Reputations Are Fragile

Paula Deen.  OJ.  Arthur Andersen.  Lindsey Lohan.  Tonya Harding.  Lance Armstrong.  Volkswagen.  BP.  Monsanto.  Goldman Sachs.  The list could go on and on.  What do all of these names have in common?  Damaged reputations.  Once they were considered to be among the best in their fields.  And then...one misstep, one error, one wrong statement or one bad act and a reputation is sullied.  Sometimes forever.

Reputations are fragile.  Once they are damaged, they can be impossible to restore.  Trust is everything.  Once it's lost, it might never be reclaimed.


People do business with those they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST!  So why do so many sacrifice good reputations for power, money, or prestige?  You invest so much into building that reputation only to watch all of that hard work and success disappear.  


I've heard it.  I've even said it myself a few times.  "I don't care what others think of me."  And in some ways that can be a good and positive thing.  If people think I'm a little bit quirky, or sometimes too outspoken - I can live with that.  But if they don't trust me to do the right thing - if they think I'm unreliable, dishonest, or lazy - then it DOES matter what they think of me.  Because their perception of me can negatively impact my ability to earn a living.


How many of us do business with a particular person or company simply because we trust them more than others?  We may pay a little more.  We may wait a little longer for an appointment.  We may accept a bit less selection.  We may travel a little farther.  But we do it happily.  Why?  Because they have earned our trust and respect.  I know I do it all the time! 


You may think that since you are a network marketer or an online marketer, that your reputation is out of your control and doesn't really matter anyway.  But it's is probably more important here than elsewhere!  We are already fighting against the poor reputation network marketing has gained through the actions of some less scrupulous companies and reps.  More than ever, we need to be the positive example!  Spamming, inflating earnings, exaggerating product claims, stealing reps from other teams - all these only serve to further damage our reputation as a business model, not to mention your own reputation as a business person.


Socrates said, "The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear."  You are the face of your business.  If you want people to think of your company with respect and trust, then you must act accordingly always.  Will you sometimes make a misstep?  Sure.  Sometimes things happen through no fault of your own.  You might be part of a company that has some problems (been there!).  Or you might promote a product that isn't what you were led to believe.  (Been there too!)   But if you personally have a good reputation, you can overcome that when it happens.  Pick yourself up.  Admit the issue.  State how you will correct the issue.  And then do it.  With a smile.  Think Tylenol.  Remember the poisoned Tylenol scare?  That could have destroyed the brand.  But they responded quickly and efficiently to protect their consumers and because of that, may have earned more respect for their brand.


"But I'm having a bad day.  So I did send out a little spam.  I did target someone I knew was going to join another team.  I need the money."  Well, guess what.  We're in business.  So, yes we may have bad days.  No, we aren't allowed to use that as an excuse.  You still have to deliver great products and services, and impeccable customer service.  You still have to be honest and trustworthy.  Every day.  Without fail.


It takes time to build a great reputation.  It can be destroyed in a day.  So be consistent.  Be reliable.  Be trustworthy.  Offer the best products and services you can.  Offer stellar customer service.  And always, always tell the truth. 


The purest treasure mortal times afford is a spotless reputation.  --Shakespeare