Have you ever been in a store and received excellent customer service? Did you take a moment to say thank you?
Those simple words can really make someone’s day. Try going a step further to let a manager know how happy you are. Often we take time only to complain about bad service, yet we hardly take time to say thanks for great service.
Recently I bought a pair of shoes from a very helpful saleswoman. I made sure to say thank you to her and to let the owner know what a great job she was doing. It turns out it was her second day on the job. Afterward, she couldn’t stop smiling.
When I first started my business, I didn’t realize the power of thank you. Tracy Stevens of TLC Associates taught me that when someone pays you a compliment, simply say thank you. Don’t justify the compliment; to do so almost takes away the value. By accepting gracefully, your thanks reinforce the good opinion of the person complimenting you.
You can also show your appreciation by sending a small gift to someone who helps you. Perhaps a current client or business associate refers you to another client. You don’t have to buy them something extravagant. Just a small token of your gratitude with a handwritten note will express your thanks and enhance that relationship.
As a business owner, say thank you to your employees when they go above and beyond for you. A lot of companies use the concept of “employee of the month” to reward their employees. Take a moment to actually say thank you for a job well done and you just may see employee morale rise.
Saying thank you has many benefits. Try it and see the great results you get.
Luyk is CEO of Midnight Janitorial Inc. She may be contacted through her company’s website, www.midnightjanitorial.com.
This column is written by members of the Rochester Women’s Network (www.rwn.org).
Originally published in the Democrat & Chronicle on December 28th, 2010.