While there are many ways this quote can be interpreted, here are my three cents on it: sometimes, we can forget how easy it is to make someone’s day. A simple thank you or personal note can have a lasting and meaningful impact on a customer and employee and help create an emotional connection they won’t soon forget.
Gratitude also has this funny yet beautiful way of teaching us how to shift our focus from what we don’t have to what we do.
Being grateful isn’t just good for the soul; it’s good for business, too. A healthy attitude produces a far more authentic customer experience. And yes, this means customers are more likely to buy, recommend you to others, and forgive any mistakes.
But there is so much more to it than that.
A culture of gratitude helps you nurture qualities within your workforce that provide things like: better customer service, improve overall customer experience, deliver genuine customer appreciation efforts, and form a happy workforce.
The good news: being grateful in business is something we can all work on and easily achieve. The better news: these efforts will help to empower more authentic customer appreciation.
And those are two things we can all cheers to!
To help get you started on your path to gratitude, we’ve created a list of some of the simple ways you can show your appreciation to both your customers and employees.
WAYS TO CONVEY CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
You’ve probably heard of customer appreciation day, but this only comes once a year, and, well, once a year just isn’t nearly enough. With a culture of gratitude in place, every day is a customer appreciation day. Here are a few ideas on how to show your customers just how much you appreciate them:
1. Keep in touch
Nothing makes a customer feel appreciated like giving your complete attention! Buying decisions are hugely dependent on how customers feel they are treated. Maintaining regular contact helps show customers they are important to you. We suggest going the extra mile and creating personalized messages. Check in to see how it’s going, if there is anything customers need help with. Don’t be afraid to be human.
2. Send customers personalized gifts “just because”
Maybe it’s a gift card, one of your products, or even something completely unrelated to your company (we suggest anything covered in chocolate). Giving a gift “just because” shows appreciation without a blatant attempt to get something in return, emphasizing your authenticity. There is no hidden agenda, no ulterior motive. It’s just you being kind. And we think kindness is the shit.
3. Really listen
Appreciation can come from simply listening to your customers’ feedback and thanking them for it. Your customers see your company from a perspective you never could. This makes their feedback incredibly valuable. Taking their thoughts on board builds trust, creates loyalty, and shows you value what they think. And that...is invaluable.