BizBuzz -

How many ways can you say “Thank You” to someone in your business? With customers or other people you do business with, it could be a lost art form for you, but potentially a great way to reconnect or even solidify your relationships. I remember early in my sales career, my manager said I should keep notes all day in order that I be able to recall and then write a note of thanks to each of the people I encountered. It seemed like homework initially, as some days this list would be exceed 30 notecards, so my stationery and postage budget did get quite large at one point. Some how though, this simple gesture began to pay off: people would remember me when I’ve arrive at their office weeks later, or I’d make friends with people just because of a short, funny note I sent them. Over time, though, email got the better of me, and I have relied maybe too heavily on dropping an email note instead of the handwritten variety. Thanks doesn’t stop with notecards and can take on all kinds of forms, large and small. Here are some ideas that you can use online, to supplement your scribed-to-paper ones:

• Gift card
• Downloads
• Make mention of them in your blog
• Provide comments on their blog
• Refer them to a colleague
• A phone call
• A delivered cupcake with a note
• E-card
• A public note, like on Twitter, without the Follow Friday or other reference
• Delivery of food to their office for breakfast or lunch

Giving thanks is one of those things that no matter who you are, is always appreciated and never goes out of style, plus it always leaves a positive impression – it’s just not done as much any more.  A key thought on this: the better you know the person you’re thanking, the more fabulous you can make your thanks. And when to give thanks? When a person’s act or knowledge has helped or made you or your project better in some way. (I’ve tried to make that more elaborate, but it seems simplicity still reigns here.)  So go and give thanks, you’ll make two people feel better right away.

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Photo Credit: psd