(Merriam- Webster Dictionary)

apanese - Domo arigato!

French - Merci!

German - Danke schün!

Spanish - Gracias!

Tagalog - Salamat!

Russian - Spasibo!

Latin - Gratia!

(source: http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/thankyou.htm)

As the holiday rush wraps up, our lives return to their 'normal' pace, whatever that may be. The New Year marks new beginnings and new opportunities for us. Will you take advantage of one of the first opportunities you have been presented with? Show your clients you appreciate their business.

Now that the holidays are over, you have the perfect reason to strengthen relationships: saying thank-you can go a long way in keeping the lines of communication open all year long.

What do we mean when we say "thank-you"? As the definition above states, "thank-you" is an expression of gratitude. It means that we are aware of a benefit received (perhaps a benefit not expected or in return for a favor we have done).

We were all taught when we were young to say "please" and "thank-you." But as we grow older and our lives become more hectic, we sometimes forget these simple phrases. "Thank-you" takes little time and effort, but the benefits it brings can be great.

It lets people know that you are aware of them and their impact on your business. It lets your customers know that you are grateful they have chosen to do business with you. Taking time to thank your customers for their support is important.

If you received any special gifts from them, a special thank-you is definitely in order. For some clients, a phone call may do the trick. For others, putting your gratitude in writing may be a better alternative.

For those customers you choose to call, make sure that the call is NOT a sales call. Just thank them for the gift or their continuing business and find out how they are doing. You will make them feel special if they think that you just called to talk to them and are not trying to sell them anything new. (This can pave the way for the next phone call, when you do have something to sell.)

When you send thank-you notes, make sure to personalize them. There is nothing quite as insincere as a preprinted thank-you card. Make sure you not only sign the cards, but also include a note, letting your customers know that they are truly appreciated.

Use salutations and the customers' names. This way they won't think that you are writing to a long list of people and don't really know who you're thanking. If they gave you a gift, be sure to mention the gift and describe how it has been used or enjoyed. Close by saying something about the future such as, "I'm looking forward to seeing you in the New Year."

Another idea is to send a small gift with your thank-you note. This can be a promotional opportunity-consider actually putting your thanks on the gift, such as a coffee mug, inscribed with something along the lines of "Thank you for your business," and include your company name and logo.

You should still send a personalized note with the gift. Whether it's a note or gift, whether you're thanking a client for a gift or for their support, your expression of gratitude should be sincere and warm.

Don't just say thank-you at the holidays. Any time of year is the right time to make your customers feel that they are truly appreciated and that you are grateful for their business. In an industry where customer loyalty seems to be rare, take full advantage of every opportunity to shift that trend in your favor. By building relationships, you can foster loyalty from each of your clients.

And in keeping with this idea, the staff of The Green Sheet wishes to thank all of our loyal readers. Our continued growth is due to your enthusiasm and support. We welcome your comments and ideas, so please send an e-mail to greensheet@greensheet.com and let us know what you think. We look forward to providing you with more education, inspiration and actionable advice in 2004.

Thank you!