Different Protocols Of Companies In Accepting Corporate Gifts

| Thursday, September 13, 2012
By Patricia Campbell


It is a common gesture to give gifts in the Singapore trade industry. A lot of shops give their customers small gifts of gratitude. Employers give bonuses to their employees. Companies give gift packages to their business partners. Gift giving not only reinforces commercial relationships, but also aims to gain loyalty from recipients. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that it is an entirely positive act. When other people misinterpret it or if they have a secret agenda, gift giving can become a conflict.

Businesses generally give away mass-produced corporate gift items to their staff and consumers, such as ballpoint pens, fridge magnets, notepads, and paperweights. And for their client partners and shareholders, they usually give more high-end gifts, such as gift baskets, collector's item pens, gadgets, and wine baskets.

Expensive gift giving Singapore items have repercussions, though. They might be deemed a bribe, and thus inappropriate, especially if they are really expensive. Even if the deed is in good faith, others might think that it is a bribe in certain situations, like when the giver and the recipient's respective companies are in the brink of signing a new contract together. They would think that the contract happened because of the gift even though it's not.

That's why there are companies that completely prohibit their employees to accept any present from clients or other establishments. They want to avoid any talk about enticement, whether true or not. The employees can't even accept a seemingly minor and inexpensive gift, such as a coffee or lunch treat, as it may still be construed as accepting a business favour.

Some Singapore firms, meanwhile, are more relaxed in their rules about accepting gifts. They allow their employees to accept Singapore corporate gifts if the presents don't go over a certain worth. As for high-end presents, some organisations allow their employees to accept them provided the recipients would put it on record.

Giving Singapore corporate gifts to clients or company partners is not inappropriate. In fact, it's usually done to boost the relationship between businesses. But there are also times when it can attract negative attention even though it's done in good faith. Before buying a gift to one of a company's employees, it is better to research about the company's gift accepting policies first.




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