"Remember a dear friend always lives in your heart and in your thoughts"
Appreciation is truly always in style and yet sometimes the very basics are often overlooked. Here is a quick and effective way to keep your clients, contacts, friends,connections and all those important in your life close and on their radar screen. The end result is that you will feel great, increase your loyalty and opportunities will continue to 'rain' into your life.
A- Articulate your thoughts- take Action and think of the positive Attitude you create and give when you reach out--Make it a goal of the week.
P- Plan it and do it- there are different vehicles to create your Appreciation reachout-- email, call, text, send a thought felt card or note. I am a huge believer as everyone knows of the handwritten personal note. I also now use and endorse a wonderful system to automate the process and still keep it personal-combing high tech and high touch and consistency. www.appreciationpower.net ( I invite you to take a take a gift account on me and send someone a heartfelt note today)
P- have a Purpose for all you do-in this case-it is to show appreciation. Create your Process and your Plan. One hour of planning saves three hours of execution-because you are organized.
R- build your Rapport and Relationships--they are continually growing. If you would like a list of my 33 topics to know about your connections over time--email me at andrea@nierenberggroup.com and I will send it right over.
E- Empathize and Execute - understand the highs and lows of what people are going through- then make sure to put your plan of appreciation into action--someone is waiting to hear from you now. Surprise them.
C- Compliments are often kept inside--share them with people--and in their preferred way and let them know. Number one -tell them, Number two--send them a note with your expression of gratitude on it. We are always getting Contributions from people in our life--show them your appreciation.
I- Initiate it and show Interest and do all with Integrity - find specifics on when you are reaching out to someone--why, what, when. It helps you process it and also keeps you on plan.
A- Ask the people in your life what their concerns, challenges and communications are like today and how you can help
T-Tell someone you value them and Thank them . Saying Thank you is always in style.
I- Initiate --do it today and everyday. Break it down in bite size pieces. Set a goal to show appreciation to different people in your life everyday.
O- Opportunity is everywhere--have your 24/7 awareness on and open to receive the information that would make someone's day and then tell them either verbally or in a note.
N-Now is the time. Nurture, nurture, nurture. What gets remembered get rewarded over time--be on people's radar to say you value them, appreciate them and enjoy them.
Here are 4 quick tips to exceed the expectations of your clients---I know you know them...so as a reminder:
- Exceed your deadlines. Under promise and over deliver. When you deliver in advance, you give your client time to show your flexibility and that you are focused on them.
- Ask your clients proactive/high gain questions. You are showing that you are a thought partner in their process and that you truly care about the results of their businesses.
- Know when to defer and inspire confidence by proving yourself to be a competent expert in your field. That is why the client hired you.
- Give continual feedback. We can all improve and our clients appreciate when we objectively show concern and with tact-giving thought and constructive critiquing.
Take note:
Have a great Memorial Day!
