Health and Safety

Nov

2023

Employee Welcome Kits: 5 Proven Ideas

We’ve all been there — those first-day jitters when starting a new job. There’s a ton of new information and training that you must learn while introducing yourself to your new team (and your new boss). It can be pretty overwhelming!

Companies can help new employees feel more comfortable and establish rapport with a custom welcome kit full of branded goodies. When you present the team members with a special box of company-branded merchandise to say, “Welcome to the team! We’re glad you’re here.”

But how do welcome kits for new hires help companies like yours with the onboarding process? These kits contain items that can increase employee engagement, outline employee expectations, give insight into the company culture, and help new employees get started right away.

At Pinnacle Promotions, we can help you build a personalized new employee welcome kit with any budget. From high-end promotional items to the simplest of gifts, a kit of curated products can make a lasting impression on your new hires.

The Purpose of an Employee Welcome Kit

Employee welcome kits have a few key advantages:

Employee engagement
Insight into the company’s culture
Promotional products that support the job

When members of an organization are happier at their jobs, employee engagement is at a high. Giving promotional gifts is a kind gesture that increases overall employee morale to help drive contributions to the goals and successes of the company. A welcome kit shows new hires that the company is committed to its employees, which can provide insight into the company culture and organizational advocacy among employees.

Items such as pens, notebooks, and desk calendars can help new employees get started on their new job duties. Consider adding new-hire resources and documentation into your onboarding welcome kit, such as a welcome letter from the team, a supervisor, or president, as well as an FAQ flier regarding important office information your new hires need to know.

5 Proven Ideas to Create a New Employee Welcome Kit:

Are you ready to start building your new hire welcome kits but are unsure what products to add? Not to worry, we have your back!

There’s a variety of products to choose from to help make your kit a hit with the new hires. Below are our five proven product ideas to include in your new employee welcome kit that will make them feel like part of the team:

Idea #1: Unique Gifts

Onboarding new hires with unique promotional items and gifts shows that your organization thinks outside the box. Quirky, fun items will make your new employees smile and create a sense of loyalty.

What qualifies as a unique gift?

We like to think of unique gifts as outside of the box, fun and trendy. Unique gifts are typically things like the Modern Sprout® Glow & Grow Live Well Gift Set or branded mini desk vacuums (yes, this is a thing, and it surely is unique!).

Idea #2: Office Essentials

Office essentials not only help new employees set up their space but can also help them quickly dive into their job responsibilities. Supplying new hires with a planner, branded pens, and sticky notes can help them feel organized, with effective note-taking during their onboarding training classes.

Here are five office essentials employees love and appreciate:

If you’re searching for that perfect office essential gift to include in your welcome kit, any of these five items (or all) are great options. Notebooks prove useful for those who love taking notes and like keeping organized. Planners are excellent for those who love to plan their week and need to write down due dates. Folders help keep all those new hire documents together. Desk organizers? Need we say more? Notepads, just like notebooks, are perfect for jotting a quick reminder or writing down a fresh, innovative idea.

Idea #3: Apparel

Employees love receiving branded apparel to wear around the office and at company events, but they tend to wear their favorites outside the office. Custom apparel comes in many forms, including polo shirts, button-down shirts, outerwear, and even uniforms. Giving apparel can help your new hires feel like part of the team from day one!

PS: Employees LOVE branded jackets!

We’ve heard from our clients that their employees absolutely love branded jackets. It’s a warm gift that truly goes a long way. The more stylish and on-trend your jacket, the more likely your employees will wear them out and about in their daily lives.

Shop our custom jackets today, and include it in your welcome kit!

Idea #4: Industry-Focused Gifts

Create a greater connection with your new employees by gifting branded items specific to your industry. Think of industry-focused items that they can use throughout the day. Something that will help them do their job well is a must!

Educators and healthcare workers might appreciate a lanyard to hold their ID badge, whereas baseball caps and all-weather jackets benefit those who work in the elements. This gesture allows your employees to work more efficiently once they’ve settled in. Be sure to view our collection of best work jackets to get an idea of what our customers love.

Idea #5: Wellness Gifts

Gifts that promote health and wellness show that your organization cares about the well-being of its employees. Heavy workloads can create stress, and an outlet where you can reduce stress can do a world of good for employee welfare. Items like a stress ball, fitness tote bag, and a water bottle can encourage a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance.

Mental health is important. Show your care through purpose-built wellness gifts!

We all know that work can be stressful or tedious at times. These thoughtful wellness gifts help you promote a healthy work environment and encourage a positive work/life balance. Shop today and find the perfect wellness gift for your employee kit.

How to Create a New Employee Welcome Kit for Your Company

Sure, you can do it yourself. You can find the products, have them shipped (usually separately), and then assemble your kits by hand. Or you can let us do it for you!

Here at Pinnacle Promotions, let us take the hard part off your hands so you can do what you do best — hire and welcome top talent. Our promotional professionals will help you find the perfect products that fit your brand and budget. We’ll work our magic and curate an unique onboarding kit just for you.

You’ll love the efficiency and product consistency across your organization. To learn more about our creative ideas and promotional marketing concepts, check out the Pinnacle Promotions blog or contact us today at 877.300.2007.

Get started today and reach out!

Aug

2015

Promotional Products to Channel Your Inner Athlete

With more and more consumers choosing organic and fat-free foods over the regular, and getting in on the latest exercise trend, tapping into the health & fitness industry for your marketing efforts will help you Make the right impression.™

How can you connect with those health-conscious consumers and successfully promote your brand? That’s where promotional products play in to your marketing strategy. With the right promotional products, you can help each and every customer channel his or her inner athlete, and put your brand at the forefront. Here is just a selection of the ways in which you can reach out to potential customers with great giveaways.

Active Health Tracker & Heart Rate Monitor

Fitness trackers of all sorts have sharply risen into popularity recently. Knowing everything from your heart rate, calories burned, distance walked, sleep patterns, and more, gives the customer some peace of mind. Customers feel like they can adjust their daily routine accordingly, and take better control of their health. These devices can be a tad expensive, but now that is not a concern. By custom branding this tracker and handing it to customers as a branded giveaway piece, they appreciate all the same benefits that they would have with the popular trackers, while your corporate logo custom printed on the band will travel with them wherever they go, and will be seen far and wide, without busting your budget (or that of the customers)!

Ultimate Gym Set

With the Ultimate Gym Gift Set, the customer will have exactly what he or she needs to make it through a good workout. The customer can stay hydrated with a water bottle in hand, keep energy up with favorite songs playing through earbuds, and even safely hold a mobile device or music player using the armband holder. Each one of these items can be custom branded with your business logo, to remind customers that your brand is making the workout possible, and to potentially increase your brand awareness. This set acts as a unique promotional gift that shows consumers that you really do care about their health.

Fitness Towel

After the tough workout, nothing feels better than a cool down. Grab a cold water bottle, and wipe away the perspiration with this soft and light, 100% cotton Fitness Towel. If you are in the fitness business, or are even hosting a health or sporting event, this promotional towel is an excellent option. You have substantial space to boldly custom print your corporate branding across it, which in turn allows you to easily spread the word of your business, and grab the attention of a much larger audience.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a priority for many consumers. Take this into consideration, and your brand can motivate those customers, and inspire potential customers to channel their inner athlete. With custom promotional fitness & wellness products, you can and will expand your brand reach significantly, and clearly communicate your unique brand story.

Feb

2010

A Promotional Products Remedy for the Common Cold

Sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat – yes many of us know all too well the symptoms that correspond with acute viral rhinopharyngitis, or a “cold.” In fact, the common cold is indeed so common that it is the number one cause of lost work time (about 150 million workdays), followed closely by diarrhea – but that’s a remedy for another day. Of course there are several ways to avoid being stricken with the cold virus, and if you do happen to catch it, ways to make yourself better. And surprise – there’s a whole bunch of promotional products out there that can help you feel and get better too!

Continue reading →

Nov

2009

Top 5 Ways to Tell If You’ve Bought the Wrong Promotional Products

On November 5, 2007, the Writers Guild of America went on strike. The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) are labor unions which serve to protect the rights of film, television, and radio writers. The 100 day strike, which ended on February 10, 2008, was aimed at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), and striking writers protested against inadequate compensation for their work when compared to the massive revenue earned by the production studios. Both parties reached a mutually agreeable settlement, and after months of subjecting the American public to re-runs, the writers returned to work.

The Late Show with David Letterman was one of the few shows to reach an “interim agreement” with the Writers Guild of America in December of 2007 prior to the end of the strike. This meant that despite otherwise limited television options, Dave’s jokes and banter were able to keep viewers laughing.

Just in case Dave’s writers should ever happen to go on strike, however, the Marketing Department here at Pinnacle is ready to come to his rescue with fresh comedic material! We have taken the liberty of coming up with a Top 5 List to take the place of his usual Top 10 List segment if he is ever in dire need of a script:

Top 5 Ways to Tell If You’ve Bought the Wrong Promotional Products

5) South Florida trade show attendees stare blankly at the promotional ice scrapers that you have given them, but have no idea what the items are or how they should be used.

4) Outraged hockey players throw the pink fashion tote bags that you have given them in the garbage.

3) Sneezing, sniffling, and allergic reactions ensue when you deliver scented hand lotion imprinted with your company logo to an allergy clinic.

2) Promotional picnic kits, complete with wine bottle openers and wine glasses, offend the audience at a meeting for recovering alcoholics.

1) A custom t-shirt in the wrong size and for the wrong gender may not be appreciated by all recipients…
ie for a Marketing Department comprised mostly of petite ladies, a 5XL Men’s t-shirt (that is actually large enough to accommodate 3 of us at once, as pictured above) is not a wise gift for one of the employees. (NOTE: this item was not given to us as an actual gift, and was merely found in our company showroom.)

In closing, I would just like to reiterate that while these examples are given because of their comedic value, there is an important lesson to be learned by recognizing the needs of your target audience. It is highly unlikely that a marketing manager would purchase such inappropriate gifts as women’s tote bags for a group of males, but there are plenty of minor oversights that can cause a brand to accidentally alienate, or even offend, its audience.

The experienced sales representatives at Pinnacle Promotions can provide a wealth of information if you are willing to reach out to them with your questions via phone, e-mail, or LiveChat. Also, Promotional Products – A Survival Guide is now available for purchase. This handy book is a compilation of background information, trends and advice related to the promotional products industry, and covers the ins and outs of the ordering process in great detail. There are numerous reliable sources to consult regarding promotional products, so make sure to take advantage of them to learn how to use these items in the most effective way possible!

Oct

2009

Promotional Products and Proposition 65

We all know California tends to be a bit on the progressive side compared to the rest of our nation – having been the first state to legalize gay marriage, the first to ban the distribution of plastic bags, and, perhaps a bit lesser known, the first to initiate a law requiring businesses to include warning labels on all products containing hazardous chemicals (a list of more than 700), as well as prohibit companies from discharging these substances into drinking water sources. This law, commonly termed Proposition 65, and formally titled the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, came about from growing public dissatisfaction in the 1980s regarding what they perceived as a lack of effort on the part of the state government to protect its citizens from exposure to certain toxics, in particular from those companies who knowingly produced products that included an unsafe amount of these chemicals.

While the Act has good intentions, seeking to protect consumers, it is important to note the use of many of the chemicals that it deems are hazardous to our health is not prohibited by national government agencies including the FDA. Additionally, though it cited that the chemicals listed are those that are “known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity,” in reality, many of those listed only have the potential to pose these risks under certain circumstances and based upon certain interpretations of scientific data. An example of this is one prominent case that occurred in 2006 when California Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo sued Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, alleging it used lead-based paint on bottle labels imported from Mexico. In reality, the lead content present in those bottles was negligible. Dr. F. Jay Murray, a toxicologist and a founding member of the Proposition 65 Science Advisory Board even stated regarding the lead content in the Coca-Cola bottles, “In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency says you could drink 10 times as much lead in drinking water and be safe. Many consumers in Los Angeles and around the state actually drink tap water with higher levels of lead than are in these beverages.”

Regardless, the law has made a big impact on business, including within the realms of the promotional products industry, and beyond just within the borders of the State of California. Companies throughout the country that manufacture promotional products are either being met with high costs of reformulating products or repackaging them to include the proper warning labels, and those that do not contain the proper warning labels have the potential to receive penalties as high as $2,500 per violation per day, or facing serious threats to the future public perception of their company in the midst of media-frenzied lawsuits – hundreds of which, like the Coca-Cola suit, have been brought about by private consumers throughout the past two decades. Due to a combination of fear of these possible consequences, a lack of monetary funding needed to make the necessary changes to products, and concern that customers outside the state of California who are not aware of the details of Proposition 65 will be led to believe that their products are truly unsafe based upon the warning labels, many promotional products companies have decided to stop distributing their products to California altogether.

At Pinnacle Promotions, we offer many custom printed promotional items that are Proposition 65 compliant, such as our promotional BPA-free bottles. If you are a company in California, or a company that will be distributing any of your purchases to the state of California, simply let your Account Manager know and they will make sure the products you choose adhere to all Proposition 65 guidelines.

For more information about Proposition 65, and to see the entire list of prohibited chemicals, you can visit the State of California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment website at http://www.oehha.org/prop65.html.

Oct

2009

“So then we put a tourniquet on the CEO…” What Happens When You Forget Promotional Products

There have been a lot of posts on here lately about television shows, but… well, there’s going to be one more.

I just started watching Mad Men this season, after I caught a few episodes on a Delta flight and got hooked. (I have no idea what twist of fate dropped this gem in my lap and spared me several hours of Two and a Half Men or Jon and Kate Plus Eight, except that I have a history of fortunate flying, and have been seated next to more than my fair share of wildly attractive strangers. Don’t worry; I’ll get what’s coming to me.)

Everything I had heard about Mad Men is true: The episodes progress as slowly and meticulously as chapters in a Dostoevsky novel, Don Draper is an unequivocal womanizer, and the dresses are real pretty! Wardrobe aside, I enjoy the slow pace and rich shots because I watch television very closely and can’t stomach the shaky cameras of reality shows. After following the show for only a short time, the characters have become fixtures in my life, and when I clicked over to the Emmys directly after an episode last month and spotted Betty Draper standing on stage, she looked as still and deathly serene as she always does, and I couldn’t get it through my head that she is an actor, not a housewife.

As Mad Men received the Emmy for Best Drama that night, on another channel at the same time the show was throwing a bomb at its unsuspecting viewers.

The episode was more boring than most. For 45 minutes it had waded through corporate meetings, reorganization flowcharts, quiet conversation after quiet conversation, and was about to arrive at a long-awaited conclusion during an office going-away party for Joan, replete with birthday cake and bounties of booze, per usual at Sterling Cooper Ad Agency. Peggy and Joan were talking about something boring, a few people in the background were playing around on a lawnmower on loan from John Deere, and then — then, the totally unbelievable happened:

Warning: If you get offended or nauseated easily, do not watch this video. If you are a good parent, do not let your child watch this video.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you invest in promotional first aid kits.

Acree
Creative Writing Intern

Sep

2009

Pinnacle Poem: An Ode to Promotional Products

Since its creation in 1994,
Pinnacle Promotions has been a promotional company that offers more.
Providing customized solutions for any marketing or branding need,
With all exclusive services designed around one overriding goal – speed.
From processing orders with our service of 24-Hour Rocketship Express,
To saving you time with custom IdeaKits that are sure to impress.
Let our dedicated Account Teams help you find unique products of quality,
And know that your order will arrive on time, and as approved, with our Platinum Guarantee!

From apparel, to drinkware, to stress balls galore,
Check out everything we have to offer in our online store!
We have journals, pens, backpacks, candles, candy jars and toys,
We have magnets, spa kits, golf balls, lanyards, and shirts for girls and boys!
We have accessories for travel and fitness, for your computer, your cell phone, and your car,
We have gifts that tell time, display photos, play games, and even stock your bar!
Whether for man or woman, young or old, business or pleasure, or all,
We have thousands of products for everyone in our virtual product mall!

Too many products to choose one on your own?
Just e-mail us, live chat or pick up the phone.
With account managers who know the industry like the back of their hand,
Their insight and knowledge can help find the perfect item for your brand.
What about custom artwork and logo designs?
Our graphics team can produce amazing samples that go beyond basic lines.
Let us help you along each step of your promotional products decision,
And help us enhance your overall marketing vision!

Sep

2009

Make Flu Shots Less Painful with Promotional Bandages

Yesterday was a day that many Pinnacle employees had been dreading for several weeks (including Deidre, pictured here). The occasion can be summed up in a mere seven letters: FLU SHOT. We all knew it was in our best interest to suffer the brief pain associated with the shot; nevertheless, grumbling and complaining pervaded the office during the few hours prior to our scheduled visit from a certified healthcare professional. Several people opted for the painless flu mist, but the majority of staff members walked out of the make-shift flu shot station with that telling symbol of bravery adhering to our arms: a bandage.

As much as I hate shots, I have to admit that I always enjoyed going to the pediatrician and being able to choose my own bandage. Minnie Mouse was a favorite, but the Care Bears were a close second. Bandages, despite their short lifespans, are valuable promotional tools to advertise any brand, even a personal brand, as demonstrated by rap superstar Nelly in 2001 and basketball player Dwyane Wade in February of this year. Why not customize a bandage or bandage dispenser to communicate a unique message? Create a cohesive campaign based on the sentiment that your company can fix any “boo boo.” The originality you can employ when utilizing promotional bandages is unlimited- from font colors and styles, to patterned bandage containers, to catchy taglines, a bandage is an ideal blank canvas to feature your custom content.

While writing this blog post, I began to wonder about the history of designer bandages. As a product of the digital age, my first instinct was to turn to Google for answers. Here a few of the results I stumbled across, and I’ll let you pass your own judgments about whether these examples are fashion forward or just plain weird. What do you think about designer bandages? Leave a comment below with your opinion.

Dana
Team Lead – Social Media

Sep

2009

Stay Healthy this Flu Season with Promotional Hand Sanitizers

The H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as the Swine Flu Virus, is expected to infect between 30 and 50% of the American population this fall and winter. The resurgence of the Swine Flu virus may begin as early as September because of the start of the new school year, and experts predict cases to peak in mid-October. The H1N1 vaccine is not going to be readily available until mid-October at the earliest, and furthermore, vaccinated individuals won’t develop immunity for several weeks after they actually receive the vaccine. Particular groups that are more susceptible to infection include pregnant women, health care workers, the elderly, parents or guardians of infants younger than 6 months, and adults under 65 with an underlying health condition.

The H1N1 virus is highly contagious, but there are some ways to protect yourself and those around you from falling victim to this illness. The CDC recommends several basic steps, which most people normally follow anyway, to minimize the spread of germs.

1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, particularly after coughing or sneezing. Promotional hand sanitizers are also effective tools for warding off infection.
2. Shield your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Make sure to dispose of the tissue properly after use.
3. Try to avoid touching your face with your hands, as this is a common way to disseminate germs.
4. If possible, keep your distance from people already infected with H1N1. People mainly contract influenza as a result of being exposed to the coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Should you happen to catch H1N1, stay home from work or school to minimize the risk of passing the virus to others.

Keep your employees, clients, and loved ones healthy by distributing inexpensive, yet highly effective, promotional hand sanitizers to encourage clean hands. Pinnacle Promotions sells many types of promotional hand sanitizers in a variety of forms and styles. Consider the impact that antibacterial spray or antibacterial gel imprinted with your company’s name and marketing message could have on your target audience. Any recipients of practical promotional products from our Hand Sanitizer collection are guaranteed to appreciate the items during flu season, and they will be reminded of your company’s concern for their well-being every time they take action to ward off germs!

And lastly, although the Swine Flu is a serious subject, this video posted on YouTube puts a humorous spin on the virus’ name. It made me laugh out loud, and hopefully it will brighten your day, as well.

We hope you enjoyed the song, we sure did. Avoid it, block it, or hide from the Flu behind PPE kits such as waterproof first aid kits or promotional face masks, you can also take extra cautious steps with an 1-8 social distancing barrier. Be sure to shop Pinnacle Promotions today!

Health and Safety

Employee Welcome Kits: 5 Proven Ideas

The Purpose of an Employee Welcome Kit

5 Proven Ideas to Create a New Employee Welcome Kit:

Idea #1: Unique Gifts

What qualifies as a unique gift?

Idea #2: Office Essentials

Here are five office essentials employees love and appreciate:

Idea #3: Apparel

PS: Employees LOVE branded jackets!

Idea #4: Industry-Focused Gifts

Idea #5: Wellness Gifts

Mental health is important. Show your care through purpose-built wellness gifts!

How to Create a New Employee Welcome Kit for Your Company

Promotional Products to Channel Your Inner Athlete

A Promotional Products Remedy for the Common Cold

Top 5 Ways to Tell If You’ve Bought the Wrong Promotional Products

Top 5 Ways to Tell If You’ve Bought the Wrong Promotional Products

Promotional Products and Proposition 65

“So then we put a tourniquet on the CEO…” What Happens When You Forget Promotional Products

Pinnacle Poem: An Ode to Promotional Products

Make Flu Shots Less Painful with Promotional Bandages

Stay Healthy this Flu Season with Promotional Hand Sanitizers

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