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November 23, 2011
Thanks, Wisdom and Gratitude
It takes about five seconds to send a thank you email. The recipient scans it, then deletes it.
These days, taking the extra step with a new business connection or to show gratitude to coworkers makes you stand out.
What’s the secret? It’s a matter of getting back to basics.
“When you are appreciative and respectful of other’s energy, input, ideas and value others time, you demonstrate how you also wish to be treated in return,” says Robyn Spizman, VP of A Legendary Event.
“Anyone can see straight through a generic thank you – whether it’s an email or handwritten note,” she explains. While personalized notes convey extra effort,
“the key is to show thought and consideration. When you express your feelings, someone [can feel] your sincerity.”
When crafting a thank you note, “just saying ‘thanks for your time’ is not enough,” says Spizman. She suggests being specific about what someone did for you, what the positive results were and why you value their actions.
Experts point out that a thank you note may be especially beneficial as a follow-up from a new business meeting or job interview. It shows professionalism, gives the recipient a reminder about your interest and provides another chance to explain why you’re the best choice.
Plus, keep in mind it's unwise to ask for things like favors in a thank you note.
Bonus PINK Link: Learn about the “science of gratitude” in our online exclusive.
By Caroline Cox
“Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” Doris Day
*Supporting images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net, renjith krishnan, nuchylee, and Simon Howden.
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Comments
Thank you notes
It is wonderful to get a nice thank you note in the mail in this era of instant everything. I am older and my mother always had us send thank you notes. It might not be as important to younger people.
Thank You Notes
Yes, I still believe in the hand-written thank you note. We are so caught up and dependent upon email, Facebook and other forms of social media that we forget about taking five minutes to write (with pen and paper, not the keyboard) at note or letter. I was raised to send a thank you note to people who have given me gifts, etc. and I follow this rule today.
Thanks, Wisdom and Gratitude
Hand written Thank You notes are incredibly important.
Old-fashioned thank you notes
Absolutely, I believe in them! I'm in my 40s - wrote them as a child and still feel that there's appreciation when I write them. And being the recipient of one is awesome too! It's quickly becoming a lost art!
Hand-written
A hand-written note is still one of the greatest graciousnesses. It will always be a stand-apart way to make yourself known and heard. Write on!
Thank you!
Thanks so much for highlighting this important subject. A hand-written note absolutely stands out for personal and business purposes, especially when the envelope is hand-addressed, too. Let's keep spreading the good news about hand-written notes and also teach our children to write thank you cards and hand-written notes.
http://www.stephaniehessler.com/
better late than never
Thank you notes, even in email form, are an essential tool in the workplace! Recently, I met a donor to my organization who expressed the desire to make another donation. It took me a week to remember to send a brief email, but I know he appreciated hearing from me and I think that sometimes these little gestures go a long way. I always send thank you emails after job interviews, and sometimes even after learning that I didn't get the job. It's all about putting your best face forward.
Thank You Letters
Yes, I believe in old fashion thank you letters. For business and personal. I encourage my children to write them as well. Recently my daughter went on a job interview and I encouraged her to send a written thank you note and she was offered the job. Besided being qualified and having a great interview her new boss said, "I was so impressed that you took the time to mail me a thank you note, you never see that anymore." It made her stand out. My mother in law also recently stopped sending my husband money in his birthday card - but she continued to include a check in mine. When he asked why, she simply replied "she sends me thank you cards." People appreciate being thanked and an old fashioned - snail mail - hand written card speaks louder than an email.
Thank you notes are so important!
I most certainly believe in an "old fashioned" hand-written thank you note. While sometimes it's necessary in business to send an email since it does take some time for a hand-written note to make it through the mail, there is no substitute for a real hand-written note. I feel that it is our duty to teach this to our children as our mothers and grandmothers taught us!