Business: Giving Thanks /Taken for Granted/ Showing Appreciation / Testimonials
As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday in 2011, we can all think of what we have to be thankful for this holiday season.
While many of us are enjoying the fruits of our labors some might say that the land of opportunity is fading. Some might go so far as to say that opportunities are so far gone that they can no longer see them in their rear view mirrors. With all of that we are still enjoying living in the best place on earth. It becomes more important to be thankful for what we have. Most important is sharing in the recognition of our plenty!
It is possible to take business for granted. Those of us who provide a service take it for granted when we collect a check. When making a sale we can take the time to write a personal note acknowledging that your new client has others they could have chosen. Thanking them for selecting us is important. Some might say it is even more important to thank the client that is repeat business. Then, there are those clients who refer more business. We have a mechanic that has done quality work on our cars. Everyone Lynne sees (even in parking lots) who drives a German car, is referred to Denny. In return, Denny rewards her with a free oil change. Denny knows how to keep new business coming in the door.
We need to also show appreciation to our suppliers and business associates. Good service goes beyond equipment that works, products arriving on time, and the expectation of things running as smoothly as the utilities. Sending a letter to San Diego Gas and Electric is on very few “to do lists” I am sure. However, if your website is getting you more referrals, a thank you to your web designer could be in order.
In Marshall Goldsmith’s book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, he tells us to say, “Thank you. You’re one of the top 25 people who have helped me have a great professional life.” In 1974, I went to work as an engineer for 3M Company in Rochester, New York. I worked with the Maintenance Manager, Dick Mault. There were days that Dick would take me by the collar to teach me a new lesson! Rarely does a day go by that I do not think of Dick and the lessons he taught me. I apply his teachings nearly daily. Last year I reached out to thank Dick, who is now 84. The exchange we had was wonderful. I think I enjoyed it as much, if not more than, Dick. Reach out to your top 25.
Give recognition where recognition is due. Testimonials from vendors and clients are good methods for creating a thankful environment. Offer yourself up to people you meet who offer a product or service that you have used. It can even be a testimonial from someone other than the person you purchased the product or service from. I have had a Pre-Paid Legal membership since 2000. It is a service that I used infrequently, yet it has saved me time, money, and friendships. When I meet someone who is starting in the Pre-Paid Legal business, I always offer a testimonial for how well the product works.
Giving thanks for being alive should be sufficient during this holiday season. Showing thanks for client business in a way that can be done year round can be very important, as well as rewarding. Do this by reaching out and offer to help. I do this with a weekly call to approximately 70 individuals I have met over my many years of networking. Each week I call ten individuals, minimum. I ask them, “What can I do today to help you grow your business?” Because I am in the business of connecting people this fits well in my scope. It also returns business to me as they reciprocate. Offering your client, past clients, and vendors a system of giving thanks can be rewarding when giving and might also lead to you receiving (more than just a check.)
Gerry Rose runs INTEGRITY Networking Solutions in Oceanside, CA. He works with people in business who want to attract the right prospects and generate more referrals. More than 10,000 businesses have been presented the INTEGRITY Networking Solutions system in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange Counties.
Gerry’s stimulating presentation Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals is ideally suited for small business owners, home-based businesses, and independent professionals who want clearer direction and want to attract more prospects, develop dynamic systems, and strengthen their companies’ accountability. Gerry does one on one consulting, conducts a range of keynote speeches from thirty minutes to full-day education workshops.
His book series, Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, are available on the website, www.integritysd.com.
Gerry has more than 20 years’ experience directing business owners how to grow their businesses. He is a networking dynamo. Those who know him will assure you that he does a great job of bringing people together—which is why he started INTEGRITY.
Involved with networking organizations since 1984, Gerry is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a member of Toastmaster International, and has chaired numerous chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations.
Are you truly committed to attracting the right prospects and generate more referrals? If so then contact INTEGRITY Networking Solutions for availability and information. You can contact Gerry by mail at 1610 Quiet Hills Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056. Direct dial (760) 439-4623; e-mail to gerry@integritysd.com. For more information, go to www.integritysd.com
