Many small business owners often look wistfully at big companies who are in direct competition and they think that these conglomerates have an advantage in the marketplace. The sheer size of the sales force, support team and marketing budget can cause sleepless nights for the small business owner who is struggling to compete against these beasts.

However, the size of these organizations can work against them which actually gives you a competitive advantage. Here are five advantages a small business has compared to their large counterparts.

Accessibility

One of the key advantages of a small business compared to a big competitor is accessibility. Employees in most big companies have more work to accomplish than hours in a day. As a result, they are often slow to respond to requests, questions or problems. They can be difficult to connect with which means customer usually have to leave a voicemail and wait for someone to return their call.

However, small businesses usually respond to concerns, problems or other issues very quickly—either immediately or shortly after a voicemail is left. This accessibility can be important to a customer, especially if they have had a negative experience dealing with a large company who viewed them as a number instead of a person.
This brings up to the next competitive advantage.

Personal

Most small businesses treat their customer as people and often get to know their customers at a personal level. This personal contact and interaction is not important to everyone, but many people have an innate desire to be treated like they are special.

Gestures such as recognizing someone’s name and preferences and knowing details about their business (and sometimes their personal life, too), can go a long way to help you stand out from a big competitor. Something as simple as a handwritten thank-you card leaves an impression and employees in most large companies are simply too busy to do make this effort.

Adaptability

Most large companies have very little flexibility with their solutions. Due to the large volume of work they produce, they often take a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach that does not always address the needs of their customers. Customizing a solution is difficult, and in many cases, impossible for them to execute.

Small businesses, on the other hand, seldom experience the same constraints. They are usually more flexible in their solutions and can tailor products and services to more closely meet the needs of individual customers. This does not mean they can customize every solution; however, they can often offer alternatives that the big company simply cannot.

Agility

When I worked in the corporate world, I always found it frustrating how long decisions took. Small issues often had to be discussed by several people in different departments, and in many cases, people seemed to look for a reason NOT to do something even if it was in the best interest of the company.

Small companies seldom have the red-tape or levels of bureaucracy to manage or navigate. Customers get frustrated dealing with policies and procedures that protect the company but do little to ensure they, the customer, is taken care of.

Silos

Most, if not all, big companies have silos. Each department operates with their own agenda, set of rules or policies, and they often fail to communicate with other divisions in the company. As a result, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing but the actions of one department can adversely affect another.

For example, in many large organizations, the finance or accounting department will place a customer’s account on hold because they have missed a payment, exceeded their credit limit or other similar mistake. Unfortunately, the accounting department fails to advise the sales person and the customer.

Small companies tend to have fewer silos which means communication is better or more effective. In turn, this means fewer surprises for the customer and usually results in a faster resolution of problems that may arise. This also means that employees are aware of changes within the organization mush faster than in larger companies.

I will be the first to admit that facing a big competitor can seem daunting. However, in the fable of David versus Goliath, the small guy succeeded in beating the giant. You can, too.

About Kelley Robertson

Kelley Robertson writes for Future Simple’s Growth University and is a business expert experienced in helping people master their sales conversations so they can win more business. He conducts sales training workshops and delivers keynote speeches through his company The Robertson Training Group.

This article originally appeared on Future Simple – Small Business Software and has been republished with permission.

As part of a $106 million upgrade, Richard Branson’s Virgin Airlines will offer in-flight mobile data access on its new Airbus A330. The first flight to receive the service will travel between London and New York.

Virgin Airlines to Offer In-Flight Mobile Data on UK Flights

In the days before social media and the Internet, it wasn’t as easy to listen in on your customers’ conversations about your company. Nor could you easily encourage people to spread the good word about your business through word-of-mouth.

When you connect with your customers online, you stop speaking to them and start talking with them. And wonderful things begin to happen. Those golden word-of-mouth moments that happen naturally offline at parties or networking events suddenly begin happening online right in front of your eyes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and review sites.

On social networks, word-of-mouth referrals become amplified: the friends, families and networks of your customers see these referrals and might just beat a path to your door.
How does it work? I call it the engagement marketing cycle.

The engagement marketing cycle has three parts:

• Experience
• Entice
• Engage

It begins once you’ve attracted a prospective customer or client to your business. This first point of contact can happen at your physical location, website, Facebook Page, trade show booth — anywhere the conversation turns to business.

Although relatively simple, the steps in the cycle are quite powerful.

Step 1: Provide a Wow! experience

As a small or midsize business, you have an advantage: You can create personal connections with your customers by providing extraordinary service every single day. How? Consider these examples:

• Manufacturing firm: Doing a small production run for a special client — on the weekend — to help it meet its customer’s rush order.

• Consulting practice: Sending clients small gifts, such as cookies or gift cards, once in a while as a thank-you for their business.

• Bank: Offering biscuits to customers’ dogs in cars at the driver-up teller window.

• Retail shop: Personally delivering goods during special circumstances, such as an illness, birth of a new baby or death of a family member.

Step 2: Entice to stay in touch

When you create a great customer experience, your customers will be more willing to remain in touch with you. You can’t keep that great experience alive, though, if you have no way to stay in touch.

You can ask people to “like” your Facebook Page, follow you on Twitter or subscribe to your e-newsletter to name a few things. To feel comfortable asking people to connect with you — like, follow, join, subscribe — it helps to have a solid enticement, such as a preview of your content, and a reward or offer. Some fun enticements include:

• Free information – Reports, newsletters, expert tips, tele-classes, checklists and scorecards are all great incentives for enticing people to stay in touch.

• Special events – Nonprofits or associations can invite people to members-only events, as can businesses with retail or office space.

• Birthday offer – You can offer people discounts during their birthday month in exchange for their contact information.

• Discounts – To entice people to connect via text or email alerts, consider offering special discounts or coupons.

Step 3: Engage people

Now that you’ve delivered a great customer experience and have enticed people to stay in touch, it’s time to bring those relationships to life by engaging people. “Engagement” means sharing content that inspires your fans, followers, email subscribers, blog readers and other online contacts to interact with you.

Creating engaging content is limited only by your imagination. Whether your audience is other business owners, consumers, or donors, here are five general types of content you can use to engage your customers:
• Question and Answer – The easiest type of content to create, you simply pose a question, provide an answer and ask your followers / fans to add their opinion. Tie questions to topical or industry events – and don’t be afraid to have fun.

• Sharing/Information – With this type of content, you share knowledge on a topic relevant to your industry or expertise. This can be original content in the form of blog posts, whitepapers, case studies, infographics and the like, or sharing other people’s content, such as a news item, article, or blog post, and adding your expert analysis or feedback.

• Discussion – “Fill in the blank” discussion starters are a great way to get people to participate. These types of questions start a conversation with a sentence and then people have to fill in the blank. For example: “I spent Saturday shopping at the small business  _______________.”

• Promotions and Announcements – Here’s your opportunity to share offers and company news. Samples, trial offers, coupons, special sales, e-books, reports, and free consultations are all examples of promotional offers.

• Events – Workshops or training classes, seminars, user groups or conferences, private sales, parties and open houses, trade shows, sidewalk sales, demonstrations — you name it, you can create it.

And that closes the cycle’s loop. Developing this cycle until it’s a well-oiled machine will keep your customers and clients connected to your business, increasing your repeat sales. But the biggest benefit is endorsement — that golden word-of-mouth moment that drives new customers to your business.

This article is excerpted from Engagement Marketing: How Small Business Wins in a Socially Connected World by Gail Goodman (Wiley, 2012).

Gail Goodman is a small-business expert and CEO of Constant Contact, an online provider of email marketing, event marketing, social media marketing, and online survey tools and services for small businesses and organizations.

The baked cod with tomatoes was a surprise winner last week. It’s quick to prepare, fairly simple and tasty. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong about the potato, cauliflower and chickpea korma. That was definitely not what we use to introduce curry to the kids. It was absolutely foul and we will never be having it again. In fact it has been stricken from the menu/recipe records, never to be seen again… Long live the cod!

On to this week: The Nasi Goreng, Tuesday’s meal, is a long-time family favourite. It’s basically a rice dish, but with a lovely twist… And Spicy Gammon??? That’s a new one. So I’ve also got a bit of a surprise to look forward to as well – yeah!

If you would like to create a plan for yourself then please check back here soon as I’m currently writing a special report that will be a short, free, ‘How to create your own menu plan – the easy way’.

This Week’s Menu

Last Week’s Family Favourite

(NB: Many of our recipes have been taken from various books throughout the years, as well as created from scratch or passed down within the family. Unfortunately, I have no idea where most have come from, so if you read a recipe that belongs to you, then I’m sorry and please feel free to lay claim)

Baked Cod with Tomatoes & Home-made Chips

Serves: 4
Preparation & Cooking time: 35 minutes
Freezing: Not recommended

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. vegetable oil
• 1 garlic cloves, chopped finely
• 25g (1oz) fresh, white breadcrumbs (approx. 3 slices)
• 4 x 150g (5½ oz) fresh cod steaks
• 400g (14oz) canned chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 50g (20 oz) grated cheese

For the chips

• Potatoes – as many as you need, washed and cut chunky length-wise (aka. steak cut), not chopped or peeled
• low-fat spray oil

Cooking

For the chips

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 6 (200° C, 400°F).
2. Parboil the potatoes.
3. Lay the potatoes out on a baking sheet and spray with low-fat oil.
4. Bake for approx. 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Check every 10 minutes and lightly shake the tray to prevent sticking (use a fish slice to loosen if necessary).

For the fish

1. Heat the oil in a no-stick pan and sauté the garlic for a few seconds.
2. Stir in the breadcrumbs and cook until they turn golden brown.
3. Mix the parsley in with the tomatoes
4. Put the fish in a roasting tin and pile on the tomato/parsley mixture, grated cheese and bread crumbs.
5. Season to taste
6. Bake for 15 minutes (in the same oven as the chips) or until the fish is cooked.

TOP TIPS The chips are of a home-made design, and we kind of play it by ear. If you have a system that works better for you then please let us know.

If you would like help creating your own Menu Plan then check back here soon as I’m currently writing a special report that will be a short, free, ‘How to create your own menu plan – the easy way’.

Have you tried this recipe or any of the dishes listed? If so, let us know what you liked or disliked the most… any variations that worked better for you?

Be Touched

Be Inspired

Be Confident, Optimistic, and love what you’ve got

But most of all, have a great weekend!!!

It’s estimated that around 60% of food shoppers now read the nutrition facts table on packaging. Unfortunately, they don’t make it very easy to use that information effectively. Here are five helpful tips to help you cut through the mumbo-jumbo and make the healthiest choices for you and your family.

Pay attention to the SERVING SIZE:

Most displayed nutrition information is based on the single serving size. Unfortunately, we quite often pick up something, considering it to be one portion, but the manufacturers have it labelled as two or three. Basically, check the serving size first, that way you’ll know if you need to multiply the numbers according to how much you’ll actually eat.

Understand what they mean by “reduced” and “low”

When something says that it’s reduced, all they’re saying is that it contains 25% less of something. Just because an item contains 25% less fat or sodium than the original version, doesn’t mean that it’s actually low in either.

Also, make sure that when they reduce one thing they’re not increasing something else, like sugars. Check out the numbers and don’t be fooled by terminology.

Be careful of words like Zero and Free

When trans-fat is reduced to a certain level (usually less than 0.5g) the manufacturers are allowed to call it trans-fat free, or even to say zero grams. Make sure you read the ingredients list, if you see any mention of the word ‘hydrogenated’, then there’s fat in there somewhere – so don’t think you can eat unlimited amounts or you’ll just be shooting it straight to your fat cells.

Watch out for sugar free as well. How have they done it, did they increase the fat levels? Just be aware.

Watch your percentages

When you pick up your 2% milk, do think it’s 98% fat free? Actually, it means that it’s 2% fat, by weight. So, even though 2% is reduced compared to full fat (or 4%), it’s still not low.

The same goes for meat, ground or otherwise. I know 90% lean sounds good, but what it’s actually saying is that 10% comes from fat…

Reach for the skim milk, 0% or fat-free dairy and try and find that 99% lean meat, even if it needs to be ground in front of you.

READ THE INGREDIENTS LIST

While anyone dealing with allergies probably already does this, only about half of shoppers actually check out the ingredient label.

When you read the label and it feels like you’re reading the ingredients for a recipe, and there aren’t any words you don’t recognise or have trouble pronouncing, then it’s quite likely you could even make it at home – sounds good. Otherwise, think twice and leave it on the shelf…

Have you got any tips you could share? Just drop them in the comments box below…

It’s long been established that men and women can be friends. But a new study suggests the more compelling question is: Should they?

In two studies, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire plumbed the opposite-sex relationships of more than 400 adults, ranging in age from 18 to 52, and found attraction was both common and potentially costly.

It would appear that the true danger arises because at least one friend is ‘almost’ always attracted to another.

Attraction in friendship is happening, and it’s persistent.” – lead author April Bleske-Rechek, associate professor of psychology

“I’d venture to say, based on all our data, that in the majority of (opposite-sex) friendships there’s at least a low level of attraction. And if it’s coming more from one friend than the other, it’s probably the guy.”

Why Men and Women Can’t be Friends

Because opposite-sex friendships are a novel concept, evolutionarily speaking, Bleske-Rechek believes people’s hardwired mating instincts get in the way. Notably, this seems to occur even when both parties claim genuinely platonic intentions.

To put it in When Harry Met Sally terms, “the sex part” gets in the way.

The second of the two studies draws from two samples: “emerging adults,” aged 18 to 23, and “young and middle-aged adults,” aged 27 to 52. Individuals were asked to spontaneously list the benefits and costs of their opposite-sex friendships, as well as rate their satisfaction with their current romantic partnership.

Across every demographic, people listed more benefits than costs; however, attraction was named as a cost, or at least a complication, five times more often than as a benefit.

An interesting observation is that even if people are in serious relationships, they didn’t mention attraction as a cost any more than any one else. For every demographic, except emerging adult males, the more attraction a person felt to a friend, the lower their satisfaction with their romantic relationship.

For now, Bleske-Rechek says the direction in which the latter effect occurs is unclear.

“Is it that attraction in cross-sex friendships has a negative influence on romantic relationships? Is it that people who are dissatisfied in their relationship actually seek solace and mate-affirmation in their friends? Or is it that people who are prone to short-term mating styles are less likely to be satisfied by committed relationships, and more likely to be attracted to other people?”

Realistically, this question is probably more important to the researchers. Even as most people recognise that there is an inherent risk to opposite-sex friendships, they feel that the benefits outweigh them.

Is It Possible To Be “Just Friends” With The Opposite Sex?

What do you think? How are your friendships mixed and how would you feel if your partner had a good opposite-sex friend?

This week’s recipe has a lovely combination of flavours going for it. With a blend of great tasting sausages and tanginess from the cider, you get a wonderfully warming casserole that is particularly good on those chilly nights when it’s supposed to be spring going on summer, but someone forgot to tell the weather.

When was the last time you had a home-made curry? Granted, we have them fairly often now, but a few years ago they were a bit more rare as the kids hadn’t been properly inducted yet. Thursday’s curry went a long way to breaking them in.

I’m looking forward to the cod, but that can be a bit dry if we’re not careful. All-in-all, it looks to be a good week.

If you would like to create a plan for yourself then please check back here soon as I’m currently writing a special report that will be a short, free, ‘How to create your own menu plan – the easy way’.

This Week’s Menu

Last Week’s Family Favourite

(NB: Many of our recipes have been taken from various books throughout the years, as well as created from scratch or passed down within the family. Unfortunately, I have no idea where most have come from, so if you read a recipe that belongs to you, then I’m sorry and please feel free to lay claim)

Somerset Sausage Casserole

Serves: 4
Preparation & Cooking time: 40 minutes
Freezing: Recommended (ie, cook double and freeze half)

Ingredients

• 450g (1lb) Sausages of your choice (half or low-fat for a healthier option)
• 2 medium leeks, sliced
• 2 celery sticks, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced thinly
• 1 green pepper, de-seeded and sliced
• 400g (14oz) canned, chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. tomato purée
• 150ml (¼ pint) dry cider
• 1 tbsp. cornflour (cornstarch)
• 75g (6oz) open mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage ( or 1 tsp. dried)

Cooking

1. Dry-fry the sausages in a non-stick saucepan for 2-3 minutes, turning frequently.
2. Add the leeks, celery , carrots and peppers.
3. Cover and cook, shaking the pan every now and then, for a further 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour on the tomatoes, purée and cider.
5. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Blend the cornflour with 3 tbsp. water, and stir into the casserole.
7. Add the mushrooms and sage.
8. Simmer, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes.
9. Season to taste

TOP TIPS This goes great with rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.

If you would like help creating your own Menu Plan then check back here soon as I’m currently writing a special report that will be a short, free, ‘How to create your own menu plan – the easy way’.

Have you tried this recipe or any of the dishes listed? If so, let us know what you liked or disliked the most… any variations that worked better for you?

Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Unappreciated?

Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s time to realise that the ‘little things’ are just that, take a deep breath and let them go… Easy, right? Well, it may not be as hard as you think. Kristine Carlson, author of the new book Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms promotes doing away with the worries that accompany the little things in every day life.

The book is all about realizing “you have a choice to be happy and bring peace to your life,” Carlson said on a recent TODAY appearance.

TODAY Moms asked its Facebook readers what “small stuff” they have forsaken, and the list ran the gamut from messy houses or rambunctious kids to picky eaters. Does anything look familiar? What would you like to add?

Clothing wars

From babies to teens, kids don’t ever seem to stop when it comes to challenging parents on what to wear. Some moms have raised the white flag on laundry and clothing disagreements.

While Stacey H. no longer worries about messy clothes; Graciela M. has given up on socks.

“I no longer sort them, they can wear mis-matched socks no one will ever know.”

Kids wanna freeze? So let them, says Stacey D.

“I don’t argue about wearing jackets or sweatshirts anymore when its cold outside. If they want to be cold then that is their choice; nine times out of ten they put it on after a minute outside anyhow.”.

And perennial dress-up time? No problem, say some moms.

“So what if my son wants to wear his cowboy boots with shorts, he’s expressing himself!” – Tess H.

“My 4 year old daughter wearing dress up clothes outside, to the grocery store, to play dates… After having 2 boys, this girly stuff is refreshing.” – Jennifer T.F.

Laurie Van Peursem R.’s son has worn his fireman Halloween costume since last October. Says his mom: “It’s adorable, and he wins. It’s not worth the fight.”

For Jessi T., the small stuff used to be a hairy issue. No longer!

“I let my daughter do whatever she wants with her hair because it’s just hair. She’s had several different haircuts and purple streaks. “ – Jessi T.

Cleaning house

For many moms, keeping the family home sparkling is just not worth the time and hassle involved.

“Clean house, yes; spotless house, not on your life. Dogs in the house, yes. Dogs on beds, if it keeps my kids calm, then ok. I also don’t stress about the kids rooms and whether the beds are made…” – Nicole T.

Merrie N. says she will clean house if company is coming over “but really, it’s not the end of the world if there are toys everywhere!”

Laurie M. has given up fretting about her teen’s bedroom.

“That’s why they make doors that close. Once a month I go in there with a clothespin on my nose, and weed the place out.“ – Laurie M.

Squabbling siblings

When it comes to siblings fighting with each other, some moms feel as long as no one is bleeding, there’s not really an issue.

“If they are fighting, and there is no blood, let them work it out. I am not always going to be there to fight their fights and they need to learn the skills to compromise and work things out.”
-Tammy H.

“Unless there’s blood, I don’t sweat it. My kids are tween and preschool so I’m sure there will be PLENTY of worthy battles ahead but as long as the try their best (regardless of success) & they are safe & healthy, the rest is not worth the stress.” – Jennifer C.

Picky eaters

Some moms are forgiving, or at least ignoring, when kids give them a hard time at meal time.

“Meals..sometimes they take 2 bites and are full, other nights they eat like pigs!! It all balances out.“ – Angie B.

“If he doesn’t want to eat, he will eat eventually.” – Jen B.

Germs and other dirty deals

Heather C. has realized “playing in a little dirt and grass is ok…and a quick lick from the dog is ok, too.”

Meanwhile, Vicky D. doesn’t sweat it “when a cracker drops on the floor at home, and the little one picks it up and eats it….that’s ok!”

For Julia S., a mom of 4-year-old twins, the small stuff is always doubled. “Our latest is playing in the bathtub until the water is cold!!! Brrrrr!”

Bryn C. agrees that baths can be a bothersome battle. Unless you don’t fight it.

“If they get a bath 2-3 times a week, I am lucky. I don’t think they need a deep cleaning every night.” – Bryn C.

So come on… What do you need to stop fretting about? Tell us in the comments below.

A little while ago I posted an article about getting your family and partner involved in the housework, where I discussed giving compliments and praise. Since then I have been approached by people wanting to simply know how to give a compliment.

If you like the idea of getting people to smile, then this is a great subject – and it’s easy to do as long a we remember a few simple guidelines – the number of times I’ve received shocked, but pleased, looks from people when I commented on a hair-cut, new boots, etc… It’s great!

“A compliment is verbal sunshine.” – Robert Orben

There are 5 very compelling reasons to make giving compliments part of your everyday life.

• You can absolutely make someone’s day. While it may only take you 30 seconds, it can stay with them for days.
• It will increase your positive outlook. When you start to actively LOOK for nice things to say about people you will notice more nice, positive, things around you and in your life. It’s like when we decided we were ready for kids, I suddenly started to see pregnant women everywhere.
• “Give to get…”. This shouldn’t be your motivation, or you come across as insincere, but what you spread around you – especially when it’s emotionally based – returns to you with interest. Possibly not today, or even from the same source, but it will come back. That’s just the way the Universe works – IMHO.
• You will become more attractive. People are attracted to, and want to spend more time with, someone that makes them feel good about themselves.
• You will ENJOY it. When you give a genuine compliment, without any expectation, it makes you feel good. I can’t go so far as to say it sets off a rush of endorphins, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it does.

9 Steps to Giving the Perfect Compliment:

1. Be Sincere

   Don’t give a compliment if you don’t really mean it, just don’t. Everyone has something worth noting. Make a habit of finding the good in others. Sometimes you’ll be the only person to notice. Your sincere compliment might be an extraordinary gift that goes a long way in building someone’s self-esteem.

2. Be Specific

   Instead of just a vague you look nice today, say something that shows you’re actually noticing the person, or don’t say anything at all. Rather than you look ‘nice‘ try a sincere that’s a lovely scarf; or, instead of you’re a good cook try that was a great lasagne.

3. Acknowledge the Affect/Effect

   Go beyond the action/change/result and talk about how it makes you feel or the effect produced: it meant a lot to me that you took the time to…; that necklace really highlights the colour of your eyes; your getting that work done means we have time to go out and…

   “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” – Mark Twain

4. Follow-up with a Question

   When you show actual interest by following the compliment with a question, you show interest in a person and it drives the conversation – is it new? “The colour of that scarf is perfect for you. Where did you find it?“

5. Avoid Comparison or Value Judgments

   It’s better to show you actually value something in its own right by not comparing it to something else. When you use statements like That was more than… That was better than… That was the best… it suggests that if it hadn’t been more, better or best then it wouldn’t have been good enough, and it’s the actual surpassing of someone else you value, rather than the person you’re speaking to.

6. Give a Compliment like a Gift – Expecting Nothing in Return

   People can usually tell if you’re ‘fishing’ for a compliment yourself. Show the world that you are secure enough in yourself by happily giving away compliments for free, without expectation – not even a ‘thank you’. Not only will your compliment seem all the more sincere, but you will also look like a stronger person for it.

   “Do not offer a compliment and ask a favour at the same time. A compliment that is charged for is not valuable.” – Mark Twain

7. Consider the setting

   Compliments should be appropriate. It’s wonderful to tell a bride that she’s beautiful, but congratulate her on losing 100 pounds some other time.

8. Acknowledge your relationship

   Comment on your boss’ new hair colour only if you two are long-time friends. A compliment is an opinion, one that may not be welcome.

9. Acknowledge their character

   When complimenting an accomplishment, don’t just focus on what the person did. Acknowledge who they had to be in order to accomplish it. In other words, what did it take for them to make it happen? Point to a person’s character traits, such as perseverance, kindness, thoughtfulness, loyalty, humour, calmness, creativity or courage. For example, “It took a lot of courage for you to speak up like that” or “You are so creative. I love the way you put together your outfit.”

Okay, that’s the nine steps, but there are just a few more points worth mentioning:

• Kids: Kids need to hear every day
  • I love you
  • Please
  • Thank you
  • Thank you for being my child
  • I’m proud of you
  • I believe in you
  • I trust you

  Compliments and praise are more valuable than rewards, because they are based solely on you and how you feel, not the value of a toy, trip, or treat.

  Put notes or pictures in their lunchbox.

• Give compliments around the house to everyone, even the pets – it promotes a positive environment and an atmosphere of gratitude.
• Compliment something the other person feels is important to him/her.
• A compliment that is expected will not be that powerful. Even though your compliment is genuine, it may just be lumped together with similar, and not so genuine, compliments the person has received. Instead, observe what makes this person tick. What are his/her passions, qualities, interests and proudest achievements? What can you genuinely appreciate about those things?

“If people did not compliment one another there would be little society. – Luc de Clapiers

What has been your favourite compliment, and why did it mean so much to you? Share your story below…