How to use ecards for business
I was cleaning out my inbox the other day and came across an eCard I received from a podcast host. It was two dogs that came across the screen with a simple “Thanks. Sometimes One Word Does Says it All.” It made me smile and got me thinking about the power of saying thanks and how simple it now is with eCards.
Everyone Wants to Feel Special
When was the last time you received a thank you card in the mail? How did it make you feel? Good, right? This is because everyone enjoys being acknowledged and appreciated for their effort or work well done, and this is backed up by science. Numerous studies highlight the positive effects of gratitude as being crucial not only to our emotional and mental health but also to our physical health. For example, research has shown that the more grateful people are, the stronger their immune systems are: they also benefit from less depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure and improved sleep. So showing gratitude to other people and being thankful for what we have in our lives actually help us to live longer healthier and happier lives.
A Deeper Business Communications Cadence
Effective business communications must extend outside the office. We tend to express our thanks to people who are close to us more than to people who aren’t. But why shouldn’t we extend this behavior to those we work with? Studies indicate that actually we should! Research carried out by Adam M. Grant and Francesco Gino showed the impact of a sincere ‘Thank You’ in the workplace. Their findings show a 50 percent increase in the amount of additional help being offered as a result of the appreciation. In a similar experiment by the same researchers, the CEO personally thanked half the staff for their contribution to the company. The result was a 50% increase in sales calls the following week from the half who had been thanked. This is a clear example of how something so simple can dramatically affect the bottom line at zero net cost!
Avoid The Funny Boss Memes. Well, Maybe…
A series of experiments by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Harvard Business School has shown that colleagues who make other people laugh are viewed as being more self-confident, competent and having a higher status. Furthermore, past research has shown that humor in the workplace can ease stress, build rapport, which can lead to an increase in productivity and creativity in teams.
Be careful though. As you know, humor is an elusive concept. What you find rip-roaringly hilarious, someone else can find triggering or downright offensive, even if it’s a funny boss meme.
According to Andrew Tarvin, a New York City workplace humor coach, understanding whether a joke is appropriate and funny requires deciding whether it meshes with the setting, listeners’ tastes and their purpose at the moment.
Laughs are a risky path to prestige: Tell just one inappropriate joke and people will write you off an offensive jerk. I think you’ll agree — it’s best to avoid upsetting anyone you work with!
eCards Are More Than Happy Gifs
As I’ve just outlined, the benefits of using well-placed “Thank You’s” are immense. There are several ways you can thank someone. You can say it face to face or on the phone. Another way that doesn’t require the recipient available is via eCards. Here are some of the sites that I like to use. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and send one to show your gratitude today!
About the Author
Jarie is an engineer by training and an entrepreneur by nature. He has over 20 years of experience bringing innovative technology products to the market. This gives him a unique perspective on the power of storytelling for businesses since the best story, not technology, wins. He has published six books with his latest being a Big Idea Nonfiction book called The Entrepreneur Ethos which shows how to build a more ethical, inclusive, and resilient entrepreneur community. You can follow him at his blog, https://thedailymba.com or on Twitter @thedailymba.