6 Ways to Create a Culture of Gratitude in Your Organization

From my personal experiences, I always have a wonderful high that lasts the whole day when I feel that I am appreciated....and someone has actually taken the time to verbalize their gratitude to me. Read below about the 6 ways YOU can create a culture of Gratitude where you work. Thank YOU for reading!

Sharon LaMothe

LaMothe Services, LLC

http://lamotheservices.com/

6 Ways to Create a Culture of Gratitude in Your Organization

By: Liz Jazwiec

If you want to make this the season of gratitude at your organization, the following tips will help you hardwire workplace gratitude from the ground up.

Say thanks. When someone does something kind for you, whether it’s your boss, your coworker, or a stranger, recognize it. A simple “thanks” will do. “You can’t expect people to appreciate you if you don’t receive their kindnesses and compliments with thankfulness,” says Jazwiec. “Sure, you might be skeptical if your boss goes to a leadership conference, and upon his return starts handing out compliments left and right. But just stop and think. Are those compliments making people happy? When you are recognized, does it give you even just the tiniest little twinge of happiness?

Adopt an “it’s the thought that counts” attitude. Consider this scenario: A new VP at a hospital wants to do something special for her hardworking, overworked staff. It’s decided that pizza will be provided for the entire hospital staff, rolling out over a Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday to ensure that every person on every shift can take a pizza break. The pizza plan goes into effect and the VP, who arranged everything, walks around the departments, expecting to be welcomed with open arms by an appreciative staff. Instead she finds that many of the teams taking care of patients are upset because they can’t leave their patients to go down to the cafeteria where the pizzas are located. Meanwhile they complain, the business office and IT staffs are able to go to the cafeteria as they please.

“Sometimes you have to take into account the intentions of your boss or your coworkers. If it is clear that they meant for something to be a way of thanking you or helping you, don’t complain about how they missed the mark. Thank them for thinking of you and move on.”

Communicate openly and honestly. If it’s gratitude you need, tell someone. Often your leaders or coworkers can be so tied up in their own tasks that they forget about those working around them. The natural reaction when this happens is to either hold in your negative feelings or complain to another coworker. But a more proactive stance might be to opt for open and honest communication.

Be prepared for some kind words. If you are unaccustomed to getting compliments, it may take some time for you to feel comfortable receiving them. Just practice and be prepared for some kind words.

Thank those you serve. Once you have mastered the gratitude thing with your bosses and your coworkers, you need to move on to the people you serve. “When I first told my staff that we ought to be thanking our patients, one of them replied, ‘What are we supposed to say? Thank you for breaking your leg?’” relates Jazwiec. “Obviously not. I suggested they say, ‘Thank you for putting your trust in us today.’ Regardless of your line of work, there is no better time to start showing your customers you appreciate them than in a slow economy.

Know that gratitude encourages repeat performances. Leaders, remember the behavior you recognize will be repeated. If you think an employee handled a disgruntled customer well or showed great proficiency in managing a group project, let him or her know about it and they’ll work hard to do the same, or even better, next time. And employees, if you acknowledge your boss’s efforts to show gratitude, they will keep doing it. Thank your boss for going to bat for you and your coworkers over a new piece of equipment you need or a pay raise dispute, and he or she will be more likely to do it again in the future.

About the AuthorLiz Jazwiec is a nationally renowned speaker, strategist, and consultant who has shared her passion for leadership, engagement, and service with audiences across the country.

3 Steps to Becoming a Trusted, Customer-Focused Business

Where has the customer service gone people ask....maybe department stores can ignore the importance of customer service these days but "service related" industry's simply CAN NOT afford to allow their clients to believe they are not special, unique and cared about. Your clients are your number ONE marketing and networking tool. Seriously folks! If you have a happy client they are going to spread the word about how wonderful, compassionate and caring you are...have a client who is disgruntled, unsatisfied and ignored will cost you more than money when THEY start telling their story! Customers need to know that you care...that they mean something to you other then a pay check. Treat them as you would like to be treated and watch your business grow!

Sharon
http://lamotheservices.com

Times Are Tough. Do Your Customers Know You Care?


3 Steps to Becoming a Trusted, Customer-Focused Business
by Larry Streeter, Constant Contact Vice President, Customer Support

Here in the Constant Contact Customer Support center, we have the benefit of connecting with our users every day -- either by phone, through live chat, or via email. We've been listening carefully to what they're saying about how the economy is impacting their businesses and their lives. And you know what? We've learned something very interesting and extremely valuable to any business or organization:

A down economy is the best time to connect with your customers.

Consumers are seeking trusted business sources to hear their concerns and provide them with options. Customers want your ear and your empathy. They want to be heard and acknowledged. They need to know that you understand and care about what they're going through -- even if they're not buying from you at this point in time.

It comes down to this: You may have the best product or service out there, but that alone won't guarantee your success if you haven't built loyal bonds with your customers. As we've often said, your existing customers are your best customers. They will thank you with their repeat business and send you business referrals. And they will think of you when they're ready to buy -- in good times and in bad. But customer loyalty must be earned.

Unlike big business, small organizations are uniquely able to cater to customer needs and earn their loyalty. How do you do that? By being 100% customer focused every day, with every interaction, in every aspect of your business. Here are three ways simple ways you can earn their loyalty by focusing on super-serving your customers.

1. Be Passionate About Your Customers
Being passionate about your customers starts with listening to and hearing their concerns. Make sure you always understand what the customer is saying or asking. Educate them on the value of the products and services you provide, and offer them solutions based on what they need. Passion means proving to customers you are vested in their success.

Passion also means being accessible, accountable, and HONEST. If there's a problem, don't gloss over it. Own it. And don't quit until you make it right. Saying, "I'm sorry, let's work this out" goes a long way toward earning your customer's gratitude and return business. Get on the phone or send an email and make that personal connection.

2. Use Every Interaction as an Opportunity to Build a Relationship
Consumers today are feeling beat up and shrugged off by the sorry state of some big-business customer service. Customers desire connection.

We have a mantra here: "Leave no customer unsatisfied." We give every customer our utmost respect and complete attention. This applies to all our users -- whether they are a current customer or have just signed up for a free trial. We make sure that with every interaction with our support team, that the caller is completely satisfied. And we take a lot of pride in that.

Every interaction -- be it over the phone, in an email, or across the counter -- is an opportunity to deepen your bond with your customer. Make sure all your employees share your commitment to your customers' success.

3. Learn What's Important to Customers and Deliver It

The businesses that are going to survive this economy unscathed are the ones who are listening to their customers and adapting their businesses based on customer feedback. By letting your customers know that you are not only interested in their feedback -- but you are willing to act on it -- you can build stronger customer relationships and earn your customers' loyalty.

Extend invitations for customers to give you feedback at every opportunity. If you have a physical store, put a suggestion box at the counter -- alongside your email sign-up list.

Include an open-ended question at the end of every email marketing communication asking, "How are we doing? What could we do better?"

Survey your customers to find out what they want and need right now. Ask them, if they're not buying from you now, why not? What would it take to get their business back? Report on that feedback to your mailing list in your future email marketing communications.

Write a Question-and-Answer column in your email newsletter inviting customers to sound off and tell you what's on their minds. Offer free advice. Use customer feedback to inform your email marketing content and drive your campaigns.

The economy may be turbulent for some time. The good news is, building loyal customer bonds is an investment in your business's future. Because when the dust clears and the economy picks up again, loyal customers are more apt to come back to a trusted source with whom they've done business before. But that's true only if they believe you're focused not on what you want to sell them, but on what they need. Today that might just be a good ear that shows you care.