Businesses often use company swag to promote their brand. As an employer, you might have heard that gifting merchandise to employees can help build the company culture and boost morale. ‍

Whether you aim to distribute merchandise to new hires or use swag as the reward for the next employee of the month, the free stuff is nearly always a hit. People can typically use the products every day, and it helps connect them with the organization at large. ‍

In the face of the Great Resignation, it’s crucial to look for ways to create that type of connection. It can help attract great people to your organization and keep them engaged during their tenure.‍

Let’s talk about company swag meaning and how it can reinforce your company culture.

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Company Swag Meaning: What Is Swag? 

Swag is an acronym for ‘stuff we all get,’ believe it or not. It’s also used in slang to mean ‘cool’ or ‘stylish confidence.’ ‍

In a contemporary context, we can assume it implies the promotional products given out meet those criteria. ‍

For organizations, swag describes corporate merchandise. These are promotional products branded with the company logo or slogan. They’re usually given to customers, potential customers, and employees. ‍

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on the company swag meaning for employees only. 

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How Does Gifting Swag Reinforce Company Culture?

Swag is about creating a good relationship between your organization and your employees. When employees feel valued, they become great ambassadors for your brand. As mentioned, this can positively affect your ability to hire and retain talent. ‍

It can also improve your market reach as engaged employees perform better and increase the organization’s bottom line. ‍

Let’s look at how giving out swag products can boost your company culture:

Shows Recognition

Companies give out swag products to show recognition and appreciation to their teams. Who doesn’t love to receive a nifty team sweatshirt, custom water bottle, or unique power bank? ‍

Gifting acts as a gesture to show you care and value the people who work for you. It’s one way you can pull out the stops and create a name for the organization as a great place to work.

Boosts Camaraderie

People work more cohesively when they feel pride in their team. For a truly excellent company culture, employee buy-in is crucial. ‍

From the employee perspective, receiving company swag can increase engagement with the organization, their coworkers, and managers. ‍

It helps them feel like they belong within the bigger picture. Think of sports teams and how they wear kits to signal their part in the squad.‍

Not to mention, it instills a sense of pride as each person can show off their cool merchandise and broadcast where they work.  

Promotes Company Values 

Employees who don’t understand or aren’t aligned with your company’s values may become disengaged. This, in turn, can affect their productivity and your business success. ‍

So, one way to use swag is to reinforce this connection with the greater mission. Think strategically placed slogans on t-shirts or sweaters, or values printed onto notebooks or pens. ‍

Never underestimate the impact of a small, well-placed message. It can bring your team back to the organization and remind them of the collective goals every time they use their gift.  

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Related: 10 Ideas For Company Swag Boxes Your Team Will Love

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Welcomes New Employees

New employees walk in with only an inkling of whether they will be a good fit for the company and vice versa. During their onboarding phase, you can make them feel welcome by sending company swag their way.‍

While it takes more than branded gear to make your employee feel part of the team, company swag can be a great way to make new employees feel included.‍

An onboarding kit containing stationary, a coffee mug, and a t-shirt can be a great way to set them up for success and help them feel at home. ‍

How To Choose Great Swag

From branded swag to high-end corporate swag or custom swag, there is almost infinite number of products to gift. Think drinkware, apparel, tote bags, tech, and so on.‍

But, for swag to be effective, several factors must be kept in mind. ‍

People enjoy swag items the most when they’re of good quality and serve a useful purpose. You won’t benefit from branding cheap items that break quickly or have no use. Ensure that your swag vendor prioritizes high-quality materials and offers a wide range of products. ‍

If you want your swag to have an impact, choose items that align with your brand. For example, if sustainability forms part of your company values, use eco-friendly products as gifts. The recipients will recognize your efforts to be conscious of the environment. ‍

Also, consider the group or individual you’ll be gifting the swag to. Practical, thoughtful gifts have their place in recognizing employees for their contribution to your business. ‍

Take care to pick out swag that people want. ‍

Your team that’s constantly on the road may enjoy a power bank, while those who work from home will appreciate branded stationary. Put some thought into what the recipient might value and gift with intention. 

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Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now have a good understanding of what company swag means. ‍

Corporate culture influences many aspects of your organization - employee engagement, retention, productivity, and more. Swag can give your brand the boost it needs and make your employees feel like an integral part of the team. ‍

If you’re ready to simplify swag, try out PerkUp. Our app allows you to select, customize, and send swag your team will love all around the world.