Q&A on the topic of gifts:
- Does it start with big gifts?
- No, someone starts the process out with longish introductory engagements, these are usually set up by mutual parties or intermediaries.
- What happens in the build up, before?
- Generally a lot of ground work has to be done in advance.
- Who gets gifts?
- Usually gifts may be given by equivalents at each level. The most important at the level of business/organisational owners.
- If the first meeting doesn't go well, does that stop the relationship getting closer?
- No, anything can be recovered, but no one expects a screw-up at the eventual formal kick-off, which anyway happens after all the ground-work is done in advance (months of interaction).
- Who presents and receives a gift?
- The highest representative at the highest level present.
- When selecting a gift what should I consider?
- Things like value, symbolic importance, scarcity, use. Get advice from a suitably respected and experienced organiser.
- Do you need to bring a gift to every meeting?
- The first meeting for the agreement between organisations is the most important (but of course preparation has taken place earlier, see above).
- When should the gift be opened?
- Well you should ask 'can I open it?' usually if it's ok the gift will be a small thoughtful token, but if it isn't ok to open it it may be a high value, socially 'heavy' gift, one that generates an obligation of sorts.
- Does the big visit (agreement visit) to the host require a reciprocal visit to the guest's site?
- Often, yes, and consider again, to eat with the guest is very important, particular consideration should be given to what food is offered.
- What role does food play?
- To eat with the guest is very important.
- What kind of food should be ordered?
- Again, the best of everything makes for auspicious relationships.
