Last week, I received an email from NAMA asking members to take a minute to thank Congressman Alan Nunnelee (R- Mississippi) and Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-Georgia) for their efforts which resulted in key language to be inserted that directly affects our industry with regards to pending Calorie Disclosure Regulations. For whatever reason, the email suddenly reminded me of my mom. I remember my mom insisting that I take the time and write a personal note to each person or family following any birthday party, graduation achievement or religious milestone. In truth, I hated it. Mostly because I had to really concentrate on writing legibly, otherwise my mom would make me redo it because I had rushed. I also wasn’t allowed to just write the same thing to each person. I had to tell them how much I appreciated the gift and how I would use it along with a note about how much that person or family meant to me.
As I grew older, there would be more thank you notes written for wedding gifts and baby shower gifts and I really grew to appreciate the practice. It clicked to me why it was so important to thank the ones who took the time out to do something for me. However, the act of taking the time out to say Thank You isn’t just for our personal life. In fact, it should be a big part of our business practice as well. Taking the time out to say Thank You isn’t just for operators to their customers. No. This is a practice everyone in the vending, OCS and micro market industry should make a habit of.
Email or hand written
In today’s world, etiquette gurus have given their approval of using email as an acceptable form to formally thank someone. Because things move really quickly in today’s world, I agree, email is personal and a great tool, however, how many of you receive hand-written notes in the mail anymore? Wouldn’t receiving a hand-written thank you note in the mail stand out to you? I still practice taking the time out to write a hand-written thank you note after having the opportunity to visit an operator at their location or after meeting with a manufacturer, or after meeting someone new to the industry.
My point is that we are in the service industry and our businesses succeed by the relationships we build. If it’s email or a hand-written note, however you best feel comfortable, please take the time to thank those that either do business with you or take the time to review your services. If you haven’t yet, please take a moment out of your day to thank both Congressmen Nunnelee and Bishop. Remember, they advocated for our industry and as an industry, we had a key victory in Washington. The more that they hear words of thanks, the stronger our industry voice is in the future and the stronger our relationships are in our businesses.
To thank Congressmen Nunnelee and Bishop, go to: http://namavoice.channeldemocracy.com/connect/write?alert=1417
