Dulled by the fast pace
of everyday living, a fundamental shortcoming for most businesses
today is demonstrating genuine appreciation to their customers and
employees. It's so rare that when friendly appreciation is emphasized,
it actually surprises most people and becomes noteworthy.
Everyone wants to be respected and appreciated.
Good manners were once the common guideline for exercising respect
for fellow human beings. This considerate gesture evokes wonderful
feelings and enjoys absolute universal appeal.
Somewhere in modern society, good manners and consideration
for others appear to have become scarce.
Seize The Opportunity
This creates opportunities for carwash operators.
The prevailing insensitivity will enable an enlightened few to distinguish
themselves and their businesses.
Seize every opportunity to demonstrate your appreciation
to your customers for their loyalty to your business. Also share
kind words with your employees for their dedication. Do it frequently
and with genuine enthusiasm.
There is no better time to focus your energy on
appreciation than Thanksgiving, a holiday that by nature centers
on appreciation and thankfulness. By focusing on Thanksgiving, you
avoid the desensitizing effect of the often less-than-sincere commercial
gestures that customers have become accustomed to in December.
Additionally, Thanksgiving is a non-sectarian holiday
and your customers and employees are not exclusively Christian.
This year, make Thanksgiving your special holiday
for saying "THANK-YOU." It's the perfect time to demonstrate your
appreciation to both customers and employees. Furthermore, it makes
good solid business sense.
The December Holiday Dilemma
Traditionally, employers conform to December's
religious holidays and the seasonal spirit of goodwill and giving.
Consequently, the principled objectivity of most employers gets
caught up in demonstrating those sentiments by paying employee bonuses
at that time each holiday season.
Unfortunately, emotions also run high during the
December holiday season, and the lines between true employee appreciation
and the emotional spirit of seasonal giving often become blurred.
Many employers begrudge holiday bonuses as an indignant
obligation. They ask how to separate the emotion of the season from
the fairness of their act. To avoid this issue, remove the December
holiday emotion from the equation, and recognize Thanksgiving as
a time to focus on saying "THANKS."
However, this doesn't mean ignore the tradition
of December's holiday season. Use your discretion to recognize your
employees in an appropriate manner, perhaps by hosting an outing
or special event.
Use your imagination, and remember that saying
"Thank-You" is important to staff members who perform admirably
throughout the year. Avoid skimping, and recognize that it is not
only "what you say", but also "how you say it".
Demonstrate your appreciation, and reap the residual
reward throughout the next year. Make Thanksgiving an annual event
that all look forward to with anticipation.
5 Fantastic Ways To THANK
Employees
Here are five ways to demonstrate your appreciation
for the hard work done by your employees on behalf of your carwash:
1. Host a Thanksgiving week "Celebration Of Thanks"
with food, snacks, a catered banquet for staff and families or
a breakfast prior to opening.
2. Give cash gifts extended with a personal
expression of Thanks by you individually to every employee.
3. Arrange a banquet for management and supervisory staff and
their significant others to demonstrate your appreciation of their
time commitment.
4. Pay the staff for a day's work and take them on an outing.
5. Give a paid day off with no strings attached as a "THANK-YOU"
Bonus.
Returning The Thanks
Here are a few benefits you'll receive from your
customers by recognizing them during Thanksgiving:
— Less competition
for the clear attention of your customer
— Better customer
retention because of non-competing dialogue projected with significant
meaning of THANKS
— Early and timely
gesture more likely to be interpreted as "genuine".
— Benevolent
feelings that last throughout holiday season.
— Early "Thank-You"
has positive effect on sales.
9 Nifty Ways To THANK
Customers
Here are inexpensive ways you can show appreciation
to your customers:
1. Give every customer an edible treat: A fresh
apple, "Thank You" cookies or a cup of cider.
2. Mail every customer in your database a personalized
"Thank You" card.
3. Personally meet, greet and thank every customer
during Thanksgiving week. No stand-ins, please.
4. Have a customer appreciation celebration Thanksgiving
week.
5. Give customers a holiday "JUMBO-BONUS" package
- maybe your top package for the price of your basic wash.
6. Have a local bakery make gingerbread cars and
give them as handout snacks.
7. Invite nearby office and residential neighbors
for a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
8. Temporarily post a highly visible sign simply
extending a conspicuous "Thank You".
9. Give a complimentary "Thank You" pass, good
for a free wash anytime during the year. |
