The Countdown is on: 2025 Client Appreciation Event

Over the past few weeks, you’ve read all about our industry, along with what makes Ellevated Outcomes unique (IMHO, ha). And if I had to choose one thing to set us apart, it’s our attention to clients. We show that through through our Client Experience process, the individual Strategist-Client relationship, or our hallmark Client Appreciation Event (CAE, as we call it).

The origin of CAE is this: the Ellevated Outcomes business model is built on client intimacy. In some ways, it’s old school. But we believe that this classic, timeless practice is the way of the future. As you’ve heard me say countless times: tech does a lot now (understatement). So, we must put our people power on the parts of the business that really matter – like connection and client delight. PS: it’s also a way to protect yourself against recession.

A few times a year, I revisit prior Ellevated Outcomes business plans and annual strategies to see what’s gone according to plan and what hasn’t. There have been plenty of things that have needed adjustment (ha). But one thing I’m proud of: Client Delight has been in our plan from day 1. Here’s a pre-covid excerpt from 2020’s plan:

We believe that how we do business is just as important as what we accomplish. We believe that it’s possible to hit ambitious goals and operate with the highest levels of integrity – delighting our clients, along the way.

Then, the success criteria section goes on to say:

The #1 number one priority for Ellevated Outcomes continues to be ‘delight clients,’ in hopes of them becoming the Ellevated Outcomes sales force.

We are proud that YTD in 2025, 50% of new business was directly from referrals made by current clients; and another 21% by generous centers of influence (COIs) in our ecosystem. That means: 71% of our business this year has come from personal referral.

I have to admit: it scares me a bit to be this transparent because I’d never want it taken out of context. We abide by our value of integrity, meaning: our intention is to be authentically generous. And we trust that when we do the right, abundant thing, favorable business actions will follow.

So our 2025 Client Appreciation Event is another piece of the Client Delight jigsaw puzzle. That and… I’ll take any excuse for a party and good food : ) BUT alongside this more anecdotal, personal take, there are 3 other distinct reasons for our CAE:

1. Provide actionable education for our clients in a different setting.

Clients shared this feedback after our very first 2018 CAE: “Thanks, that was fun! But next time could you give some coaching or education so that we can learn?”

I was stunned.

I’d figured that everyone had enough learning, and they’d want to just relax and celebrate. Then, I received this wise retort from our most tenured client Paige Williams (we’re going on 8 years together!):

Think of the types of people Ellevated Outcomes attracts. We’re learners. Growers. Reachers. That’s why we’re Ellevated Outcomes clients.

Touché.

2. Expose clients to our bench of talent.

We’re building a team with an intentionally diverse array of skills, personality, and strategy superpowers. So while a client works primarily with one Strategist, behind the scenes they’re receiving the benefit of 4 brains on their business. Our team meets twice per week for peer review. We share best practices, mistakes we’ve made, client examples of advances we haven’t seen before, and coach each other – all adding up to better client performance.

I had a funny moment recently, when my husband Dave read something on our site and blurted out, “Is that one of your colleague’s strengths? You‘re not good at that.” Leave it to Dave Sellers to always check my ego.

3. Put our Client Ecosystem to work.

One of the things that I hear often is: “Your roster of clients is just unbelievable.” Or “That’s what put me over the edge in joining: if they’re doing this, I should too.” It’s one of the most meaningful compliments about our business. For I do believe that whom one surrounds themselves with determines their success.

Part of our delight process is intentionally connecting clients who can help each other in business referrals, strategic relationships, or complementary strengths. This year, our CAE is going to be really interactive, engaging all 5(+) senses. We Strategists will teach content, and there will be lots of interactive and experiential work. Our theme this year is…

The Strategy of Experience:

Hospitality as your Differentiator

And surely, we’ll have snafus. Not everything will go according to plan; and we’ll walk away with a list of things to work on for the next event. But when it comes down to client appreciation, I always boil it down to one simple question: “When I’m in the client seat, what do I wish my service providers did for me? What would make me feel appreciated? Delighted? Wowed?” And ultimately, our philosophy on client delight comes down to these words from Oprah Winfrey:

I’ve interviewed 37,000 people… And ultimately, each one wants to know: ‘Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?’

We hope that our Client Appreciation Event is one more way to emphatically answer this question with a yes.