With Christmas just around the corner, now is the time to give thanks. This is particularly true in the world of business. If you own a startup company, your clients are the most important thing you have. They are bringing the money in and helping build your company. Use Christmas to reach out to them and say thankyou. Strengthen that relationship and ensure it stays strong into the new year.
Whatever business you are in, networking and relationships are the single biggest driving factor. You should work to cultivate and strengthen those relationships in every way possible. There is no better way than a simple thank you at Christmas. Your clients will remember this gesture during the year ahead and reward you with more work. You don’t have to provide lavish gifts or spend a fortune. Never underestimate the power of a handwritten ‘thank you’.
Christmas Card
This is the cheapest and easiest way to say thank you. Such a small gesture can have a big impact on your client. It’s all about keeping your name in their mind and a Christmas card is a simple way to do that. When they require your services in the new year, you need to be the first one they think of. You could create a personalised card at brunelone.com. Include a handwritten note of thanks in the card. Mention a project that you particularly enjoyed working with them on. Explain how it helped you grow or develop skills and remind them of how it helped them. Keep it informal, of course. It will bring a smile to their face at Christmas.
Christmas gift
If you really want to stand out from the card giving crowd, think about a present. Don’t go overboard here. You don’t want to appear too needy! A small food gift or bottle of wine is a great idea. You can’t go wrong with food and drink at Christmas and you’re bound to have plenty of it lying around.
Offer a discount
If you’re a commercial company, offer a discount to your clients. Make sure that it is redeemable in January or February the following year. It’s a lovely gift and it can guarantee you business in the quiet period. January and February are often tough to drum up business. Make sure you get a call at the beginning of the year.
Meet for coffee
So much work is now done behind emails and phone calls. Arrange a date near Christmas to meet up with your contact at the client company. Offer to buy them a coffee at lunchtime or after work. Try to avoid talking about work and just get to know them. It will make doing business much easier in the future.
Cultivating great client relationships is one of the most important things you can do as a startup. The old adage is true: it’s not what you know, but who you know. You don’t have to know a lot of people to get ahead. You just need a few strong relationships. Make sure that you’re keeping your business strong this Christmas.
