Surprise, Delight, Repeat: Little Ways to Keep Clients and Employees Smiling Year-Round

Technology and the internet in general are incredible tools for business and entertainment. It has led to less connection for some people though and therefore when you ask, ‘what does a small gesture mean in love?’, the answer is usually a personal touch. Liking their posts on social media is nothing special but a gift that you’ve put thought into along with a thoughtful note of gratitude will stand out. If you’re looking to turn away from the digital world a little, sending a hand-written letter to someone once a month can help you deepen your relationships and taking the time to write the note can help you switch off too.

How Important are the Little Things in a Relationship?

Whether you’re nurturing a relationship with clients or employees, most people just want to feel appreciated and they don’t need grand gestures. Clients have a choice of many businesses so little gestures let them know their custom is important to you. Your employees of course get paid to work in your business but that’s just the law, it doesn’t show what their hard work means. Something extra such as a gift on their work anniversary or a thoughtful letter when they go above and beyond helps them see that they’re in the right place.

Figuring out the answer to ‘what are the little things that make a relationship stronger?’ will ensure your clients and employees stay happy but your business benefits too. Loyal clients boost your business and you’re more likely to get genuine referrals. Keeping great employees helps client experience and removes the cost of regular recruitment for your business.

Ideas of Moments to Celebrate and How to Remember

Remembering and acknowledging a birthday is usually the number one answer to ‘what is a thoughtful gesture in a relationship?’. It doesn’t have to be huge balloons waiting at their desk but a card with a nice message lets your employees know you care and that their big day hasn’t been forgotten. When it comes to a client, they likely won’t be expecting you to remember their birthday. Normally the only recognition we get from businesses on our birthdays is generic emails with discount codes. This means a client’s birthday can be a great way to check in and let them know what they mean to your business. Why not send some treats from their favorite bakery along with a meaningful message in a card?

If your clients run their own businesses, sending gifts to acknowledge their business milestones will really show that you care. If they’re a new business you could provide heartfelt gifts for their grand opening, and milestones for how many clients they’ve built up or turnover they’ve achieved. If they’re an established business, you could celebrate opening a new location or offering a new product range for example.

For employees, you could acknowledge business and life milestones. You could provide a gift for their work anniversary each year to reward their loyalty and provide a larger gift for big anniversaries such as 5 or 10 years. Remembering big events in their lives like engagements, marriages, and new babies will show your appreciation and make sure you don’t seem like a faceless corporation.

In terms of how to remember, you have two options. Running a business is sure to keep you busy but you could get one staff member to set aside a few hours each month to note the key moments coming up in the next few weeks and shop for gifts and wrap them and write cards to go along with them. You’ll need a calendar and an organized team member or digital reminders. Alternatively, you could use Client Giant’s service to automate thoughtfulness. The perfect gifts send at the right time, and you get all the credit. Win-win. Find out more information here.