I was at the city permit department Tuesday, not where you expect to find excellent customer service, but I did.  So, I took a moment to get the name of his supervisor and send his supervisor a note expressing my appreciation for his employee’s excellent service. Not only do people like others who show kindness, you know, when I take a couple of minutes to write a quick note, it makes me feel happy too.  Studies show that expressions of gratitude have “significant and consistent improvements” on our worldview and on achieving optimal psychological functioning.” ^*

When the opportunity presents itself consider a sincere letter of appreciation. It’ll make you feel good!

Five Tips to Writing / Showing Your Appreciation:

1. Write it soon after your experience.
2. Be sincere, concise and specific about why you are writing. Giving the full name, if possible, of who you are writing about.
3. Address your appreciation letter to a specific manager. You wouldn’t want the letter to get lost in the shuffle of “who would this go to?”
4. A handwritten card always carries more weight on the sincerity meter than an email. I like the Send Out Card system. Although it’s not really handwritten, it looks like it… (Send a free card on us, let someone know you appreciate them today)
5. Write a simple close, no need to get too flowery…

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Share appreciation today.

Have a great day whatever your adventure
To Success! To Life!
Sharon

p.s. Great things are happening here at Impression Engineers. We will have our own Blog Talk Radio Show called Beyond Lip Service: Business and communication solutions - commentary and interviews with dynamic communicators on practical skills of influence, inspiration and persuasive managing, presenting, marketing and copy. Join us on December 2 at 10am Pacific as we interview Gary Phillips, a management communications specialist.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beyondlipservice


^{* Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life by Robert A. Emmons and Michael E McCullough, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Copyright 2003 by the American Psychological Association, Inc., 2003, Vol.84}

How can I make you smile today?

I called a local company the other day to make an appointment… The woman that answered had a smile on her face… even over the phone, I could just tell. She made me smile by not only her friendly pattern, but what she said, “Thanks for call ‘X’. This is Linda, how can I make you smile today?”

Those real, authentic, natural smiles are infectious, whether you see them or not…

Remember, it’s often the smallest of things that change the rest of someone’s day. Make it a habit to smile. Did you know that smiling alters not only the brain chemistry to those who receive our smile, but us–the smile-sender too? Imagine what can happen the next time you choose to smile? I think we could all use a little extra happiness these days.

With cell phones, texting, social networking, email, and more, many of us don’t interact face-to-face much anymore, so how do you “virtually” smile?

It’s easy if you are on the phone – smile. A real smile changes the shape of your face and throat which in turn changes the voice… The easiest way to know if it’s a true smile — are your eyes crinkling? Crinkly eyes = true smile. No crinkles? Phony (or too much botox.)

To send smiles online takes a little light-heartedness. Write your copy with a little twinkle. Having trouble writing with a twinkle? Move. Change your perspective, write from a different location or just move some things in your office. Try decluttering. Go for a walk with a voice-recorder…

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. ~Joseph Addison~

I attended a big local event the other day. By using the Book Yourself Solid Networking Strategy, I had stellar success meeting new people. 

BYS Networking is not about getting business. It’s about sharing your intangibles; e.g. your network, your knowledge, your compassion. The most successful way to share your intangibles is by encouraging others. The easy steps to encourage others is:

1. Show genuine interest.  “Genuine” is the key word here. If you are faking, your non-verbals will give you away…  Just met them and you aren’t sure how to express genuine interest? Ask thoughtful questions.

2. Acknowledge what they say. Listen to their answers. Acknowledge what’s important to them. This is not a time to argue or do the typically, “I know what you mean…now listen to my story….”

Acknowledge or paraphrase what they said. If necessary, perhaps offer a reframe. E.g.; If you hear “ Fifty pounds is alot, I let myself get so heavy…I still have to lose 30 pounds,” offer a reframe “Losing 20 is such an accomplishment, sounds like you are on a roll. Way-to-go!” A well-placed, congrats or way-to-go can be just the ticket to boost confidence.

Once you acknowledge, share your intangibles.
Sharing your intangibles is not about being a “know-it-all.” Don’t charge in with “What you need is…. Here again, genuine is the key.

Your network: Offer to lend a hand. Gently, yet proactively refer someone from your network. This doesn’t have to be business related, perhaps they mentioned golf and you have a great golf shop contact… 

Your knowledge: Give of your accumulated knowledge. Here is where the “know-it-all” can emerge. Use language that moves the knowledge away from you as the expert, such as “I was reading the other day…” or “I heard ‘X’ on the radio and maybe that might work in your situation.”

Your compassion: Respond with something unexpected.  It can be genuine compassion or empathy in the moment, or if more appropriate as a follow-up. It’s unfortunate, yet compassion may startle people these days…  One easy way to show your compassion is this cool, new keep-in-touch tool we use—Best Impression Cards from SendOutCards.com.

We think it is so cool, we have set-up a webpage where you can send out a free card—just to see for yourself… Send someone, even yourself, a card and learn more about all the ways you can use Best Impression Cards from SendOutCards.com. 

Imagine the impact. Out of the blue, a couple of days after this event I attended, someone you just met gets a personalized “Nice to Meet You” card. This is a real card, not an e-card. I just sent one so personalized that I mentioned the event and where we met “…it is so funny, you never know who you will meet in the ladies room…” I closed with wishing her all the best with the impeding birth of her new son. By being genuine, showing up in the world with who we are and what we stand for, is how we can have maximum impact.

Imagine with the holidays coming up being able to send real cards to all your clients, friends and family for 63 cents each + postage. (With the holidays being so “PC” now-a-days,) consider sending a Thanksgiving card to all your family, friends and  clients thanking them—you can even upload your logo or photos and make personalized cards. Too cool!

Go right now to SEND MY F*R*E*E Card to send a card and see what I mean…

After you send out your free card, email me and let me show you all the neat features, including gifts… One of my favorites is sending a gift card to a well-known coffee shop. Just the other day, I had exceptional service and I immediately sent not only the fellow that gave me the service a card, but his boss too. I think I have a friend for life.

Enjoy the Adventure!

To Success! To Life!

Sharon