Incentive - July 2008 - (Page 73)

AWARDS The Montblanc Generation rollerball turns saying “Good job” into an art form DESK ACCESSORIES The Colibri Group’s hobnail stainless steel engravable pen is an ideal medium for your message also offers a ballpoint pen with the Swiss Army brand insignia on its stainless steel tip and a chromium-plated, polished stainless steel clip with lasting spring power, which retails for $75, but is available in incentives packages for as little as $47. Thompson believes that a pen, while not thought of as a typical recognition award, is an ideal option for an incentive program. “Our pen can work as a stand-alone product or be implemented into a package, which can include timepieces, high-end cutlery, flashlights, binoculars and Swiss Army knives, depending on the desired price point and the level of service you want to reward,” says Thompson. A company can imprint its logo onto each pen, using one of two methods: laser engraving or pad printing. Victorinox works with large incentive houses such as O.C. Tanner, Carlson Marketing, and BI, which “use Swiss Army–branded products as a solution for corporate incentives programs” and have sold Victorinox products “to pretty much every Fortune 500 company,” Thompson says. Another excellent option for incentives and rewards is Colibri’s various lines of stylish writing instruments. These offerings range from affordable (retail $30-$40) to mid-range (retail $100-$200) to high-end. In the latter category is Colibri’s Sterling Silver Engravable pen, which can be embossed with initials or a corporate logo. A popular option is to group together a pen with a key ring and money clip, or pair it with a variety of gift items, such as a Colibri-brand lighter, pocket watch, business-card case, bracelet, pendant or cuff links. High-end writing instruments have emerged as a sought-after commodity that connotes status in the manner of a luxury watch or car. “Brand-name merchandise with a high perceived value has been of increasing interest to companies over the past few years to utilize as gifts and awards,” says Andy Finn, vice president of corporate sales for Tourneau, in New York City, which distributes the complete line of Montblanc writing instruments and accessories to the incentive marketplace. “Montblanc is a worldrenowned luxury brand name, and as such is thriving in today’s retail and Wr i ti n g In st r u m e nt s a s Sta tu s S y m b o ls Montblanc pen will impress, the Meisterstuck Solitaire is the Rolls-Royce of writing instruments. “When choosing a reward for your most valued employees or a gift for clients, Montblanc will help deepen your message,” Finn says. “The writing instruments are purchased for use in employee recognition programs, as holiday gifts, inroom gifts, incentive programs and service awards,” he continues. “The occasion can be further commemorated by adding special personalized touches, such as signature engraving, initials on the clip and deluxe gift wrapping.” The more individualized the gift, the more meaningful and impactful the gesture will be “The recipient will use a pen often each day, and this will serve as a constant reminder of its source.” –Andy Finn, Montblanc incentive market,” says Finn, who has been in the incentive business since 1980. Montblanc’s pens range from the Generation model, which features black precious resin, an inlaid white star on the cap, gold-plated rings with embossed logo trim and a gold-plated clip (retail: $230) to the deluxe Meisterstuck Solitaire model, with a 925 sterling silver barrel and cap inlaid with a white star, three rings in gold-plated 925 sterling silver, and a gold-plated clip. While every for each employee. “Keep in mind that the recipient will use a pen often each day, and this will serve as a constant reminder of its source,” says Finn. That continual reinforcement will strengthen the bond that employees feel for their company and promote teambuilding and a “we’re-allin-this-together” mentality. “Not only is a Montblanc pen functional and useful, but it’s also fashionable, with additional status appeal,” Finn says. This type of incentivemag.com | July 2008 | Incentive | 73 http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - July 2008

Incentive - July 2008 Contents Editor’s Note: Accentuate the Positive In The News Cover Story: Three Profiles in Good Corporate Citizenship Case Study Incentive Interview Senior Secrets To Thine Own Self be True Incentive Primer Motivation@Work Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do Take the Spa Home Not the Only Game in Town Here and Now Writing and Desktop Gifts Watches and Clocks Gift Cards: Health and Wellness Incentives Good Health Is Not Its Own Incentive Advertiser Index Last Word

Incentive - July 2008

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