How to: build the perfect new hire kit

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It’s a New Year, which means new beginnings, which in many cases also means…new hires! According to Indeed, the first quarter is prime time for job hunting. (1) For you, this means that the first quarter will see plenty of hungry, eager candidates, a few of whom might find their way into a cubicle (or work-from-home set-up) near you!

Now, in our very professional opinion, you can’t have a new hire without a new hire kit – for shame! To help you start the relationship off on the right foot, may we kindly suggest you follow the guidelines below to ensure that your new hire kit packs a punch in the most loving, welcoming, and memorable way possible.
1. Include essentials

When building your perfect new hire kit, make sure you’re sending items the newbie can actually use! Cute doesn’t always mean KEPT. Backpacks or laptop bags, company apparel, office supplies like notebooks and pens, and a tumbler or mug are all safe bets for helping your new employee feel welcomed, and ready for a great first week at work.
2. Let your company culture shine

First impressions are everything, and the new employee isn’t the only one who should be putting their best foot forward. Now is the time to show a little bit of character and offer some unspoken insight into your company’s culture. Do you want to send a quirky gift like funky socks to send the message that you play as hard as you work? Or maybe you prefer something sleeker and more sophisticated like a leatherbound journal? What you might not realize is what you send says more about your company than you may think, so be selective, make it count, and if it fits your brand – have fun!
3. Personalize the kit

Sure, personalization can mean embossing items with the new hire’s name or title, but that can be expensive! We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to break the budget to add a personal touch. When creating a new hire kit, consider whether the employee is hybrid or remote. You can also add a touch of customization by taking into account the differing job functions of a new employee – an artist might appreciate a nice sketchbook while IT might prefer drinkware or a tech organizer. You can still batch-create new hire kits while adding a more unique, personal spin that makes the recipient truly feel special.
4. Connect with us

I guess we could have just started with this one. Now, we’ll let the experts at your company cover the actual ins and outs of your company’s particular onboarding process. But when it comes to the new hire kit, a very important component of welcoming the newest addition to your team, we implore you to trust us – after all, we’re kind of the experts here.

Ready to get started? Contact us today and let’s create the perfect new hire kit to set your employees up for success and leave a stellar first impression!

Holiday Hustle Before the Bustle

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Christmas…in July? As the summer sun graces us with warmth, gearing up for the holiday season isn’t just for people who need a mid-year, holly jolly pick me up – savvy businesses are also jumping on the trend to get a head start. Planning ahead isn’t just about avoiding inventory issues; it’s a strategic move to account for potential delays and snafus, ensuring your products arrive on time. From custom order cutoff dates—where large quantity and overseas orders can save you money, albeit with extended production timelines—to leveraging lower shipping rates before holiday surcharges kick in during Q3, ordering early – like July early – is the secret to saving big.

So, let’s dive into a smart checklist to ensure your business not only stays ahead of the holiday rush but also sleighs the season!

1. Define Your Holiday Message and Aesthetic

Kick off your holiday order prep by deciding on the message and aesthetic you want to convey. Whether it’s a heartwarming sentiment, a festive vibe, or a mix of both, having a clear vision early on sets the tone for all your holiday endeavors and will inform the rest of your decisions for product offerings, giveaways, and more.

2. Consider Holiday Gifts

If it’s the thought that counts, then take the time now to put some thought into how to make your holiday gifting items truly special. In a sea of gifts, how will you make sure yours stand out? Whoever your recipients are, the aim is to create a lasting impression reflective of the holiday spirit. Consider investing in personalized items, festive swag, or custom prints that seamlessly align with your brand and convey the message that you’re going for.

3. Time Things Properly

A big part of impactful holiday gifting is in the timing. Aside from the obvious point of planning accordingly so that your gifts have ample time to reach their destinations, timing delivery strategically can be another opportunity for you to be creative. Consider the power of surprise and delight! Break away from the conventional December 23rd routine – imagine the surprise of receiving appreciation gifts or awards in November for a heartfelt “ThanksGIFTING.” Or why not ring in the New Year with a thoughtful gesture to encourage your prospects, clients, and employees to start the year strong? Sometimes standing out from the crowd is as simple as having your holiday gift show up when people least expect it.

4. Don’t Forget About the Power of Packaging

While you’re on the trajectory of standing out, just say no to boring boxes! Branded tissue paper, wrapping paper, and shipping boxes help ensure your special delivery is, well, special. The bottom line is that being remembered starts with being different. Let’s work together to make sure your brand stands out this holiday season.

If you want your holiday season to go off without a hitch…

Time is of the essence. Work through your holiday timelines, from conceptualization to execution. By tackling these points early on, your business not only avoids the holiday frenzy but also sets the stage for a memorable and stress-free festive season.

And remember, when it comes to helping make it the happiest of holidays, we’re here for you! Contact us now to discuss your ideas, and let’s turn your holiday vision into a reality.

Paws, Posts, and Promo

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In the vast, overly saturated landscape of social media, to say it’s difficult to capture the public’s attention is an understatement. The one subject that is consistently able to cut through the noise in the dog-eat-dog world of social media? Ironically – it’s pets.

Why? Because people love pets. And what people love, they will pay attention to, promote, and shop for…but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

From heartwarming rescue stories to playful antics, pets have an unparalleled ability to evoke emotions. The unconditional love and joy they bring become powerful narratives that resonate with audiences.

What else do people love? Okay, trick question – the answer is social media, but people don’t love social media so much as they are addicted to it. And if the popularity of true crime podcasts, fitness Instagram profiles, and crafting YouTube channels has taught us anything, it’s that people will take whatever interests, inspires, or delights them in real life, take it online, and make an entire community around it.

Enter pets. Furry, feathered, or finned, these charismatic companions amass dedicated followers fast, rising to the status of influencers. This is where the opportunity comes in. Pet influencers not only entertain but also, well, wield influence, making them valuable partners for brand collaborations. Their genuine and unfiltered content strikes a chord with audiences, opening the chance to make your brand a part of their everyday lives.

So how do you build influence on social media with the help of a furry friend? When creating campaigns – keep pets in mind. Connect with us to produce branded pet accessories such as bandanas or collars featuring cute designs, clever sayings, and tasteful branding, and, when the opportunity presents itself, hand or mail these products out.

Additionally, consider sending influencer kits to your top clients and prospects that you know have animals at home. Include products for the pet and their person. Encourage the recipient to post a photo to social media with a certain hashtag and tag you for a chance to win a prize or gift certificate toward some of your goods and services.

Or, if you want to keep it simple – include animals in your social media efforts. Feature photos and videos of staff and their pets, or the office cat or dog with branded merch included. You’ll make the algorithm happy, help put a smile on people’s faces, and show off your brand at the same time. Your brand can harness the emotional connection pets evoke by associating the products you offer with the positive feelings generated by pet content. Associating your brand with these cherished feelings and moments ensures lasting impressions and brand recall. Plus, it’s fun!

In the interconnected, addicting world of social media, pets help us build community. Whether it’s a shared love for a specific breed or a passion for pet-friendly activities, these communities create spaces for engagement. So, join in on the fun and celebrate the joy, laughter, connections, and yes, opportunity, that furry friends can bring!

Check out our collection of products perfect for people or pets in the social media spotlight HERE.

Contact us today and explore the convergence of pets, promo, and social media, where sales, brand loyalty, and influence organically follow.