ONE: Personalise your present It's a shame how many people choose to thank their network by giving everyone the same gift, or presenting their champions with something they would like themselves.
Personalise your thank you. Think about what the other person is interested in rather than what you like yourself. Don't automatically give whiskey or wine - they may have a different preference. Or not even be a drinker.
TWO: Do something for them Often the most powerful way to thank someone is to look for opportunities to reciprocate. Unless you are dealing in very high end contracts, the chances are that a referral back would be a much more powerful acknowledgment than a cheque for 10% of the business won.
It doesn't even need to be a referral back. Be generous with your time, support and advice if needed. Once you start reciprocating you can create a virtual cycle of mutual referrals and support.
THREE: Tea for two What better way to personalise a thank you than to invest your time in building a deeper relationship? Take people out for tea, for lunch or dinner. You can take them to a show or sports fixture if it's the type of event they will appreciate, but accept you'll have less time to talk in such an environment.
When you do meet up make it a social catch up and an opportunity to find out how you can help them. Remember you're thanking them - don't use it as an opportunity to take more.
FOUR: Card games Send people a 'thank you' card. You can make a longer term impact for a much lower cost than some of the ideas above with a simple card. I have thank you cards in my office that were sent to me over ten years ago. I simply don't take them down.
Use a site like Moonpig to personalise the cards further if you can.
FIVE: Just say 'Thank You' Don't over complicate things when you don't need to. As with the previous tip, sometimes the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact. The key is that you are sincere and authentic.
Pick up the phone and say thank you. Give feedback and, when relevant, keep people in the loop at all stages. If someone has referred you and it turns into business three months later, thank them for the referral and thank them again when the business is confirmed. If that client then refers you, go back to your original Champion and say thank you once again.
Good manners don't need to cost anything. And if you demonstrate them and make people feel good about helping you, they will want to do it again and again. | 
