gift

Good intentions mean nothing without follow-through with new contacts

August 30th, 2010 | Posted in Kudos & Blunders | No Comments
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What’s the point of networking if you’re not going to follow-up? I’m not talking about the 15 to 20-second introduction that ends with a business card exchange. Depending on the service offered on that card, there might not be a reason to pull it out again until you need it. But if you’re networking with certain people with the sole purpose of trying to build a relationship, don’t waste your time – or theirs – if they extend themselves offering help and you don’t follow through.
Generally, people like to help others, when they’re in a position to help. A quick phone call for some people, can transform you from a name on a resume at the bottom of a big stack, to someone getting immediate consideration. A coveted ticket to an event might be easily accessed with a phone call. But those types of calls generally put the caller in debt for a favor. Appreciation is a must – in the form of a quick e-mail or a call. Of course nothing stands out like a handwritten note.
Not following through on a favor is unacceptable. It’s no different than moving in front of another car, without taking a second to wave at the courteous driver who allowed you to pass. Every driver can relate to the swift mood change that follows when you don’t see a wave. People like to do favors, especially when it’s easy for them. But they also want some sort of acknowledgement.
Just because tickets are free to you doesn’t mean that someone else didn’t pay for them out of pocket or with their time and effort. Relationships can quickly sour when it comes to empty seats – seats that someone else would have appreciated.
But that’s only part of the equation. Chasing down a gift recipient when tickets are not picked up as planned adds to the cost of time. It’s now a hassle. It’s the same scenario regarding a call about a job. The person who called in a favor suddenly looks bad when you don’t follow through.
Be sure to thank the gift-giver. The person who secured the seats or called about a job has to do the same.

It’s a New Year: Did you acknowledge corporate holiday gifts?

January 5th, 2010 | Posted in Kudos & Blunders | No Comments
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It’s that time of the year again. People are busy cleaning off desks and writing out goals and New year’s resolutions. But not so fast. Don’t forget about acknowledging corporate holiday gifts.

I’m not talking about small gifts that you gave to a host or hostess at a holiday party. In that case, your gift of chocolates, a holiday CD or even a personal note is an appropriate thank you for the invitation.

I’m referring to gifts from clients – like wine or gift baskets – sent as a token of appreciation for doing business with you. People are busy during the holidays and immediately afterwards. That said, it doesn’t matter if it’s two weeks later or more, find a way to mention that you received the gift. In this case, a quick e-mail works just as well as a casual mention the next time you have a face-to-face meeting with the client.

A friend recently told me that one client has never once acknowledged expensive bottles of wine she sends every year during the holiday. And I’ve never gotten over tales from a retail wine and gift basket business owner. At least once a week he gets a call from customers who wonder whether their gift was received. During the holidays, those calls increase to three to five times a week.

Unfortunately, in 20 years of business, there were only a couple of times when the gift was not delivered. That means the store owner has had to hear three words countless times:”Are you sure?” No one wants to believe that people can be so ungrateful.

Gift giving in work environments is already tricky. People often wonder if they should send gifts to bosses or colleagues. No one wants to appear like they’re brown-nosing – or worse – make the recipient uncomfortable. And of course it’s inappropriate to give a gift to a prospect. But when a gift is appropriate, whether it’s a holiday, your company’s anniversary, or the anniversary of when you started doing business with the client, is it really too much to ask to acknowledge you received it?