On a small budget, what can we do to ‘wow’ our clients?

We’re a small-medium sized business and don’t have a budget to “wow” our customers…what can we do to create a positive impression?   

I’ve had the privilege, in recent times, to have worked with a few wonderful charities and good causes, including The Inspire Foundation and it’s Reach Out program.  As you can imagine, these organisations don’t have much of a budget for anything, and what they do have they try to direct towards those who really need it and whom they’re trying to help.   

Just a few weeks ago I made my way over to their offices to deliver a webinar on applying the principles of positive psychology aimed at their teachers’ network; but this is not about my presentation…

This is about what I saw when I arrived:  As I walked in the door I noticed, in the waiting area, a large blackboard on which was written (among many smiley faces and warm and fuzzy comments) “Welcome Dr Happy!” along with several wonderful and lovely comments from a number of the team members. 

Now how do you think I felt?

Well I’ll tell you.  This small, but thoughtful gesture made me feel wonderful and positive and happy and inspired!

Positive psychology tells us that happiness is not just about feeling good, it’s about doing good; happiness comes not just to those who receive but more so to those who give; other people matter to us and are important to our wellbeing and happy people tend to have both more and better quality relationships. 

To achieve this they tend to spend more time and energy building and fostering each and every one of those relationships (by, for example, making people feel welcome and cared for and loved and needed etc, as I was made to feel).

Now please note, that the aforementioned positive experience would have cost the team at Inspire/Reach Out nothing (apart from a few minutes of someone’s time). 

So I ask you…what do you do to inspire others (your colleagues and/or your customers and clients)? What do you do to let them know they’re important and that you care?  What do you do in your personal and working lives, in your homes and offices?

As always, I invite you not just to contemplate these questions, but to put this concept into practice, and ideally to let us know what’s worked for you.

Dr. Sharp’s latest book (out now) is “100 Ways to Happiness: a Guide for Busy People” (Penguin). You can find out more about corporate programs, presentations, and coaching services at www.drhappy.com.au and www.thehappinessinstitute.com. You can also ask him questions using the comments panel below.

For more Executive Coach expert advice, click here.

Got a question for one of our Experts? Choose one that suits your area of inquiry and send it in to asktheexperts@smartcompany.com.au