A Small Business Superpower!

As you move into the week of Thanksgiving, your focus naturally turns to things you are grateful for.

And even though you might do a decent job of expressing gratitude in personal circles, it’s also essential to express thanks in your small business relationships. Often underestimated, this simple act can have far-reaching and profound impacts on the success of your business—but even more importantly, on YOU.

Not convinced? Here are a few compelling reasons to keep a posture of gratefulness this week, and for the next 51 weeks.

Benefits the GIVER and RECEIVER

When you speak authentic words of appreciation for something, you make yourself vulnerable and REAL. This in turn creates a strong connection between you and the person on the other end, receiving the thanks.

And it’s infectious.

In his book A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, author Daniel H. Pink describes how one gratitude encounter can turn into multiple events.

When you thank someone, it often causes that person to consider how they could pay it forward, and in the author’s words… “they make their own pilgrimage, as eventually do the recipients of their thanks, resulting in a daisy chain of gratitude and contentment.”

Wins the Hearts of Customers

By showing that you appreciate your customers, you make them feel valued and gain their loyalty.

So how do you do that? It’s not always the grand gestures. 👇🏼

• Write a personalized note on customer invoices or tuck in with their purchase

• Offer special early promotions to your contact list

• Refer others to a client’s business; give a shoutout or spotlight on another small business owner

• Give exclusive VIP offers to your engaged followers on social media

• Show your loyalty by doing your best to respect their timetable

Keep the mindset that EVERY client/customer is important and valued.

Gratitude will always follow.

Grows Business Partnerships

Few businesses can operate successfully without partnering with other businesses and vendors. When you take the time to show gratitude to those vital partners who meet your needs, spark your creativity, and help you achieve your goals, it opens the door to new ideas that you might not have come up with on your own.

Collaboration is a powerful tool!

Although it’s certainly important to be grateful at this time of year, the “superpower” of gratitude is simply too important to be celebrated only on one day.

When people recognize and acknowledge one another—genuinely and regularly—we all benefit.