Making Connections
Thank-you cards: The ultimate networking toolOne of the best public speakers I've ever come across is Dave Howlett. |
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 [ 2007-05-09 ] |
He taught me a very valuable lesson that I try to pass on as often as possible: Send thank-you cards.
I met the Toronto-based motivator (www.davehowlett.com) at a gathering of professionals where he gave the keynote address.
Now, I've been to dozens -- hundreds, easily -- of such gatherings. They are often formulaic and are often designed more for audience members to meet with each other than as a learning opportunity. The keynote speaker is a break -- someone interesting enough, sure, but not so engaging that it takes away from the important task at hand: Meeting and sharing information and ideas with peers, superiors and juniors.
Howlett was different. A good different. If I remember correctly, I actually stopped eating my salad to listen to what he had to say about, of all things, thank-you cards.
This is why I sat up and listened: When I was a kid, my mom used to make me send thank-you cards to all my relatives who sent Christmas presents. It was a tortuous process. It took away from more pleasant things, like walking on hot coals.
I'm older now and it's a different era. When I want to thank somebody, I send an e-mail. If I'm really ambitious, I send an e-card.
But, here's the thing -- e-mails and even e-cards are intangibles. They're electronic bits and bytes that can be erased with a simple keystroke.
A thank-you card is tangible, it's tactile and it takes time and thought to write in it, put it in an envelope, get it stamped and send it through the post office.
Look around your office. If its like most, there'll be a few desks that have thank-you cards on them. Some of them will be weeks or months (or even years) old. They mean something. They mean someone cared enough or thought enough of you to invest their precious time in you.
If you want to make a good impression on someone, send a thank-you card.
After a job interview, resist the urge to send an e-mail. Send a card. If you meet someone at a networking event whom you want to stay in touch with -- get their business card and then send them a thank-you card. "Thanks for the great conversation about yellow-bellied sapsuckers. It was great to meet someone with similar interests."
The next time that person needs to send a client to someone like you, they'll remember you. The next time that person needs to buy a product that your company supplies, they'll think of you. The next time that person runs into "the perfect candidate" for a job at a company such as yours, they'll think of you and give you a call. The next time that person comes across a client who needs a new employee who does what you do, they'll call you.
Heck, they might even still have your thank-you card on their desk.
What’s your office decor like?