Thank you.

These are two simple words that are becoming rarer every day.

If you don’t believe me try this experiment:

For the next week, every time you make a purchase (in person) pay attention to what the clerk says at the end of the transaction. I have been doing this for a while and have found that there is a very good chance the response will be “have a nice day” or “here you go.”

Warms your heart doesn’t it?

I find myself saying thank you at the end of a transaction far more often than the clerks do. 

Yes, I do believe these two words are getting rarer.

We could get into a discussion of why this is happening, but to my point today…

If the thank you is becoming rarer, it is even more important that you remember to thank the people we work with. Expressing appreciation is a critical element of recognition that works.Cindy Ventrice is the author of the best-selling book Make Their Day! Employee Recognition That Works and the companion guide Recognition Strategies that Work. She has been quoted in The New York Times, Harvard Business Update, Workforce Magazine and on CNBC. She has worked with managers in 14 countries and has helped hundreds of organizations improve employee morale and loyalty through effective recognition strategies.