Today's blog is dedicated to the value of testimonials - to the personal and professional value they bring to the people who write them and receive them.
I consider writing testimonials to be "good work" that all of us have the ability to do.
First, I want to make it clear that I'm not just talking about the testimonials that people use for commercial purposes on their websites about their products and services, although those count too.
I'm thinking bigger than that.
For example, can you imagine the benefits that could be achieved if you wrote a testimonial to your best friend, praising them for what they do and how it impacts you? Imagine the benefits to you for writing it and to them for receiving it.
Other great opportunities to write a testimonial include: To your boss, a colleague, a parent, a child, a politician, the person on the other end of the phone at the call centre who helped you when you were really upset...
It takes a little bit of time, attitude, energy and effort to write a testimonial. It takes caring about making someone else's day. It takes caring about marking the moment that you made you feel the positive thing you're feeling.
On the receiving end, it can certainly make someone's day. You may also be surprised to know that it could completely change someone's perspective on something.
I'll share something personal here to illustrate this point. There have been times when I've questioned what I'm doing as a coach...even times I've considered doing something else instead. It was the perfectly timed testimonial / thank you / compliment emails, letters or cards I received in those moments that kept me on track and inspired me more.
I challenge you to be aware each day about who deserves a testimonial for their efforts, big or small. I am confident you'd find at least one example per day. That doesn't mean that every day you had to write a testimonial to someone (although imagine the impact if you did!).
Coaching Exercises
1. When was the last time you wrote a testimonial? To whom? What was the impact on you for writing it? What awareness do you have of the impact it had on the person receiving it?
2. Who do you know who "needs" to be receiving a testimonial today or this week? What would the benefit be to you, and to them, if you dedicated 30 minutes this week to writing it and giving it to them?
3. How open are you to receiving a testimonial for your good work? What have you done recently that you think might inspire someone to write one? What would you use it for? For example, would you just keep it to inspire you and/or would you use it to promote yourself or your product/service professionally? How comfortable do you feel about asking for testimonials for your business?
4. As a result of these questions and your personal exploration and answers, what are you committing to?
As always, if you need any further personal support in response to any of these coaching exercises, please consider using the askacoach.com service.
All the best,
Noel
Noel Posus - Master Coach
www.askacoach.com
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Noel Posus (MECI) is a former member of the Board of Directors and former Head of Marketing - Asia Pacific for The-ECI - www.europeancoachinginstitute.org http://www.internationalcoachinginstitute.org
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