Loud loudness doesn’t stand out as much as quiet details. A silky tee with a one-color logo in a muddy olive or stone blue is better than neon letters any day. Choose clothes that feel well and have a beautiful texture. Winning is subtlety. One of my clients once said, “I wore that shirt again the next day.” The idea is to wear it more than once, not just once and then throw it away. More hints!
The ground floor is now eco-friendly. Totes manufactured from recycled cotton are great for carrying lunch or a laptop every day. Steel bottles get rid of single-use trash and keep drinks hot or cold. Plastic pens that you toss away are not as good for your business as metal pens that you can refill. Most people still think seed paper notes are cute. Use kraft paper instead of foam and tape the boxes close with paper tape. People like not having to guess when you print up little recycling icons and add a two-sentence tip.
Put the digital and the real together. A single scan or tap on a QR code or NFC sticker on a bottle can take someone straight to your video, sign-up link, or giveaway. Make sure these microsites are simple so that no one leaves. You may track scans by item and observe what works and what doesn’t. While waiting for a coffee refill, I’ve seen someone book a meeting by scanning a mug.
Personalization helps regular presents stand out. A first name or a funny line on a notebook, for example, really gets people’s attention. Make it personal for each group: engineers get logic jokes, marketers get innovative hooks. I once presented a VP a mug with her name on the handle. She put it on her desk right away and it stayed there all year. The number of wellness packs is going up. Put a stretch band, sleepy tea, blue light glasses, and a stress card in a zipped pouch. Choose soothing colors and sounds over loud colors and plastic noise.
Power at events is important. Slim portable chargers and sleek cable bundles keep electronics charged and the event on time. Try a loan-and-return bar where you scan, borrow, and return for points. People will line up to hear your brand story. More and more people are working together in their own areas. Chocolate in small batches, handmade ceramic mugs, and nibbles prepared just for you. Not only do these wow, but people take them home and talk about them later.
Smartwear is also more important. Look for hoodies that have already been washed to make them soft, quarter zips that fit well, and hats with soft bands. Check how long it lasts by washing a sample and seeing how well the color stays. Half the battle is how things look. Stack things, add a memorable card about the procedure, and don’t leave too much trash. Use short codes to keep track of everything, do actual A/B tests, and get rid of losers fast. Give winners a new line or color to double down on. Be very careful when sending things and personal information. The gear should feel useful, smart, and new enough to stand out at the end.