The best products for new company starters

Businesses that focus on improving employee well-being know that getting new starters settled in quickly is key – and branded merchandise can go a long way to making a strange office feel like home. 

Wellbeing kits and welcome kits are an excellent way to help people feel included and instantly build a sense of belonging. They help to boost morale quickly and create a powerful first impression that you care and you want people to feel valued. 

At A.D. we’ll work with you to create the perfect welcome kit for new starters based on your brand ethos and values and on products your team will use the most.  Take a look at our case studies for Kingspan and Speedy to see how we helped two very different organisations create an impression that was perfect for their brand personas.

Take a look at some of our favourite products below, but if you want to talk about how we can help you create a bespoke welcome kit for your business, get in touch. 

How to create a staff welcome pack

When you create a welcome pack, it should be reflective of your brand, vision and values and be filled with practical items that help people settle in. 

We caught up with Account Manager, Matt Norton, to understand how A.D. helps businesses create a staff welcome pack…

“New starter welcome packs are great for making your new recruits feel special from day one.

We can create a pack tailored to your preferences and budget. We will consider how many products you would like and how the staff work, for instance, for those travelling to the office or visiting customers, this means people will value merchandise like Power Banks, Travel Mugs and Laptop Backpacks, which can be great for those commuting. We will always recommend using great quality products to maximise longevity of use.

Consider whether you want staff to use their gifts outside the work environment, products like umbrellas or bluetooth speakers can work well.

The 5 best products for new starters

1. Branded stationery

Set new starters up for success on their first day with personalised stationery sets. Made from sustainable materials, our branded stationery means your team is ready to take notes during their induction with a practical gift they’ll use every day. 

2. Personalised mugs 

If there’s one thing we all need to get our day off to a good start, it’s to have a brew in the morning! We all have our favourite go-to mug, so if you want an easy way to help people feel comfortable, include a branded mug in their welcome kit! If budgets allow, you can personalise drinkware too! 

3. Branded sticky notes 

The humble sticky note  is still the most popular and universally used method for leaving quick notes, creating reminders and highlighting important notes to remember. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes, they’re a must-have item in any welcome kit.

4. Branded wellness journals 

Starting a new job can be nervewracking, and finding ways to monitor and measure emotions is an important part of finding our feet and settling in. Wellness journals are a fantastic tool as they help us to organise our thoughts and create plans 

5. Branded power banks

Busy teams need to stay connected, so if your team is constantly on the go, help them to stay on top of what they need to do with our huge selection of power banks. Portable and practical, charging banks are a thoughtful gift that keeps on giving. 

10 additional products to include in new starter kits 

If you have the budget and want to go a step further… 

1. Branded hoodies 

Make everyone feel part of your gang with team hoodies. Available in a wide range of colours and sizes, our unisex hoodies can be personalised and branded with your company logo. Make from sustainably sourced materials and easy to care for, they’re a practical item of branded clothing your team will love. 

2. Bags to keep tech tidy

If you support remote and hybrid working policies, help your team set up for the working day with ease with this handy tech tidy bag. This handy travel bag is manufactured From RPET materials to keep cables and tech organised while on the move.

3. Branded drinkware

Help your team to stay hydrated with their very own personalised drinking bottle. Our range of recycled stainless steel water bottles are an excellent choice as they’re hardwearing, lightweight and durable, and they fit into backpack side pockets with ease, so they can withstand the commute no problem! 

4. Branded laptop backpacks

You could pack your welcome kits into branded tote bags, or you could go a step further with a laptop backpack that your team can use every day. Suitable for 15 inch screens, they’re stylish and practical.  

5. Branded umbrellas 

You can’t beat a good quality umbrella, so if you want a super thoughtful gift, you can’t go wrong with a branded umbrella! Sustainably sourced and made to withstand stormy days our entire collection will keep your team dry during downpours. 

6.Tutti Frutti Bottles

There’s a chance your new starter may have already seen a Tutti Frutti bottle – the fruit-infused drinks container used by Love Island contestants. But whilst ITV’s reality show is the definition of marmite television, this bottle is guaranteed to prove popular.

Having a 740ml refillable bottle on their desk will encourage new employees to get plenty of water throughout the day – helping them stay energised and healthy. Plus, it’s available in a variety of different colours.

7. Branded confectionery

If you want to treat your new starter to a truly refreshing welcome gift that will soothe any nerves, a branded confectionery container ought to do the trick. After all, who wouldn’t love a tin of personalised mints?

This sweet desk item can even be designed with key messages and company values, whilst also doubling as a loose change storage unit that will come in handy for any office collections.

8. Branded softshell Jackets

Carrying a thick coat on the commute is a daily dilemma for Brits, but we never know what the weather is going to throw at us.

Your new starters will instantly look smart and professional when you provide them with a good quality Softshell Jacket. A versatile garment designed for almost any climate, it offers comfort and maximum exposure for your company all year round!

9. Chargeable phone stands

Modern workers need their mobiles. Whilst most tasks are completed on company computers, staff are still expected to confer with clients via email on-the-go and WhatsApp their fellow workers about projects.

With a changeable phone stand, there’s never any danger of missing an important call due to a dead battery. This wireless charging unit is fitted with a mobile stand and pen holder – illuminating your company logo when in use.

10. Branded planners

Every new starter faces a flood of information within seconds of stepping through the door. From remembering names to getting to grips with a big task list, it can be hugely overwhelming. Help them stay organised with their very own notebook.

Our planners include styles with 80 perforated lined pages are a calendar block, contents page, meeting section (where you can easily record attendees, key points and actions) and a planning section (for to-do lists).

Now all your starter needs is the perfect pen to get scribbling. And we have plenty to choose from at AD Merchandise…

New Starter Kits FAQs

What’s the importance of providing branded company products for new starters?

A welcome kit is a cost-effective onboarding strategy that helps your new starters feel welcome. They help you forge an instant connection with new employees and help them to connect with your brand on an emotional level. When people feel like they’re connected to their new place of work, it helps to accelerate integration so people feel settled sooner. 

Can welcome kits be personalised?

Yes, absolutely! We work with companies to ensure their branding is perfectly placed on all branded merchandise, including welcome packs. If you also want to personalise products, that’s absolutely possible; this can be arranged with you when you place an order. 

What products do you include in a new starter welcome kit?

It’s entirely up to you, but we would recommend including useful items that people will use immediately. For example, branded stationery, notebooks, charging tools, branded lanyards and drinkware are a great place to start!

What are welcome kits for new starters? 

Welcome kits for new starters is a type of corporate gift. Typically, it’s a selection of branded products that help new employees feel welcome and part of the team. 

Are welcome kits just for new starters? 

Not necessarily, you could create welcome kits for team members who join new teams or may be returning to work after some time off, for example, following maternity leave. Welcome kits are an excellent way for organisations to show how much they care. Learn more about corporate gifting here. 

How many welcome kits do I need to order? 

This is entirely up to you. The more you order, the cheaper it is. If you don’t have space to store lots of products, we can help you. This means you get the benefit of cheaper prices without having to hold excess stock. Learn more about our merchandise programmes, as well as fulfilment and distribution services. 

Get your hands on the best promotional products by visiting our website today. If you’re searching for something in particular, just give us a call on 0161 848 9800. Our team will be delighted to help you.