What Kids Can Teach Us About Business Relationships

This past week my youngest daughter turned 8 - she had birthday party with 12 or so girls her age. They played like most birthday parties, ate cake and ice cream and then opened presents. AH the presents; this is where I learned something that I can use in my business. All the girls gathered round as Gracen (my daughter) opened the gifts one by one; she would announce the name of the friend that brought the gift then tear into the packages - with one small thing that really struck me. Every girl had handmade a card and drawn pictures in great detail of themselves and Gracen together - playing or doing something that the two of them had done before.

Now, it may not seem like much but think about the extra effort these kids had to take to make something that was just for Gracen and that only Gracen would appreciate or even know the meaning behind. One girl gave her a new T-Shirt and in the drawing had drawn Gracen wearing the shirt - wow!

In business it is the small things that set us apart from the rest of the herd of competitors. I use a quote from time to time that "The difference in ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra". This quote came to mind when I saw those drawings and handmade cards. What do you know about your clients that you can make a point to discuss? What "little extra" can you do this week for your clients? It can even be a simple drawing.... use crayons if you have to but do something different from the rest and make it memorable.

Email me some of the things you do this week - I'd like to hear from you and I'll post the things I do this week too.

andy.bailey@mynationlink.com