Gratitude in Business

Thanksgiving is my all-time favorite holiday. It’s filled with fun and food, but its also a great time of year to express our gratitude – hence the combination of the terms “thanks” and “giving”, right?

In keeping with the season, Gratitude in Business was the topic of Wednesday’s #startupchat on November 23rd, led by the hostess with the mostest, Kelly Anderson, founder of Startup Princess @startupprincess.

Q1. How do expressions of gratitude make you feel?

@bslmNYC Gratitude makes you feel as though you are being truly seen and heard fully and that you are appreciated top to bottom.

@KCbakes Gratitude makes you feel valued & appreciated, encourages loyalty. I love hand-written TY’s on invoices, things like that.

@startupprincess I know it’s basic- but really, when we connect to how we FEEL then we can try to create that for others. Whenever someone takes time to thank me then I feel like returning to them again!

@MysticHut I got to admit it makes me feel so wanted when someone expresses gratitude for big/small things I may have done for them.

@TianfenConsult Expressions of gratitude make me feel appreciated and that something was accomplished.

Q2. How do expressions of gratitude help to nurture relationships in biz?

@startupprincess It’s the simple things like when the Nordstrom sales person walks AROUND the counter to hand me my bag and thank me.

@WizeHouse Showing gratitude spreads positive energy & connectivity. It’s a natural force in work; all around healthy.

@speakmichelle Acknowledges that your customer could have bought elsewhere. Gratitude helps people feel better about their purchase.

@Dino_4ever builds good will, reciprocation!

@ShopInCedarHill A Sales person who shows me gratitude…I make sure to tweet my gr8 experiences.

Q3. What are effective DAILY expressions of gratitude in biz?

@startupprincess I love it when people send a quick email and just say simple ‘nice to meet you, thank you for our chat’. I also really appreciate it when I make an intro & it results in biz that receiver of the biz gives thanks to me.

@ParijatDesh Saying thank you for even the smallest tasks goes a long way!

@KCbakes I’m an e-biz, so I make it a point to say thank u in every email I send – I truly appreciate the time they spent emailing me.

GoodiesForGifts Klout is easy and sort of fun.  When someone says TY or give me a K+ online on @klout, I always return it. It makes me happy and makes me feel more connected. Its a fun way to exchange TY’s and admiration.

@3kidshere Doing your best with whoever you deal with is consistent customer service & shows a good structure for biz.

Q4. What do you do to systemize expressions of thanks in biz or do have a “gratitude standard of practice”?

@startupprincess There is something magical about getting something with their handwriting on it in our digital world.

@TianfenConsult When I was a kid, I couldn’t use a gift until I wrote a TY note. That still applies even in business. Give thanks b4 use!

@GoodiesForGifts Always an handwritten TY when I get a new contract signed.

@MysticHut I don’t like system generated thank you notes. Great when response is a note that is personally connecting in someway – delightful.

@3kidshere I’m always disappointed with I get a card that is just ‘signed’-no add’l note or thought…it’s a mental let-down. Personalization is key.

Q5. What expressions of gratitude do you do annually for your clients/partners?

@speakmichelle Holiday cards/gifts are a must. Thank people for the year’s business. Over 65% said that they’d buy again from holiday thx.

@IamMariaAlex We work with children, so we send them birthday and Christmas cards.

@bslmNYC We also mind accomplishments (promotions, big projects done) of our clients and send notes for those!

@ParijatDesh We’re a brand new nonprofit with limited funds so this year (our 1st holiday!) we’re making phone calls to all of our donors.

@MelissaOnline This year’s gifts are local goodies from women-owned businesses & our cards support the local food bank.

Q6. What are some creative low cost gifts we can give to our clients?

@WizeHouse As a #leanstartup, I give in ways of expression, crafts, and cooking gifts. A heart of gratitude covered w/ labor of love.

@MysticHut I write a thank you note and sneak a nice but smaller product free of cost.

@mollyoehmichen A small treat from a local bakery, hand-written notes, a “fancy” pen, or a small office plant.  If on a tight budget, sign up for Vistaprint emails. Can sometimes get loads of stuff free& only pay shipping!  Also if short on funds for customer gifts, consider teaming up w/other local or complimentary biz’s for co-branded items.

@KCbakes A low cost thank you – - discount on future service. Identify your profit margin and see what % you can offer.  Also, branded swag is awesome, b/c ur customers’ friends/fam will ask “what’s that company?” and they can promote u.

@stephsday Check Pinterest in the “Gift” category…so many fun, inexpensive ideas!

Q7. What are your plans for biz gifting this year?

@startupprincess I’m going to do something from @sweettoothfairy this year – my local fave.

@cupcakes4clara I’m sending out little Christmas Clara notecard sets to my customers with their orders. Fits my brand, & a useful gift.

@KCbakes I’m ordering @BDKettlecorn for my staff this year as a Thank You – treats always make ppl smile, & doesnt break budget.

@WizeHouse As a thank u to our team I’m making homemade salsa made out of tomatoes from the Amish..an act of LOVE from the kitchen.

@MysticHut I love the small desktop calendars with inspirational quotes. They are not that expensive and so handy to give away any time.

THIS week’s #startupchat topic is How to Rock Facebook – join us on Wednesday, November 30th, at 2pm EST, 12pm MNT!

Startup Princess guest blogger Kim Celano is the founder of KC Bakes, an online cake pop stand business.  Dedicated to her social media outlets, she has transformed KC Bakes’ reach from a small group of local bakers into an international audience of cake pop makers, bakeries and recently supplied stands for a new restaurant in California.  Kim is an avid baker and enjoys sharing her knowledge through tutorials on her blog, aptly named KC Bakes. She lives in Maple Shade, NJ with her husband.

Meet Payal Kadakia of Classtivity.com

I love it when I hear about successful women who have impressive degrees and are using their book smarts, street smarts, hobbies and talents to build successful businesses!  Payal is impressive.  Take a minute to learn about her and learn some of her secrets to success!

Name: Payal Kadakia

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science, Operations Research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Professional Background: I’ve been student of dance since age three…and I guess I have always been a “dancetrepreneur.” It was my passion for dance and entrepreneurship that led to the founding of Classtivity.com. As a student at MIT, my commitment to dance merged with my entrepreneurial spirit when I started an Indian Fusion Dance Troupe. Flash forward to life in New York City, where I founded the nationally-acclaimed Sa Dance Company in 2009. I quickly led the company to achieve tremendous community support, sold out performances, celebrity endorsements and positive reviews in The New York Times and prominent South Asian media. Prior to founding Classtivity, I worked as a consultant at Bain & Company and in Warner Music Group’s Digital Strategy and Business Development Group. Today, I am the CEO and co-founder of Classtivity.com.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: On Broadway! Or, something performance related.  When I was in 3rd grade and was asked to create something that resembled who I was, I created a popsicle stick dome that had a stage and ice skating rink called “Payal’s Palace of the Arts.”

What you are: A daughter, sister, aunt, dancer, lover of life and CEO of Classtivity.com.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Classtivity is a free, one-stop marketplace and the most comprehensive online hub for classes and activities, Classtivity offers thousands of experiences, from spinning and martial arts, to golf and trapeze lessons. Classtivity eliminates the frustration of surfing multiple websites, which typically results in abandoned searches and unmet challenges. As a central hub for classes, Classtivity helps consumers take the first steps in discovering or rediscovering their hobbies and passions, based on key factors that are important to them, including neighborhood, time, class difficulty and descriptions.

Where you are located: New York City, in the heart of Times Square.

Company Website: www.classtivity.com (Don’t forget to sign-up for a beta invitation here: www.classtivity.com. Why?  Because finding a class shouldn’t be harder than taking one.)

What inspired you?  I’ve always had a drive to change the things I saw could be improved and one of the biggest things in my life I’ve felt lucky for was having a passion.  I want other people to never give up their hobbies and the things they love outside of their jobs, families, careers.  Whether its pursuing an old passion like singing or music, or finding something new, it shouldn’t be hard to do.

How long have you been in business? I founded Classtivity in February 2011, shortly after leaving my corporate job and taking a two-week rejuvenation trip to Argentina!

How did you fund it? Bootstrapping and some great friends and family!

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My dance teacher, Usha Patel.  She’s always been like a second mom.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No formal affiliations but very involved in women empowerment through organizations such as WIE (Women: Inspiration and Enterprise) and Women 2.0. I am also closely in touch with my professional and education networks at Bain & MIT.

Current Business Challenge? And what are you doing about it?  Recruiting exceptional tech talent.  We’ve been utilizing our deep network of contacts and posting jobs online thus far. Hoping to find the right fit soon.

Favorite motivational quote:  “The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” Bob Moawad

Family?  I have two wonderful parents who dedicated their lives to me and my sister.  I also now have an adorable nephew who is the recent addition to my family.

If so, how do you balance family and business?   I come from a background where family is important and no matter what, it will always be a priority. I talk to my mom once a day – she is my support and inspiration on a daily basis.

Favorite book? Memoirs of a Geisha

What do you do to relax? Dance and listen to music, occasionally watch Seinfeld!

What do you want to change most about your world? I wish days were longer so I could do more things each day!

What are you most proud of?  Selling out three shows at The Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City with acclaimed film director, Mira Nair, as our guest speaker and one of our most avid supporters …that’s a close second to starting Classtivity!

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Build a team of people who are as passionate about the business as you are and also who you trust. That is an ideal combination for success.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?  My new MacBook Air.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Pearls, they were once only created by chance.

Now Accepting Applications for our 2012 Fairy Godmothers!