Volvo is a beloved choice on Norwegian roads, and in 2023 it was the fourth largest car brand in Norway. They care about quality in everything they do — quality in the cars they sell, and just as much in how they treat their 400 employees in Norway. A core part of that is giving gifts at the right moments to show that they care about each person on the team.
They have a long and generous tradition of giving gifts to employees. Among other things, they send gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, new babies, new hires, funerals and, of course, Christmas. Gift cards have long been the first choice thanks to the flexibility they give recipients.
Bozena Blili is responsible for employee gifts at Volvo, and she describes what previous gift solutions looked like.
"We used to give a physical gift card. In many ways it worked fine, but there were some real challenges. For one thing, they charge fees once you start using the card. That feels unfair. On top of that, it is a physical card that can only be used at a handful of stores. You have to plan ahead just to spend it."
A lot of people find it stressful to deal with a physical card. Many of us do not even carry a wallet anymore!
When a colleague at Volvo came across Glede, they thought it could be a great fit.
She highlights two main reasons they decided to give Glede a chance:
- Digital cards are the future — Easier to use and better for the environment than physical cards.
- Freedom of choice — Volvo wants to give employees the freedom to buy exactly what they need. For many people, that might be groceries when money is tight.
Volvo first tested Glede on a couple of anniversaries and birthdays. The impression was that sending gift cards with Glede was easy, and recipients were thrilled. They then decided to give Glede as the Christmas gift to all employees in 2024.
Beaming recipients
Bozena shares what she thinks of Glede as a Christmas gift for employees. "Sending it was effortless. The work was so much easier than before. The employees have been happy too, and we have had tons of positive feedback."
She points to three features she especially appreciates about Glede:
- Uploading a custom card — It makes the gift feel extra personal for the recipient.
- Choosing the send time — By picking a specific delivery moment, they can nail the timing so the gift feels as personal as possible.
- Usage overview — Bozena has a full view of who has received, opened and used their gift card. She never has to wonder whether the gift arrived or whether it was useful.
"I usually send the gift at 10 in the morning. Then the employee notices the card on their phone over lunch, and the mood around the table is great!" she says.
I cannot see any downsides to Glede. In a digital society, it is so much easier to use than a physical gift card.
After the positive response from recipients, Volvo has gone from a small Glede pilot to using Glede as their employee gift for every occasion.
Bozena wraps up with a warm recommendation of Glede to other companies. "A couple of weeks ago I recommended Glede to a friend who works at another company. I think Glede is a great fit for any company that gives gifts to its employees."
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