Saying Thanks Goes a Long Way

I’ve blogged before about the handwritten note, my personal favorite over any other easier option. In this post I want to talk about who to thank. 

It’s a given to say volunteers, those giving time without payment, deserve special thanks after a project or event is complete. I’ve come (respectfully) head-to-head with clients who argue that paid staff and vendors compensated for their work don’t need acknowledgement. I lean towards showing gratitude to staff and vendors too – it’s an important gesture that goes beyond the norm.

It could be a quick handwritten note of thanks, a lunch, snacks provided on a Friday afternoon or a gift card for coffee at a favorite place.  It’s give and take. If you take the time to notice people’s hard work, people take the time to notice you. That way, the next time (there is always a next time) a project comes up or a favor is needed it’s much easier to ask.

See, I want the response to a favor to be, “Reach Partner’s calling! Wonder what interesting (or weird) thing they’ve got cooking?”  Instead of, “Oh, shoot, it’s Reach again. Wonder what they want now.”

Anita, Reach Partners