Showing gratitude and saying "thanks" trends during this month of Thanksgiving, but we shouldn't need a holiday to remember to thank our customers and employees. Why? Because without our customers and employees, we can't be successful.  Being thankful every day by voicing this "thanks" is imperative to business success and longevity. Here are just a few additional reasons why showing gratitude is beneficial:

You've messed up. That new customer did not catch you at your finest moment, and you are embarrassed. You want to recover. But wait- first impressions are everything, right? It's true that they do have a lasting impression, but you can take swift action to start the recovery process so that you can make a better long-term impression. That way, your first impression is not the last impression.

All too often we witness employees that do just enough in their customer service efforts, but this is not enough when you're trying to win loyal customers. For example, there are popular rules of "delivering good customer service" that nearly every company attempts to implement, but their employees do the minimum in their execution and upholding of these rules. Which rules am I referring to? Just keep reading to learn them, and let's make a pact that we don't let ourselves or our employees/coworkers fall into the category of doing "just enough."  Instead, let's follow these rules correctly (as they are intended).

"If we are prepared, we shall not fear." -Quentin L. Cook

So often people tell me that selling is one of the scariest and toughest parts of their jobs. The #1 reason why they feel this way is because they aren't prepared enough.  To be prepared, you have to have thorough knowledge, a winning game plan, and lots of practice.  These things, coupled with actually engaging in several real sales conversations, will diminish these fears greatly.  I do say that if someone in sales does not have at least a slight amount of nervousness, he/she has lost the edge and passion behind gaining a sale, so don't allow yourself to get complacent. 

What tips do we have for being successful in sales?  Check out this most useful infographic as it gives you 4 easy steps for mastering the process:

Today was the first day of school for my kids. It was not an ordinary first day since it was my daughter's first time going to her brother's "big kid" elementary school as a kindergartner. Her confidence, excitement, and no-holding-me-back attitude resonated with me. Shouldn't she have been a little nervous or scared? (I was!) Nope, not at all. So this has given me pause because it is a great reminder to remember to be brave, to take chances, and to try something new. Isn't this the only way we can truly achieve long-term success in our businesses?

You are in business, which means you have customers that have absolutely made you feel this way.  We have all been put in that tough position of dealing with a very unhappy, angry, and/or irrational customer, and at times, we have a hard time keeping our cool.  Here are some simple quotes (that we are revisiting from before), along with my take on them, which will give you advice and tips for handling these tough customers and situations...