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What is the importance of professional gifts?
Gift-giving can be an excellent way to build lasting business relationships.
Receiving a gift indicates that we are valued by the other person, resulting in a positive feeling towards the gift-giver, given that the gift is right for the person and the occasion.
However, if a gift is inappropriate in content or context, it can damage relationships just like any other type of negative interaction. While in some cultural contexts such gifts are expected and even almost mandatory in building alliances, they are not gifts.
However, in the normal course of business there are still occasions where a gift may be appropriate, either as part of a marketing effort, as a simple thank you in a profitable business relationship, or as a way to encourage and reward employees.
Choosing the right gift in each of these situations requires thought and adherence to standard etiquette. To avoid any potential errors in judgment when it comes to giving gifts, it helps to know the business protocol surrounding professional gift giving.
What are the rules that govern professional gifts?
Gifts in the workplace follow many of the rules of personal gift-giving. The best type of gift you can give someone is one which is:
Personalised and thoughtful
Have the recipient in mind when you pick out a gift. Try to avoid generic gift-giving where everyone receives the same thing.
Unexpected
Everyone likes a pleasant surprise.
A gesture of esteem
Gifts should be genuine and reflect the value you place on the relationship.
Sincere
Good gifts are presented in a considerate manner, without pretense, but in good taste.
Within your budget
Expensive gifts may be construed as obligatory. Keep gifts in the workplace appropriate to the occasion to avoid any misunderstandings. The general rule-of-thumb is that gifts to clients and close friends in the workplace should never exceed Rs 500.
What should be the reason for giving a professional gift?
Business gifts are given for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons are:
As a thank you
Thank-you gifts are very common in the business world. They are often given when someone has gone beyond their normal call of duty to help you with something and has received no compensation for doing so.
Congratulations
When people have received promotions or raises, or have accomplished anything of major consequence, it is cause for celebration. As such, it is a perfect time to present someone with a gift.
Encouragement
People who are struggling with major personal goals often need encouragement. If you manage someone who is striving to improve himself/herself, a gift of encouragement may very well be one of the strongest motivators you can give that person.
To cheer someone up
Everyone has down days. By presenting an employee or co-worker with a small gift, it lets them know that they are not alone.
Support
Sometimes people struggle because they don't have the proper tools they need to do their job. For instance, they may need to improve their human relations skills or they may need to learn a new software program. Gifts that help someone do a better job end up helping both of you.
Season’s gift
Gifts can be given for Deepavali, Christmas, New Year, Pooja, Pongal and Ramzan.
What can be given as gifts?
The key to good gift-giving in business is in knowing what is and what is not appropriate. Sending a basket of fruit to one of your customers for a referral she sent you is appropriate. Giving your good-looking secretary expensive jewelry for Deepavali is not appropriate.
Some common business gifts are:
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Promotional items with your company name and/or logo on them
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Small electronic items, like calculators
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Flowers
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Entertainment coupons or tickets
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Food
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Travel accessories
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Desk accessories
Vinod Kuriakose
(The writer can be contacted at
feedback2vinod@yahoo.co.uk)
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