People want to be thanked – they want you to show them that they’re appreciated and valued. In employee climate surveys, one of the key drivers of overall satisfaction and retention is whether the employee feels valued, appreciated. For customers, they want value out of the product and experience your company provides. But they also want to feel valued and appreciated themselves.

So, in appreciation of employees and customers everywhere and in honor of the American holiday of Thanksgiving that is celebrated this week on the 23rd of November, here are 23 ways to say Thanks!

1. Send a handwritten note of thanks to a co-worker or customer.
2. Send an e-mail full of specific appreciation to a co-worker, and possibly copy their supervisor.
3. Call up the customer just to thank them for their business.
4. Ask if you can meet with a co-worker for a minute or two, and then just go to them and thank them for something specifically they did for you recently.
5. At the start of a meeting, thank everyone for attending and for their commitment to the project, the team, the organization, the customers, etc.
6. At the end of a meeting, thank everyone for their focus, attention, ideas, and insights.
7. Have a “culture moment” at the start of the Agenda for each meeting where you spend a minute or two noting how one of the group did something to support the team, improve the work environment, or build up a co-worker.
8. Post something positive on social media to your followers about a co-worker, using their handle so they see the recognition.
9. Post a positive note on your intranet about a co-worker and how they helped you recently.
10. When some shares an idea or concern, before you respond, thank them for what they shared.
11. When people have been holding on the phone, before you ask them a question (or answer theirs) first thank them for their patience.
12. When a co-worker shares something (e.g., food in the breakroom, helpful information about a change in policy, etc.), seek them and thank them immediately.
13. When a customer points something out that was confusing about their experience or that could have been improved, thank them for the feedback.
14. When the customer thanks you for something, thank them for the thanks – really!
15. When you know someone is out of the office, leave a message on their voice mail just thanking them for how they make your company or department a more enjoyable place to work.
16. Text a co-worker some positive words of appreciation or emojis for something they specifically did for you or others.
17. For long-term customers, send them a coupon or other unsolicited small gift as a thank you for their long-term commitment.
18. For new customers, provide them with a personal note (on letterhead or a company branded card) that thanks them for the trust they’ve put in you or your company.
19. When you have some 1-on-1 time with your boss, thank them for their positive style of leadership or whatever other positive attributes they share.
20. Print a certificate of “Thanks” and have all department or team members sign it – then give it to your co-worker or customer.
21. No matter what method you use to say thanks, tell them how their action or their attitude impacts you.
22. Tell them why their action or attitude is important.
23. Tell them how their action or attitude isn’t common – how it’s unique/special.

Give others thanks – 23 thanks.

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