Remebrance Day

You’re right, it’s nowhere close to Remembrance day. But, that’s not the topic of my post!

One piece of friendly advice I convey to consulting clients and the world at large is to have a fixed remembrance day for people who helped you achieve key milestones in business, professional career and everyday life.

Such opinion leaders include journalists, investors, associates, customers and other stakeholders.

Not only is it sheer manners but it’s also a way to cement the relationship you have with these powerful allies.

While the sun may be shining today, you have no idea when it’s going to rain but you know it’s going to rain, as it’s a fact of life.

Remembrance day does not mean having a special thought and then promptly forgetting about it.

If you have any idea on how to go on about it, think back to a time when you felt good after someone wholeheartedly showed his or her appreciation to you for a grateful act.

Make that day special to the intended party and make it visible to him or her that you are taking time off and pulling all the stops to show your gratefulness.

Adding this concept into your relationship management calendar will not only keep you grounded because success has a way to go into somebody’s head and lead him to believe that he or she got on top alone, but it will also help you plan accordingly on how to accommodate everyone.

A simple calendar such as a birthday or holiday calendar should do the trick. The kicker though is to keep rotating the dates yearly to keep it from looking like a dull marketing ploy.

You don’t even have to do anything out of this world to make these allies feel special and appreciated.

The simpler, the better (depending on the subject of course).

I know for instance that one gentle soul who helped me out has a son who’s a big fan of a client (a combat sport champion). By getting the son to spend an afternoon training with his idol was a big moment in his life and the parent was so grateful in ways I cannot describe.

Never forget and always be thankful to those who contributed and contribute to your daily success.

It’s good manners and good marketing. Simple gestures tend to have the most impact.