Business gifts or how to please loved ones.

Business Gift Gifts of particular interest to Economists, as the economy is only half the gift was a "market". For manufacturers and retailers is extremely important to know the rules and habits of those who make gifts: the most modern of gifts bought at the store. How much money people spend on average gifts? Representatives of any socio-demographic groups make more gifts? In what cases and who often make gifts to people of different countries? All these issues are studying the economics of gifts. How much money people spend on gifts? Studies conducted in different years in different western countries have shown that most people spend on gifts to 4-5% of its budget. According to British researchers (Davis, 1972), the gifts are spent 4,3% family budget, not counting the charity to which Britons spend an additional 1% of their money. The Americans were slightly less generous: in a survey, which was attended by more than 4 thousand American families, in 1990 they spent on gifts, on average, 3.7% of the annual budget (Garner & Wagner, 1991), which ranged from $ 730 to $ 1800 . And three-quarters of the total sum was spent on Christmas gifts, and the rest - for gifts to the birthday, for the wedding and on other occasions. In other cultures on gifts spent much most of the family budget: for example, in Mexico - more than 10%. Who gives more gifts? The generosity of the donor depends on four main factors. 1. Revenue. Wealthier people do not just spend on gifts larger amounts, but they spend most of their income. The ability to make gifts - is a luxury that can afford only provided human beings. 2. Education. Regardless of income, better-educated people give more gifts. Perhaps this is because they have a wider network of social contacts. 3. Floor. Women give more gifts than men, but men's gifts - more expensive. According to a U.S. study (Caplow, 1982), 84% of Christmas gifts do women (alone or jointly with men). In the latter case, a woman chooses a gift and a man - pays. Only 16% of men make their own gifts, without hints (or pressure) women. Moreover, women do most of the preparations for Christmas, including the dinner, cooking meals, guests, etc. 4. Age. Most of the gifts are implementing a middle-aged people who have already raised their children and who has time and money to please others. Who gets gifts? Most of the gifts people give to members of his own family. In the first place - the husband or wife, at the second - the children, then - brothers, sisters and other relatives, and finally friends. According to the American study, children are 7 times more gifts from their parents than the parents - of children (Caplow, 1982). The Americans also often give gifts to teachers, doctors, support staff and subordinates at work, but these gifts - a much more modest price than gifts to family members. Table 1. The cost of Christmas gifts in the U.S. (Source: Caplow, 1982). Gifts Dream (up to $ 5) modest ($ 5-25) Large (more than $ 25) Members of the family 19% 56% 26% Close relatives 28% 59% 13% Far relatives 49% 56% 3% Friends 69% 25% 6% In what cases give gifts In Western countries often give gifts for Christmas and birthday. But these gifts - not the most expensive. According to a study conducted by Canadian researchers (Cheal, 1988), the most expensive gifts to give to the wedding and anniversary. Typically, wedding gifts are practical in nature: it is either necessary in the household items or money for the construction of life newlyweds. Gifts for Easter and Valentine's Day are usually symbolic, as gifts for Christmas and birthday can be both symbolic and practical. Each country has its customs deliver Christmas presents. For example, in England the night Santa Claus brings gifts to children who hang for the stockings over the fireplace or over the bed. In Germany, Christmas gifts to put under the Christmas tree in a room where children are not allowed to enter until prozvenit Christmas bell. In France, Italy and Spain children put their shoes outside the threshold of that night filled with gifts. Fantastic character, who gives gifts to children - not necessarily familiar to us Santa Claus in Shuba and beard. In Sweden this Christmas elf who lives in the basement and watching the whole year for children's behavior. In Italy, this fairy Befana, and in Spain - the three biblical wise men who saw Christmas star on the road to Bethlehem. The strength of these rules and conventions over the centuries is so enduring that completely contradicts the ideology of spontaneity and voluntarism as a gift to the free expression of affection or love. As in the archaic tribes, which presents a mandatory part of the ritual, but still pretend that make them voluntarily, and in modern Western society gifts for the wedding, birthday and Christmas are more forced than spontaneous. Table. 2. The cost of gifts for various occasions (Source: Cheal, 1988) Occasion Average price ($) Easter 9 Valentine's Day 9 Friendly gift 15 Farewell gift 18 Christmas Day 21 Invitations to guests 22 Christening 23 Birthday 27 Party 29 Jubilee 86 Wedding 117 Another 49 The exchange of gifts According to the research of British and American sociologists, more than half the gifts that people give each other throughout the year, are reciprocal (Cheal, 1988). The most common gifts exchanged by their equal social status of people: friends, brothers and sisters. Especially this exchange takes place at Christmas. In doing so, as Christmas gifts people give one another at the same time, the choice of gift is usually based on a prediction of what a gift prepared himself donor. This choice may also be dictated by unwritten rules about who to whom a gift to give, and the "price scale." Common also an exchange of gifts between friends and relatives on birthdays. For weddings case where more difficult because they occur far less frequently, but here has its own internal accounting department: the duty to make a wedding gift to the person who gave you something, the duty to invite to the wedding of relatives and friends. Wedding ceremony, in contrast to the celebration of the birth, has a very deep historical roots. In the folklore of most European countries is subject evil fairies, which forgot to invite to the wedding or at the christening. It avenge that gives a dangerous gift, Jonah. Unfortunately, according to people's beliefs, and waiting for someone who refused the invitation to the feast poor cousin (orphans) or pobrezgoval proposed a modest gift. This motif is repeated too often in Asian and European fairy tales. Among the neighbors is more common to exchange services, which can be viewed as a form of a gift. Free help in the repair of household appliances or cars, care for children or borrowing money and things are preferable forms of relations between the neighbors than employment or other purely market relations (Webley, 1983). According to some socio-psychological theories, if a person is unable to answer appropriate gift for a gift, he feels indebted to those who showed him generosity, and is because of this discomfort and humiliation. So many avoid receiving gifts or services, knowing that would not be able to repay them. For example, people who lost their jobs and facing financial difficulties, often avoid going to visit, because nothing can not donate to your friends. As a result, their social isolation even more increases. Politicians and bureaucrats also apply to gifts with suspicion, because the obligation to repay daritelyu may conflict with their duties and be seen as a bribe. The deep-rooted belief in the person of the need to respond to good good service, pay for a service often used by the advertising and professional canvasser. Meeting on the streets man, they are "selfless" and "a pure heart" give him some small change: a flower, a pen or a calendar, and in return asked to only a small service: buy their juicer, or donate money for the "Society for Krishna Consciousness ". If a person is caught by surprise, it awkward to refuse to someone who has just made him a gift. Spreads in recent decades in Western countries, the rule that a woman invited a man in a restaurant pays for itself, is the result of awareness of situations in which people fall, has accepted a gift. According to observations of psychologists, a woman much more difficult to reject male courtship, even if it unpleasant when he had paid for dinner, or did it any other favor (Argyle, 1991). Along with the mutual exchange of gifts among equals, there are relationships, not to response gifts. For example, parents give children is seven times more gifts than receive from the children. The same ratio remains between the grandmothers, grandfathers and grandchildren, tetyami, uncles and nephews, that is, between those who have family status "survivors" and those who are in need of care. Researchers distinguish between two types of social relations: mutual exchange, in which people expect that their assistance or services will be rewarded, and altruistic attitude, in which they are targeted to the needs of others (Clark & Reis, 1988). Relations with children and other relatives are altruistic and do not require reimbursement, except hope for assistance from children in old age or sickness. Indeed, 70% of older people in the world totally dependent on his family, while the developed countries, children have their parents far less support than in the developing world. According to Canadian researchers, daughter often taking care of their elderly parents than sons, and, in general, women are more altruistic in its relations with friends than men (Offer, 1998). There is another type of relationship, not requiring the response of gifts: the gifts to teachers, doctors, subordinates and support staff. However, these gifts are not an expression of altruism, and gratitude for past services, ie, are part of a relationship of mutual exchange. (continued) AB Fenko, Faculty of psychological counseling MGPPI. Especially for the Academy gift.

Three dogs to Santa Claus

Due Christmas Eve issued troublesome. It was not just cleaning organize, but also beautifully packaged gifts for relatives and friends.

We decorated Christmas tree in advance. Jack made a paper garland, and Alice - Owl of the cones and cotton. When the guidance of cleanliness was finished, detishki done timid attempt again raskidat toys, but I stood on guard. "Do not touch! Toys on the shelves are not for the fact that they played and for beauty." Children have decided that the mother of fatigue roof left in the warm edge and did not argue.

Jack with Alice were almost perfect children. They are wanted gifts, as we all know that Santa only came to an obedient child.

In mid-afternoon drop our friend and we exchanged gifts with her. Jack looked at me, imploring eyes, and Alice quietly prokovyrivaly hole in the package, and I allowed them to open prezenty aunt Pat, without waiting for the next day. What a miracle - each won on a soft dog and the book with stories about chetveronogih friends. Pat always knew how to make nice.

Evening podkralsya unnoticed. Fatigue sick head, and the movement clearly slowed.
- Mama, mama, mammy! I want you to say something! And we will be cookies for Santa Claus oven? - Vasyunka looks at me his enormous glazischami.

"Oh, no!" - Crocked Mom thinks, that is me.

- And you know, Santa probably already tired of cookies. It seems all-all children pechenyushki him prepare.

Jack thought on lichike appeared perplexedly expression.

- The idea! - I scream with joy - we will leave it to soup.
- Yes! - Vopit Vaska - and dogs!
- One of you, one from me and one from Alice.
- Three. Mom, look. One, two, three. Three dogs for Santy.
"M-m-m ... unconventional approach."

I am out a Christmas socks. Red, white skirts, for Vasi and white, with a dog, for Alice. Kamina we do not, so veshaem nosochki on the staircase railings.

- Mom, and where your toe? - Asked Vasilek.

I do not know, hang socks, too, whether adults or children is a privilege. In any case, they have only two - for younger family members.

- And I'm not - I say Vasyunke.
- Take Papin - not to lose synishka.
- Yeah okay, I do not have to.
- Yes! He is-a-Which smelly!

Laugh, we go to bed stowed. No ugovorov not want everyone wants to bring Christmas morning - the time of receipt of gifts.

- Mom, but you also now sleep lyazhesh? - Asked Jack.
- Yes, but even some cases make the kitchen and - in beds.
- No, Mom, you have to do tomorrow, and then Santa will see that you are not asleep, and did not come to us.

Constraining laughter, I uspokaivayu son and look for Alice.

- Ho-ho-ho! - Dochurka zagovorschitski smiles, she likes when Santa Claus said so and therefore all the time repeats that phrase.
- Sleep, zayushka, and then "ho-ho-ho" will bring you gifts.

Like Zolushke I go back to the home, ie in the kitchen. My husband went to the airport to meet my mother. For me, its arrival - the main gift. In early December, my dad is thorough stuck in Chicago. There was a snow storm, and therefore, in De-Moyn he never left. Dima went to rescue my papsyu by car, and he protorchal in probke on the road three hours. Therefore, nimble hands of the pack and raskladyvayut gifts under the tree and head occupied one question: "Doletit or zastryanet?"

I looked at his watch, in time, it was time to Mammy and priletet. Call Dima:
- I am at the airport. Christmas Eve, no people, until the plane is delayed by two hours. I will jell as a stalactite. "Deep sigh, his hands - more!". I'm trying to endear himself that everything will be fine.

Round with kulkami, handbags and boxes. Socks filled from under the Christmas tree gifts smooth out the mid-room.

Two hours later a miracle happens: my mother arrived. After another hour, we embrace and share news, perebivaya each other. Gifts Dima and Babi as the kids call my mother, align themselves with the overall flow. In am tired but satisfied, we crawl to bed.

In the five morning Jack with Alice come to us in the bedroom that all go together to see whether Santa, and what there with gifts. The children excitedly vopyat, finding your favorite Babi, razduvshiesya socks and appalling number of gifts near the tree.

The first received a convolution of the most junior members of the family - a cat and ferret Kesha Martin. Then John and Alice, and then already and we - adults.

Parsing gifts delayed for noon. Children exposed their boxes quickly and left the room to play, but we are quietly considering its prezenty, kushali and talked.

Santa ate sausages and soup, too otvedal, so that we may become a new tradition of lawmakers.

The next day we went to visit our friends. Again, we have received and gave gifts, ate all Delicacy, laughed and talked about on these things. So have passed and our Christmas 2005.

Thanksgiving Day

No more American holiday than Thanksgiving Day (Thankgivings Day). No less politicized praznika than Thanksgiving Day. The idea of celebrating the end of autumn and harvest dates back to the deepest antiquity, but the Americans these days are related more directly to the history of development of new land.

26 December, 1620 after two sailing to the coast of Massachusetts to Cape Cape Cod berths ship Mayflower. Most of the passengers belonged to a persecuted in England puritan sect. Novoyavlennye pilgrims though a dangerous journey in the hope to establish a colony in the New World, where they could, finally, become cherished freedom.

At the end of the voyage, before go on uncharted ground, the passengers the ship - the new settlers - signed a document known as the "Agreement on Meyflaure", which gives American historiography destiny as the beginning of constitutional government, through American life and the expression of inner freedom of spirit that they brought with them religious dissidents, opposition, in defiance of fanatical old medieval Europe.

Pilgrims expected fascinating. The first winter, they had to go to New Earth, was harsh and brutal, of the 102 settlers survived only 56.

A 1-April next year a new milestone. By Plimutskomu settlement, as it came to be known, left two Indian - Samoset (Samoset) and Skuanto (Squanto). Skuanto of the tribe Patsuiket (Patuxet) was unusual Indian - about ten years ago, he was forcibly taken to England. in the 1614-year back, but soon was again kidnapped and taken away in Spain. In late 1619, he returned home, but their tribe did not find - most likely rodichi extinct from the invaders brought infections. He came to a different tribe, and when on the shores of America settled a small colony, persuaded fellow pilgrims to conclude with the world. He already knew the world of Europe and understood that the future - for the European civilization, and voyuya with the settlers, Aborigines could make only his own death.

So, 1 April, 1621. , And Samoset Skuanto has informed Plymouth colonists of the arrival of Massasoit - tribal leaders Vampanoag (Wampanoag), living on the territory of the current state of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It had been concluded a peace treaty and military alliance.

A Skuanto became became not just a friend and translator Plymouth colonists, but their angel-keeper. He taught pilgrims small but vital "craft" a new life on earth. For example, the characteristics of the cultivation of maize in a hilly terrain, using fish as fertilizer, how to catch wild indyushek, taught grow tobacco, beans and pumpkins, to distinguish edible from poisonous plants, showed springs with drinking water, hunting trails and fishing locations.

Thanks to his aid harvest in October was very abundant, and plimuttsy able to store sufficient quantity of food for the entire winter. They had's whack maize, fruits and vegetables, dried fish and smoked meat.

But most importantly - Skuanto was an intermediary in talks with neighboring Indian tribes, giving colonists their friendship and support. It can confidently say that without the participation of the first colony of Europeans would not survive in a new land.

And pilgrims Governor William Bradford found Thanksgiving Day for all the colonists and their good neighbors - the Indians. At the celebration, except Semoseta and Skuanto came tribal leader, and with it another 90 daredevil. Three days gremeli drums and handed salute of guns. But not this day became the prototype of the modern holiday.

The second summer at the new location was not so fortunate, and the third is issued and dry. Then Bradford appointed a day of fasting and prayer, and soon after the rain! To commemorate this wonderful event, and was set Thanksgiving Day.

A long time was unofficial holiday in New England. Only in 1777 the Continental Congress declared the official national Thanksgiving Day in December. George Washington in 1789 declared it a national holiday event and at the request of Congress to determine the date - Nov. 26, Thursday. In his interpretation of it was a day of Thanksgiving Americans to its constitution.

But the full national holiday Day of Thanksgiving was made in 1863, during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln) announced that from now on the fourth Thursday of November would be observed as Thanksgiving Day.

O God, give us the opportunity to pay this table ...

The final transfer of celebration on the last Thursday of November occurred in 1939, thanks to a decree Roosevelt. They say he did it for purely economic reasons. While ever engaged citizens of their country two extra days of rest, he suggested that they primarily go zapasatsya gifts at Christmas. A four-day nationwide shopping positively affect the U.S. treasury.

Thanksgiving Day - a family holiday, relatives and friends come from all over the country to sit for a common table, ustavlennym tradiionnym feast. Before all the airports in America are overcrowded and beaten road vehicles. I think the whole country is in motion to catch the home where the generation forgotten grievances and recall the best that happened during the year.

For table and children. Since then, as they remember themselves, they also remember the generosity and leisurely Thanksgiving Day, his special umirotvorenny spirit. After eating someone from the adult always say: "What are we thankful for this year?" - And everyone thought her and then in turn says: "I am grateful for that ..."

The answers can not be predicted. They can be serious or playful, practical or sentimental, with tears in the eyes or ironical smile. Certainly, it is important even than what is said and what you think and how to respond to the question - with an open heart, as if giving a moment in Invisible temple.

On the pilgrims who came to America nearly four years ago in the ship "Mayflower", heard here every schoolchild. Having experienced the troubles and hardships they have learned to appreciate the simple joys. Therefore, delicious and nourishing meal of the day not just food but also a special ritual, a symbol of zhiteyskih pleasure and connection to the land, making people pay dividends.

There is always someone, and for that thanks. Do not complain, but rejoice. Do not lament about lost and admire given. And believe in better.

A traditional table with the traditional turkey

For the American Thanksgiving Day has its own clearly defined traditions: food (vsenepremennaya turkey, sweet potatoes yams with whipped flower sauce, Cranberry sauce, stuffing of suharnyh cubes with spices, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and gravy), two days off, even food, View football games on television again, meals, local parades and more food. Week after Thanksgiving Day, there doedaniem balances.

If someone is left without a celebratory lunch, he invited charities. President himself would find time in his schedule and go hard on that day to help feed the homeless, the poor and elderly, nakladyvaya its generous portions of dishes. It is clear that without his assistance would cost, but also its role - to show the country an example of charity.

Pardon the turkey (a picture of a TV screen)

Another tradition - turkey pardon ceremony. More than fifty years ago, it found Harry Truman. In line with this tradition, at least one turkey to avoid the fate of being at the festive table. In a polushutlivo-polusereznogo recognition of the role of Turkey, as well as the role of Charity American president eve of the festival announced the pardon given turkey, which, together with the show on television on the lawn of the White House. The President read out a decree and carefully ironing troubled bird. She was later sent to the zoo, where she lived to old age.

At the very satisfied Thanksgiving Day parades. The first parade was held along the western edge of Central Park in 1924, since then every year the trade sponsored procession monster Macy's. Since it started Christmas season, vyveshivayut red plakatiki SALE, shopping becomes hectic.

Strategy: The key to success and the path to failure

Company management will allow strategic planning to understand and formulate ways of future development and policies necessary for successful implementation. Take advantage of the long-term strategy and the risks associated with it, the company adequately maintain medium and operational planning of its activities.


Strategic planning is designed to help address the following tasks:

  * 1. The development of philosophy and basic principles of business strategy.
  * 2. Planning purposes, which includes the identification of the main activities of enterprises and the desired objectives.
  * 3. Analysis of long-term changes in target markets, in policy making, structural changes in the industry, and other external factors.
  * 4. Building a foundation for an effective work plan.
  * 5. Planning for operational and strategic business activities over the next 5-10 years.



Typically, a strategic planning process includes:

  * 1. Analysis of current activities, the assessment of external factors and the allocation of domestic capacity.

  Typically, companies tend to exaggerate their abilities too. This is evident, particularly when evaluating the basic building business. For example, nearly all financial institutions are confident that the value of their brands - "above average".
  * 2. Assessing the competitive environment, identifying trends change.

  For certain industries such as petrochemicals to the special importance of gaining an analysis of the global competitive environment. Thus, in the opinion of international experts, a number of Belarusian enterprises of this industry has preuvelichili capabilities overseas markets when developing their own development projects. In particular, shortages of certain raw materials, tested chemical companies could pre-empt, making their production host before Russia had built factories capable of completely consume all produced in the domestic market, threatening to idle our businesses.
  * 3. Production of strategic long-term and short-term goals and objectives.

  This phase is most important, it determines the main direction, the core of the company over a long period. It is through long-term development strategy should be based company's current activities. A clear example - the company MTS. At the entrance to the local market, it has developed a long-term regional development strategy as part of an overall development strategy. As part of a long-term strategy took into account possible fluctuations in the external environment and provide responses to these fluctuations. And at the moment the company continues its strategy, as the industry leader in the pace of development.
  * 4. Description of current and future areas of development of the desired code of conduct, providing the desired goals - for example, the achievement of specific performance (profitability, revenue, earnings, turnover), defining business success.

  Another example. Canadian enterprises are concerned as to 10% growth in output. Achieving such an outcome is impossible without carefully planned and consistent development strategy. Growth, of course, can be reached dearly, but if the attainment of the growth becomes part of a long-term development strategy, we can expect that to achieve it, it will not stop the development.
  * 5. The development activities of different scenarios for the realization of strategic objectives and tasks, with different options for changing external environment. Assessing the likelihood of each scenario.

  The founder of scenario planning of Roual Dutsh / Shell believes that companies should rely on two or even four scenarios. When companies produce only one scenario for the development of the situation, then because of the frequent losses, may not realize the project. For example, due to deficiencies in marketing strategy and trends of the European market collapsed global introduction of cellular 3rd generation (3G). The same problem is at the moment, one of the Belarusian cellular operators. Over the past year, the company repeatedly changed strategy of positioning its product strategy to gain market share. Today the results of this company is not very successful.

  One of the most common mistakes in the formulation of a strategy - is its complete certainty. Taking any static state of the external and internal environment of certainty, the developer abstragiruetsya of environmental change reality. And the strategy is so accurate and applicable only to specific conditions. This precision and certainty says its not viable. These errors were typical for many Western companies at the entrance to the local market. For example, a company Ford did not take into account peculiarities of the economic development of Belarus, drawing only a general pattern characteristic of other regions, in particular static situation.
  * 6. Developing consistency of the company, assessment of available resources and the need for additional, necessary to achieve the goal.
  * 7. Business development plans for most plausible scenarios, the figures they are helping more accurately see what will grow the company.

  Many companies prefer to own strategic planning of its business. Of course, a group of key staff after collecting the necessary external and internal data can evaluate alternative solutions, to some elements of the strategy of the enterprise. But in the future, the effectiveness of such a group is reduced, as some inefficient alternatives can be offered by the most influential members of the group.

It is at this stage the best option - it is an invitation independent investment consultant company, which will help provide a more detailed analysis and objectively select the best from the alternatives.

Such a consultant not only helps lay the foundation for strategic business planning, developing a business philosophy, values and principles, but also to build an effective work plan, defining the mission and organization category of critical goals for each unit.