New Guide Unwraps Employee Gift-Giving Mistakes and Success Principles

CHICAGO, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- When the holidays roll around, well-intentioned employers inevitably prove that it is better to give than to receive -- much to their employees' chagrin. This season, however, will be different. There's free help available to savvy companies who want to show their gratitude and avoid five common mistakes of corporate gift-giving.

"The holidays are a time when employees can't help but anticipate their 'reward' for the past 12 months," says Mark Repkin, a leading expert in employee motivation, rewards and incentives. "But it's also a time when employers fumble the opportunity. I want to help prevent employers from making the same mistakes I've seen countless times over the years."

A trustee for the Incentive Research Foundation, Repkin has guided many companies through all aspects of incentive and recognition programs. He has first-hand experience with the best -- as well as the worst -- in corporate gifting practices. It is the latter that forms the basis for his new eBook: "5 Reasons Why Some Employee Holiday Gifts Fail."

Newly available as a complimentary download from The Certif-A-Gift Company, Repkin's sage advice fills 24 pages and targets corporate buyers who unintentionally commit a faux pas or two when selecting employee gifts. "Companies waste chunks of time purchasing gifts that can annoy, or even offend, their employees," Repkin said. "They may choose gift cards and lose all memory value, or they might give holiday cash and send a 'this is all you're worth' message. Their intentions are good, but the results can really be disastrous."

How so? Companies have discovered that, however well intentioned, the chosen gift is deemed inappropriate (consider nuts and allergies) or even downright offensive (hunting knives gifted to animal rights activists). The boss may value tradition in gift-giving, but employees might see only same old, same old.

As Repkin sees it, corporate gratitude often begets employee attitude ... and a lot of commotion in HR. Repkin, who was recently named a "Rising Star" by the Incentive Market Association, believes that his "5 Reasons" will change the course of employee gift-giving. "It makes a world of difference to be acknowledged for doing a good job," Repkin says in his eBook. "Show your employees you care, and they'll work even harder and smarter." Just make sure your appreciation is perceived the way you intended.

For more than half a century The Certif-A-Gift Company has devoted itself to making gift-giving and receiving a pleasurable experience for all. Its personable team of representatives assists employers in developing programs that inspire productivity and healthy competition in the workplace. Through Certif-A-Gift, companies can successfully motivate their employees, recognize performance and create positive work environments by utilizing Incentive Point Programs and Memorable Gift Booklets.

In their efforts to motivate their employees, companies often fall short - - and misspend resources -- by offering one-size-fits-all incentive programs. With Certif-A-Gift, companies can align incentives with each employee's unique set of preferences and tastes. By placing the "power of choice" in their employees' hands, managers can maximize individual and company-wide performance.