End of Year Gifts of Thoughtfullness for Business Builders
We have talked about some of these ideas in previous posts here and elsewere (see "Business Gift Ideas" here) - and as adults we learn through repetition and reinforcement, so..... here are a few emphasized points to giving in BIG ways to those business owners and business workers you'd like to do something nice for.
Let's say you didn't send out cards (many didn't because of email greetings and holiday e-newsletters). You want to do something extra - have you considered:
1. Go to LinkedIn and re-visit who you are connected to. You might be surprised because a lot of folks forget. LinkedIn is not a passive tool - it needs to be viewed, nurtured, and grown. For now, find five to ten people who have helped you in 2010 and create a helpful, constructive, positive endoresement about them. They will see it once you save it, as they need to OK it before it is live. Chances are they will send you a note of thanks - and you can let them know that you simply wanted to thank them for their support this year.
2. While you are at LinkedIn, do a search of other strategic partners who were helpful to you and if they are not on LinkedIn, send them an invite. Create a simple note to let them know that you'd be happy to spend 20 minutes by phone to explain the value of having a robust profile and strong connections here.
3. Don't want to bother with a social network? Simply create a couple of powerful sentences about the value of a few of your contacts - and email those endorsements or value propositions to the appropriate contacts. For example:
"John Smith's barber shop is like nothing else in the area. My husband was treated like royalty and his hair cut and shave were the most professional he's had. I highly recommend them."
4. If you are set-up on a business Facebook page and Twitter (or one or the other), then find what people you admire in your network are promoting - and support them by tweeting it, re-tweeting it, and mentioning it on your pages and blogs. You should know that many people offer to do this, but most end up not accomplishing it - or they are not consitent. Helping someone gain extra visibility of a new product or a special time-sensitive program they are running is an important gift you can give.
5. Don't forget a simple phone call - the gift of your time to thank them by phone or Skype video call is priceless.
