Corporate Gift Giving in Singapore

[ancientmoon]

Gift giving is an old age tradition especially in the Chinese culture. Will you unhappy with receive a gift? Although the answer is obvious but we do refuse a gift before accept it. Some believe that this will avoid them from come into view of greedy. It just weird, but most people follow this behavior.

Corporate gift giving still common in Japan or China but when come to Singapore, it must be careful. Singapore, as a corruption free country in Asia. There are strict laws to against bribery especially related to money. However a quality gift rather than an expensive is still acceptable and most important is, it still works for building relationship.

When you Google it or find from the directory u can find a lot of companies specialize in corporate gift. Timing of gift giving and gift selection becomes critical. It is because most people know it works but less people do well.I saw people took free gift as a gift for others.It is totally terrible.Hope everyone think about it before sent out ur gifts.

Cheers

[Strong Eagle]

It is a practice that should just die out. Where does good spirited gift giving end and bribery begin? Where does thankfulness for a gift received end and demands for a gift in exchange for business begin?

This may still be a common practice in a local company but you won't find any of it in any MNC, and I am glad of it. I have a level playing field as a supplier, and I like it better working with ethical people who don't demand something from me in exchange for business.

And I will add, ancientmoon, that I consider dinners and drinks off limits. It is one thing if my client and I share the expense (I buy, you buy), another altogether if it is my wallet that is constantly opening.

[ksl]

It is a practice that should just die out. Where does good spirited gift giving end and bribery begin? Where does thankfulness for a gift received end and demands for a gift in exchange for business begin?

This may still be a common practice in a local company but you won't find any of it in any MNC, and I am glad of it. I have a level playing field as a supplier, and I like it better working with ethical people who don't demand something from me in exchange for business.

Well said SE

[Batik4You]

I work as a marcom exe also incharge of corporate gift purchasing in my company. Usually in Singapore companies have business ethic policy. Corporate gift value will usually not exceed S$50. especially to the auditors and government agencies. they are not suppose to receive anything that is of high value. I think that is understandable.

Well, afterall, in bad business climate like now, even corporate wants to offer higher value gift, will be constainted by the marketing budget.

As for corporate gift is transfer to others, I think it is fine to close family or friends. Anyway these gift are usually printed with logo and are suppose to help the marketer to advertise. Just a matter of sincerity of the giver. What count is the perceive values of this gift from the point of receiver.


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[Strong Eagle]

[quote="shellyuan"]I know Singapore is a country which has strict laws to prevent bribery, but how? What kind of gifts is proper for you, just no so expensive ones?
Maybe the article I found on http://www.hellomandarin.com will help you understand Chinese Culture of giving gifts.
1. Pay attention to what you should say when giving a gift. In China, people may sometimes say modestly such expressions as “yi dian er xiao yi si”

[sgmem88]

In my personal opinion, there is a different between corporate gift and personal present.

Normally corporate gift refers to those gift that is printed with giver company logo/name/marketing message which make it little or no resale value. Some example like pen, mug/water bottle, t-shirt, jacket, table clock, pen holder, umbrella, etc. These are commonly given during trade show, exhibition and even during first meet-up. Will anyone feel the need to give a business or return a favor just because they receive this type of gift?

Whereas a personal present should be something giver purchase directly from retail store that has retail value. This may be something like golf set, laptop, mobile phone, branded or luxury watch/bag, vacation trip, etc. I guess this is something more toward bribery or under table dealing. This should not be encourage.

In fact I see the trend of corporate gift giving is going toward creating brand awareness and product/service advertising. And normally it is the big boy that has budget to give no matter it is local company or MNC.