Monday, April 2, 2012

Why You Should Know The Do's And Don'ts Of Corporate Gift Giving

By Shannon Winters


Corporate gifts are a must for good business. Giving corporate gift items at appropriate and relevant events foster good relations and nurture a semblance of personal interactions that, when managed well, is supposed to deepen business relations. Suffice it to say that corporate gift giving is a sound idea for businesses.

It must be noted though that around the world varied cultures have various ways of giving gifts, and each country also has different interpretations for the kind of gifts given and received. Thus, it is important to be aware of what's the culture of gift giving in a particular locale before you stock up on your corporate gifts.

Cards and calendars, pens, mugs calculators and clocks are considered as the safest corporate gifts. For retail or restaurants, the top corporate gifts are cards, calendars and gift certificates. On the other hand, fruit/food basket or charity donation, flowers/plants and wine/liquor work best for company branded items. This is according to the OPEN by American Express(SM) Semi-Annual Small Business Monitor.

If you are doing business in these countries, you may come bearing corporate gifts: Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. Remember to use only your right hand, or both hands, as you offer your corporate gifts when you are in Asia and the middle East. However in Japan and Hong Kong, you must use both your hands when you present your gifts.

Don't be surprised if the recipients of various corporate gifts in Singapore will "graciously refuse three times" before accepting. But in Chile, your corporate gifts will be accepted and opened immediately. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, small gifts are given quite often. It is also important to remember that your corporate gifts must not have your company logo if you are giving them to your business associates in Greece, Spain and Portugal.

Although it can be quite confusing remembering the many do's and don'ts in giving corporate gifts in Singapore and in other countries, still you are at an advantage if you keep a slew of them in stock Remember that corporate gifts in Singapore are given as tokens to foster healthy business relations.




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