Valentine's Day is coming up and its not just for sweethearts and lovers. Its the perfect time to let those who have supported you over the years know that you appreciate them. Its the perfect time to rekindle a business relationship with someone you have lost track of. It also provides a nice time to send a reminder to clients you haven't heard from in a while. Check in with them and mention that it is time to place another order. The opportunities to reconnect are limitless. Make sure that you use the occasion to your advantage.

To get yourself back in someone's memory book, put your creative hat on. Don't just go out and buy a box of Valentine cards. Think about what impresses you the most. I know chocolate does it for me. You dont have to send a huge box, just a few "truffles" get my will get attention. Inexpensive, clever gifts are perfect. I have a whole desk full of "gimmicks" that I can't bear to part with. Some of the trinkets should almost be considered junk, but they get the point across without spending a lot of money.

Always be on the lookout for something that you can use as a marketing tool. Day-after event sales always provide bargains. From a simple thank you card to a more elaborate approach, the fact remains that people appreciate being told that they have done a good deed or made a difference in someone's life.

When sending a communication, steer clear of long missives about what you and your family are doing. No one really cares. People are just too busy and over committed to make a serious connection to anything not related to the business at hand. This is especially true if you are only acquaintances and not real friends.

When I hear from someone out of the past, I'm happy to know that they are thinking of me. Remember the old adage "Out of sight out of mind". We can't possible keep track of all the people we know or do business with. The same applies to the people who know you. They cant keep up with it either. So, dont put it off. Reach out to them.

This Valentines Day take a few minutes to restore a relationship that is important to you. Whether the relationship is important to you personally or professionally, the time you invest in reestablishing it will be well worth it.

JoAnn Hines

JoAnn Hines is a packaging diva. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry including her work as the packaging expert to the U.S. Small Business Administration and traveling to China to lead a packaging delegation. Recognizing her expertise NBC TV featured her on their consumer segment, Can you open it? Her advice and articles appear in virtually every US packaging industry publication, numerous business and international publications, and website portals including "PackExpo.com", "PackagingUniversity", "Packaging Business", "Packaging Network", "Packaging Horizons Magazine," "Packaging World," "Packaging Digest," "Shipping and Distribution Magazine," "Warehouse Management," "Traffic World". As a featured keynote speaker at trade shows and conferences, she educates thousands of people around the world about intricacies of packaging.

Joining the packaging industry in 1976, Hines worked in sales for several years and began consulting during the 1980s. She is an accomplished author, speaker, publisher, marketer, and e-commerce expert. She has won numerous leadership awards and among other honors was named "One of the 50 most influential packaging leaders in the 20th century." She is the founder of Women in Packaging, Packaging Horizons Magazine, Packaging Career Hotline, Packaging Coach and Packaging University.

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