The two most powerful things in existence: a kind word and a thoughtful gesture. A powerful quote from Ken Langone, isn’t it? The value of a positive attitude toward customer engagement and relationship building? Priceless.
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You perhaps have heard this timeworn story illustrating the difference between positive thinking and negative thinking:
Many years ago two salesmen were sent by a British shoe manufacturer to Africa to investigate and report back on market potential.
The first salesperson said back, “There is no potential here – nobody wears shoes.”
The second salesperson said back, “There is massive potential here – nobody wears shoes.”
This simple short story provides one of the best examples of how a single situation may be viewed in two entirely different ways – negatively or positively.
We could explain this also regarding seeing a situation’s problems and disadvantages, instead of its opportunities and benefits.
When telling this story, its impact is increased by using the same form of words (e.g., “nobody wears shoes”) in each salesperson’s report. This emphasizes that two entirely different interpretations are made of a single situation.
Related: Influence Consumer Behavior Through Personalization Strategies
If you are in a business where you deal with people on a regular basis, like we are, your motivation and attitude need to be in ‘top gear’ (as it will usually impact most issues of the day).
By spending 5-10 minute at the beginning of each work day reading and thinking of the items in the following simple checklist, we help our employees be the best they can be for the day’s activities:
Individuals who think as an optimist see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in the tougher times.
Respect differences
Appreciate and respect differences in others.
Increase flow experiences
We define flow as a state in which it feels as if time is standing still. It occurs when you are so focused on what you are doing that you become one with the task. In this state, nothing competes for your attention.
Listen before speaking and listen more than you talk.
Nurture relationships
The most active people we know are the ones who make friends quickly and work to build deep, meaningful relationships.
Conserve energy
Don’t waste your energy on negative people or situations. You can’t fix everything or everybody.
The future
You can’t predict the future so why think that you can?
Practice acts of kindness
Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to create a positive attitude.
Being Liked
Not everyone you meet is going to like you. Not something to worry about, is it?
Express gratitude
When you appreciate what you love, what you love appreciates in value. If you aren’t thankful for what you already have, you will have a hard time ever being positive.
Only you
Only YOU can control your destiny. Take initiative on your behalf.
Strangers
View strangers as friends in waiting. Seize these opportunities.
Savor life’s joys
Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to soak up the positives all around you.
Be forgiving for a positive attitude
The harboring feeling of hate and meanness is horrible for your mood and well-being.
Commit to your goals
Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to do whatever it takes to achieve our objectives.
Avoid social comparisons
Comparing yourself to someone else can be a poison to your positive thinking.
Develop coping strategies
It always helps to have healthy ways to deal in your arsenal.
Do you consider your company a social commerce business? While there has been considerable hype about social business in the last few years, we don’t consider it new … it has been around as long as commerce. These days there are just more channels to engage customers and be social. Positive thinking is everything in this regard.
Key takeaways
Remember, this is the time to create remarkable experiences to build lasting relationships with customers. Lead with initiative … own the moment. Remember attitude is everything.
The pessimist sees a difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. By focusing on a daily positive attitude we are much more inclined to be the optimist and find the opportunity, aren’t we?
Being social with a great positive thinking and attitude isn’t a new way of marketing; it’s a way of doing business.
What do you do to get yourself and those around you in the right frame of reference for top performance?
Do you have an experience on employees’ positive attitude to share with this community?
Need some help in capturing more improvements for your staff’s leadership, teamwork, and collaboration? Creative ideas in running or facilitating ateam or leadership workshop?
Call today for aFREEconsultation or aFREEquote. Learn about some options to scope your job.
Call Mike at 607-725-8240.
All you get is what you bring to the fight. And that struggle gets better every day you learn and apply new ideas.
When things are not what you want them to be, what’s most important is your next step. Call today.
Test. Learn. Improve. Repeat.
Are you devoting enough energy continually improving your continuous learning?
Do you have a lesson about making your learning better you can share with this community? Have any questions or comments to add in the section below?
Mike Schoultz is the founder of Digital Spark Marketing, a digital marketing and customer service agency. With 40 years of business experience, he blogs on topics that relate to improving the performance of your business. Find them on G+, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Digital Spark Marketing will stretch your thinking and your ability to adapt to change. We also provide some fun and inspiration along the way. Call us for a free quote today. You will be amazed at how reasonable we will be.
More reading on customer engagement from our library:
