Chapter 10. Business gift giving and receiving.
Before reading the text, study the necessary vocabulary:
1.
fraught
[
]
полный,
наполненный; преисполненный
fraught
with risks — рискованный, преисполненный
опасности. Syn:Filled
2.
confusion
[
]
1) смущение,
смятение, замешательство
complete
/ general
/ utter
confusion
— полное замешательство;
a
scene
of
confusion
— неловкий момент;
a
state
of
confusion
— смущение;
to put smb. to confusion — привести кого-л. в замешательство; It was a scene of utter confusion. — Все были в полном замешательстве. Syn: commotion, embarrassment
2) беспорядок; неразбериха, путаница
to cause / create confusion — создать беспорядок; to throw into confusion — спутать карты, помешать планам
to clear up confusion — прояснить ситуацию, ликвидировать путаницу; Their unexpected arrival threw our plans into confusion. — Их неожиданный приезд спутал нам все карты. Syn: disorder mess, muddle
3.
foster
[
]
воспитывать,
обучать, растить, проявлять родительскую
заботу (о
ком-л.)
Syn:
nurture
2) питать (какое-л. чувство); лелеять (надежду) 3) побуждать, стимулировать; одобрять Syn: encourage
4.
goodwill
[
]
доброжелательность;
благосклонность, расположение
goodwill to smb. — благосклонность к кому-л.; public goodwill towards refugees — доброжелательность общества по отношению к беженцам; to show goodwill — выказывать расположение Syn: benevolence, favour
5.
requisite
[
]
необходимый,
нужный,
требуемый
the
number of votes requisite for election — необходимое
для
избрания
число
голосов
Syn:
necessary,
essential
всё необходимое; нужная вещь; то, что необходимо travelling requisites — всё необходимое для путешествия
6.
incidentally
[
]
1) случайно
2) кстати,
между прочим; в этой связи
Incidentally, I wanted to have a word with you about your academic career. — Кстати, я хотел поговорить с тобой по поводу твоей научной карьеры.
7.
reciprocity
[
]
взаимность,
обоюдность;
reciprocity
principle — принцип
взаимности
Syn: mutuality 2) взаимодействие; взаимное сотрудничество; паритет (обычно между двумя странами)
Syn: interaction, cooperation 3) взаимный обмен (любезностями, почестями, услугами и т. п.)
Text
There is probably no other area fraught with so much confusion and unfair bad mouthing as the business practice of gift giving. When the motives are clearly the fostering of good will and relationship building, rather than a manipulation or influence, business gift giving and receiving may enhance business and a positive business climate.
Except during the holiday season, Americans do not have a set time or type of present that is appropriate in fostering good will in business. In the USA any legitimate reason to give a gift is an excellent opportunity to cement business relationship or to make known your positive feelings about an employee, client or customer.
Some companies because of the nature of their business have strict policies against certain type of gift giving. These policies help to prevent a conflict of interest that might compromise the integrity of the company and its employees. When conflict of interests is not an issue, business gift giving usually involves small gifts – pens, pencils, fruit, figurines, silver letter openers, a book, a picture frame, a ticket to a sport event, flowers or plants or a piece of clothing for a new born baby, providing a service.
One way to control the possibility of abusing the positive spirit of gift –giving is to keep the cost of gifts relatively small. Between 10$ and 25$. No one is going to be manipulated when receiving a 10$ basket of soaps or a 25$ pen. What will be exchanged is a concrete extension of the goodwill shared by those who work for the same company… there are such cost guidelines:
spending $ 10-$ 25 by junior executives to their clients
spending $ 25 - $ 50 by middle to upper managers
Spending $ 50 -$ 100 by senior executives for their top customers or close business friends.
$ 100 or more should be spent only on very important or rare occasions.
Another requisite to the gift giving, there should be a legitimate and obvious reason, an appropriate occasion. Incidentally, if for any reason you feel it is inappropriate to accept a gift – either your company forbids, or the present is too personal – return it as soon as possible, including a brief note : ”Thank you for your recent gift but I am unable to accept it.”
Reciprocity is an important aspect of gift giving. The fact that most people feel obliged to return a gift of equal value is a rule of human nature that you can use to your advantage in the business world. It is important to be sensitive to how you handle the gifts others give you, as well as the ones that you give.
Chapter 10. Reasons for gift giving.
Problem setting: