Appreciate the Appreciated

I wrote this article just about 10 years ago when I started my Amydoodles.com business. I was all about appreciating people...letting them know how much I care and sharing that with my customers. I created lots of great gifts that were carefully thought out from the gift giver to the recipient.

While Amydoodles is a physical thing of the past, the concept is still there. I hope you read this article and take away these three words: Appreciate the Appreciated. With Thanksgiving upon us, take a moment to thank someone, to say hello, to make amends; just appreciate.

I am thankful to my family, friends, Silpada customers, hostesses, support systems and acquaintances I meet on a daily basis. This year you have helped me grow again, both personally and business decision wise and for that I appreciate you.

With respect and my utmost appreciation to all,
Amy


Appreciate the Appreciated
© 2001 Amy Reiss Levitt
Amydoodles
www.corporatedoodles.com

How much time do we spend working on a daily basis? Seven, ten, twelve hours a day? If your single, married with or without children or if they’re grown, maybe you work 7-10 hours a day anyway? For those who have children, if you leave before they are off to school, then maybe you’re away 12 hours a day? If you work only while your kids are in school then you’re still working 7 hours? No matter how it is, you’re probably working more than you are relaxing or doing something for you.

I remember working a ten-hour day at a company and being part of the management team of an organization where I would come in every day, work really hard, put tons of effort into what I do and then leave for the day. And the next day I would repeat the same process. Because I am passionate about the work I put in to something, I do the best I can do; never questioning will someone realize my efforts and results. Does this sound familiar to you? Have you brought your company a new client or customer? Have you given your suppliers business this past year? How have these people showed their appreciation for you? Have they?

Are you on the other side of the coin where you have employees that you depend on to work ON your business? Have you realized that they have helped to build your business? These are the types of people who show enthusiasm that you wish your other employees would embrace, right? How about the business associates that you have an occasional lunch with to catch up on what’s happening in their contact sphere? Are these the people who end up passing you a referral that is going to put your revenue way over what you expected?

I’m sure it wasn’t something that you ever asked them to do for you but as it turned out, your profitability increased because this person or people went beyond-what’s-expected as an associate or colleague. How have you thanked them for this?

Hopefully, a thank you note gets sent out; preferably, hand written because that shows that you have taken the time to put your work down and focus on them. Your employee, business associate or client will probably be so thrilled that they might even keep it on their desk or attach it to a bulletin board. If you walked into their office or workspace and saw your note hanging there, how would you feel? That would make you feel pretty good, wouldn’t it?

Making people feel good or as we say in the business world, appreciated, is something that is not taken seriously enough today. We often hear about the negative aspects in a business or about a problem employee. There is usually action taken and it is generally heard about. But do you regularly hear about how a business soared because of a particular referral or an outstanding employee?

Remember the first scenario about working hard day after day without any acknowledgement? What would have happened if your employer or colleague did something extraordinary for you to show their appreciation? Would you be energized? Would you want to do more for that person? Would you want to find other ways to help them? Would you want to tell the world about this company?

After years of my showing appreciation and educating others on the importance of it, I have recently been appreciated and believe me, it feels so good. Everyday I wake now, I think about what I’m going to do for the day. Whether it’s meeting with or speaking with clients about appreciation and giving to others, I’m excited about my plans for the day. I LOVE to work because it doesn’t even feel like work. I am so passionate about what I do. This is because I have been appreciated. The appreciation I received was intangible, however, it was so thought out and so “me” that I carry a reminder with me everyday about whom I am, what I do for others and why I am appreciated. I thrive on sharing my energy with others.
Let’s take you now, as the giver, as the employer. Imagine that you appreciate your employee’s work or one of your business colleagues went out of their way for you and introduced you to someone who gave you a large amount of business. Would you want to thank them? Hopefully, that was a yes.
You can give them something that stood out that they would proudly display in their office or something even intangible where the results surface as they walk, work and talk with pride. Either way, they would undoubtedly appreciate being appreciated. Do you think that they would want to do more to help you out? Wouldn’t it be great if your business grew monthly as a result of your employees and business associates feeling this way? I’m sure your answer would be positively yes.
Well, there’s a technique involved in finding something that is appreciated by the receiver; tangible or intangible. Just picking up a mug filled with candy or sending a basket full of treats won’t have the same impact that sending something to them that they know took some thought. IF, the recipient were a coffee mug collector, THEN, that mug that you picked out would be an appreciated gift. He or she would use it daily or keep it ON their desk because they were proud of it. They would think about where they got it, why they got it and maybe how they might be able to get another one.
Finding time to appreciate appropriately takes a special person. It can be time consuming but well worth the end results. An Office Manager or Human Resource person is the perfect person to be in charge of this process. Or, if you’re like me, someone who is passionate about shopping! These types of people have a background on the employees or business associates and would likely know what their interests and hobbies are. Perhaps they can do the gifting themselves or maybe they will find a company who can do it for them while they act as the liaison between their company and the company who handles appreciation professionally.

At Corporatedoodles.com, we work with the HR Manager’s and Office Managers and sales people as clients. Some clients include the US Navy, a utility company, insurance agencies, financial planners, IT and printer service and repair fields, to name a few. Most of the sales people visit their clients’ offices on a routine basis. Routinely, we ask “our set of questions” which focuses on why they will be appreciating their particular client or employee. Making a gifting choice that stands out among any other company’s appreciation program is what attracts our clients.

Company productivity depends on good, efficient and reliable employees, and they should be acknowledged on a regular basis. Companies need to be educated on a regular basis, how to appreciate the appreciated….and do this with something unique.

Find an appropriate gift that they can use and not just throw in their desk or pile on a shelf. This will have a lot more benefit to and for everyone. Taking the time to find out what the recipient’s interests are or what their work desk or station is like or what they do for a hobby or profession are all important facts to include when you want to appreciate someone. For a sports enthusiast, a desk accessory business card with a sports player and their name on it is going to sit proudly on a desk. They will be proud to display it and when people see the sculpture on the desk, it’s a guarantee that they will tell about where and why they received it.


As a business owner, how about having a company recognition dinner or cocktail reception? Or if you’re an employee, have you been to one recently? Did you or the company provide a gift to the recipients and a giveaway to the attendees? Do you remember it? Would you remember it? Do you use it or think about why and who gave it to you? For company CFO’s, this can be a major expense but it should be thought of as having a long-term positive result; one with lots of benefits to the company. Companies should not feel overwhelmed by this process; in fact, they should feel like this will be a major benefit to the company’s future. Employees who are appreciated will continue to appreciate where and why they work for that company.

We need to raise the bar within organizations, companies and small businesses so that small business owner’s clients know that their extra efforts are recognizable and larger company’s employees begin to feel appreciated for what they do. Investing in employee retention means we validate someone’s worthiness and acknowledge their actions. Investing in awareness for business associates and colleagues means we value their contributions, efforts and relationship.

We all need to speak appreciation rather than feel appreciation for someone and not show it. If you can take away three words to remember from this article, my request would be to “appreciate the Appreciated.”

Amy's Silver Friday starts TODAY not the Friday after Thanksgiving!!!

AMY’S 4th ANNUAL SILVER FRIDAY SILPADA SALE!




I thank you, thank you for bringing me joy with my Silpada business.
This year has been a year of change and all sorts of growth for me AND
for my Silpada business.

As a small token of THANKS for the past year and coming season, I’m starting my Silver Friday SPECIAL
Today, November 19th and NOT the Friday of Thanksgiving


**Be one of the 1st 10 people to email me and get
25% off your entire order!
All orders after that will receive
20% off your entire order!
**does not include events, fundraisers, home shows
But mention this email for separate offer

Check out my online catalog by contacting me!!!

****Make sure you add a Polishing Cloth to your order
Because $1 goes to JDRF****
November is American Diabetes Awareness month! Since 2004, Silpada has donated more than $1.3 million to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and we’re not done yet!

SALE ENDS FRIDAY AT MIDNIGHT!
You can start your holiday shopping now.... with over 200 pieces UNDER $50,
Silpada fits any budget! Men’s gifts as well!!!
All pieces arrive in gift boxes ready to wrap.
Gift Certificates available in $25, $50 ad $100!!

Spend over $200 retail and get entered into a drawing for $50 free Silpada at 8PM Nov 26th.

I am truly thankful for your business and I'd like to thank you for your continued enthusiasm and appreciation of Silpada jewelry!
Keep spreading the word about this gorgeous jewelry.
You see it in magazines, on TV and soon much more.
Who do you know who wants to make some extra $$$ having fun meeting great people?
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

781-915-7061

Save the Dates! Local to MA only this season but stay tuned NY!!!
November 20th, Littleton Baptist Church
461 King St
Littleton, MA

December 2nd 10-2
Vendor Show
One Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA

The Spirit of Giving Craft Show
Thurs Night Dec 9th 6pm-9pm
Laura Jeppesen’s Home
941 Centre St. Newton, MA

Featuring work by Laura Jeppesen, Soni Masur, Amy Levitt, Ben Tillotson, Ranume Jauniskis, Lauren Donovan and Paul Guttry. Work shown will be handmade textiles, mosaics, jewelry, pottery, custom dyed t-shirts, in an intimate setting with refreshments. Price of admission, a donation of pantry items to be given to The Boston Food Bank. Help feed those in need and pick up that unusual holiday gift while enjoying hospitality and meeting local craftspeople. Information: masurs@comcast.net.
Parking on Centre St. is ok as well as side streets Clinton Place, Ballard St., Janet Road and Ward Street

2010 St John the Baptist School PTO
Peabody, MA
Vendor/Crafters Night –Friday, December 10th 5-9PM

Parents Supporting Student Theatre at Reading Memorial High School
Presents The Dickens Holiday Market Place 10-3
Reading, MA
December 11th

Best always,
Amy





You are receiving this email because you have either expressed interest in Silpada or have ordered from me before. If you’d like me to take you off the list, please let me know. This is my full time business. I take it seriously and I appreciate honesty with referrals, phone calls, emails, RSVP’s etc! If you know someone who you think might have a slight or great interest in being their own boss, please either have them contact me or pass me their contact information! I pay for referrals!!!

Want to be Facebook friends? Contact me at Amy Reiss Levitt
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Turkey Trot Time

Turkey Trot 2010

It’s easy! This is all you need to do for a $200 Silpada Shopping Spree!

· Call me or email me TODAY and say "Turkey Trot" to enter the contest! I need at least 10 contestants!!!

· Pass a catalog or my website to everyone you know who might want to place a Silpada order. (Let me know if you need catalogs!!)


· Collect a minimum of $150 in orders to be placed into the $200 Silpada Shopping Spree drawing. This can be as little as one or two orders!!!!!! (I will send you order forms.) Remember to tell people that there are gift certificates, too. $25, $50 and $100...perfect for those who love sterling and want to pick their own. I take Visa or MC and checks made out to me, Amy Levitt. Help your friends take care of some holiday shopping with ease!!! There are great MEN’s items as well!!!

· All orders need to be placed by Sunday, November 21st ~12:00 pm. Please call or email me with your orders.
· On Sunday, November 21st at 6 pm, I will draw the winner of a $200 Silpada shopping spree!
· All participants will receive a FREE gift for completing the $150 in orders.
· If you collect $250 in orders, your name will go into the drawing twice. $350 in orders, three times and so on!

You deserve to to get that beautiful bracelet, earrings, ring... you've been wanting for FREE!!!!!

 

Don't miss out on this great opportunity!!!



Learn More about Silpada designs on my website!!! Contact me for the site.