Next week is my niece's birthday. Can't believe another year has gone by already. My brother's kids are growing up so quickly, and I might add, so nicely. It's a joy to see kids who have manners and are so considerate and thoughtful. In our family we take pride in teaching children that manners are important and those little expressions of gratitude and caring show people that they matter.

I know that shortly after one of my nieces or nephews receives a gift from me, a handmade thank you note will arrive in the mail. It's become a tradition—and even though expected—it's always a surprise and a delight! My refrigerator door brightens at the thought of one of their colorful handcrafted pictures adorning it.

Saying "thank you" is important in any relationship. Remembering to acknowledge another is a way of celebrating and recognizing the importance of the relationship. (Not to mention the importance of the transaction in the business case.) I am amazed at how many people simply don't do it. Seven times out of ten (and yes, I count them) that I shop at my local drugstore, the checkout clerk fails to say thank you. The last three times I stopped at the supermarket, the clerk handed me my receipt without ever saying the magic words.

Is it any wonder that I prefer to do as much of my shopping as I can at the local fruit stand/deli where they know my name, my favorite foods and always take the time to ask me how I am and where I've been lately? Felix and Bob down at the Orange Royal never miss an opportunity to let me know that I'm important to the success of their business, and I'm missed when I don't come in. Is it any wonder that their success matters to me, too? Often I go out of my way to purchase items I could have gotten while at the supermarket because at Felix's I get banter with my broccoli and caring with my cauliflower. They let me taste all the new dishes and once in a while throw in a little something extra just to say "Thanks!". I know they appreciate my business, and I keep coming back.

When it comes to thanking customers—there are opportunities galore for expressing ourselves. But, the big question is, how often do we take them?

"Thank you for calling." "Thank you for waiting." "Thank you for holding." "Thank you for the opportunity to serve you." "Thank you for your business." "Thanks for stopping by." How many more times a day COULD we say "Thanks" if only we remembered?

I'll never forget an illustration my friend and colleague; Don Libey used in one of his presentations. "How many incoming phone calls do you take a day?" he asks. "100, 200, 300? Let's suppose your company takes 100 phone calls a day; that's approximately 25,000 phone calls a year (if you are open 250 days a year.) Now let's suppose that you make a conscious effort to express gratitude sincerely two more times during the course of each and every phone call. Why that's 50,000 more expressions of gratitude every year!" WOW!

What an impact that would have—perhaps 50, perhaps 100, perhaps 200,000 more expressions of gratitude to your base of customers in a year! That's powerful. And so do-able! What if you got in the habit of doing it with your co-workers, too? "Thanks for giving me a hand on that project, Sally." "Bob, I appreciate your timely response on my last question." "Thanks Cindy—the report's right on time!" "Amelia, I really appreciate your coming in early yesterday morning." Imagine the impact of more gratitude on your business.

Or, what about sending a handwritten note or postcard that expresses your gratitude—that's the stuff that makes it to the top of the mail pile, both at home and at work!

What about sending a basket of muffins, a bunch of flowers or a bouquet of cookies that says "Your business matters!" A consultant friend of mine is doing a special customer appreciation party at a local restaurant this Thursday to say a hearty (and yummy) thank you to his loyal customers and take the opportunity to introduce some new ones to his hospitable brand of doing business.

Does your invoice say thank you? Do your emails express gratitude? Does your routine correspondence take the opportunity to express your appreciation for your customers' loyal patronage?

They say that business goes where it's wanted, but stays where it's appreciated.

This is a particularly good time to tell your customers, co-workers and suppliers how much you appreciate what they do to support you. Gratitude works to expand our capacity for goodness. Want more good stuff to come to you? Remember to say "thank you" often and sincerely for what you already have. Make it your business to consciously express more gratitude to more people every day.

And when the guy at the checkout at Walgreens doesn't say "thank you" to you for shopping there, say "thank you" to him anyway. Somebody's gotta change this world, might as well be us.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to read this tip. I appreciate it!

Take good care . . .

PS: If you are ever in the Delray Beach , FL area drop in and see Felix and Bob at the Orange Royal Farmers Market on Federal Hwy. (Just south of Lindell Blvd). The fruit's fresh, the home style dinners dee-licious and the environment is my kind of friendly. By the way, they ship fruit all over the world so if you're looking to say "Thanks" to your customers with a basket of oranges you can call them at 561-276-1866.