Can I sell you on kindness?

Friday, July 18, 2008  by Susan Julien-Willson
Category: sales, selling, customer, customers, sales etiquette, business, inspiration

You're probably wondering why a blog on selling is discussing kindness, but I see it as key when it comes to interaction with people. Kindness is about life and because selling for IBOs is a becoming a way of life during the our business transformation, we need to talk about kindness, but more importantly, we need to act with kindness.

Kindness, patience, courtesy ... do they show up in your sales conversations? appear in your professional life? constantly accompany you in everyday life?

Kindness is powerful in a positive way ... it can change an encounter or relationship. If it is authentic, genuine. and an act of love, it has the potential to make a positive difference in everyday life, personally and professionally. There are many, many opportunities in everyday life to be kind to people--on the phone, in an email, in a blog, at the store, at the office, on the road, at an event, around the neighborhood.

Recently on one of my trips to the bookstore, I came across a new book called Love as a Way of Life by Gary Chapman.(link goes to Barnes & Noble, a Partner Store.)  I couldn't sleep last night, so I read a portion of the book. Much of what I read was about love and treating others with kindness and patience. And even when others treat you disrespectfully or rudely, Chapman suggests if you make kindness a way of life, you don't have to only treat others who are kind to you gently and warmly--you can treat everyone you encounter with kindness. Even strangers.

Think about ways in your everyday life you can act in kindness-- from buying a drink at a neighbor child's lemonade stand to opening the door for someone who is entering a building at the same time as you.

Compliment someone and be sincere.
Tip a waitperson generously who provided excellent service.
Send a thinking of you ecard or note to someone you think makes a difference in your life.
Call an elderly relative and let them know you'll run some errands for them, mow their lawn or clean their house. Donate your time and talent to a non-profit organization like Easter Seals.
Acknowledge the voice mails and emails you receive today--follow up with people.
Send a fave customer a note telling them how much you enjoy doing business with them.
Send someone you love fresh flowers.
Write a letter or send an email to a co-worker's supervisor or manager, letting them know about the co-worker's outstanding contribution or extra efforts.

Do one, two, or three of these things today. How do you feel?

In business and in our personal lives, each one of us can make a difference in the lives of others by practicing kindness constantly.

What's your favorite way to express kindness?

 

 

Comments

# Heather Beaudette said on July 18, 2008 11:57 AM:

Thanks for your post, Susan!

I don't do it as much as I think about doing it, but my favorite way to express kindness seems to make the biggest impact in people: writing a note to someone. It's just a short note, thanking them for something they've done and how great it is that it is a part of who they are. I can never do this enough because the relationships with people I've done this for visibly improved and deepened. In a moment, our relationship changed for the long run. It surprised me because I had already tried other ways to express gratitude: email, saying thank you, leaving a simple "thank you" sticky. However, the personalized note has an effect that seems to really empower others. Also, in an unpredicted benefit, it also humbles me to realize how much I am blessed by others throughout my day.

# Tom said on July 21, 2008 9:59 AM:

Actually I'm the waitperson you mentioned that appreciates generous gratuity.  I've also long ago found the joy in giving generously.  It always seems to come back in some form or another (not that that is any reason to give).  Giving for giving's sake or any act of kindness is it's own reward.

I've used Ribbon albums as way to thank the tire salesman for giving me such a great deal.  He and his wife had also just had a baby as we learned.  It was so much fun to show up at his work and give him an Arrival album and a Guy Gear album.

But like you mentioned, it could also be random acts of kindness that don't cost anything.  It could even be simply taking interest in someone we've just met.  We may never know how lonely or discouraged one might be and what simply smiling and complimenting them might be.  Further conversation could make and even difference in both of our lives.

# Cindy Droog said on July 23, 2008 8:10 AM:

I wanted to thank you for this post, too, Susan. I once read this quote; I don't remember where, but I wrote it down because I liked it: "Always be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

I find a lot of truth in that statement, and I do try to practice it. Thanks for the inspiring reminder to keep doing so!

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