Next week, we are travelling to China to visit our business partner there. In the past, we visited together with our South African sister company, however they have pulled out recently and this is the first time we are going on our own.
Previously, the South African took care of gifts and we shared the expense. One gift I remember was a Krugerrand for the owner of the Chinese company, with high-quality pens for the assistant (translator at the same time) and the Production Manager. I am aware that this area is a minefield with the potential to weaken relationships if an inappropriate gift is chosen so I was hoping there might be some help available here.
For the owner of the company, we have been told that he loves his cognac so we were thinking of getting him a bottle of good cognac - how to determine what he likes might also be difficult. However, I am not certain whether alcohol is suitable - I mean he loves his drinking but possibly, alcohol is sending a wrong message. Then again, he briefly looked at the (expensive) gold coin we gave him last year for ten seconds or so and he then put it in his pocket so I'm not sure how much/ whether he appreciated the gift. Also, we normally communicate with the assistant and the Production Manager by email, seeing them once or twice a year, what would be appropriate for them?
Hopefully, someone has experience in this field, as "the internet" appears to be contradicting itself. Thank you in advance for anyone who can chime in!!
Previously, the South African took care of gifts and we shared the expense. One gift I remember was a Krugerrand for the owner of the Chinese company, with high-quality pens for the assistant (translator at the same time) and the Production Manager. I am aware that this area is a minefield with the potential to weaken relationships if an inappropriate gift is chosen so I was hoping there might be some help available here.
For the owner of the company, we have been told that he loves his cognac so we were thinking of getting him a bottle of good cognac - how to determine what he likes might also be difficult. However, I am not certain whether alcohol is suitable - I mean he loves his drinking but possibly, alcohol is sending a wrong message. Then again, he briefly looked at the (expensive) gold coin we gave him last year for ten seconds or so and he then put it in his pocket so I'm not sure how much/ whether he appreciated the gift. Also, we normally communicate with the assistant and the Production Manager by email, seeing them once or twice a year, what would be appropriate for them?
Hopefully, someone has experience in this field, as "the internet" appears to be contradicting itself. Thank you in advance for anyone who can chime in!!
