Post by Josh Snider on May 17, 2014 0:00:11 GMT -5
There are five elements of any relationship including trust, honesty, respect, communication, and expectations. I find it interesting that the first three are assumed in business where personal relationships have to be built.
Through the ability of branding, a business can communicate trustworthiness and what can be expected from their business (expectations) before a customer makes a business transaction. Respect is often given based on the appearance of the company as well as referrals. But it can be taken away in an instant if the customers expectations aren't met.
Trust, honesty, and respect. These three parts of the five go together seamlessly because you can't have one without the rest. If someone doesn't trust someone or something than there is no way they can be honest, with reasonable fear of being taken advantage of. Without trust respect is also uncertain. Same goes for respect. If someone doesn't respect someone or something the integrity to be honest with them and/or respect them is lost. Lastly (for now anyways), respect isn't given, it's earned. But businesses get this respect much quicker than people. This is because a business can brand itself with an image that speaks about them in a way that people feel comfortable making a transaction before ever walking through the businesses doors.
Obviously, if someone doesn't respect a business or person, they can't trust them or be honest with them. For example, if I see a mouse trap outside of a local fast food restaurant I think to myself that they're doing a good job keeping pests out of the building and out of my food. This communicates something to me. But if I see a live mouse, cockroach, or bugs inside of a restaurant, my stomach turns, I can't take another bite, and I'll never come back. That's because this dirtiness that's unexpected in America communicates a lack of care and respect for the customer. If the business isn't respecting the customer, it is dangerous in any business!
The last two subjects are communication and expectations. The two most important parts of any relationship and equally the most often cause of an unbalance as well as a source of frustration. First lets separate words or talking from effective communication. Communication (the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings) should be concise and honest. Communication is not an easy skill by any means. Divorce rate is high and businesses fail every year because they can't communicate correctly to their spouse or customer.
Lastly (for real this time), expectations are the single most important part of any personal or business relationship. It could be business to business or business to customer, but both parties have expectations and they have to be met every time on both ends. Speak up! Your business and likely your livelihood is on the line. Businesses often make contracts. These agreements are great because they outline the responsibilities of both businesses and both parties know what their job is. It communicates the expectation (most if the time) perfectly. But working with a customer can be a little different. Working with employees is also tricky. Take great care in what you communicate to your employees and customers because their expectations are sure to follow. Look at competing businesses, make sure that your business offers comparable service and if not communicate the reason. Brand yourself around what makes your business different.
There is much more involved than just being a great communicator, meeting expectations, and branding that make a business work. Talk to me about coaching your small business and I'll build custom tools to develop your businesses growth and direction.
Through the ability of branding, a business can communicate trustworthiness and what can be expected from their business (expectations) before a customer makes a business transaction. Respect is often given based on the appearance of the company as well as referrals. But it can be taken away in an instant if the customers expectations aren't met.
Trust, honesty, and respect. These three parts of the five go together seamlessly because you can't have one without the rest. If someone doesn't trust someone or something than there is no way they can be honest, with reasonable fear of being taken advantage of. Without trust respect is also uncertain. Same goes for respect. If someone doesn't respect someone or something the integrity to be honest with them and/or respect them is lost. Lastly (for now anyways), respect isn't given, it's earned. But businesses get this respect much quicker than people. This is because a business can brand itself with an image that speaks about them in a way that people feel comfortable making a transaction before ever walking through the businesses doors.
Obviously, if someone doesn't respect a business or person, they can't trust them or be honest with them. For example, if I see a mouse trap outside of a local fast food restaurant I think to myself that they're doing a good job keeping pests out of the building and out of my food. This communicates something to me. But if I see a live mouse, cockroach, or bugs inside of a restaurant, my stomach turns, I can't take another bite, and I'll never come back. That's because this dirtiness that's unexpected in America communicates a lack of care and respect for the customer. If the business isn't respecting the customer, it is dangerous in any business!
The last two subjects are communication and expectations. The two most important parts of any relationship and equally the most often cause of an unbalance as well as a source of frustration. First lets separate words or talking from effective communication. Communication (the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings) should be concise and honest. Communication is not an easy skill by any means. Divorce rate is high and businesses fail every year because they can't communicate correctly to their spouse or customer.
Lastly (for real this time), expectations are the single most important part of any personal or business relationship. It could be business to business or business to customer, but both parties have expectations and they have to be met every time on both ends. Speak up! Your business and likely your livelihood is on the line. Businesses often make contracts. These agreements are great because they outline the responsibilities of both businesses and both parties know what their job is. It communicates the expectation (most if the time) perfectly. But working with a customer can be a little different. Working with employees is also tricky. Take great care in what you communicate to your employees and customers because their expectations are sure to follow. Look at competing businesses, make sure that your business offers comparable service and if not communicate the reason. Brand yourself around what makes your business different.
There is much more involved than just being a great communicator, meeting expectations, and branding that make a business work. Talk to me about coaching your small business and I'll build custom tools to develop your businesses growth and direction.