Thank You Thursdays
March 9th, 2008 Posted in GeneralDid you know that one of the simplest, most powerful strategies for enhanced leadership, sales and customer service is to thank your co-workers and customers?
It’s as simple as “Thank You.”
We just have to make time to say it—write it—and mean it.
Doug Conant, the CEO of Campbell’s Soup for example, has written 16,000 thank you notes to employees since 2001 and re-energized the company in the process.
The key is to do it and do it often. Otherwise it won’t become a habit and if it’s not a habit it won’t produce results.
Consider PPR, a company recently voted as one of the best places to work in Florida. They implemented Thank You Thursdays: a process where every Thursday each employee writes at least three thank you notes to their clients. PPR recognized the importance of saying “Thank You” and they created a system to make it happen. I love this idea because they know the system drives the habit and the habit creates results.
But what if I don’t work for a company that has Thank You Thursdays you might ask? Then simply create your own system or find one that works for you. Thank you Friday’s perhaps. 
There’s even a company called Profits in Progress, www.profitsinprogress.com, that provides business people with thank you note cards and a system to help you incorporate the power of gratitude into your business process.
If you don’t like writing thank you notes then make it a point to call your customers and colleagues and thank them over the phone. Or thank people when you meet them in person. Thank your employees for striving to help the team succeed. Thank them when you see them doing something right. Thank your co-workers for helping you on a project. Thank your customers for the opportunity to serve them.
Expressing gratitude, like anything, is a skill and the more we do it the better we get.
6 Responses to “Thank You Thursdays”
By tuanh@tu-anh.com on Mar 10, 2008
i think that the power of gratitude makes a huge difference in how productive your staff can be. At the end of each project or big season, i normally have a thank you lunch for all those involved in the projects to congratulate and thank them for a job well done or i take them out to dinner. It lets the employees know that you appreciate their hard work and you recognize it.
tu-anh
By Fresh Eddy on Mar 10, 2008
Hey Jon-Fresh Eddy here. Life after salsa. I am now with Publix. The power of thank you’s to associates and to customers is hugh. The look on an associate’s face when it lites up is worth it. Not only does it promote teamwork but I have found that it promotes ones self. Both associates and upper management take a liking to it and it speads like wildfire. Thanks for your weekly inspirations. Keep the bus going.
By gLathan on Mar 10, 2008
In addition to always trying to thank my other team members and customers, I can’t forget my boss. A few times a year I reflect on the opportunities that have been afforded to me by the owner of our company. After I have had a review, at the end of our fiscal year, after a strategic planning meeting and at holiday time I always take time to appreciate the challenges and support and feedback that I have received. No matter how tough my job can be, I always feel appreciated, and I know that it is important to pay that forward…even toward your supervisors and mentors.
By PD Nugent on Mar 10, 2008
As I told my wife last week after she had a job offer she turned down…”write a thank you card! The written word does magical things!” It’s true, it goes sooo far in showing people you really do care, and it is a fantastic way to be DIFFERENT from all the “other guys”. I start the week with five thank you cards on my desk, the goal is for them all to be gone by weeks end. Just a tip…
Think healthy,
PDN
By Eleanor @ Creative Times on Mar 10, 2008
Hi Jon -
In addition to sending hand-written emails, I have also sent bouquets of flowers to people who have made a difference to me. Some of them I know personally - e.g. my great aunt; others I have never met — e.g. a favorite artist/children’s book author and a young woman who choreographed a performance for a dance competition.
There is great fun to be had in sending thank yous in all forms to the folks who least expect it.
Eleanor
creativetimes.blogspot.com
By Mollie Marti on Mar 11, 2008
The power of gratitude is HUGE. Not just on increasing your bottom line (it does), but on improving your life as you create a habit of showing it to others.
One tool I use is a service that allows me to send handwritten (in my personal font) cards or postcards to clients, prospects, strategic alliances, family and friends. I select them from my computer and the company mails a real card in a stamped envelope. This has allowed me to mail cards while travelling or at the moment I’m thinking of someone and can’t run to the card store.
If interested, check out http://www.sendoutcards.com/29466 and send a card to try out the system.
Jon, your newsletter gave me the idea of setting a specific day of the week when each staff member chooses a client and sends out a thank you or keeping touch card. Love it. Thanks, Jon!