Say a Big Thank You
It’s your business. You’re the one who worked long hours and made sacrifices to make it happen. You took risks, gave up your weekends and put yourself on the line. Give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve earned it. And while you’re at it, give some love to those who’ve helped you along the way.
Say a thank you to your family. We do a lot of what we do for them, but at the same time they do a lot of what they do for us. So whether they were working right alongside you during all those late nights you put in, running errands so you’d have time to fine tune that client presentation or providing quiet encouragement in the background, take a moment to appreciate them.
Say a thank you to your staff. They may have been with you when you were still forming your start-up in your basement or your garage. Others may have just joined you. They’ve sat with you, providing valuable insight on a project or maybe a friendly bit of advice. They’ve put in long hours away from their families to help you realize your shared dreams. Regardless of how long you’ve known them, take a moment to recognize them and the contributions they’ve made to your success.
Say a thank you to your contractors. They may not be employees who’ve bled and sweated with you, but they’ve played a role in your success. It may be the maintenance man who keeps the pipes in your office from freezing or the fellow who brings in the water for the cooler. It might the tech that makes your website hum or the graphic design artist who turned your crude concept for the company logo into a crisp work of art. Let them know you appreciate their efforts.
Say a thank you to your customers. You wouldn’t be where you are without them. When you were getting started they saw something special in you and took a chance when they could have gone to a more established competitor. Now that you’re growing they rely on you to provide them the same quality, service and personal attention they’ve come to expect. They’ve given you important feedback on how you’re doing and they’ve provided suggestions for ways you can do better. Whether it’s a simple thank you email or a store wide ‘customer appreciation’ sale, let them know what they mean to you.
No one is an island, so the saying goes. We touch and are touched by everyone around us in the most amazing ways. So this holiday season, share some love with the people who’ve helped make you and your business what they are.