Giving makes us feel good—especially when we can offer a gift to someone we respect or genuinely admire. Likewise, receiving a gift can make us feel recognized and valued. In the business world, however, these tokens of appreciation fall within the realm of corporate gifting — and things can get complicated.
For businesses in the governmental sector or even large companies with broad public awareness, gifting often comes with red tape that is focused on ensuring client gifts, vendor gifts, customer gifts, and even gifts for employees and colleagues are appropriate and comply with accepted corporate gifting policies. Why? Well, these types of businesses usually have the public eye weighing on them, and gifts can inadvertently imply favoritism or unfairness in certain aspects of work. That unfairness could cause office tension or worse — legal trouble.
While that might sound like corporate gifting is an impossibly risky task, it really isn’t. You just need to keep a few guidelines in mind to ensure you are always hitting the ethical and professional high notes when you give gifts in a business setting.
- Understand how a corporate gift is defined.
Motive—the reason for giving a gift—is the most fundamental element of corporate gift giving. A gift is something freely given with no expectation of payment or anything to be given in return. It doesn’t seek to influence business decisions, and it doesn’t present a conflict of interest. Similarly, the gift shouldn’t be expected or requested. A true gift precludes any sense of quid pro quo—a favor for a favor—or bribery. When you want to give, be sure to give something that is unmistakably a gift. - Determine what gifting restrictions exist and honor them.
With reputations at stake, big companies and federal agencies are more aware than ever of optics and ethical standards. To minimize the risk of misperceptions, most have established corporate gifting policies that not only identify who may give or receive gifts but also detail the circumstances, types of gifts and monetary-equivalent values that are considered allowable.- Most company policies do allow modest gifts that fit within their established monetary boundaries.
- In many cases, employees are required to report gifts that they receive.
- If a gift is noncompliant, the recipient may have to decline it.
- Often, corporate policies use the gift-giving rules in place for federal workers as a working model.
- Some companies bar gifts altogether or specify that gifts must be shared or—if not sharable—reissued through a lottery, for example.
By researching your intended recipient’s gift limitations, you can ensure that they will be able to accept your gift without any problems.
- Time your gift appropriately.
Business decisions can be tough decisions involving large sums of money over the course of years. Because of that, people who have positive experiences working together may be eager to repeat or extend that partnership. Conversely, a new partnership may offer fresh, exciting opportunities. Nevertheless, gifts should not be perceived as an attempt to sway a business decision, and timing impacts how appropriate corporate gifting practices are. To avoid awkward situations and conflicts of interest, be sensitive to decision-making timelines and any professional challenges your potential recipient may be facing.
Find a Gifting Specialist That Gets It
All federal agencies and many businesses have corporate gifting policies in place to promote ethical, fair work practices and maintain professional reputations. But this actually makes choosing appropriate work gifts easier! In fact, once you become familiar with a company’s gifting policy, you’ll be certain that you’re choosing vendor or client gifts that fit and will always be welcome. To gift well, all you really need is something modest, tasteful and shareable.
That’s why Cane River Pecan Company has become a premier specialist in corporate food gift giving. The very nature of food—the ability to give a little or a lot, how it lends itself to creating assortments, its affordability, and even its perishability—makes it suitable for many business gifting policies.
For example, our premium pecans and custom-designed gift trays, boxes, baskets and tins of assorted pecan delicacies will delight recipients and comply with many corporate policies that require food gifts or gifts that can be shared. We know you want to be able to show appreciation to everyone on your list, and our extensive variety of customizable selections are especially created to make that happen.
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From holidays and seasonal celebrations to birthdays, anniversaries, grand openings and more, you’ll be able to recognize any occasion, individual, team or business effort appropriately and let clients and colleagues know that you’re thinking of them. Your client gifts will be inclusive, just the right size and given in impeccable taste.
If you’re ready to find deliciously appropriate gifts for your company gifting program, start by exploring Cane River Pecan Company’s selection of corporate food gifts today. With such a variety to choose from, you’re sure to find a suitable selection to sweeten your contact’s day.
SOURCES
https://www.sbnonline.com/article/ethics-corporate-gifting-not-get-trouble
https://sendoso.com/blog/your-guide-to-corporate-gift-giving-laws/