Some companies, with long lists of customers, could find it challenging to use the holidays as the time to acknowledge and connect with them. Showing gratitude might be even more appreciated when people are not burdened with end of year projects and tasks. Since the holidays seem to be jam packed with events, family connections, and other things that come down the pike, try taking the pressure off your company by planning a thank you campaign at a different time of year. Here are a few suggestions:
• Take time to research and investigate other cultural, and unique holidays. Anyone remember Seinfeld’s “Festivus”? Invent one of your own, and create a perfect card to send that spells out how much your company appreciates the business.
• Ask your customers what they want. They may prefer a donation to a local non-profit group, or a virtual card that will save the trees, or a donation to a teacher for class supplies. Asking the customer makes the gift even more personal.
• Offer to volunteer at their favorite charity’s fund raiser. I have sat at more registration tables than I can remember, and every time I’ve done this, it’s brought back opportunities that might not have come along. One time, one of our team even drove 60 miles to give blood in a blood drive hosted by a prospective customer. That’ s really going the extra mile. The sad part is we never did get that prospects business…but we had a great feeling of giving.
• Host a client event…in January or February. In Wonderful Wisconsin, these are the dull, dreary days of winter. This is the perfect time to host anything from a hot chocolate and donuts early risers networking time, to a wine and cheese after five networking event. Gracious hospitality and maybe including a little seminar of interest to all, will certainly set the event apart from all the others. Be sure to set up a greeting table with name badges for everyone, and let the big kahuna sit and greet the guests as they enter.
• Bake. Who doesn’t like home-made cookies, or fruit cake, pound cake, or zucchini or banana bread? Take an offering to your favorite customers every now and then. I’m reminded of that commercial that goes “Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven.” Getting a loaf of fragrant smelling , delicious nut bread allows the “giftee” to share with others on their team.
• Design your own basket, that includes something from your own company’s product mix, wrap it in cellophane, and attach a personal, handwritten card to express your gratitude.
Many, in our industry, are not sure if we need to give our clients gifts. Some would like to know if the competition is giving anything. Well, my thinking tells me that our company should give gifts to the people we care about, the ones who support us all year round. We need to let them know how important they are to us. We need to show them that they are what make our companies successful. I think we need to remember long term customers, especially the ones who pay on time. I also like to remember, at least with a card, former clients that haven’t shopped with us for a while. My mother taught me that the best kind of gift is a thoughtful one. I like to give something that relates to the project we worked on, or something that fits into a customer’s personal collection, or something that will create the feeling of appreciation. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you spread a little holiday cheer around to all those who support your company all year round. Happy Holidays!
