Giving the right corporate gifts, office party opinions Generation-Y attitudes

(AP) – CORPORATE SANTA: When it comes to holiday shopping for corporate vendors and clients, it may be tempting to buy a pair of tickets to a sporting event and call it a day.

But expensive, corporate-paid gifts are often impersonal, according to Dov Seidman, author of “HOW: Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything in Business (and in Life)” and chief executive officer of business ethics company LRN.

“You want to give something that is meaningful in the context of your relationship, and not something just of monetary value that might have very little authentic connection to your experiences with them,” Seidman said. “You also don’t want to make them feel indebted to you.”

Extravagant gifts, like gluttonous dinners or a new set of golf clubs, could be perceived as inappropriate and may even alter the business relationship for the worse. Instead, Seidman suggests buying gifts that will spark conversation and are not as costly, like books. If you do want to purchase front-row seats to a game or concert, attend it with the client.

The same caution should be applied to accepting gifts. There is often a fine line between what a company’s policy will allow and what is appropriate, Seidman said. If a gift is too lavish, motives should be evaluated.

“Gifts are vague and often can be deceptive in terms of what they are intended to do and whether they will result in a conflict of interest, a bribe or appearance of impropriety,” Seidman said.

PARTY TIME: However memorable, or unmemorable, company holiday parties may be, they are becoming increasingly popular. A survey by American Express Co. found that 86 percent of businesses are planning an event this year.

– Three out of four companies will hold team lunches, dinners and special events.

– More companies – 53 percent – will host in-office parties, rather than at a hotel or party space.

– Invitations will be extended to spouses and friends at 46 percent of the businesses polled.

– Beyond holiday parties, 43 percent of surveyed employers are planning group activities such as volunteering in a soup kitchen.

– Gift exchanges are planned for 41 percent of companies.

– Of employees surveyed, 27 percent say they find holiday parties “fun and interesting;” 48 percent said they “can take it or leave it;” and only 4 percent said the parties are “to be avoided at all costs.”

A majority of companies – 92 percent – said they would also be giving year-end gifts, while only 64 percent of employees said they expect one.

BOOMERS’ BABIES: The new generation entering the work force may be more ambitious and savvy than their parents, according to a recent study.

Generation Y – broadly defined as those born between 1979 and 1999 – are interested in saving for retirement, finding a solid health care plan and establishing partnerships with their bosses, says a joint study between Yahoo! HotJobs and Robert Half International.

A poll found that 60 percent of Gen-Yers want to hear from their managers at least once a day, and 46 percent consider their career prospects better than previous generations. Nearly three out of four said they will likely go back to obtain another academic degree.

“This just shows that this generation is really plugged in, and that they have different access to information than the baby boomers did,” said Tom Musbach, managing editor of Yahoo! HotJobs. “They are prepared and clued in.”