The 5 Love Languages of Small Business

What Are the 5 Love Languages?

As human beings, relationships are an important part of the human experience.

We need healthy relationships as they are vital to our mental and emotional health. No matter the stage in a person’s life, what they carry with them most are the relationships they form. But a major factor in cultivating and preserving healthy relationships is promoting effective and positive communication with one another.

However, our connections can break down when there is a dissonance between communication styles.

Knowing the best and most effective way to communicate with your customers and clients will not only tell them, but show them what they mean to you and your business.

There are five main concepts, or languages, that any one person can relate most to. 

Words of Affirmation

This love language uses words to express emotion and gratitude. 

Acts of Service

People who respond to acts of service are more in tune with actions, rather than words.

Receiving Gifts

Some people feel most loved or appreciated when they receive a gift.

Quality Time

Giving someone your attention and listening to them is the essence of quality time.

Physical Touch

This love language is about giving someone an appropriate touch.

Most often these love languages are equated to individuals who are in a romantic relationship. However, they can really apply to many relationships in your life.

Different people respond to different languages, but understanding your own love language can help you understand someone else’s love language as well.

Can the 5 Love Languages Translate to the Business World?

The short answer is yes. The concepts are the same, but oftentimes they are referred to as appreciation languages. So, how can we cultivate and preserve our relationships in the workplace?

Here are some great examples of how you can relate to another’s appreciation language in the workplace.

Words of Affirmation

• “I’m really lucky to be able to work with you.”
• “We work so well together.”
• “You were great with that client today.”
• “This was a difficult project, but you really nailed it!”
• “This project is challenging, but I know you will do great!”

Acts of Service

• Offer assistance on a difficult project.
• Deliver products to your clients when they run out of supplies.
• Clean up the office space for your coworkers.
• Order the office supplies and make the errand runs for your coworkers.
• Touch base with clients to see how you can help them.

Receiving Gifts

• Bring your co-worker their favorite beverage, just because.
• Thank a client with tickets to a game or a show.
• Offer a free product to your customers for an appreciation day.
• Bring a client some of their favorite treats.
• Give your employees a monetary bonus to show your appreciation for their efforts.

Quality Time

• Spend time with coworkers outside of work.
• Ask about your client’s interests and hobbies and show a genuine interest.
• Plan a client event to discuss future plans.
• Be available to a coworker who is having a rough day.
• Stop by a client’s office for a face-to-face meeting.

Physical Touch

• Greet someone with a firm handshake.
• High-five a job well done.
• Fist-bump the success of a project.
• Give a congratulatory pat on the back.
• Create a celebratory handshake with a coworker.

None of these examples are set in stone, of course, but the key is to understand what the other person’s love language is.

At Proximo Marketing Strategies we can help you cultivate relationships with your clients.

If you would like to look at different ways to show appreciation to your clients, call us at (757) 504-2429. We would love to work with you!