Relationship Marketing

Gratitude Can Change Your Life!

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Gratitude Can Change Your Life!

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

Gratitude is thankfulness; it is a way of being, of counting your blessings and acknowledging all you receive. It comes down to living your life as if everything in it was a miracle, and being aware of just how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus away from what is lacking in your life, to the abundance that is already at hand. Expressing your gratitude or giving thanks, strengthens relationships, improves health, reduces stress and makes people happier and far more resilient. It brings real joy into your business.

As business people we have a tendency to take things for granted and in particular good things. This little exercise may help you to notice and appreciate one of your most valuable assets: Imagine losing all of your customers. Then imagine getting them back, one by one. Now consider how grateful you are for each and every one of them.

Now that you have recognised each of them for the real value that they are to you, what are you going to do about it? One response would be to say that this was just a game and carry on as before, taking them and your relationship with them for granted, assuming that they will always be there. A better response would be to recognise their importance to your life.gratitude

Or, you might like to share your rediscovered joy at having them in your life and send them some sort of acknowledgement and appreciation for their real value in your life and business.

The more you become aware of things to be grateful for, the more enjoyment you will find along with greater appreciation in simple pleasures and things you just took for granted previously.

Gratitude should not just be used as a response when you’re getting what you want; it serves you best as an ‘all-the-time attitude and action.’ Living in gratitude is where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Today, right now, start bringing gratitude to all of your experiences, instead of waiting for good experiences in order to feel grateful. Do this and you’ll soon be making your way to becoming a ‘master of gratitude’ and having it change your life for the better.

Ron and Sue

Greeting Cards – The story of Joe Gerard

 in Business / Relationship Marketing  tagged Relationship Marketing / Relationship Marketing Made Easy by

Greeting Cards – The story of Joe Gerard

At a networking event a group of us were talking about unusual sales records when mention was made of the salesman who made a fortune and became the best ever car salesman by sending his clients greeting cards. I had known of him by reputation but little else and this inspired me to look him up and learn some more.

Joe Gerard is his name and I would encourage you all to Google his name and learn about his amazing story. In brief and citing Wikipedia “he was born in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan and after various jobs, was employed as an American automobile salesman. He sold 13,001 cars at a Chevrolet dealership between 1963 and 1978, Girard was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s greatest salesman. In 2001, he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

These are his sales credentials:

Sold more retail “big ticket” items “one-at-a-time” than any other sales person in any retail industry including houses, boats motor homes, insurance, automobiles, etc.

Averaged six new retail automobile sales a day (no used automobiles)

Most new retail sales in one day (18 automobiles)

Most new retail sales in one month (174 automobiles)

Most new retail sales in one year (1425 automobiles)

Most new retail sales in 15 year career (13,001 automobiles)

All retail, no fleet or wholesale.”

And how did he do it? What’s the secret?

He developed and maintained strong relationships. Joe used to send cards to all his prospects and clients. Actually he sent 13 every year, one every month and one for Christmas and by keeping in touch with them he imprinted himself into the psyche of his prospects and clients.

greeting cardsBy keeping in touch with people regularly; sending them “Thank you” cards, season’s greetings and even cards just saying “I like you”, he became “the world’s greatest salesman.”

Imagine what a similar campaign might do for your business.

Joe had to employ two assistants to buy the cards he sent, write in them, to address and stamp them, and get them to the post office, but it obviously paid great dividends for him.

What could sending cards and improving your relationships with your prosects and customers do for you and your business?

Fortunately, today you can operate a SendOutCards account and have your personalised cards and gifts sent in an easy, efficient and very low cost manner. If you don’t have a SendOutCards account already, I would encourage you to get one. Talk to your SOC distributor. If you don’t know a SOC’s distributor, by all means talk to us.

Ron and Sue

Point of Difference – Do you have one?

 in Relationship Marketing  tagged Gratitude / Relationship Marketing / Relationship Marketing Made Easy / Thank You by

Point of Difference – What is it and do you have one?

One of the best marketing strategies you can use—is to do the unexpected!!!

Do you have a memorable and outstanding point of difference?

I was in discussion with a group of small business operators and the subject turned to what we were doing in our businesses to stand out from the crowd – you know that something extra that really sets you apart.

Pricing, exceptional service, on time delivery, value adding and free gifts at time of purchase were all put forward as Point of difference’s, but in reality, isn’t this just what we expect and require from a business transaction. What’s really needed is something to make you exceptional.

A real standout is to do the unexpected – Create a memorable moment in your customers’ life by surprising them with something special; a card on their birthday, or a ‘thankyou’ card for doing business with you. Or what about sending them a double movie pass, or some delicious brownies, or shout them a couple of cups of coffee with a gift card. Best of all is the surprise sent for no particular reason at all. (At least from the customers’ point of view).

Thank You Card

You see, what a lot of us call our Point Of Difference is in reality just what our customers are looking for and expecting. The standout, the exceptional, is the business operator who does the unexpected and does it with style. It’s the POD that gets people talking about you, liking you and staying with you!

When it comes to a ‘gratitude marketing tool’ that can help you stand out from the crowd; one that is easy, convenient to use and very low cost, I would have to recommend using a SendOutCards account. And of course I must declare my bias as a SendOutCards distributor, but I can’t think of a better or more economical system for communicating and letting people know they are important to you.

Birthday card

Ron and Sue