With everyone conducting business today at virtually the speed of light (except when we want them to hurry up), the question is,  do customers CARE if you thank them for their business?

After all, who has the time to write notes, send gifts, and include the line, "Thank you for your business" at the bottom of your email, note, or invoice. Your IT people may think that this line takes up too many bites on your system, but the reality is, if you aren't thanking your customer, someone else will. And it's probably one of your competitors!

Those who know me are aware that I have been on a "Thank You Campaign" for about 10 years now. Before you get on the defensive and start telling everyone that you, indeed, DO thank your customers, consider these phrases:

 

"Not a problem." 

"Uh huh."

"Can do."

"OK."

"Yep." 

and the one that makes my hair stand up on end every time I hear it..."No worries." 

 

Please note that not one of these is the same as "Thank YOU", "You're Welcome", or "My Pleasure".  It used to be that only non-professionals would use the terms mentioned above. When I first heard the expression "no worries" instead of a "thank you" some time ago, I thought it was just an individual with a limited vocabulary brushing me off. However, I've noticed that more and more this phrase is entering into what some think is acceptable business vocabulary and it's just outright rude. 

 

If you are telling your customer "No Worries", you are inviting your customer to do just that. Worry. The reason is, Harry wasn't concerned before you brought it to his attention TO double or even triple check. (And you wonder why your customers are micromanaging you?)

 

So the next time a customer says something like, "We've decided to go ahead with your recommendations and get the service agreement going." Remember, if you respond with "No worries", to expect numerous phone calls before, during and  immediately after implementation.

 

Or, you can just say, "Thank you. We can't wait to get started!"