Like so many of you, I too gorged myself last week on turkey, stuffing and pie.  Each year Thanksgiving rolls around and we eat, drink, spend time with family, and, for some, shop in the wee hours of the morning for holiday gifts.  And sure, we’re all thankful for the things that we have been blessed with: a roof, good food, friends and family, but how often do we stop and give thanks for our professional blessings?

No, not the espresso machine your office just put in, and no, not those extra few hoidays that are coming up in December.  Rather, how often do we stop to thank our customers, not just for buying from us but for supporting our businesses, or to our employees for upholding the mission and reputation that we have built?

This Thanksgiving, the BBB began a contest thanking all of you who have made the Better Business Bureau what it is today. We are asking that you send us your BBB stories: whether we saved you from losing money in a scam or helped your business grow. As a thank you for participating, one contributor will win an Apple iPad

and have the chance to have their story told in one of your BBB’s commercials.

Regardless of the thanksgiving holiday having passed us by, if you think you’d like to make your own list of professional thank you’s, here a few ideas:

         Customers are king. Whether you are a B2B or a B2C business, your customers should always feel appreciated.  Try to remind your

customers that you are not just grateful for their purchases, but for how they contribute to the success of your business.  After all, despite even your best branding efforts, your customer’s will advertise and shape your business more effectively than you ever could.

         Employees are your framework.  Just like customers, employees should always feel valued.  While we are in hard economic times, money is far from the only way to show your thankfulness.  Employee appreciation luncheons, an extra day of PTO or even just a hand-written note outlining what each employee does well can go a long way. Take the time to recognize your staff this holiday season and they’ll surely repay you in hard work and dedication.

         Patting yourself on the back is not only encouraged, but expected. It’s okay, brag on yourself a little. Your employees aren’t the only people who work hard!  Be thankful for all of the time you put into your company, and reward yourself accordingly. 

Here’s to a successful holiday season full of good food, drink and personal and professional gratitude! For more information about the BBB’s Tell Us Your BBB Story contest, visit our Facebook page.  For more information about the BBB, visit BBB.org.