Main Idea
Have you ever found a great deal in an advertisement, only to find there are hidden fees involved? Or been solicited with a “too good to be true” product or service? How many times has a car dealership told you that the most expensive car is the best in the lot? Have you ever read the small print on a television commercial?
Expansion of Idea
It can be quite frustrating as a consumer to try to pick out the small pieces of fact in a sales pitch full of fabrication. What does your company do to ease the frustration of your customers? Some companies choose to outright lie with false advertising, or to omit pertinent information when trying to make a sale. Lying to a customer to get them to purchase your product or service may be a short-term gain, but will eventually ruin your reputation. Without trust, your customers will no longer be your customers.
The best way to take care of your clients is to create lasting, meaningful relationships with them. To do that, they must be able to consistently rely on you, your company, and your word. If you start the business relationship with honesty, and maintain truthfulness and transparency in all aspects of your company, you will have a customer for life. Beyond that, you will gain an advocate that will spread the word to the people they know to spend their money with you. After all, word of mouth referrals in business are the very best form of advertisement.
As Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay cosmetics, once said, “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” This business principle has obviously worked well for the Mary Kay Empire, as 2007 business revenue was upwards of $2 billion dollars world wide!
Areas to Start:
Follow through on your promises
Fess up if you mess up.
Tell the truth (no matter how bad it makes you look)
Ask for feedback