There is only so much time in a day, no matter how much you wish some days were shorter and others longer. So, use your time to your best advantage. In business, focus on the tasks and activities that will matter most. In sales and marketing, know your core audience and target them rather than waste time trying to pull in business from everywhere.

Try a multi-level approach. Don’t just place a cold call or send one direct mail piece; follow-up. After a successful meeting or phone conference, send follow-up Thank You Cards as a show of appreciation and to keep your name and your company name in front of the customer.

By adding a personal touch you are sure to become a member of their business family and top of mind whenever your goods or services are needed!

There is currently a commercial on tv that shows people engaged in random acts of kindness. Not big deals, just little things like giving a child their dropped toy or holding an elevator door. These simple gestures bring smiles all around and just brighten everyone’s day. So, how about considering this workplace suggestion—

Show a little appreciation for kindnesses done in the workplace by keeping a supply of Thank You Cards on hand. When someone goes above and beyond expectations, leave a signed card on their desk as a show of appreciation. Maybe your HR person could keep plenty available for employees to use when the need arises.

Birthday cards and Anniversary cards are great in the workplace but wouldn’t an unexpected Thank You card be an added incentive to do great things?! I bet this sort of act of kindness would be contagious and a sure motivator to encourage team players. And I bet CardsDirect.com has the perfect Thank You Card Assortment Pack all ready and waiting for you!

Maybe a co-worker helped you with a major report or someone took it upon themselves to clean out the break room fridge (a yucky smelly job no one wants to tackle), or maybe you just value an employee’s extra effort. A Thank You Card would make a world of difference and I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t proudly displayed! What do you think? Why not try it for a few weeks and see what happens!

This just in—beware of Valentine’s Day emails! Apparently the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day is prime time for computer viruses. We all love to be loved so who wouldn’t look forward to receiving an email with something like “Somebody loves you” or “You are loved” in the subject line with cutesy valentine images attached. But beware, these sorts of emails from someone you don’t know could come bearing gifts, and I’m not talking flowers or chocolate!

The anti-virus software maker McAfee warns consumers to watch out for malware-ridden Valentine emails. Malware is short for malicious software that is designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner’s knowledge. A really cute Valentine could become your worst nightmare.

You should never open emails and attachments from someone you don’t know but follow this rule closely during this special season. Sure seems to me that traditional Valentine Day cards printed on paper and mailed or hand delivered are even more special!

Guess you had better watch out for any form of emailed greeting. Long live the traditional greeting card!

Times are tough and companies are watching what they spend. So how can you get them to part with some of their funds for the goods or services you are offering? First, believe in yourself, your company and your product. If you don’t believe, why should others?

For example, we know that at CardsDirect we offer the very best in quality greeting cards, selection and customer service. Sure, there are others out there who sell cards just like we do but they don’t have what we have and we know it! We truly believe in what we are offering and stand behind it just as you should stand behind what you are selling.

Keep focused on your main objective and customers will remain loyal. The better you treat your current base, the more they will in turn support you and drive new business your way. Focus on the positive, feel good about what you can control and get out there and smile! Life is good and what we do will only make it better!

According to a recent survey, 63% of Americans feel that sending a greeting via Facebook or Twitter is inappropriate with 19% believing it is downright tacky! There is simply nothing like a traditional greeting card to surprise someone on their birthday or anniversary or other special occasion. I remember when ecards first came on the scene. It was nice to be remembered but when receiving greeting cards I take into account the effort behind the thoughtfulness and an ecard just doesn’t take all that much effort.

Greeting cards are often kept as treasured memories and I have yet to knowingly keep an ecard or Facebook “wall” wish. 37% of Americans think that sending a thank you note through a social network is inappropriate. Given that a thank you is meant to send appreciation, isn’t it worth the effort to hand write a short note on lovely Thank You Cards and put a stamp on them or hand deliver them?

The next time you want to reach out to someone, do it with style. Some may call greeting cards printed on paper, signed and delivered old-fashioned, but I call it personal. The effort you take is sure to be warmly received and returned in kind. Which do you prefer, paper or virtual?

{Source: Kelton Research}