The Build Your Business with Encouragement Experiment

Posted on Jul 22, 2010 in Blog, Client Experience, Entrepreneur by Lisa 19 Comments

According to Zig Ziglar, “Encouragement is the missing ingredient in too many lives. We are capable of greatness when we are given encouragement.”

After giving his words some thought, I have decided to test this theory in my Retail Business and see what the results are. I believe that if encouragement is the missing ingredient in too many lives, someone who becomes an Avid Encourager must be able to attain better results than the person who does nothing to encourage others.

So, for the next 30 days, I plan to test this theory and I would like YOU to play along. Imagine what a large group of Avid Encouragers can do for the world. Imagine how encouraging your clients and your team can impact the culture of your business!

As you will see below, I have put together a list of all the ways I plan to become an Avid Encourager. I will also be reviewing the results with my Team Manager so that we can work together to become Avid Encouragers.

Recognize team members for their contribution on a daily basis. Find something – anything (as long as it is sincere) and offer verbal recognition for their contribution.
Pay attention when they are interacting with clients and offer positive feedback and encouragement for the ways that they positively represent our business.
Set weekly goals that are realistic and reward team members who achieve them. I will be setting goals for:
a.   Sales
b.   Operations
c.   Social media interactions and content sharing
d.   Anything else that is measurable
Ask my team for suggestions on how to improve our business – then shut up and listen. I am going to look for opportunities to implement new ideas that have been brought forward by the team and praise them for their contributions.
Create a wall of fame, and use it to praise and recognize team members. Public praise is often the strongest form of encouragement.
Change all negative feedback into positive suggestions. Instead of focusing on what is done incorrectly, I am going to focus on what was done right, and then offer suggestions on how to improve from there.
Empower them to take on bigger responsibilities. No one likes to do mindless work. We all like to feel as if our contributions make a difference.
Praise them again for a job well done! Praise is like milk on cereal, good cheese with a glass of wine, chocolate with strawberries – it’s just one of those things we love to have added to our daily life.

What other things can you do to offer encouragement through your business? I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions! I plan to update you a month from now to let you know how these random acts of Avid Encouragement make a difference, not only on team morale, but also on the bottom line in my Retail Business. I can’t wait to share those results with you!

Tags: Avid Encourager, Business, Culture, Encouragement, Results, retail, Zig Ziglar

Comments (19)

Elizabeth Hare Jul 22 2010 - 4:52 pm Reply

Awesome words of wisdom … and a great plan. Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
- Lisa Jul 22 2010 - 6:44 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Elizabeth, so far this week it is working! Sales are up 50% over last year….Zig Ziglar could be on to something
Maryse Senecal Jul 23 2010 - 6:59 pm Reply

It’s so simple we tend to overlook the obvious! It’s how I’ve always believed the world should be, I raised my sons with those principals and they turned out to be responsible and confident young men. In my line of work, encouragement is at the very foundation of my clients’ success… I love that you blogged about it, it should be blogged again and again… great work!
- Lisa Jul 23 2010 - 7:33 pm Reply
  
  Maryse, you exemplify encouragement. When a task seems insurmountable, you have the skill to help someone over come it. Zig Ziglar would be proud to know you.
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DeDe Galindo Jul 23 2010 - 11:58 pm Reply

Lisa, I believe exactly like you. Encouragement is necessary in this world. I find that too many people are starving for acceptance, a word of praise, or a nudge of kindness. It takes so little from us to smile and say something truthfully kind to another. That one moment may mean the difference in their day being horrible or completely turning it around and thus passing it forward to another.

I try to give credit where credit is due and that means thanking the person who deserves the praise and giving a nod to the person who passes it on. Another business encouragement is “I like __________” notes. (This was started at the Ziglar Company.) When someone does something you like, write a little scribbled note and put it on their desk that says, “I like that you made coffee this morning.” or “I like that you smiled when you came in the door” or “I like the way you took initiative with that situation.” This will let the person know that you noticed, you liked it, and you cared enough to comment.

I will join you in being an Avid Encourager…anyone else?
- Lisa Jul 24 2010 - 9:02 am Reply
  
  DeDe I LOVE that, I am going to buy special post it notes just to be used for that message. What a simple, easy way to let people know you value and appreciate them.
  Someone else I know keeps Smarties, and After Eight chocolates on hand all the time. When you do something really “smart” you get a box of smarties, when you stay late to complete a task you get “after eights”. Simple again, but makes a big difference.
  I agree we all crave encouragement and want to feel valued for our contribution. Thanks so much for posting and for your big hug at the conference, I needed that hug at that moment – you made a difference in my life. thank you
Gail P. Eddy Jul 24 2010 - 10:54 am Reply

Lisa, I love this idea! (And how great was it to meet Zig Ziglar & his daughter Julie?!!) As a company with only two employees though, I think I need to think a little broader. One thing we already do is to send random emails to our customers whenever we see something they might be interested in. I’m going to spend some time this week thinking about how we can appreciate more of our customers (and) more frequently. Thanks for getting my neurons firing!
- Lisa Jul 24 2010 - 12:25 pm Reply
  
  thanks Gail! I have a post on here somewhere that got a lot of feedback on ways to show your clients you appreciate them, you might like it, might give you some ideas that you can use/expand on.
  
  Yes meeting Zig, his daughter and granddaughter was amazing. They are a wonderful group of people who walk their talk.
Amy Jul 24 2010 - 5:37 pm Reply

Focus on what is instead of what isn’t and always consider what else is possible? Every breath is an opportunity for growth and expansion in every aspect of life. Consider not only focusing on business rather on other aspects of co-workers live such as there personal life.
- Lisa Jul 30 2010 - 7:01 am Reply
  
  you raise a good point Amy, the expression is they don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Taking an interest in the real person is key! It’s not just about business. Thanks for pointing that out.
Dr Deborah Barry Jul 24 2010 - 7:32 pm Reply

This is a great idea, Lisa! So that’s actually a pic of you with Zig himself?! How cool!

Count me in, I’d love to be involved in anything you’re doing!
~Deborah
- Lisa Jul 30 2010 - 7:00 am Reply
  
  Yes Deborah, that is actually Zig himself. It was a great experience to meet him, and our results so far have been great! We have created a “Like” wall at the store, modeled off of the Facebook Like button and we are all actively posting notes on the wall to encourage each other when we see someone do something we like.
Irene Burwash Jul 24 2010 - 7:39 pm Reply

Thanks Lisa; I know I need to really work on this as well not only in business but family and friends as well. Thanks for all your encouragement in the past also.
- Lisa Jul 30 2010 - 6:58 am Reply
  
  thank you Irene for being here and for taking time to read my post I appreciate it
Elaine Jul 25 2011 - 6:20 pm Reply

WOW.. I am happy to be an Avid Encourager and think it most apropos that I see this post of yours right after you and I had a coffee meeting!
Thanks again for your wisdom and the golden nuggets you offered. You TROOL-y are being an avid encourager, even outside your business..
♥♥♥
Elaine Lindsay
- Lisa Jul 25 2011 - 6:31 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Elaine! It was great to connect with you too. Lisa
Gina Hiatt Aug 6 2011 - 6:11 pm Reply

Hi Lisa,

As a psychologist, I can tell you that there is plenty of research showing that all humans, at any age, respond better to positive reinforcement (encouragement) than to negative (such as negative feedback). We all work harder to be recognized and appreciated than we do for money, as hard as that is to believe. And the business environment that you grow is so much stronger when you use this approach. Your employees will feel more part of the business and more eager to help it grow. So you’re doing a fantastic experiment, and I’m sure you’ve influenced many people to do the same. It’s a good reminder for me, too. So thank you for this post!
- Lisa Aug 6 2011 - 6:31 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Gina, appreciate it! We are quick to notice what is wrong, seem we are programmed that way, yet we all like to be told what is right!