Respectfully reprinted from: Kelley Robertson

Is it just me or does the word thank-you seem to be in danger of becoming extinct and going the way of the dodo bird?

In recent months I have received numerous email requests from people asking for suggestions about how to deal with a particular sales problem they are facing. I am more than willing to help; however, I am stunned that very few take the time to acknowledge the feedback. Perhaps the advice isn’t relevant or maybe they expected more. I don’t know.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not expecting people to scream “Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!” Okay…maybe I am…just a little 

Anyway, I have noticed that this type of behaviour (Canadian spelling) is becoming more frequent.

Employees rarely, if ever, thank customers and instead expect to be thanked for processing their order. Sales people don’t thank their prospects for their time or customers for their business. Companies seldom thank long-term customers for their continued support.

Here are a few easy-to-overlook situations when a thank-you is appropriate.

• A colleague or coworker offers support, guidance or solicited advice.
• A receptionist or gatekeeper helps you connect with a decision maker.
• Your manager offers some feedback to help you deal with a difficult customer.
• Someone in your network refers you to a key decision maker or new prospect.
• A customer gives you a testimonial.
• After a job interview.
• Your next door neighbor shovels your driveway or mows your lawn.
• A prospect who did not choose to do business with your company.

Now that I have finished my rant it is important to note that there is a core group of Twitter friends who are extremely gracious and consistently thank others for RTs, ideas, links, etc. But, not everyone does this. In fact, there are some people who I kind of expect to exhibit this type of behaviour but they don’t.

Part of the problem–I think–is that people are so busy trying to deal with the problems and challenges in their business and personal lives that they simply forget to say thanks. Here’s what you can do to change that…

Slow down for just a minute.

Take a moment and make a concerted effort to thank other people.

I know you’re busy. I understand that you have a multitude of problems to deal with. I know that you’re in a rush to meet deadlines, hit month-end quotas, and complete project milestones.

However, a simple thank-you only takes a minute or two and can brighten someone’s day.

Now, I have to go because writing this post reminded me that I need to send a thank-you card to a recent client!

(Thank you, Kelley Robertson!)