In business, nice guys, and gals, finish first.

Jim Varnum, the recently retired president of Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, ended most work days by handwriting notes. Many of them went to different staff members at the hospital to thank them for their work that particular day. The next day, when the inter-office mail arrived, nothing made you feel better than to see Jim's personal notepaper with his handwritten letter, expressing gratitude for something you'd done.

We all have busy lives, filled with deadlines, constantly ringing cell phones, endless meetings and a "to do" list that's a mile long. It's easy to forget about the things that matter most--like taking a moment to thank the people who help make your business …