We are heading toward the beginning of the fourth quarter, which is news all in itself. It’s that time of year to get prepared for the end-of-year business stuff; more about how to get ready for this next time.

There is something much more important that happens this week and requires our immediate attention. It is Customer Service Week!

If we are a business owner, this is a celebration we should all have at the fore front of our minds. And if we forgot, that’s ok. Customer Service Week runs the first full week of October, so you still have time to recognize your customers for being a part of your success.

What can you do to show Customer Appreciation?

 Share a FREE report. This can be a report that can help them learn, or they can offer it as a bonus to their contacts.

 Send them a Thank You Card. A simple card that shows them they are in your thoughts and you appreciate the time they take to be your customer.

 Send them articles that are relevant to their business. This shows your customers you care about their success and have product knowledge about their business.

 Call them via phone; skype or instant message them. Ask them if there is anything they need; answer any questions they may have; work on building a connection and on your relationship with them. (If your database is too big to contact each customer, which by the way is not a bad problem to have, then send them a personalized email. You can do this efficiently and simply through a contact management system).

 Recognize them for the contributions they have made in your business by advertising them in your newsletter. Post there business information on your website. Mention them in your blog.

Customer Service Week is about celebrating your customer’s success and showing them how much you appreciate them being a part of your life.

As a business owner we should be acting and performing these types of gestures on a year round basis by having a Keep-In-Touch Program as part of our business best practices. Visit The Customers Corner, my business needs you. I need help administering a Keep-In-Touch Program! to learn how simple it is to outsource this task and take it off of your to-do list but still be able to Keep-in-Touch with your customers.

Even if you do have such a process in place, this week is all about sharing with your customers during their special week. Perform the above tips each day this week, or just choose one action.

And don’t forget those potential customers too. They can very easily become a part of your future business and these actions may be what makes or breaks their decision to do business with you, so don’t forget those relationships.

The list of how you can celebrate Customer Service Week goes on and on. Mark your calendars for Customer Service Week next year and from now until then keep an on going list of ways you can celebrate your customer’s success.

Taking the time to acknowledge your customers shows them that you are not all about the transaction, you are about the relationship.

Until the next time, keep your focus on the most important assets in your business; your family, customers, associates, strategic partners, vendors and you.

Pay it forward by commenting and sharing what you are doing for Customer Service Week.

Want to reprint this article in your Ezine, blog or website? You may, as long as it remains intact and you include this complete blurb with it: Putting 17 years of Customer Service, Administration and Business Operations Management Experience to work for you Online Business Manager & Virtual Professional Roberta Eastman, CEO and Virtual Customer Service Excellence Warrior, helps client driven; customer focused business owners, CEO’s and mobile professionals avoid the mistake of building their business on one-time transactions; replacing their business foundation with long-term relationships. Result: Improving the level of service business leaders provide from standard service to Customer Service Excellence. Connect with her on-line at The Customers Corner