The Nice Blog

Fri, December 03, 2010 - 12:34:14

A NICE Prediction for 2011

This week, Trendwatching.com released a list of their predictions for the top 11 consumer trends of 2011—and their number one pick came as no surprise to us.  For 2011, the leading trend is Random Acts of Kindness.

As Trendwatching reports:

There’s no better way for a brand in 2011 to put its money where its mouth (or heart) is than engaging in Random Acts of Kindness (R.A.K.). Consumers’ cravings for realness, for the human touch, ensure that everything from brands randomly picking up the tab to sending a surprise gift will be one of the most effective ways to connect with (potential) customers in 2011 - especially beleaguered consumers in North America, Europe and Japan.

For brands, a serious (and sincere) R.A.K. strategy may mean no longer being seen as inflexible and unwieldy, but as more compassionate and charismatic instead. Something which is, of course, priceless and actually fun.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Tue, November 23, 2010 - 10:54:38

Re-Gifting Turns NICE

With the holidays fast approaching, you’re probably looking for ways to give back to others in need, but in these tough economic times, you may feel like there’s little you can do to help. We’ve always believed, however, that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference—and now thanks to a new program called Gift Card Giver, doing so is easier than ever.

The program, which combines the ideas of “re-gifting” and “crowdsourcing,” provides much-needed funds to non-profit organizations around the country using a surprising source: unused gift cards. And, chances are, you have a few of your own lying around the house. In fact, of the $60 billion worth of gift cards purchased each year, nearly 10 to 15 percent of them go unused—and that means there could be billions of dollars just waiting to be put to work.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Sun, November 21, 2010 - 11:00:31

“Phoning It In” Could Be a Good Thing After All

Earlier this week, we came across an interesting Tech Crunch post by Alexia Tsotsis claiming that in today’s wired world, the phone call is quickly becoming the “new handwritten letter.” With so many of us using our phones for texting, tweeting, twitpic-ing…and well, pretty much anything other than phone calls these days, it’s easy to understand her reasoning. But, in truth, the phone call should not be relegated to the ranks of a quaint, old-fashioned means of communication. It’s still a valuable tool for maximizing your success in the business world today.

In our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we discuss how writing a handwritten note is an eye-catching way to make a positive impression on the people in your professional and personal life. And, as Tsotsis writes, the phone call’s increasing rarity makes it another SMALL and NICE way to do the same. In fact, not long ago we made a phone call to a client to wish him a happy birthday and discuss a few business matters. And to our surprise, he said we were the first people to do so all day—a clear example of how going the extra inch to do something personal and kind can have an outsize impact.

But, unlike the handwritten letter, the phone call is still a vital element of daily communication—and one that professionals shouldn’t leave for special occasions (or ignore altogether.) Although email is widely preferred in the name of efficiency, there are times when making a phone call is actually the fastest and most practical option. It eliminates the time-consuming relay of information and allows you to collaborate and problem-solve more effectively. Certainly, there are many times when email is the right choice, but it’s up to you to be discerning.

So, don’t write off the telephone in favor of a digital-only communication policy and consider its unique benefits. From conveying the subtle nuances unregistered in the written word, to helping you strengthen your connections, to making your day more productive, it has a big value all its own.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Sun, November 14, 2010 - 9:45:36

Why “You’ve Got to Have Friends”

Looking for an easy and enjoyable way to reduce stress-induced aging on your body, and lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones? Perhaps the question should be “Who isn’t?” Well, we have good news. According to a study published last month in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, maintaining deep, personal friendships can help you accomplish just that. And what’s more, having a supportive, close circle of friends can actually help you live a happier life by changing the way your brain experiences negative events.

Unfortunately, as the Wall Street Journal’s Sue Shellenbarger writes, with so many people feeling overwhelmed by their busy work schedules and family obligations, maintaining friendships can feel like an impossible task. And for that reason, many friends are simply cast aside. But, Shellenbarger writes that people who do so could be playing with their health.

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and according to Shellenbarger, it makes Jack a sick boy, too. But, that’s not all. He’s probably not living up to his full potential either. Why? Because as we’ve learned, it’s making friends not enemies, that helps you make it to the top.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, November 12, 2010 - 11:54:56

Celebrate! Saturday is World Kindness Day.

The workweek is drawing to a close, and for some, the promise of a leisurely weekend might be reason enough to celebrate. But, this Saturday is something special: it’s World Kindness Day. And as the authors of THE POWER OF NICE, we couldn’t be more excited.

Unlike Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, however, World Kindness Day isn’t exactly a holiday that’s steeped in tradition. So, why not make some of your own? Here are a few ideas to help you get started…

Posted by Linda and Robin
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