It’s already November! It’s time to show gratitude for things that have positively affected our day to day lives, both in business, and personally, for the past year. Happiness experts say that making a conscious choice to focus on gratitude for all the good things that have, and continue to come our way, helps us to attract even more positive and productive outcomes for the future. Author, Brian Tracy, advises us to “Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” Well, with this past year’s business economy…some (from every industry) are grateful just to be still “hanging in there”!
Author/speaker/trainer, Anthony Robbins tells us, “When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day drama, and stress, of doing business in a bad economy, however, experts like Tracy and Robbins preach that cultivating a practice of being thankful, and showing appreciation, can play an important part in boosting a company’s bottom line. Saying thank you, showing our clients how important they are, and how much we appreciate their business, may be one of the strongest tools for customer retention.
It’s coming up on the time of year when many businesses send holiday cards to thank clients for their business. Hallmark Cards is running a new TV ad that uses the tag line, “This year, appreciation may be the best gift of all!” They’re letting us know that this shouldn’t just be a once a year project. It’s “politically correct” to tell our clients, year round, that we are thankful for their business and support.
There are lots of ways we can, and should, show our gratitude during the life of a business relationship, starting with a simple thank you note after a project or an event is finished. If hand writing a note is a challenge, email makes it easy to drop a quick note to express thanks. Some ideas for year round customer “touches” include:
- Customized cards with your company logo on the front, and plenty of room to write a detailed thank you. Timing counts. To be effective, a thank you note should go out within 48 hours of the project’s delivery.
- Send thank you notes that can include news about special offers. .
- Host a customer recognition day. Invite your best clients for coffee and rolls on their way to work. Or leave a (covered) tray of holiday goodies out on the “front counter” for them to enjoy when they come in to arrange for an event or project.
- Keep a jar of (wrapped) candies ready for them to help themselves.
- Host a “lunch and learn” for better clients. This can be an opportunity to show off a new addition to your business.
- Give customers some PR with a “show off board” where you can post pictures of the customer’s latest event or project.
- Pass along compliments. When you hear or read about something your customer has done/completed, send a note of congratulations or best wishes. Clients like to have their accomplishments recognized.
- Create and print a “Tips for a Great Event” to take to them, along with a small gift. This can be something your business can create, in house.
- Send them a hand written card with a possible lead for their own business.
- Visit them at their place of business. Saving them time is a huge way of saying thank you, plus you can take advantage of the chance to see the client’s business surroundings.
- Treat every single client like it’s the first day of business. Let them feel your excitement and enthusiasm. Broadway actors and actresses make each audience feel like they’re the first audience.
- Make a phone call. Call to check on how things went. Did the every thing go as planned? Were all parties pleased? Not only does this provide a chance to say a verbal thank you, it gives you the opportunity to find out if you need to do some “repair work” for the project/event, or the customer.
- Give them the gift of “food”. Fill glass candy jars (preferable with your business logo on them) with seasonal candy…like foil wrapped kisses, and hand deliver to them. This gives you the chance to call on them later on to re-fill the candy jar. Who doesn’t like candy?
- Bring customers flowers or tomatoes, or zucchini, or whatever, from your garden. A business friend of mine raises a fruitful garden each year and always shares the bounty with his clients…who look forward to getting fresh, organic produce. Another business friend makes the yummiest, home-made peanut brittle. She gets great, rewarding feelings when she delivers this gift to her clients…who can’t wait for the holidays to get this gift. Her customers wouldn’t think of leaving her. They know she cares enough to make the very best for them!
- Send Valentines to show your clients how much you love them.
While you’re looking for ways to thank your clients, remember to thank your team members who work hard, and who go the extra mile to make sure you have happy clients. When team members feel appreciated they go even farther out of their way to give great ideas, bring in new clients, and make your business even more successful. Most businesses couldn’t operate without good team players. Why not…
- Host a holiday dinner for the team and their significant others. It doesn’t have to be at a fancy restaurant or private club…cooking your best meal for them, at your home, shows them how important they are to the company. If you’re not a great cook, then you can host a “pot luck”, so everyone can show off their best dishes. This makes for great camaraderie.
- Plan a summer cook out with hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats. This is a favorite of our team. It’s casual so everyone can let their hair down and enjoy.
- Bring in ice cream on special days…or to honor a team member who’s done something special. Our team loves “Cold Stone” days.
- Coffee and bagels during a morning staff meeting helps everyone to “get with the program”.
- Sponsor a team that staff people belong to.
- Say thank you, often!
Thanksgiving Day comes once a year, but every day, there are people and companies that deserve our thanks. In some cases, a simple “Thank You!” is correct. At other times, it’s just good business to remember to go a little farther to express gratitude. Deep appreciation and a sincere “Thank you”, don’t grow old. When people feel appreciated they’ll go out of their way to buy from you, bring new customers to your business, share great ideas, and keep you at the top of their list for when their plans call for product and services you can provide. There’s a saying that goes, “A client won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” Happy Thanksgiving everyone…and THANK YOU!
Donna M Gray
Total Awards & Promotions Inc.
