It's Christmas time! Christmas is meant to be a time of joy, peace and good will to all. For some, it can be a time of stress which in turn has an effect on how they communicate with those around them.

Living in Sydney, I recently decided to go and listen to the David Jones choir – something that I'd never done before and had only heard about over the years.

In the lead up to Christmas, the choir sings carols each morning as a start to the day. It was a positive and inspiring half hour which reminded me of the spirit of Christmas.

After that, Christmas shopping didn't seem such a difficult task. It also prompted me to browse through the David Jones store – in a highly competitive marketplace the presence of the choir was an effective way to attract customers into the store.

Going from store to store, I could witness first hand the Christmas spirit via the customer service I received. Those that greeted their customers on entry and offered assistance were more likely to make a sale – as opposed to those who ignored their customers and gave the impression that the customers were an intrusion on their time.

I'm pleased to say that most customer service staff that I encountered demonstrated the former behaviour during my shopping expedition.

How does this apply to business?

If you show enthusiasm for your service or product and genuine interest in your clients then a connection is made. The sale can often become a simple process as you've taken the time to find out the customer's needs and wants. People prefer to do business with people who are enthusiastic and enjoy what they do. The impression that you give can have a lasting impact.

At this time of the year, many people are feeling tired and stressed with end-of-year deadlines looming. Often taking a step back and choosing to not allow annoying situations to get the better of us, can have a positive effect on how we communicate with others.

As business people, we need to constantly remember that our clients want to feel valued and appreciated. Christmas is a time for us to let our customers know how much we value the relationship we have with them. So remember that even though you may be feeling tired at this time of year and pressed for time, your clients should always be at the forefront of what you do and the path that you want to take to build your business.

Keep the spirit of Christmas alive not only at this time of the year but throughout the next twelve months too.

Have a splendid Christmas!