Gift cards are gifts that just keep on giving

It is a great time to start thinking about how to motivate your colleagues and customers for the year ahead. Not only is it the time when budgets and targets are set for the next 12 months, it is also the time that people reflect on the previous year to review and evaluate performance.

There is no denying that the past few years have been particularly tough for many businesses. Companies have been forced to stop bonuses, impose pay freezes and make cut backs.

As a result, businesses have also had to ask a lot of their clients and customers to maximise the business they already have.

With this in mind, how do businesses say thank you to their hard working staff and loyal customers? How do they motivate them for the year ahead, while also looking to secure new customers and clients in 2015?

The answer is simple – reward them with a gift card. If you are looking for an easy and cost-effective solution that can really boost your staff and customer loyalty, morale and engagement, look no further than a gift card.

So why do gift cards and vouchers make such impressive, motivational rewards?

Flexibility

Gift cards can be used in many different ways. They are commonly used to reward long service, for meeting objectives and targets or simply to acknowledge a job well done. However, they can also be used to reward customer loyalty or as a promotions incentive tool to help boost sales.

Instant reward

Gift cards act as an instant thank you – a small treat that is likely to be remembered by the recipient, creating positive association between the treat and your business. This is a far more effective method of engaging colleagues and customers rather than simply giving them a cash incentive.

Reloadable cards engender loyalty

Electronic gift cards have the capability to be reloaded, which means if they are used as part of a loyalty reward scheme, they can easily be topped up whenever an employee or customer reaches their target.

Regular topping up is an extremely effective way of making that employee or customer feel valued and appreciated, and is therefore more likely to increase their levels of performance and their loyalty to your company.

Ideal promotions partner

If you are looking to boost your promotion, increase redemption rates or drive revenue, a gift card is the perfect promotions partner.

Using a gift card from a well-known brand or retailer can help to add gravitas to your promotion; raising the profile of your campaign. However, it is essential that you choose a well-recognised brand that fits with your company values. If the brand can offer you additional benefits such as loyalty points when your customers use them, this will bolster your promotion even further.

Choice

When you reward an employee or customer with a gift card, you are allowing them to choose their own reward; something that suits their lifestyle and that is far more effective than you selecting a reward for them. There are a huge variety of cards, from retail to experiential cards and even ethical schemes encouraging eco-friendly products.

Convenience

Gift cards are very easy to administer and deliver. The order and delivery process can be turned around quickly and companies can place orders via online order forms or by speaking directly to the gift card provider.

Corporate discounts

Employers can also make savings by buying gift cards in bulk. Many card suppliers offer substantial discounts when buying a high volume of cards or vouchers. This in itself is an extremely attractive prospect to companies in the current economic climate.

Security is peace of mind

Electronic gift cards are also popular because of their practical advantages, of which security is paramount. Gift cards can be topped up remotely, allowing them to be sent out without any pre-loaded value. This makes the threat of theft obsolete and it means companies can avoid additional charges for secure delivery.

So, in summary this is an ideal time to review performance and make plans to reward and motivate employees and customers for the year ahead. If you opt to use gift cards, there are a number of advantages and things to remember:

• Gift cards are an increasingly popular and cost-effective way of motivating staff and boosting sales promotions.
• They can be used in a number of different ways: to add value to promotions, increase customer loyalty, reward long-service or simply to say thank you.
• Ensure you choose a gift card that fits with your company’s brand values and offers the recipient the gift of choice.
• If buying in bulk, don’t forget to ask for a discount; most providers will offer one.

With over 20 years of experience working alongside a range of businesses and agencies, Sainsbury’s Business Direct has a range of gift cards to suit your business needs.

Our gift cards can be used on thousands of products, at more than 1,100 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. As an added bonus, Nectar points can be earned on all purchases made with a gift card in-store.

Sainsbury’s gift cards can be provided in bulk or we can arrange fulfilment for our promotional partners.