Be Happy: Give Thanks, Note Your Gratitude

08	Nov
	2013

Generosity

A few years ago I was working with a small sales group doing great things inside of a large consulting firm. I suggested they do what I do: send out a Thanksgiving message to the 5 to 10 individuals who are critical to their personal and professional success and to whom they could express their gratitude. I told them it could be as basic as “thank you for your business" or recall a particularly useful piece of advice and counsel.
You should do the same, to friends as well as to business colleagues. You can even wait until just after Thanksgiving, but do it before your heartfelt personal message gets lost in the rush of holiday cards. Here's what one of those hard-working consultants wrote to one of his long-time customers (and friends), minus names and details:

Dear Bill (not his real name),

I always find the Thanksgiving holiday a particularly reflective one for me. Rushing through the year, it’s too easy to forget all that I have to be grateful for. It’s been great getting to know you over the years and I want to thank you for your help as we work to broaden our relationship and drive value at your company. First at Company Y and now at Company Z, you have been a consistent supporter and coach. We still have to perform, but you have been a friend of my firm (and me) for some time. So thank you.

Right now I am on a flight returning from Hong Kong where I had the special chance to spend time with my son and his friends. Our work takes us to many places over time, and in this case I was able to take a side trip after my business in Beijing. Never know where our families will end up, and in this case I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my son in his new world in Hong Kong.

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend was special as well and you too had a chance to reflect a bit.

The response he got from Bill:

Thanks for the note. I did similarly and spent the week at my lake house with my daughter, father and siblings’ families so it was a very nice and relaxing time. I, too, am grateful for our relationship and how you have helped me to connect throughout the industry and continue to aid in my personal development. It has been fruitful for both of us.

On a somewhat related note, I think we will be in a position within a week or two of requesting a proposal to help us...

Now, I do not mean to suggest that you be generous to customers, and to people in general, with an expectation that you'll get back, tit for tat. Do go into meetings with a list of five ways to make who you're meeting with successful. Don’t worry about what you’ll get in return. Become a trusted adviser. Stay focused on their success. Give the best advice you can give, only recommending things when it's a great fit for their situation.
In the long run, good karma will come your way.
Now's the time to give thanks. Let people know how you feel.
Warmest,
Keith