Once upon a time it was customary to write a letter of thanks or mail a postcard of appreciation. That was in the long forgotten days before the advent of technology or modern rules that – for some obscure reason – prohibit acknowledgement for receiving virtually anything. We appear to live in a world that has lost the common touch of basic communications of courtesy.
Take the MICE planner who has had exceptional service from a venue and in particular from a staffer who – due to their intervention – ensured a real crisis was averted. A brief email copied to the head honcho can make such a difference to both the individual as well as the planner’s reputation with the next booking.
And what about the applicant that has sweated to put together an authentic CV? and emailed, for that much needed job – only to discover there is not even an acknowledgement of receipt. The oft quoted adage ‘if you don’t get a reply-back – it means you did not meet the criteria’ is not only a tad Irish – as who knows whether the CV was received in the first place but also leaves the job-seeker despondent which is both destructive and immensely inconsiderate. It does not do too much for the organisation’s brand reputation either.
It’s a sad day indeed if despite all the easy forms of technology available out there, we cannot respond with the common touch of expressing some type of appreciation or acknowledgement to our fellow human-beings.
Or is it merely a case of being so overwhelmed with far more hectic life- and work-styles that it’s best to rather attempt telepathy – a dumb way indeed – in expressing common courtesies just to get through the week?
Let’s opt on the latter assumption and blame it on our hectic lifestyles. Yet it really is a lame reason, for if one plans time effectively – it is quite amazing what we can accomplish as individuals.
There is however a much bigger picture when it comes to effective courtesy communications. If a MICE industry individual really wants to rise above the crowd and be seen as a true professional – there is no finer and simpler method than a word of thanks and/or acknowledgement.
Here is a swift check-list of how to stand-out for all the right reasons:
*Pick an afternoon per week to think through the happenings of what has past and who made the week a great deal better;
*List the individuals and/or organisations – together with their email addresses and where possible, the email address of their immediate superior – who went the extra mile to make your week manageable;
*Send a note expressing your appreciation and perhaps a brief referral to what did in fact turn the situation from a possible disaster to a great success and ensure it is copied to the appropriate management individual.
Is it a bit more to consider in your crowded day? – yes of course it is. But the rewards and good impressions will prove invaluable going forward. The MICE industry is based on relationships – make those relationships positive ones – each and every time.
