On occasion, you’ll have people who help you out with your contracting business. From your first mentors to the reliable employees you can hire to make your business a success, you definitely don’t do it alone. It’s a good idea to thank them, but you should do it in the right way. Here are a few ways you can thank the people who paved the way for your business to thrive.
Thank Mentors
Many contracting business owners have a better experience if they can rely on a mentor to help them get started. Mentors give you valuable information about your field or how to succeed in business. They can serve in a variety of roles, including:
- Teachers
- Former bosses
- Older family members
- Colleagues
The way that you thank a mentor depends on the position that they play in your business life currently. For many people, an earnest thank-you note is much appreciated. Be wary of giving gifts unless you know that the person will be able to accept them without worrying about a conflict of interest.
Refer Subcontractors
Subcontractors who do great work and provide a reliable service can be difficult to find and even harder to keep. Most of the time, professionals who are that good at what they do are well aware of it. But sometimes, you’ll find someone who is just starting out and hasn’t realized their own potential. In that case, one of the best things that you can do to thank them is to give them the benefit of word-of-mouth recommendations. Let other contractors in the area know of your high opinion of the subcontractor’s work, so that they can grow their own business as well.
Reward Employees
When you find a good employee, you should go out of your way to let them know how much you appreciate them. In the past, business owners might be wary of thanking employees too much out of fear that it changes the balance of power in the company. On the other hand, in the midst of an unprecedented labor shortage, you need all the good workers you can get. Employees who feel valued by the business that they work for are more likely to do good work and even more likely to stay with the company. If you have the capacity, reward your employees in the form of higher pay, better benefits or more time off.
Cultivate Relationships With Colleagues
There’s a reason that networking is so high on the list of what you need to do to succeed in a business. Forming long-lasting, rewarding relationships with other people in the industry can ensure that you have more access to opportunities to grow your business. Of course, not everybody enjoys networking, and you may have to work with people with whom you don’t want to build a relationship. But when you do, it’s worthwhile for both parties to invest in it. Keep in contact with colleagues you like, who do good work in your community. You’ll be able to continue helping each other out that way.
Create Referral Programs for Clients
When you start a contracting business, you might think of your relationship with your clients as a simple one. You provide a service, and they pay for it. But on occasion, you’ll have a client who expands your opportunities for projects. For example, a well-connected client might recommend your services to other potential clients. You can always thank them personally or in writing for the effort. If you’d like to take it to the next level, you could consider creating a referral program. Referral programs provide a small incentive to clients for referring new customers to your door.
Knowing how to thank people is one way to create a positive business ethic. To learn more about what you’ll need to run a contracting business, contact CSLS today!