What’s Your Reputation?

15 July 2021 65044 Views

I want you to ask yourself a question, what is your reputation? By that I mean your personal reputation and your businesses reputation. Write down what you think it is and ask a selection of people inside and outside your business what they think. Trust me you’ll be very surprised at the answers.

‘Your reputation arrives before you’

Your reputation is everything for the simple reason it arrives before you do. It determines customers mindset before you have had any communication with them and it will determine, in advance, whether they trust you or not.

The trust relationship between agents and customers is critical but amidst a pandemic that challenges us all, it is crucial to look at how we are adapting to consumer choices. Or rather, when life changes the way it has over the last year, how this amplifies with many of us, a need for something tangible and meaningful. When we are searching for something that matters, we seek honesty, reliability and – above all else – sentiments of good intent. We look towards the authentic, the honest and real. Trust and integrity are more important than ever and also much more visible.

Most people vote with their feet. If a certain company show’s it doesn’t care there are plenty of others that will show them they do.

Could it be that people are already beginning to reject faceless corporations in favour of those they can relate to and understand? Just looking at our nation’s collective dismay right now, it is easy to understand why companies that have an ethos that can be believed in and trusted are so captivating to the consumer.

‘Never take your customers for granted’

There is always room for human error but it is often acts of humanity like acknowledgement and having the courtesy to listen and learn from mistakes that can be the difference behind something that damages your reputation or upholds it. The simple message is never take your customers for granted, they are part of your extended family so ignore their feedback at your peril.

To change your reputation agencies must engage in more than just selling houses and the business of property. They need to immerse themselves in their local communities. Be honest and transparent and your reputation will do half your job for you before your customers walk through your door or you through theirs.

This feature was written by Simon Brown, Founder of ESTAS customer review platform & awards