SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge (SNN) has offices in 20 locations across northern Norway and sends out gift cards several times a year — for Christmas, anniversaries and other internal initiatives. As a large organization with many employees and managers involved in the process, the work demands structure, control and efficient administration. Heidrun Andrea Medina is responsible for managing employee gift cards.
How did SNN handle employee gifts before?
Previously, responsibility for employee gifts was spread across many people in the company. With 300 to 400 gift expenses per year, the admin overhead added up fast. The need was clear: SNN needed a solution that worked seamlessly — for senders, recipients, managers and finance alike.
It quickly turns into a juggling act when you have so many locations and people involved.
Why did they choose Glede?
After conversations and a thorough evaluation, SNN wanted to see whether Glede could streamline their employee-gift work. They decided to start with a smaller pilot. For a bank with strict security and privacy requirements, fast and thorough onboarding support was essential.
Because we are a large organization, we had to run a risk assessment before we could use Glede. Glede was quick on its feet and got approved in record time.
Several factors weighed heavily in choosing Glede:
- The ability to support local businesses, since the gift card can be used locally.
- A sustainable solution, with no shipping emissions or plastic cards.
- Flexibility for employees to use the gift card both in stores and online.
- Easy administration across many locations.
How has Glede worked for the people sending employee gifts?
"In short — beyond all expectations!" Heidrun says enthusiastically.
She estimates the team has saved at least one month of admin work over the course of the year compared with the previous setup.
We have saved more than a month of work in our first year with Glede!
Glede handles large employee uploads without a hitch, and managers can be invited in to purchase on behalf of the company. Heidrun also calls out several things she especially appreciates about Glede’s reporting. She can see:
- A clear status overview.
- How many recipients have donated their gift card.
- Thank-you messages from employees.
- When the next reminder is going out to recipients.
I have not run into a single problem with the sends, and we have had very few questions about how to use the card.
How have employees received Glede?
Heidrun says the response from employees has been almost entirely positive.
"It has been very well received, and the feedback has been nothing but positive. With the cost of living rising, employees especially appreciate the flexibility. They can spend the gift card wherever it suits them — a dinner out, an online order, or the Friday grocery run."
A lot of people feel they get more value out of the gift card than from previous solutions, simply because they get to choose for themselves.
Heidrun sums up the recipient experience like this: "We were bracing for a wave of questions from employees, but none came in! That tells me Glede just works. It is intuitive and simple for recipients."
A solution they are happy to recommend
Heidrun is clear that Glede is a great fit for mid-sized and larger companies that want to simplify gift handling.
Glede has thought of everything — without making it complicated!
For SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge, switching to Glede has meant less admin, more control — and happier employees.
"Glede is smooth and intuitive. There are so many small details you have thought through that make the service feel incredibly seamless," Heidrun concludes.
