Today I received my first Christmas card – and lovely it is too! But it reminded me of the annual debate: should we say ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Season’s Greetings’?
Make the message meaningful
There are some who see the avoidance of any reference to Christmas as political correctness gone mad. For me, the decision about the message – whether it’s in a card or any other form of communication – is simple: it’s got to be the right sentiment, sent to the right person at the right time.
So, if you celebrate Christmas, Hannuka, Diwali, Eid or another occasion, why not share this with your contacts? Be inclusive. Just because someone doesn’t participate in a certain event doesn’t mean they‘re not interested in taking part in some way. But remember, the usual advice still stands – avoid strong religious or political messages. It’s best to keep it light. And don’t forget, whatever the message, make sure it works across language barriers too.
Equally, consider how you could connect with your contacts to join them in celebrating their particular occasions. In a global marketplace, it’s important to know when the events that matter to your customers, prospects, distributors and suppliers take place, whether that’s Thanksgiving, Australia Day or Chinese New Year. Sharing in these occasions can bring you closer. Also, an awareness of the worldwide events calendar is crucial in getting the timing right for your communications in general. There’s no point sending a great piece of DM if it’s a public holiday the day it lands.
As for BDB… you’ll have to wait a few weeks to see what approach we’ve opted for to mark the coming festivities.
