Why CNY Corporate Gifts are Relevant
It is custom in china and some other Asian countries that gifts are an important way of showing respect or starting a friendly relationship with someone. This tradition transfers to the business world whereby giving of gifts during Chinese New Year is a way of showing that you wish your business well and are willing to continue with healthy business relationships. If you give a gift based on individual’s favorite thing, interests or cultural practices and beliefs, it will create and underlined impression and make people accept it. This may lead to more trust and loyalty, which is a stronger foundation long term business relationship.
Celebrating Chinese New Yearารย(value):Do’s & Don’ts on CNY Corporate Gifts
To provide more guidance regarding the kind of gift that should be selected it is important to look at a number of dos and don’ts.
- Respect cultural customs: Take note of cultural practices and taboos with regards to Chinese New Year. For instance, the two most common colors are not used for clothes, white is equivalent to mourning while black symbolizes bad luck.
- Choose auspicious symbols: Bring cultural motifs characteristic of prosperity, for example the picture of the Chinese pictogram for “ prosperity ” or “happiness. More of the gifts will also contain things such as red packets, gold and coins as these signify prosperity.
- Be personal: EC 840/SPM/tm: When you decide to take time to find the right gift for someone or when you decide to buy gifts based on their hobby or interests, this shows how much effort you have put in to finding the perfect gift.
- Be timely: The best thing to do is to send Chinese New Year gifts before the celebrations start, if possible before the actual start of the Chinese New Year season.
- Avoid gifting incompatible items: Do not offer sharp utensils such as scissors or knives because they mean cutting off a relationship, do not give pears either because they are considered unlucky because they are symbolic of death.
- Be cautious with politics or religion: Business people like their decisions to be totally independent of other influences like politics and religion and therefore any business gift that has some politics or relig ion influence should not be given at all.
- Skip generic gifts: Remember to consider coffee mugs, plant, fridge magnets, key chains, paper clip, staplers, diaries, non-tangible items such as candies etc should not be ordered. And it is better to choose unique and memorable gifts that are class apart from the usual and regular presents.
Guide to Choose the Right Corporate Gifts this Chinese New Year
Now that you have learned do’s and don’ts of surprising your significant other let’s go for the best gift selection. These are some steps that should be taken before such decision is made:
- Understand your audience: When choosing a gift, do not forget about your addressee’s personalities, interests, and beliefs or cultural background. This will assist in help you select an item that the intended person will like about and also be in line with your company’s brand image.
- Be mindful of the budget: When selecting these gifts it is important to ensure they are of quality but one should consider the fact that they may have a limited amount of money. It is important to consider how much money you need to spend on gifts and to spend no more than that amount.
- Opt for distinctive items: If one wants that gift to have a lasting impression, then he/ she should opt for a cutting-edge gift. Such items as engraved gifts; special mementos or corporate items are ideal for giving as corporate gifts.
- Ensure longevity: If you are unsure which gifts to select, do not forget about the shelf life of the item. Select items for gift that do not have a tendency of deprecating within a short period, for instance good quality writing materials, good clothes, or good-quality plates and other ornaments.
- Coordinate with your team: In as much as we have seen the importance of having corporate gifts, it is important to make sure that a certain level of conformity and uniformity is observed within you organization. Consult with the other colleagues to make sure that everyone is buying slightly similar gifts but not with little or thought that went into selecting the gifts to portray your company’s demeanour.
Types of CNY Corporate Gifts
That said, here are some ideas which can help you to get started now that you know the basics and the important points to consider when proposing corporate gifts.
- Personalized keepsakes: It would be prudent to carve corporate emblems, or inspiring messages on trinkets such as jewelry, wristwatches or stationery. You end up creating a long bond with them and this is because the gifts are made according to their preferences.
- Luxury stationery: Writing instruments – such as Montblanc, Cartier, even fine writing instruments branded for your company, fine desk accessories also will not go amiss if given away as corporate gifts. They prove to your business associates that you do care for them and that you are grateful for the time they invest with your organization.
- Gourmet food and drinks: Sweets that may be too extravagant for everyday consumption can become quite reasonably suitable for a gourmet who is a client or a business associate, for instance, tea, chocolate, or wine of unknown origin. Personalised packaging by adding your company’s logo is even more effective so it is recommended for use.
- Exquisite home decor: Think about high-quality elegant home accessories such as glass products, table products or artwork. In addition to that, such items are meaningful and will help the recipient understand that you value them while at the same time giving an added bonus of revealing the sort of taste your company has, and its brand values.
- Experiences: Do not gift the person an actual object but gift him or her a moment in time which no one else can share. Everybody will like some vouchers such as the tickets to the concert or a hairdo, a delicious dinner in a very good restaurant or even a beautiful skin pampering in a very good spa.
Therefore, choosing the appropriate CNY corporate gifts could be one way to enhancing the business relationship as well as making a good impression of your company in the eyes of your clients and other business associates. Using the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to select suitable gifts for your partners and avoid cultural and corporate taboo. It’s important to choose what matches the preferences of the receiver and what doesn’t cost much, also choosing items that will make a lasting impression. Happy gifting!