The recession may have many people watching their pennies however it seem generous Brits are still reaching deep for charities which are near and dear to their hearts.

According to figures cited by This is Money, the UK is among the world's five most charitable nations and the amount people are giving to good causes is actually rising rather than dropping.

It has been suggested that despite facing their own hardships people are realising that others are in worse situations and want to do what they can to help.

Angharad McKenzie of WaterAid, told the news provider: "Of course, people are experiencing the impact of the recession, but in some cases this seems to be focusing supporters’ minds on what is important to them."

"Life is difficult here, but elsewhere in the world 4,000 children still die every day because of dirty water. Perhaps our supporters are asking themselves whether they could really make better use of £2 a month."

To help reward donors and encourage more people to give in what is undeniably a tough climate, charities could try sending out promotional gifts to raise awareness of their cause.

To help reward donors and encourage more people to give in what is undeniably a tough climate, charities could try sending out promotional gifts to raise awareness of their cause; small gestures such a printed mug or a pen can act as a timely reminder of your cause and inspire people to make a donation.

Financial crisis has created a kinder Britain: We are giving more and finding better ways to do it, This is Money
 

Posted by Carl Blackshaw

Britons' favourite animal charities are dog-friendly ones, according to new research.

Giveacar, a not-for-profit social enterprise, said nearly a quarter of donations made through the service to animal-based charities were to those that support dogs.

Animal charities regularly use promotional items to help spread the word about what they do and use branded merchandise to support their campaigns and initiatives.

After dogs, charities that support horses receive nearly 12 per cent of donations and cats received 11 per cent.

Donations to animal charities accounted by 13 per cent of the total.

Giveacar works by donating money from the sale of old, unwanted cars, which are given by their owners on the understanding that the proceeds go to charity.

Alan Chance, Giveacar's director, who oversaw the survey, said: "English donors do indeed seem to give animal welfare a higher priority than many other causes – reinforcing last year's Charity Market Monitor survey which indicated that whilst overall donations were declining, donations to animal welfare causes were on the increase."

"Dogs Attract More Charitable Giving Than Any Other Animal". Dog News.

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield

We look at the topic of failure in this month’s Blue Paper and how (despite what we’re naturally programmed to believe) it’s not always a bad thing.

If you think it might be ‘bad’ – just take a minute to think back to your childhood when you were learning to walk and talk. As children we all fell over and muddled our sentences but of course we just developed our skills and adjusted the process until eventually we succeeded.

This Blue Paper named Making a Success from Failure details how failure often creates opportunities to improve systems, internal communication and much more. In a nutshell, a setback can be a prime time for growth.

Whilst research this topic – I came across lots of great quotes – here are a few from Edison (inventor of the lightbulb) that are thought provoking!

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

So – please don’t fail me – download our latest Blue Paper & have a read!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2012
For more information, contact:
Cheryl Jackson-Leafield, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland
+44 (0)161 786 0304

Making a Success from Failure, New Blue Paper from 4imprint

(Manchester, UK) – Making a Success from Failure is the latest Blue Paper from promotional items distributor 4imprint.

‘Making a Success from Failure’ investigates how businesses define and communicate failure within their organisation. It explores how to create opportunities during a setback or crisis by encouraging a policy of openness and identifies 7 principles that can help you learn from failure in order to succeed in the future.

The paper looks at how failure can create opportunities to improve systems, internal communication and growth. Examples of failure that have led to success are all around us - James Dyson made 5,127 prototypes of his cyclone technology vacuum cleaner in the 15 years before it first came to market.

As Cheryl Jackson Leafield, Marketing Manager for 4imprint in the UK and Ireland says:  “If the likes of James Dyson, Sir Clive Sinclair and Steve Jobs can fail as spectacularly as they did and go on to become huge business successes, we definitely have something to learn about both failure and our attitudes to it”.

Success and Failure Essential for Business Growth is available now as a free download, visit www.4imprint.co.uk/BluePaper/Failure

ENDS

14.5.12

About Blue Papers

Blue Papers are in-depth, ‘how-to’ articles covering a variety of topics to help organisations to succeed. They are available to download free at 4imprint.co.uk/bluepapers

About 4imprint

4imprint Direct Limited is part of 4imprint Group plc that serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items and corporate gifts throughout the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. Its promotional product offerings include personalised gifts, promotional pens, Post-it Notes, printed mugs, keyrings, printed cotton bags, mousemats, drawstring bags, sports bottles, printed USB Flashdrives, diaries & calendars, printed T-Shirts and much more. 4imprint’s ‘no quibble’ guarantees include the promise that if the personalised goods are not despatched on time they’ll be free! For additional information, visit www.4imprint.co.uk

In this Blue Paper we investigate how businesses define and communicate failure as well as exploring 7 principles that can help organisations learn from failure in order to succeed and create opportunities in the future.

Download PDF

Looking for a nifty promotional item you’d want the recipient to keep on their desks? Page-Up Memo Holders are new to the range and could be the answer.

These high quality memo holders offer you a prominent branding opportunity and the client a handy holder for urgent paper work, a photograph or to-do message. Available in 6 colours these new giveaways are just fab … and what’s more there’s an eco-friendly Page Up too that’s made from recycled materials.

Afternoon tea may be seen as a traditionally female pastime however reports suggest that a more 'manly' version is becoming increasingly popular with men across the UK.

But rather than dainty cucumber sandwiches and cakes, this version includes items such as pork pies and thick fish finger sandwiches.

“It’s well known that ladies are partial to afternoon tea,” Kristie and Coralie of Camden-based design shop and café, Drink, Shop & Do, told the Evening Standard.

“But when it comes to bringing along your man, we find he usually needs to be coaxed. To solve the problem we devised ‘Man’s Afternoon Tea’, to ensure satisfaction for both sexes.”

A number of eateries now provide a more filling version of afternoon tea, complete with large mugs of tea rather than dainty cups.

To capitalise on this growing trend companies could try handing out promotional mugs to embrace this new group of tea drinkers.

The teaboys: afternoon tea is given a macho twist, Evening Standard

Posted by Robin McCrink

I received an enquiry from a lady yesterday who wants eco-friendly promotional products to help promote recycling … she said had ordered eco-friendly pens and eco-friendly pencils previously and she was looking for something that can get across a recycling message but she also wanted the products to have another use … Below are a few of the ‘2 in 1’ useful & eco-friendly promotional items I proposed …

Brits traditionally enjoy a hot beverage or two throughout the day and so it seems only apt that at times of national celebration we roll out the promotional mugs.

Last year everyone was trying to get their hands on a royal wedding mug to celebrate Wills and Kate's nuptials and now it's the turn of Jubilee mugs.

A number of reports have suggested that schoolchildren at a number of schools across the country are being given mugs to commemorate the event, however, some local councils have deemed the mugs too expensive and a waste.

A number of businesses may be struggling with the same quandary at the moment, however, we think that the benefits of giving staff a little treat is well worth the initial cost.

Giving out promotional mugs not only marks the momentous occasion, it shows staff that you care and want them to take part in the celebrations.

Plus if all staff members have a new mug there'll be less battling in the office kitchen at 10am.
 

Posted by Robin McCrink

A farm in Chorley has opted to celebrate its 25th anniversary with some special promotional mugs.

Pottery designer Emma Bridgewater has helped create 500 collectable mugs for Cedar Farm to help mark the occasion, reports the Chorley Guardian.

The mugs, which will be on sale in the farm gallery, feature a variety of different designs including a pig, a cedar tree and some blue chickens.

One of Cedar Farm's owners and founder Julie Bailey told the news provider: “It was fabulous going to the factory – just lovely.

“We have the same ethos as them at the farm. We are proud to be British, and we promote British farming and living in the countryside.”

The farm is also hosting a party in July to celebrate turning 25.

Giving out promotional gifts is a great way for companies to celebrate a special occasions such as the anniversary of when they first opened.

Giving out a limited number of the items to special customers will thank them for their custom over the years and keep them interested in your products.
 

Farm celebrates in style in 25th year, The Chorley Guardian

Posted by Robin McCrink