When November rolls around, my thoughts always turn to thankfulness – giving thanks, showing thanks, feeling thankful for what I have. So, while zipping around the Internet, I found some good ideas for demonstrating thankfulness that I’d like to share. Perhaps as the “season for caring” kicks off, you’ll take an idea or two and put them into action. Hand-write a note. With the proliferation of electronic media, virtually no one I know hand-writes notes anymore, whether holiday, event, celebration or thank-you cards. When you put forth the extra effort of handwritten expression, you convey deeper meaning, and it feels more personal to receive it. Send one to your special customers and always to your family. Note: Timing counts. Send personalized notes within two weeks of gift receipt, and if sending an e-mail thanks also, send it within 48 hours. Share compliments. Few things feel as good as passing along a well-earned compliment. If you heard the thanks in place of another, certainly share the compliment with the person being complimented, but also consider asking the giver to send the compliment directly. And, when the situation presents itself, compliment service persons who do an exceptional job for you, such as wait staff that anticipate your needs. Share value-added information. It’s a marketing axiom that sharing value-added information increases recognition and trust in your organization. Give prospects and customers something they can use, and they’ll appreciate your generosity and believe in your expertise. Praise others. Be careful… I recommend the cautious use of praise, since when it is overused, the receiver begins to disbelieve, and the ability it has to encourage loses its power. Further, praise publicly, criticize privately. When you praise or criticize, be specific (“Your presentation brilliantly exposed the risks”) rather than general (“Your presentation stunk”), so that the receiver clearly understands your message. Appreciate employees. Sometimes it is difficult to determine an appropriate gift for an employee, but get to know them a little better and it is not so bad. And, it is remarkable the positive effect a well-chosen gift, even a small one, has on morale. It says, “I listen.” Thank complainers. The best feedback you’ll ever get comes from customers and friends who complain about you or your business. Take heed, take action and thank them for taking the time and effort to tell you how they feel. A quiet customer conveys neither good nor bad, but an outspoken customer helps you improve. Each of us has the power to enlighten the lives of others every day. Good words and good deeds have a way of spreading. As the bumper sticker says, “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty,” and be thankful for all that you have. Wendy Jameson, MA, is a business coach, author, marketing and management consultant, entrepreneur, Web designer/strategist/manager, and has been an art teacher and family therapist. She lives in Gilbert with her husband, two boys and black Labrador retriever. Contact her at wendy@potentiate.net. |
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