DEAR HARRIETTE: Today at my bakery, I received a delightful surprise: a box of freshly picked wildflowers left on the doorstep with a card that read, “For the sweetest baker in town.” This unexpected gesture filled my day with warmth and gratitude, prompting me to reflect on the importance of small acts of kindness. I recently opened my business, and this is my first startup. As a fellow business owner or manager, how do you cultivate a culture of appreciation and connection with your customers? What strategies can I employ to create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression? – Baking Connections DEAR BAKING CONNECTIONS: Pay attention to your customers – each one of them. Even when you are busy, take a moment to greet them. Make eye contact. Say a kind word. Get to know them. Say thank you. Make a log that indicates who likes what and what their patterns are in purchasing, plus their general engagement with you. Terrie Williams, a celebrity publicist, wrote a book that I swear by, “The Personal Touch.” In it, she shares many ways that you can connect meaningfully to people by taking an extra moment to do something that personally acknowledges the other person. Everyone wants to be seen, heard and appreciated. If you can do that, you will grow a deeply committed clientele.
