Eco-Friendly Corporate Gifts Mean Well

PLANNING AHEAD – ECO-FRIENDLY CORPORATE GIFTS

There are planners and there are serious planners! There is an art to gift-giving. I think I fall into the former category. What about you? Do you have the daunting prospect of whittling down a sizeable to-do list? There’s the challenge to find just the “right” gift. You might own your own business, work for a Small, Medium, Micro Enterprise (SMME), organisation or company. Sounds like you may be in need of corporate gifts. Better still, why not make it eco-friendly corporate gifts.

A CONSCIOUS SOCIETAL SHIFT

We are seeing a conscious shift from acquiring mass-produced products to more customised, personalised, natural, eco-friendly products and services. However, we are mindful of the many people in our country for whom this isn’t an option. As our society makes a conscious effort to be more environmentally aware, I encountered “new business on the block” DBD Solutions. This business offers eco-friendly, personalised, corporate gifts.

BE-NICE

Benice, which is spelt “Be-nice”, is a breath of fresh air! Her friendly enthusiasm and positive energy is catchy as she explains the latest aspect of her business venture. Her eco-friendly sourced corporate gifts product line is just one piece of the puzzle. Benice has something far bigger in mind.

DBD SOLUTIONS

The product line is an offshoot of DBD Solutions (the acronym stands for her husband, David, Benice herself, and their daughter, Daniella). The need to spend more time with her daughter, inspired and motivated Benice to strike out on her own as an entrepreneur and business owner.

May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness and tied with love. L.O. Baird

CORPORATE ACCOMMODATION

Benice is a self-confessed creative and has a good eye for selecting different, quality products that add value. She registered DBD Solutions in June this year. The main part of the business comprises a fully fitted two-bedroom studio apartment. It’s situated on her property in a private security estate in Cape Town’s northern suburbs. The estate overlooks the Tygerberg Nature Reserve known for its flora and fauna. The inviting apartment offers a home-away-from-home experience. It comes equipped with a kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lounge. Benice wishes to give corporate clients a viable and more economical alternative to hotel stay. The studio apartment is suitable for either a single person, a couple or two-people sharing. To date, this part of the business has been operating on the basis of referrals.

BUSINESS ADMIN & VIRTUAL SUPPORT

She also offers another solution to resident clients: virtual support! It enables Benice to draw on her extensive experience in business administration and corporate HR.

BUILDING HER BRAND

The business accommodation experienced a quiet period between August and October. Benice decided it was the ideal time to start building her brand. One solution tied in with DBD Solutions core values. It involved sourcing an eco-friendly corporate gifts product line. This product range offers an alternative solution to corporate clients seeking to acknowledge and thank valuable and loyal clients for their support. The corporate accommodation and the spin-off eco-friendly corporate gifts product line falls under the umbrella of DBD Solutions. I sense a green theme developing. Private customers and overseas travellers have bought into the idea. A number of them are supporting Benice’s eco-friendly corporate gift service. It’s convenient and time-saving for people on the move.

GOOD VIBES FOR ECO-FRIENDLY CORPORATE GIFTS

To date Benice has had a positive reaction to her product line. She has two main suppliers: Eco-friendly stationery and the other supplier recycles billboards, empowering women from disadvantaged communities. Benice is in the process of designing a vanity bag and laptop bag, which will carry the DBD Solutions branding. Benice firmly believes there’s a place for everyone in this market.

CORPORATE POTENTIAL

The Centre for Entrepreneurship at False Bay College recently selected Benice for their entrepreneurship rapid incubator programme. The course, which started in October will run for the next year. The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and government sponsor the programme for youth or others who show potential. Benice underwent interviews to assess the viability of her business idea. She is looking forward to the challenge it presents!

ECO-FRIENDLY CORPORATE GIFTS THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Benice is jumping on the festive train. She will be showing off original and special eco-friendly products she has sourced, at local markets. Ponder giving your clients or loved ones customised gifts to build your personal connections with them. Be nice and get in touch with Benice. She may well have that special gift you’ve been searching for.

There is no such thing as ‘away.’ When you throw anything away it must go somewhere. Annie Leonard – Proponent of sustainability