It was a positively gripping read that in my opinion is the book of the millennium.
The authors have written a marketing masterpiece and a personal development manual all wrapped up in an eloquently penned, easy to follow and quick to read paperback.
If you are in business of any kind, or not, this is simply a MUST read! Tommy and Curtis are at the top of their game when it comes to teaching appreciation and the law of attraction.
And this book comes from their own proven experience, not one word from a bunch of rehashed ideas found in hyperspace like so much self published clap trap is nowadays.
Opening with Kody Bateman's famous words "Appreciation wins over self promotion every single time", the first chapter will give you a clear understanding of just what Appreciation Marketing really is.
If you are in business you better understand how to garner Customer Loyalty, before your competition does! Is it ever too late to say Thank You? Chapter Two reveals why expressing gratitude is better late than never, a hundred times better actually.
And, perhaps more importantly, why NOT saying thanks does you more harm than good.
You may be surprised to read who has been doing this all along, and up to now you may have just thought these champions had lucky breaks.
From chapter two onwards each chapter finishes with a quick summary of a key attribute of The Appreciator (The character we all need to aspire to).
Expressing Gratitude get's the ball rolling.
Do people like you? Studies show likeability as being the common ground amongst successful business leaders and successful marriages so you will want to learn chapter three's attribute - the magnetic personality.
Plato's wisdom opens chapter four which is really seven mini chapters and seven more attributes rolled into one easily read section.
In the Seven Deadly Creatures we have: The Energy Sucker who needs to transform into a positive energy giver.
The Pukers, who can verbally vomit over anyone within a three-foot radius, they need to learn how to control their enthusiasm.
The Toppers, who can and will trump anyone, will learn to lift others up.
The Whiner (In Australia, it's called a Whinging Pom - and I've been one) can learn it is better to become someone who does not complain.
Narcissus, you know the one who is so full of self admiration we should all wear shades.
Well no one wants to spend time with this character so a bit of humble pie is top of the menu.
Next amongst these seven deadly creatures' is the Vulture.
Hard to pick out from the crowd this bird of prey can come up with many a cunning plan to meet you under false pretenses.
Vultures need to learn patience and cultivate a genuine nature.
Last but not least is Mr.
Halitosis; the deadly creature whose offensive appearance and/or odor can get in your face and right up your nose.
Can a stinker be turned into the clean appreciator? Yes, this book will have you coming out smelling like roses! While the authors claim to have met, and even been, all seven deadly creatures at one time in their lives, I must admit while glued to this chapter I too recognized myself in each.
But I'm OK because I have the book so I now know how to make the changes that will transform me into a first class appreciation marketer.
Chapter five drops a doggy turd on your plate! But it is covered with chocolate so it alright, isn't it? I've never read a better report on sincerity.
So if you want to be a sincere appreciator, chapter five is another good reason to buy the book.
By the way, if you are in real estate, a doctor, dentist, vet or a florist and you need a way of asking for referrals this is an absolute must read.
In their brilliant metaphoric chapter on cultivating a tomato garden you will learn precisely how to develop 'Top Of Mind Awareness Through Others' - T.
O.
M.
A.
T.
O.
Learning how to begin, nurture and develop strong business and personal relationships is an essential skill if you want success in business, a vibrant personal social live and even love.
And yes you get that education in this book too.
If you have read Bob Burg's excellent book the Go-Giver you will simply love how Tommy and Curtis bring in the idea of service as an essential part of being a successful appreciation marketer.
Using the perfect quote from Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success you will be left with no doubt of the importance of being an unconditional giver.
This chapter sets you up to be the type of person people want to be around and refer people to.
Do you collect business cards? You soon will, and furthermore, in chapter eight you will learn a game of making connections through playing cards - business cards - that will become a vital part of your Appreciation Marketing Strategy.
Now to learn about taking a little extra care.
If you do not care for your past, present, and prospective customers - (and spouse?) - someone else will! You will come away from this chapter really knowing why AND HOW to go the extra mile.
Appreciation is the breakfast ritual of champions.
Pass on the morning doom and gloom news, and feast upon the warm fuzzy feelings of asset recognition.
Ten is a very short chapter that provides you a morning mental exercise that will positively frame your day.
After reading Appreciation Marketing I realized it was far more than a marketing book.
As I passed a copy to a friend I said, "hey John read this, it is better than a bible".
In the eleventh chapter, with a little help from the Wallace Wattles classic book The Science Of Getting Rich, Tommy and Curtis provide the grateful secret to prayers and affirmations for people of all faiths (or none) who want answers.
Do you find it easy to see the good in people and situations where most other cannot? You will want to, and be able to, when you get the message about there always being sunshine above the storm clouds.
Earlier in the book some deadly creatures were brought to the fore.
Now we learn how to leave our Narcissus ego at the door, but still know how to love and appreciate ourselves and our lives so that we can more easily appreciate others too.
Setting the stage for the construction of our Appreciation Marketing Strategy, comes advice for developing some good habits.
As Jeff Olsen says in his book The Slight Edge, the secret to a successful life is in repeating the right simple little things over time.
In closing we are given the how-to steps with which to set up a failsafe Appreciation Marketing System that will bring each who uses it, greatness through gratitude.
A final word of warning - Don't buy this book! - buy a few and pass 'em round! The world will be a better place if we would all read this book.
PS: Thank You for reading my synopsis I appreciate you doing so.