7 Business Reputation

Success Tips

Justin Hughes

Be Honest

• Fraud and scandals are too common in modern

business and society

• Your credibility is directly linked to your ability to

be honest, regardless of situation

• A misrepresentation or a lie, no matter how small

may affect your business and the long-term cost

severely outweighs any short-term benefit

Keep Your Word

• Your reputation is damaged when

you don’t deliver on a promise

• Once you make a commitment, it is

your duty to follow through with it

• No one likes surprises that can really

affect them

• Communicate: If you can’t complete

a task for whatever reason, let clients

know immediately

• People usually are more

understanding and forgiving if they’ve

had advance warning

Admit Your Mistakes

• Failure is inevitable

• Owning up to your mistake takes courage but it will

benefit you in the long run as your professionally

reputation remains strong and clean

• Don’t attempt to cover up, ignore or minimize your

errors or those of your business

• Take responsibility & find a solution

• Learn from your mistakes and then move on

Be Punctual

• If you aren't early, you're late

• Always be on-time or early to ensure your clients are

happy

• Never fall behind

• Manage your time carefully to ensure that you never

miss a meeting, deadline or commitment

• Take advantage of your punctuality and build rapport

with others who have arrived early

Don’t Use Foul Language

• Choose your words carefully

• What you say and how you say it can

deeply impact how others perceive you

• Using profanity and foul language in

public can send the message that you

are immature, impatient and lack self-

control

• Swearing in a professional setting will

never command the respect of those

around you

• If you find yourself so angry or upset

that you start to lose your temper, walk

away

Handle Conflict Graciously

• For the times you disagree with clients and colleagues

handling difficult situations will reveal your true character

to those around you

• Never let your feathers get ruffled when your patience gets

tested

• Never react with anger or take frustrations out on someone

else

• Find a compromise

• When you’re wrong, yield with grace

Don’t Burn Bridges

• Never speak negatively of a

past client or business

relationship

• You may need to return to a

client in the future

• Relationships change and

people may surprise you with a

change in position or stature

• Always be open to people and

allow them to change