Any one who is into sky diving or knows anything about parachute jumping understands the importance of the question “Who’s packing your parachute?” Your life literally depends on how the chute was packed. Who the packer is and how diligent they are packing that parachute is of vital importance to the jumper. There is no room for error.

As we go through life, we have many situations in which something important to us has been handled by someone else. What they do for us is vitally important to our business, our job, our livelihood or us and our family. How do we respond to those people? Do we take them for granted or do we find appropriate ways in which to show them how much we appreciate them and what they do?

It is always appropriate to say “Thank You!” when someone does something to help us or does something special for us. Showing appreciation is one of the highest forms of respect we can show each other. 

We all like it when some one recognizes something we have said or done. Appreciation is a matter of common courtesy, but it is also a wise decision to make. Recognize what someone does for you with a word or some other act of appreciation. It is just good common sense to be thankful. 

I used to think that I was an appreciative person. That is the way it was until I met a man named Ben. Ben is the most sincerely, appreciative person I have ever met. At the time I first met Ben, I was in independent contractor working in his office. Whenever I would complete an assignment for him, he would thank me for doing it. After several weeks of being thanked for the work I was doing for him, I made some lame comment to him that he didn’t need to thank me because he was paying me to do the work. My response was something along the line of because you are paying me to do this; you don’t really need to thank me, too. He simply responded with “I do appreciate all you do for me. Thanks again!” or something like that. 

He will write a note of appreciation for a waitress or waiter in a restaurant when served well, and to a hotel concierge who assists him. He has a constant stream of sincere appreciation going out to any number of people all the time. And he is sincerely appreciative of what they have done for him.


These are some key things about showing appreciation I learned from Ben:

Appreciation must be sincere and timely. An immediate, heart felt thank you is deeply appreciated. Don’t save it up for some annual event. It won’t have much value if you do.  It should be expressed, as soon after the achievement as possible. Show appreciation frequently. Appreciation has a short shelf-life. People can quickly feel that they are not appreciated if you fail to thank them. Years ago I had an experience in which my boss carried my Christmas bonus around in his brief case until the end of February. You can imagine how I felt about that expression of appreciation when I finally received it!

Make it personal. Appreciation is valued by everyone who receives it whether it is in the form of a note card, flowers, dinner out or a simple “Thanks! I appreciate you and what you have done for me.”

Be honest in your expression of appreciation. Don’t show it when you don’t feel it. Always attach the person’s name to it. Give it to them personally. Don’t just mention the job or project being done. Include them by name in your expression of appreciation. 

Be consistent in expressing appreciation. Personalize your expression of thanks to fit the person and the reason for your expression of appreciation. Not everyone will appreciate the same expression of thanks. Know your people well enough to understand what it is that will make your expression of appreciation meaningful to them.

There is never a valid excuse for not showing appreciation. A failure to express appreciation is a failure of etiquette. Miss Manners would be disappointed in our lapse of good manners if we fail to express appropriate appreciation. 

Be aware of what others are doing for you. Do you have someone “packing your parachute”? If you do, then your life or your livelihood depends on how well they do it for you. Show them how much you appreciate them personally and what they do for you. As you do, they will take even better care of you in your on-going relationship with them.

Show appreciation frequently. As I mentioned previously, appreciation has a limited shelf life. I am reminded of the old farmer whose wife wasn’t feeling like he loved her anymore. When she said something about it to him, he responded, “Well, I told you I loved you before we married. And I haven’t changed my mind about it.”  The problem of course, was that she would have appreciated being told and shown often that the love was still there. So it is with appreciation. Show it often. You can find a variety of ways to say “Thank You” or “I appreciate you.” 

Make it Personal.  A handwritten “Thank You” will mean more to the person receiving it than an email, or a verbal expression of appreciation. Take time to write one out. Pick up a nice set of “Thank You” notes on some really nice paper. A good fountain pen can add the perfect touch to that “Thank You”.

Just do it! And when you do, you will find that you will feel better about things and so will those who are on the receiving end of your expression of thanks. 


Dennis R. Gleason
West Suburban Office Product
www.westsubonline.com
630-832-3066

When temperatures dip and snowflakes start to fall, no one needs to remind us to break out our sweaters, scarves and coats. But we might not always remember that our homes also need to be prepared for colder weather.

Steve Piraino, owner of S & D Prime Maintenance, said there are several simple but important steps everyone should take in the coming weeks to prepare their houses, and the houses of their aging parents and loved ones, for the long, cold winter ahead. 

Lock it up tight
Windows and doors don’t only keep unwanted visitors out, they also keep out cold winter air. Piraino suggests inspecting all exterior doors and windows to be sure they close properly and that locks work. Check around each for leaks and drafts, and seal those spots with caulk to keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

Inspect those spigots
Outdoor water spigots can lead to big problems if not properly turned off and drained, Piraino said. “If they have drains, drain them,” he said, and make sure hoses are disconnected and no water is dripping from outdoor spouts. 

Avoid gutter trouble
Call out a professional, like S & D, to clear downspouts and gutters of debris that collected during the warmer months. Clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to ice dams when they’re filled with snow, which can lead to major roof damage and leaks.

Refresh your filter
When it comes to furnace filters, you get what you pay for, Piraino said. “Do not spend money on a cheap air filter,” he said. Instead, invest in several good quality, pleated filters and install a new one every other month through the winter. The money you spend on the filters will be money saved on heating bills.

Get a checkup
An annual inspection and cleaning is important to keeping a furnace running reliably and efficiently. It also can prevent the need for expensive repairs. 

Take a peek at the pump
When the ground is frozen, water has nowhere to go but into your sump pump. Make sure it’s working by having it professionally inspected.

You’ve got their number
911 isn’t the only emergency number you might need this winter. Piraino suggests keeping numbers for furnace repair and plumbing on hand, too. “It takes no time to start losing heat when your furnace fails,” Piraino said. Waiting for morning might not be an option, especially for older home owners.


Pass the salt
Piraino suggests keeping a coffee can full of ice-melting salt near each exit, so that surfaces can be treated before being stepped on. Before stepping out onto icy porches, pavement or stairs, grab the can and give the surface a generous sprinkle. “It will make entering and leaving safe for you and for your visitors,” Piraino said. 

Light the way
Night comes early in the winter months, meaning many people are coming home to a darkened doorway. Make sure outdoor lights are working and that they provide adequate light. Better yet, install motion sensor lights that turn on automatically when someone approaches the house or garage. “They’re great,” Piraino said.

The professionals at S & D can perform all of these tasks and more. “We’re on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” Piraino said. Just call (800) 660-6028 to set up a time to get your house ready for whatever winter brings.

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During Proforma's Tuesday morning product presentation at our breakfast meeting to the Platinum Networking Associates attendee's, was that we would send a link to the group to expand on the many American made products that are offered from the company that manufactured the samples of hand sanitizer and lip balm products that the Willowbrook based Proforma Creative Impression' passed out.
 
Please click on the link below when you have some time to skim the pages of this ecatalog for other items that you may find interesting for your business.
 
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Please contact us with any questions at 630-734-9911, [email protected]

Jim Frankiewicz
Proforma Creative Impressions
6203 Lake Park  Suite D  •  Willowbrook, IL  60527 
630-734-9911 Office  •  630-415-6757 Cell  •  630-974-6199 Fax 
[email protected]