It’s beginning of a New Year. On this occasion, almost all eminent and not-soeminent organizations- both in public and private sectors, follow the tradition of giving gifts to their business partners, associates, well-wishers, friends and employees. Besides, corporate gifting has been prevalent and is also seen as a part of business etiquette to cement a deal. While most gifts are given and received with warmth and appreciation but sometimes unwritten rules of gift giving can end up severing valuable relationships. Therefore exercising precautions before you send out the gifts to business associates is a good idea.
Decide the Price Range
Only you can decide the most popular range for a business gift depending on various factors such as clients’ status, your own affordability, strength of business relationship etc. You may choose to spend a little more on important clients and a little less on small and not-so-important ones. When giving to employees, it is best to keep the same range for all. Difference in rank, status, or length of employment should be reflected in their year and bonuses.
Gifts are Not Ads
Usually, companies avoid to put their logo on the client gift and rightfully so. “Gifts should never be taken for an advertisement. Even if you decide to put your logo on a gift, it should be small and subtle” says an employee from Yangonbased AG Sun Company Ltd, which deals in all types of corporate gifts. The same goes for employee gifts, as well. The gift you are giving is not about the gifting company, it is about thanking the people with whom you have a business relationship. A simple sticker with their company name on it is enough promotion for a corporate gift. For a more lasting impression, add a hand written note sharing your thoughts.
Be Gender-Neutral
We all love to receive gifts but buying them may pose a challenge. There is really no better way to say ‘we appreciate you’. Knowing what to buy a corporate client is the biggest challenge of business gift buying. It’s difficult to know your clients on a personal level in many cases. The best bet is to call your customers and ask them what they like, their hobbies,etc., to give you a great idea of what to buy. If you are buying for an entire office or department, buy gender-neutral gifts such as food items or handicrafts items etc… “Good presentation like beautiful wrapping and a hand-written note are important to communicate that the gift is a sincere ‘thank you’ and not an act of obligation” advises an executive from Grace, a gift manufacture company based in Yangon. Advising precaution Thin Aung, an expert in corporate gifting says, “If you’re sending a food item, you should taste it yourself before sending it to your corporate contacts. The gift should reflect that you value the relationship. And if the food item isn’t of the highest quality possible and arrives stale, broken, or in a bad shape or taste, it ends up reflecting poorly on. your company
Gift for Your Boss
People working in private firms often feel tempted to buy a gift for their bosses. In fact, you should never feel required to purchase a gift for your boss. Such gift giving is often discouraged in large organizations. If at all, you decide to gift your boss, it should be half the price of what your boss has given to you. If your gift to your boss is not too large, consider personally delivering the gift. A gift delivered personally will keep you at the top-of-the-mind with your boss or superiors.
Overseas rules
Today travelling abroad is no big deal for either business or pleasure. Receiving foreigners as clients, partners, or bosses is also common. Gifting can be tricky and bothersome when dealing with the foreigners, especially if you are not aware of that country’s customs and culture. Each country and culture will have their own rules for corporate gift buying. For instance, in China, a gift should never be wrapped in white since it symbolizes death. What is considered appropriate in France may be entirely inappropriate in Korea or Mexico. “If you are unsure where or how to find the right gift, you could consult one of the corporate gift companies which have sprung up in recent years or the best way would be to check out the suitability with the embassy of the country of the recipients, or at least with a native of the country or contact a friend who may have traveled to the country before” says the employee from Grace.
You are not expected to present a gift at the first business meeting. As in most cultures, however, when visiting a home for a formal dinner, it is important to present the hostess with a small gift of flowers, chocolates or wine. Be careful of the type of flowers you present. Some varieties are used for funerals only. Colours such as white, blue or black are associated with funerals. Do not wrap gifts in these colours. Red, yellow and pink are seen as joyful colours and are perfectly acceptable for gift-wrap. Just remember not to write anything in red ink, as it symbolizes the severing of a relationship and so does sharp objects like knife, letter opener or scissors.
Back home, you may like to take along a bottle of wine, but don’t even think of it when invited to a dinner at a French home! No one knows more about wine than the French and similar is the case with the Germans and the beer. Usually the safest, popular corporate gifts all over the world are pens, watches (avoid clocks in China), jewellery, native handicrafts or artifacts.
Express your gratitude to yours loyal customers by leveraging on corporate gifts for them. Let them know that you are grateful for their continued support and how every customer matters to your organization. The spirit of your gratitude can be conveyed easily by the quality of the gifts that you present them So, enjoy gifting, and a very Happy New Year!!
