high-five, there are many more who could use a boost. Finding excitement in daily routines can be challenging, but it’s an obstacle that promotional products have the power to help overcome. With a sprinkle of fun and a touch of creativity, workplace leaders can use promo gifts for employees to break up the monotony. Here are ideas to renew your team’s excitement.

Make meetings a highlight of the day

While each work meeting has its purpose, 80% of workers opens in new window think spending less time in meetings would allow them to be more productive. Perhaps meetings need a brand refresh! Consider combining multiple regular meetings and dropping others that don’t necessarily require a longer meeting time. For those that remain, mix things up. Equip your team with messenger bags and wall chargers and move Friday meetings to a nearby coffee shop.

Your meetings may focus on serious business, but not everything needs to be serious. Gamify gatherings to keep within time restraints. Give leaders timers and challenge them to finish their portions on time. If goals are met, the next meeting includes popcorn and snacks.

Bring joy to your social channels

Maybe your company’s social channels are like meetings: in need of an infusion of fun. Launch a weekly Instagram^® feature highlighting employees’ personalities. Maybe share a silly talent, an adorable pet or a shoutout to their favourite musician.

Be sure to give employees promotional items they can wear, like fleece jackets or baseball caps, to get more eyes on your brand. Or record employees competing in fast-paced games, like Heads Up or trivia, for a chance to win branded prizes like sunglasses or travel mugs.

Give those hard-working brains a break

Our brains, like our bodies, need breaks throughout the day. Promotional gifts for employees can encourage employees to take those necessary timeouts. For example, provide decks of cards in collaborative spaces or common areas, or include them in a holiday gift basket. For new employees, give them ceramic mugs and have them set aside 15-minute coffee and snack breaks with each of their new teammates during their onboarding months.

Physical activity, like walking, climbing stairs or stretching can provide a boost during the midday slump. Be open to employees breaking up the day with a short walk to grab a coffee or quick bite. Give ear buds and adhesive cell phone wallets to employees and get your logo seen at lunch spots and corner stores.

Change up routines to recharge

Nearly half of workers opens in new window say they experience some monotony during the workday. Some of that can be attributed to routines that repeat again and again. Spice things up by giving departments or groups of employees promotional items, like folding laptop stands and headphones, that make it easy to work from different locations. Maybe some prefer working mornings at their desk and afternoons in a conference room. Or some may gather outside to work in fresh air.

Give teams Bluetooth^® speakers and let employees set the workplace soundtrack. Maybe each day a different employee gets to be the DJ. Provide phone stands for desks or workstations so employees have easy access to their playlist.

A little creativity goes a long way

Promo gifts for employees can help break up monotony in many ways. From bringing new life to meetings to mixing up routines to sparking social engagement, these fun ideas can help keep people excited and engaged at work.

Stephanie Lamie

Stephanie Lamie is a senior merchandising category manager who has been with 4imprint for 28 years, including 21 years in her current role. She oversees several product categories, with her largest areas of focus being writing instruments and tradeshow displays. Stephanie enjoys discovering new products, tracking industry and retail trends, partnering with suppliers and learning more about sustainability. She began her 4imprint career as an expediter before moving into sales, claims and corporate programs—experience that gives her a broad understanding of the business. As an expert in all things pens, she uses her deep knowledge of 4imprint’s departments and customer needs to bring the very best writing utensils and tradeshow products to the market.

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