In Business settings, it’s really easy to forget to take the time to say Thank-You, and yet, it’s an important part of interaction with others. It’s important to people that they feel valid, important, and respected. Just as saying sorry matters, so too does remembering to thank those who help you move forward. Here are some tips and ideas:

    * Email is nice; a personal card is better- It’s really easy to send email. I just sent a thank-you that way, and that’s what prompted me to post this. And yet, looking back, I think it’s much nicer to send along a physical card. A personal note written by your own hand inside matters far more than a few lines of type into a window that’s so easily available at your fingertips. It shows you care enough to take an extra step.

    * Write specifically- We’ve all done it: we get a gift from someone around the holidays or our birthday but we forget who sent what, so we send out that generic “Thanks very much for the gift.” People know. They feel a little less special when you’ve sent a generic reply. I find that people respond really well to targeted responses. “Thanks for the copy of IMPROV WISDOM. I really look forward to reading it, and look forward to discussing it with you when we talk next.” That’s simple, brief, and targeted.

    * Use nice cards and a nice pen- If you’re going to go this route, put in the extra few minutes to purchase nice notecards and use a pen that gives you decent flow. You don’t have to break the bank to still give a professional and yet personal presence via the thank-you note you select and the ink you use to sign it. And, just like attractive-looking people don’t always have a great voice for radio, an expensive pen isn’t always the best flowing pen. Read up on pens and their value on sites like PigPog, where Michael is nigh obsessed with quality writing materials.

    * In person- Make sure you say thank-you to people face to face when you have the opportunity. The same “content” applies. Be brief, be specific, and be warm about it. Say so in an unhurried way, looking into the person’s eyes. It is not enough to just say the words, or at least it won’t have the same effect. Don’t make it into a miniseries TV moment, but do try to make sure the person senses how imporant their contribution to your life really was.

    I won’t belabor the point more than this. Thank the people in your life who add value, and make sure you spread a little good karma that way. Be kind and generous in your thanks, and the results will almost always be favorable.

    在公务场合，我们很容易忘记对别人说一声“谢谢”，然而，表达谢意是与他人互动的重要部分。毕竟，我们都希望感到自己是有用的，受人尊敬的。正如对他人说“抱歉”一样，记得向那些帮助过我们的人说声“谢谢”也是很重要的。在此，就向大家介绍表达谢意的一些方法和技巧：

    *用伊妹儿可行，致卡片更佳——用伊妹儿传达谢意方便快捷。因为我本人就是这么做的，所以，我把这一点也列在这里。但是，回顾往昔，我觉得用卡片表达谢意似乎更现诚意。试想，一张亲手书写的卡片和一封用手指敲打键盘，显示在窗口中的几行字，哪一样更为重要呢？自然是亲手书写的卡片更能显示你想再进一步的心意了。

    *达意要明确——你一定有这样的经历：在节日或生日收到了礼物，却忘记了谁送了什么的时候，我们只好笼而统之的写上“谢谢你的礼物”。这样的谢辞让人觉得少了点用心。我发现有的人却做到了有的放矢：“谢谢你送来IMPROV WISDOM的副本。我非常渴望拜读，并希望我们在下次见面时能进行探讨。”就是这样，简洁而有针对性。

    *使用漂亮的卡片和书写流畅的钢笔——如果你想用卡片来表达谢意，那么一定要花几分钟去买一些漂亮的便签卡片和书写流畅的钢笔。但是不必用重金购买卡片和钢笔，因为正如俊男靓女不一定有动听的声音一样，价格昂贵的钢笔不一定书写流畅。

    *当面答谢——如果有机会的话，一定要当面表达谢意。感谢的话同样应该简短，有针对性，并且充满热情。说话时要看着对方的眼睛，娓娓道来。仅仅说一些不咸不淡的话是不足以表达谢意的，至少，其效果不能与上述方式的效果媲美。切勿将其弄得像电视短剧里的场景，但是应尽力让对方感受到他们的帮助对你的人生有重大意义。

    我对这个问题的看法就阐述至此。谢谢那些为你的人生添姿增色的人吧，这样，你的人生旅途也会更加顺利。为人和善，慷慨致谢，就能长享快乐！