Thank you very much.

Yesterday I sent a simple thank you note and a bottle of wine to a wonderful business colleague. It is important to say thank you to folks who go out of their way for you by referring business, giving a public compliment, taking time out for a special meeting, etc. This is beyond the usual times a note should be sent for a gift, an interview opportunity, or an honor.

I am always delighted when a thank you note is so warmly received, and when I got a phone call today in response to my note it reminded me how powerful that little extra touch can be. I once talked with a legislator in South Carolina who told me that she had a copy of every thank you note she had ever received during her public service career. They were kept in her left-hand desk drawer. Puts new meaning to the “power of the pen,” doesn’t it?

While I am certainly no Miss Manners, here are my recommendations for making your note simple, professional and heartfelt:

* Hand write it on a special note card

* Clearly state why you are saying thank you

* Actually say the words “thank you” at least twice in the note

* Write clearly

* Make sure there are not misspelled words or grammatical mistakes

* Mail the thank you note out as soon as possible

* The envelope should have a stamp, not a postage meter mark

There are so many people who deserve our gratitude for their positive influence on our lives and business. Who will you send a thank you note to today?