subject: Using trust and confidence as a customer management tool for business expansion [print this page] Using trust and confidence as a customer management tool for business expansion
By Agaba Herbert
In order to have a good relationship with your clients, you need to create an atmosphere of trust. Trust can be defined as a firm belief in the honesty of another and the absence of suspicion regarding his motives or practices. Trust can also be defined as a firm belief that you can depend on someone and that some one can also depend on you. One can use trust as a tool for business expansion through removing or avoiding any iota of doubt. Doubt between one and his/her customers, suppliers or business partners will make them begin thinking that he/she cannot be trusted. A business person might not realize that this will hurt his/her business in the short-run, but he/she will finally realize it in the long-run without knowing its cardinal cause. In case this happens customers begin losing confidence in the owner of the business and what it stands for. This makes a business owner lose customers as they no longer trust him/her.
Gaining and building trust
Being consistent is pivotal in that the business manager's deeds, appointments should follow a well laid out plan which his/her partners and customers are able to follow and easily understand. This strategy makes his clients believe in him and they can count on him for any future business transaction. In case there are any alterations in the program, then it is prudent for the business manager to communicate in time so as not to create any misunderstanding something that could generate an atmosphere of mistrust.
Be open with clients
In order to build trust between a business manager and his/her clients there is need to be open. This will make them believe you and understand that you make mistakes at times and that you are able to do anything within your power to collect those mistakes. People will trust you and will also encourage others to come to you for business.
Showing genuine concern and interest
For your customers to believe and trust you there is need to show that you're concerned. Go an extra mile in asking them to be open to you and tell you their concerns about your business and show that you care and their concerns are to be worked on as soon as possible. You earn a client's trust by consistently proving yourself to them. You demonstrate to them that you will not use them or take advantage of them. You will not take their continual presence at your business premises for granted. Trust results from putting the client's best interest before our own.
Trust as a tool for business expansion
When we relate well with our clients then they also relate well with us. This means that they believe we have their best interests at heart. They will bring in more money that will enable the business to grow in a long-run. This money can be used for recapitalizing something that is crucial if one is considering increasing his/her stock, reaching out to a new market segment, and so on.
An enterprise that is based on genuine trust creates a multiplier effect as far as a number of customers coming to you are concerned. This is crucial because customers are a life blood to every business without exception. The more customers one attracts the more business one gets. Trust means that old customers can do good public relations for you and you will see many more customers coming something which leads to business growth and expansion.
In a nutshell, creating an atmosphere of integrity, openness, dependability is crucial for the long-term success of our businesses. We should strive to honor our commitments, keep time, and listen to our clients' concerns for growth and sustainability.
