The old adage goes that it takes a village to raise a child. The same could be said of getting through tough times—it takes a community. And in business, that community is made up of your customers and team. As we face an economic recession, I believe it is more important than ever to show gratitude to the people who support you. Showing appreciation can help you get through the tough times ahead.
Gratitude has been shown to improve customer retention rates, as well as employee retention and productivity. Helping your employees practice gratitude through hard times can inspire a positive mental attitude, and help them connect to each other in meaningful ways. This positivity can inevitably spill over into interactions with customers, helping to create a supportive community to weather any storm. So, when hunkering down and preparing for difficult times ahead, remember the power of gratitude to bring everyone together.
Ponder these three simple solutions:
1. HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES GET THROUGH HARD TIMES
Someone wise once said that the road to success is always under construction. This is especially true in tough times when it’s easy to get bogged down by challenges and obstacles. It’s important to remember that your team is a crucial part of your success and to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Gratitude is more than just a feel-good emotion; it can also be a powerful tool for employee retention and well-being. When you take the time to show appreciation for your team’s efforts, you can build up a sort of psychological immune system that helps them weather stress and setbacks.
Thanks to the science of gratitude, grateful people are often more resilient and adaptable, meaning they may be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come their way. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and remember to express your gratitude for the people who help you succeed. Thanking your team isn’t just good manners—it’s good business.
Showing appreciation for employees’ hard work and dedication can help build team spirit and promote wellness. It can also help create a sense of connection and belonging, which is essential for effective teamwork. Encouraging employees to express their gratitude can also help build resilience in times of change, conflict, or failure. The act of expressing gratitude can help you see beyond your current situation and recognize your many blessings. It is a powerful tool that can help you reframe a loss as a potential gain.
If your workplace has gone through a recent crisis, hold a meeting with the aim of gaining a new perspective on the incident. Use this opportunity to encourage employees to express their gratitude for what they have, rather than dwelling on what they have lost. By cultivating a culture of gratitude, you can help your workplace thrive in spite of adversity.
2. INVEST IN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Thank your customers for their loyalty and support. Let them know that you appreciate their business and you are committed to providing quality products or services. Your customers are the driving force behind your business—they are the ones who keep you going in the good times and help you weather the tough times. That’s why it’s so important to show your appreciation for their loyalty and support.
A simple “thank you” can go a long way toward demonstrating your commitment to providing quality products and services, even when times are tough. Gratitude is a powerful tool for customer retention, so be sure to express your thanks on a regular basis. Doing so can help ensure your customers stick with you through thick and thin.
The impending recession has many on edge from a budgetary standpoint. Many businesses are worried about how they will survive and customers are worried about how they will afford to keep using the services they rely on. As a vendor, you have the opportunity to show your customers how much you appreciate their business by offering to reduce the price of your services or give them away for free.
This investment in your customers to give them your services at a low cost when markets are down can yield far greater loyalty and wallet spend when times are good again. You may be struggling to keep the doors open these next few years, but showing your gratitude to your customers through this tough time can help them remember why they chose you in the first place.
3. MAINTAIN GOOD COMMUNICATION
Good communication is the lifeblood of any successful organization. By staying in touch with both your customers and team members, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them. This not only helps prevent misunderstandings, but it can also create a sense of belonging and shared purpose. In difficult times, good communication is even more important. It can help keep your team motivated and focused on the task at hand, and it can also help reassure your customers that you are still there for them.
Expressing gratitude is a key part of good communication. By taking the time to say thank you, you can show your team that you appreciate their hard work and dedication. This in turn can create a positive atmosphere within your organization to help you weather the storm ahead. Good communication is essential for any organization that wants to succeed. By staying in touch with both your customers and team members, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals.
When searching for a foolproof way to navigate your team through hard times, turn to gratitude. At your next team meeting, ask people who they are grateful for. On your next customer call, give gratitude for their loyalty.
Chris Schembra is the Founder of 7:47, using the science of using gratitude to get through hard times.