 The Power of Personal 'Thank You' Notes
Very few people in business ever
send thank you notes and even fewer (and far between) do it on a regular
basis. And yes, we do order boxes of those pre-printed "Thank You" notes, but then we stow them away in our desk drawers and our supply closets -- out of sight and out of mind.
In a meantime, we're constantly looking for extraordinary ways to WOW! the people around
us -- to get their attention and appreciation -- at the same time discounting
the most obvious and most effective tools.
A personal note is such a tool. Isn't it nice when someone sends you a
short note thanking you for your help on a project or for the wonderful
dinner you shared? Doesn't it make you feel good - even great? Sure it
does. And in business - do you appreciate when your bank sends you a card
thanking you for your business? Aren't you more likely to remember that
nice salesperson who dropped you a note? More likely to call him or her again? And....Doesn't it feel good when YOU write a note and send it to someone....sure it does.
It literally takes only about three minutes to write a note, fold it, stick it
in an envelope and mail it, but the power of it is awesome. It is one of
the ultimate success weapons. People who send Thank You notes are thought
of as gracious, well mannered -- and since so few people do it -- also
a clear cut above the rest.
You see, personal notes build relationships, the most important element
in any business. They demonstrate your commitment to your employees and your business contacts and
to the service you provide. In addition to saying "Thank You", personal notes can be used to: - Show appreciation to someone who did something nice for you
- Let someone know that you appreciate the special-effort service they gave to you
- Recognize a great job on a work project or important task
- Let someone know you observed them doing something nice for someone else
- Recognize achievement -- personal achievement, the achievements of someone's children, etc.
- Recognize a job promotion or a new job
- Welcome someone new to the team
- Share kind words during a time of family or personal illness or hardship
The power of personal notes is unquestionable.
In order to develop a sustainable note-writing habit, you must develop a systematic approach
to it, without losing spontaneity. Here is a Five Step System that will help make your note-writing both effective and efficient:
-
Use a broad tip pen for a bold, easy to read message
- Make the note short - maximum 3-5 lines
-
Have a unique close (rather than "sincerely" or "regards")
- Keep a supply of blank notes and envelopes on your desk, in plain view at all times
-
Decide to write a minimum number of notes day or per week
Begin a habit TODAY of writing personal Thank You notes and watch your personal and business relationships transform into a whole new level of depth and richness.
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Quotes to Inspire
"The power of words is immense. A well-chosen word has often sufficed to stop a flying army, to change defeat into victory, and to save an empire. -- Emile De Girardin
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