By Lisa Champagne-Minyard, Thrive Program Manager
As another year winds down and we find that the holidays are upon us, it is the perfect opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to those who we depend on to support our businesses. We’ve made it through another year, and we know how hard we have worked. But perhaps we don’t often take the time to realize that there are others who have also put in the time and energy that ultimately makes it possible for us to thrive.
Often a small gesture is all it takes to show our customers, employees, and vendors that we appreciate their efforts and support. Take the time to show your appreciation to those who make your business possible.
One thing to remember is that people do business with people. A strong, appreciative culture will become part of your brand, and become evident to those who do business with you. People want to do business with someone who appreciates and respects them whether customer, employee or vendor. Focusing on gratitude helps people feel valued and important.
Ideas on how to appreciate Customers:
- Spend time with them
- Feature them on your website
- Refer them to other clients
- Anticipate and take care of their needs
- Recognize special achievements/events
- Listen to them and take action when you are able
Ideas on how to appreciate Employees:
Employees are your internal customers. When you appreciate and treat them with respect, they will more likely reciprocate with Customers. Treating customers and employees well is equally important.
- Tell them – give them specific positive feedback. Tell them what you liked, why you liked it and ask them some detail about what they did.
- Empower and trust them- hire them for their talents and strengths and let them do what they do best.
- Play to their strengths, provide opportunity for them to grow and learn.
- Celebrate Birthdays. Everyone likes to be remembered on their birthday – decorate their office/space.
- Once a year, ask every employee to write something they truly admire, or share how every other employee has helped them or the organization. Collect all of the comments and distribute them to each individual.
Ideas on how to appreciate Vendors:
Good relationships with your vendors can help make your business run more smoothly! When you go out of your way to appreciate them, they are even more likely to go out of their way to do a great job for you!
- A personalized thank you note that thanks them for something specific that they have done to support you, such as an early delivery, going out of their way to find something for you, your great looking website, their excellent customer service etc.
- Provide them with a testimonial
- Send them referrals
- Be polite
- Be upbeat – yours may be the best and most memorable call they have all day!
How do you show appreciation to the people who make your business possible? Please tell us how you show appreciation (email Kelsey at kbaker@wevonline.org) and we will share your best ideas in an upcoming blog post!
