Introduction
CNY is another festival marked in the Chinese calendar and Chinese people celebrate CNY as a reunion of families, feasting, elders giving money in red envelopes known as ‘hongbao’. Although its importance to the individual is difficult to overemphasize, CNY is also an ideal time in general for companies to improve ties with their clients, business associates, and employees. An essential element in building these relationships is through the thoughtful exchange of corporate gifts that reflect the values of the season: renewal, plenty and- and, above all, thankfulness.
The concept of gratitude is the acknowledged act of being thankful to other people for what you have received or attained. Positive emotions that are elicited towards the person or organization from which help or support has been received in one way or the other. Gratitude is the message of the gift in the corporate gifting context during CNY and cannot be underestimated in determining the success of the business and enterprise.
The Role of Gratitude in Corporate Gifting
Business is all about relationships, and therefore it is clear the more relationships built, the better the returns on investment. Overall, the strength of the relationship correlates with success – the stronger the business relationships, the better a business’s chances will be to accomplish what is being sought after. The exchange of gifts can also be used as a way of strengthening bonds in the friendships and the identified methods in the current paper are depicted below. However, different people are valued in equal way; an appreciative gift makes a far way much more than a casual gift.
When a business gives a CNY corporate gift, it is not just giving an object, or the monetary equivalent of the gift; it is also conveying an implied message of thankfulness for the past cooperation, present patronage or future opportunity for business cooperation. It shows the recipient of gifting that the giver appreciates them and wanted to extend the existing friendship or professional partnership. This act of gratitude can help:
- Boost morale: If an employee or a business partner receives a well-chosen CNY corporate gift, then it means he is wanted and appreciated. This recognition can enhance morale and motivation thus resulting in productivity and loyalty.
- Strengthen relationships: A relationship between gratitude and interpersonal relationship has also been evidenced. As a result of positive feedback that a business organization gives to its clients, partners, and employees, better trusting relations are developed that can easily overcome most of the difficulties that are likely to arise in most business organizations.
- Increase customer loyalty: The argument given here is that consumers who are valued are more likely to repeat a business and even refer other clients. Furthermore, CNY corporate gifts as a sign of appreciation can foster customer loyalty and bring more business for the firms.
- Generate goodwill: As such gratitude elicits goodwill in any given society. When a business organization employs the use of CNY corporate gifts to appreciate the relevant stakeholders, it gains a positive brand equity within the market and could easily give a perception of goodwill among counterparts.
Effective Ways to Express Gratitude Through CNY Corporate Gifts
Normally, Chinese thank others in a subtle manner through CNY corporate gifts But, the concept of thanking is well taught when it comes to giving out CNY corporate gifts. Below are some effective ways to convey gratitude through thoughtful corporate gifting:
- Choose relevant gifts: The appropriate CNY corporate gifts are those that are themed and hence reflect something about the recipient. It is good to avoid gifts that would give a color of triteness and instead make effort to buy items that would show how much you value them given your understanding of their efforts or hobbies.
- Personalize the gift: Every person would appreciate if they were given something that bears a little more than general significance, and this is where, indeed personalization prevails. It is still useful to attach a personal card, to have a message engraved on the gift, or to choose an item that can be made in one way or another, to ensure that you have paid attention in choosing a gift for this person.
- Use appropriate symbolism: CNY is a time of renewal and there is usually a lot of focus on things that are prosperous so corporate gifts should reflect such a symbolism. Obtain gifts that symbolize good luck, for example, gifts that symbolize wealth, longevity or prosperity. Red is also used in CNY often so anything with red will symbolize good luck and might fit into the gift.
- Be timely: In the business organization gifting is time-sensitive, that is, it takes place at very specific times. Ensure that gifts are sent early enough in a way that the receiver has time to enjoy them before the actual setting in of CNY . It is also important to send gift during the season, so that one does not feel left out during the celebration also shows ones appreciation to the recipient.
- Consider cultural sensitivities: Last but not the least, make sure not to give gifts that you think will be offending the culture of your recipient. Many things may go wrong when working with a different culture; therefore, make sure you investigate everything about your recipient to avoid offending them or vice versa.
Conclusion
Business gifting during Chinese New Year is significant in building its continuance way of cultural appreciation in business partnerships. In this way, in choosing and offering appropriate gifts with consideration of season’s messages, businesses will be able to express their appreciation to clients, partners and employees so that the relationships between those businesses and others will be enhanced and more productive again.
As much as CNY corporate gifting is about the power of gratitude, how it is delivered counts just as much. You must choose those gifts that are appropriate to the occasion, meaningful, appropriate to the time of giving, appropriate to the culture, and timely in their delivery of the message of thankfulness. In this way, not only will the relationships you have with other businesses be improved through knowledge of where they are headed and what their future needs are, but the people and businesses you appreciate and respect will be positively affected as well.
In the modern economy where competition is the constant factor across virtually all industries, gratitude becomes a major factor that sets companies apart. When you follow up CNY corporate gifts with words of thanks you are positioning your company in a different league whose major importance is relationship and business prosperity. Therefore, this Chinese New Year, what a joy if the message behind your gift is as simple as gratitude, as much optimism for your relationships!