
You likely know that expressing gratitude has health benefits, improving everything from sleep to stress levels. What if that same attitude of gratitude could also increase client loyalty?
In a recent episode of the Systems Simplified podcast, Adi Klevit sat down with the Founder and CEO of Angeli International, Kim Angeli, to discuss her gratitude system. During their discussion, Kim shared how gratitude has positively affected her life and business. They also discussed systems provided by the Go-Giver approach to referrals, which we have shared in a previous article.
Keep reading to discover how to develop a gratitude habit that will benefit your business.
What is Gratitude?
According to Merriam-Webster, Gratitude means “the state of being grateful: thankfulness.”
Gratitude, in its simplest form, is the practice of focusing on what is going well - whether someone else would look at your situation and think things are going well or not. When one has an attitude of gratitude, they face all moments in life - good or bad - and choose gratitude.
This can include embracing even the hardest days by intentionally identifying and focusing on what went well. This mindset shift can transform how one approaches business and relationships, leading to deeper connections and long-term success.
Systemizing Gratitude Implementation
An individual can create a gratitude practice by:
- Deliberately finding moments to say a genuine “thank you.”
- Going further and naming the thing you are grateful for when giving the “thank you.”
- Keeping a gratitude journal or setting up a gratitude jar.
- Sharing your gratitude with others, talking about those positive moments and interactions in your life.
- Refocusing your language on gratitude and giving thanks.
There are many ways one can practice gratitude. The real benefits come when gratitude becomes a habit, and that habit often requires a system.
Building a gratitude system includes:
- Shifting your mindset. You must be determined to get started.
- Choosing the gratitude practices that are right for you and your budget. You may want to show gratitude daily by giving gifts, but that may be too much for your bank balance. Instead, buying a pack of “thank you” cards may be a more budget-friendly option.
- Implementing one practice each day.
- Taking the time to see how you feel after the practice.
- Planning what you will do next. You may want to try different gratitude practices, and that’s great. But make a plan to ensure you try different activities each day.
This type of systemized gratitude works for customer retention and referrals as well. Keep reading to examine how your gratitude habit can benefit your business and find actionable steps to follow.
Nurture Clients by Expressing Gratitude
A common challenge in business is maintaining relationships beyond the initial transaction. This is where a nurture campaign filled with gratitude can make all the difference.
A well-designed gratitude action plan extends beyond the point of sale. It acknowledges and appreciates not just paying clients but also key connectors—those who refer business, advocate for the brand, and facilitate valuable networking opportunities. Identifying and prioritizing these relationships is crucial for sustained growth.
Briefly, a strategic gratitude plan would involve:
- Ranking business relationships.
- Establishing a structured gratitude action plan for all of them.
- Reviewing your list and creating an additional plan for those top 25-50 connections who drive the majority of your business revenue and referrals.
- Connecting with those A-list connections to ensure your expressions of gratitude can be customized to fit their sensibilities.
- Putting your plan into motion and consistently sharing gratitude for all.
Many business owners engage in tons of networking, constantly making new, cold, or slightly warm connections. Utilizing a gratitude plan will help you connect with hot referrals and keep your most valuable clients rather than constantly playing catch up.
How to Systemize Gratitude in Your Business
While shifting to a gratitude-focused mindset is crucial, it’s equally important to implement a structured system that fosters gratitude within a business. To integrate gratitude into business operations, business owners must commit to consistent action. Use the following checklist to build a gratitude system in your company:
- List your business relationships.
Make a list of all of your business relationships, big or small. This includes existing customers, past customers, existing referral sources, past referral sources, potential referral sources, and people/businesses you have worked with successfully.
- Rank these relationships.
Identify the A-list connections on which to focus your primary gratitude efforts. This ensures that time and resources are invested wisely in relationships with the highest potential for growth and referrals.
- Establish a gratitude action plan.
You can use a tiered approach here because you are grateful to all your amazing customers and referral partners, even if they do not provide you with most of your revenue.
Develop a structured system for consistent expressions of gratitude with clients and connections. Tier one would include relationships with those on the A-list, while tier two would be a nurture list dedicated to those less profitable connections or past connections to whom you would like to express continued gratitude.
- Personalize your tier-one gratitude gestures.
During their talk, Kim shared a story where one business owner didn’t know the last name of their primary client. Get that information, note any favorite items mentioned, note birthdays, find out their partner’s name, and get the name of their valued assistant. This will all help you tailor your gestures to fit their preferences and make the gesture that much more meaningful.
- Establish a system beyond grand gestures.
Set up a nurture system for your tier one and tier two lists. Consistency is key.
- Don’t just send emails.
“Set and forget” drip systems are so common today that they are not remarkable. Be remarkable by sending personalized notes and even picking up the phone for a chat. Your customers will appreciate the personal touch.
Implementing a structured gratitude process can significantly enhance client loyalty, referrals, and overall business growth. At Business Success Consulting Group, we specialize in helping businesses develop and document scalable systems that support sustainable growth. If you’re ready to implement new systems or document existing processes, we are here to help. Connect with our expert team and schedule your free initial consultation today.