20 Days to a Better Business: Day 12 Say Thank You
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Each Monday we focus on one activity you can do today or over the next week to build yourself a better business. These short, actionable posts will show you what steps you need to take to take your business to the next level.
In case you’ve missed the previous posts, you can catch up here: 20 Days to Build A Better Business.
This is Day 12: Say Thank You
I don’t think that anyone would disagree with the statement that everyone is busy these days. So it follows that if you spend time on doing something which appears to be relatively minor, then the bigger the impact will be on either your customers or employees.
Doug Conant, President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company wrote in the Harvard Business Review recently that over the last 10 years he’d sent out over 30,000 handwritten notes to employees or partners thanking them, or celebrating their accomplishments, for the something that they have done to help Campbell Soup Company.
On the face of it, writing handwritten notes may seem like a waste of time. But in my experience, they build goodwill and lead to higher productivity.
The research organisation Gallup has shown through years of research that engaged employees are more productive employees. So, spending time hand writing Thank You notes, is actually investing your time in something that builds relationships. The important thing is that the Thank You’s need to be genuine and specific, otherwise you’ll be wasting a golden opportunity to connect.
So why not sit down today and write 5 Thank You notes to either suppliers, customers or employees to thank them in some specific way for how they’ve helped you or for a specific task they’ve undertaken (for example outstanding customer service). If you want to see how powerful it is, read the comments in the Harvard article above. You’ll see comments from employees who used to work with Doug 10 or more years ago and the lasting impression those notes left.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Scary.
I just did a post on this exact topic…!
Awesome stuff.
C
Chris C. Ducker´s last [type] ..Comment on Want Success… Say ‘Thank You’ More! Plus- a Public Message to My Wife! by Chris C Ducker
Matthew Needham Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Great minds and all that Chris! Just shows you saying thank you is important!
Hi Matthew
What a great idea. I do write handwritten thankyou cards to my customers when I post out their products. I have also emailed customers thanking them for their custom.
Only take a few minutes to express appreciation. I know I felt really blessed when people have sent emails to me too.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavender oils´s last [type] ..Can’t Sleep Get Some Lavender- The Rest Is Easy
Matthew Needham Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Hi Patricia, thanks for the comment. I think it’s really cool that you take the time to put personal notes when you send goods out to your customers. You’re right I’m sure your customers love it, which makes them more likely to recommend you. Excellent!
Brilliant post! I believe in the fact that everyone knows a “boss” is busy. And taking the time to make handwritten notes and letters means greater importance. It’s kind of a “time bargan”. Can’t wait to tell everyone about this at the next regional meeting!
Jasmine´s last [type] ..For Personalized Gift Baskets
Matthew Needham Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for the comment Jasmine.
Say Thank You…
Do not estimate the power of saying thank you. Doug Conant President and CEO of Campbell Soup has written more than 30,000 thank you notes in the last 10 years….
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