Profits in Progress

	How Do You Stack Up? Average number of greeting cards adults receive in one year: 20.  ††††† Number of adult recipients who keep some greeting cards forever: 3 in 10. Percentage of adults who buy greeting cards once a month: 14. Average number of cards sent during the 2003 holiday season by households with income greater than 100,000: 31. Percentage decrease in volume of holiday cards processed by the U.S. Postal Service between 2002 and 2004: 16. Percentage of digital camera owners who are likely to make personalized greeting cards: 32. (Kiplinger)

Once you've made the connection with someone you've been wanting to meet, do business with or finally had time to start a relationship with, follow up! In the book "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi, he says "Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Then you'll be miles ahead by following up better and smarter than the hordes scrambling for the person's attention. The fact is, most people don't follow up very well, if at all. Good follow-up alone elevates you above 95 percent of your peers.

While e-mail is one perfectly acceptable way to follow up, there are other methods to consider. A handwritten thank-you note these days can capture a person's attention. When you get something addressed to you personally, you open it. The thank-you note is an opportunity to reinforce a perception of continuity in a relationship and create an aura of goodwill."

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No matter if your event is relaxed or formal, the best way to say thank you is captured by People Magazine in a recent Q+A with Ted Allen, food and wine specialist on Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on "How to be a Perfect Guest." The question was: "Afterward, should you call or write a note? What about e-mail?

Answer: It's best to write a personal thank-you note. It's kind of a lost art and a real measure of graciousness. Even if it's just a few words: Thanks for the fantastic evening. Let me return the favor one day soon. Cheers. It's a class act. E-mail is fine but not as nice as sending a note."

Remember you have spent time this past month doing your business plan for next year. Don't let it slip into the abyss by being silly or forgetful. Do use your power of Note-Working to take you and your business to the next level.

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There have been several articles in magazines and newspapers recently regarding the type of winter to expect weather wise and such. We also hear stories in the news about the flu and flu shots - whether they work and if a shot is right for you. Besides green tea, here are alternative methods to stay healthy this winter: www.puttingitright.com.

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