First impressions count and we all like to make a good one. So, whether you are welcoming a new starter or bringing a new client or business partner onboard, welcome boxes, bags or packs can be a great way to go.
After all, who doesn’t love a surprise package, especially when it’s full of useful and relevant items that you can’t wait to start using?
More importantly though, carefully curated and bespoke packs can really help make the recipient feel special. It’s a memorable and personal way to say “Hello, we’re delighted to have you onboard.”
If you want to box clever (or have it in the bag) with bang on brand welcome merchandise that matches your goals, values and budget, then read on for our guide to onboarding gifts.
Thinking outside the box
Onboarding boxes, also known as welcome packs, do exactly what they say on the tin and help you welcome and onboard your new team members or clients.
And whilst you will want to spend time carefully planning the contents, don’t forget the box itself. You might want something practical or protective, especially if it is likely to be sent by post or by courier, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be plain. There are numerous options for branding and messaging from sleeves, stickers or wraps to full blown, all over, eye-catching prints.
It also doesn’t have to be a box. You could opt for a bag instead (or a box in a bag).
There’s a reason that bags are an ever-popular promotional product and there are plenty available to match every purpose, style, budget or backstory. From useful totes and shoppers to sports bags, backpacks, or even carry-on cases, get it right and your branding will be on show, out and about, day after day.
A warm welcome to the team
As well as brightening up an otherwise bare desk on day one, onboarding gifts have a multitude of benefits, practical and otherwise.
In addition to the branded merchandise (we’ll get on to that shortly), you can include useful or important documentation, such as HR forms, induction schedules or company handbooks, and all those everyday essentials, like lanyards, passes or key fobs. You can even include your tech, like a laptop or company mobile. A personal welcome letter from the senior team or MD can also go a long way on day one for any new employee.
Then it’s time to look at the merch itself. You might choose practical items such as branded stationery or desk accessories, a mug or water bottle (or both – hydration is key!) and perhaps some snacks. Maybe an item of clothing, from socks to polo shirts, or perhaps a canvas tote bag. All of these are popular items.
However, a bespoke onboarding box also gives you the opportunity to showcase your company values and reflect your culture. This could be interpreted in the choice of gifts themselves, in their backstories or through a theme. Think about how you can interpret your own story.
And remember, because your box can be as unique as your business, as opposed to an off the shelf set of pre-selected items, you can include whatever you want and mix it up with branded and non-branded products too. As long as it all fits in your chosen box or bag, your options are virtually limitless.
Clients count too!
Whilst the first thing that springs to mind when we talk about onboarding boxes is giving new starters to our teams a warm welcome, don’t forget they are a great way to make a first impression with your clients, customers or business partners, and reinforce your brand awareness and engagement.
Think about when you join a gym or a spa, for example, and are given a branded bag of branded goodies, maybe with a water bottle, or some wellbeing gifts, a robe, slippers or a T-shirt. Whilst we create plenty of these welcome gifts for our clients in the health space, it doesn’t stop there.
For a franchise business, an onboarding pack is a great way to help your new franchisees on their road to success. You can include useful documentation, such as handbooks, ops manuals or brand guidelines, a welcome letter, and, of course, a selection of branded merchandise. And even add in details and a log in for the M&M Merchandise Portal so they can order their own pre-approved merchandise when they are onboarding their own clients.
Think about how you could make a warm welcome work for your own clients, to make them feel special – or better still, contact the team so we can come up with potential product ideas to match your objectives and your budget.
Short on time and space?
If you love the idea of onboarding boxes, bags or gifts, but you’re short on time, space or spare hands (or all three), then we have the solution.
We know that many of our clients don’t have the time to be organising, ordering, picking, packing and posting boxes and bags – or have the space to store them either.
That’s why we created our fulfilment service.
You can order your pre-approved items in bulk (and take advantage of any price breaks) then we will store your merchandise and any other items until you need them.
Then, just give us the who, what, where and when, and we can wrap, pack and ship, as many or as often as you like. With all personal information uploaded via secure servers too, you won’t need to worry about data security either.
For more ways to show a warm welcome, contact the team today – or book a meeting with us at M&M HQ in Cheltenham to see a wide range of sample products for ideas and inspiration.
