I probably should have titled this “The Thank You Challenges” because we’re going to talk about more than one challenge.
The first challenge gets like one sentence because I don’t want to beat a dead horse. Has anyone ever beaten a dead horse? I have and it sucks!
The first challenge is that you have to buy in on this concept and actually thank people.
In the words of the immortal Forrest Gump “That’s all I have to say about that!”
The second challenge is actually me challenging you to demonstrate your creativity via your “thank you”!
In other words . . . In what ways (other than the old handwritten note) can you thank your clients?
Some ideas . . .
I like to surprise my clients with audio books from audible.com.
Gift cards from amazon and Starbucks can be fun too.
How about a giant cookie that reads “Thank you for letting me take a bite out of your business” and if you have a really difficult client, take that cookie idea and have them make it in the shape of an ass with a kiss on one of the cheeks with the words “Thanks for making me kiss your ass” Just kidding. Sort of 
My friend Neil Wood is a big advocate of client dinners where he plays the role of matchmaker introducing clients who eventually do business with each other.
Paul Frederic surprised me with a free tie as a thank you for the French cuff shirts I bought from them.
So the challenge of the “Thank you” is two fold . . .
First, we really have to do this. I’ve known this my whole career and its only recently that I truly began to own the concept. If this aspiring sales rock star can do it . . . so can you but . . .
The real challenge is finding a way to demonstrate our creativity in the process.
Sales Managers: This is the kind of stuff you need to talk about in your sales meetings instead of all that administrative crap that forces your reps to have outer body experiences. Send out an assignment to everyone in advance to bring their best idea with regard to thanking a client. Make sure you capture all their ideas and get it out to the team so they have lots of new “Thank You’s” at the ready!
How about you?
What are your thoughts about creatively saying “Thank You”?
What ideas can you share with us?
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