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For the home business owner, business integrity is often an extension of personal integrity – the consistent display and use of basic values that are of importance to the human race. To be recognised as a business with integrity is the holy grail of business branding, and can create long financial sustainability through customer loyalty, referrals and employee/partnership retention.
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. — Alan K. Simpson
What a classic quote! I love it! So how is business integrity created and built?
Let’s look at four simple principles of business integrity and how you can apply them to a home business opportunity. The four principles all seem to mix together, making them hard to differentiate.
1. Development of Trust
There are two facets to this: trust in the business itself and trust in the business owner.
Firstly, it is imperative that your business service and/or product is beneficial to your niche market. It must contribute real value to the market place. The service/product must be described in sales media accurately and honestly. Obviously you are required to follow any laws governing the exchange of goods and services for money, and this may include refund policies.
If you are a representative for a MLM or network marketing company, you should expect the Company to be approachable, transparent, fair and responsible – just as you would expect your business to be. I wrote more about this in the 7 Principles of Building Business Naturally.
As a business owner, development of trust from your customers, employees and partners is built by being consistent in dealings and having a consistent character. People must know what to expect if they are to trust you. You must express through words and actions basic values that are regarded highly by society, such as honesty, fairness and respect.
2. Honour Human Rights
There are basic traits that honour the rights and expectations of your customers, employees and partners. You know these so I won’t go into detail! Basic common sense here.
Be honest: for example, an internet marketer may alert blog readers to affiliate links and note when articles are paid promotions.
Treat others with fairness and respect. Honour any commitments or obligations you make, such as refund policies or time frames.
Do not deliberately misrepresent (eg your product or service) and always be willing to listen to complaints or suggestions.
3. Relationship Building
As well as merely being trust worthy and honouring basic human rights, a business should also be trying to build strong positive relationships with their customers, employees and partners.
A relationship is a two-way street. You can give your customers VALUE through education and entertainment and customers can give you VALUE though feedback in the form of complaints, suggestions or referrals/endorsements.
A business should always be looking at how to improve their products and services to stay ahead of the competition. Customers are THE place to go for ideas!
Building lasting relationships is also about showing the human face to your business. This is especially important for internet business owners who can ‘hide’ behind their computers. Reach out to people and show them you are real and that your passion for your business is real!
4. Contribution to Community
I wrote a whole post about how to grow your social capital. Basically, it is imperative that you see the bigger picture of why you and your business exist. A business of integrity will want to contribute to projects and programs that are important to them. Use your success to give back. Giving back can mean financially, or simply with your time and expertise.
Be human, be honest, be nice. Simple Really. (And yet, I know I have a few things to work on)
I would love to hear from you in the comments below! Answer this question: Does Business Integrity need to be actively sought after, OR does business integrity simply happen naturally as a result of personal integrity?
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What a great write up Rachael. What a lot of people don’t realize is that it can often takes years to build up your business brand and have “integrity” be one of the words associated with, but on the flip side a poor management team can tear it down in no time flat!
I do think you’re right that an individual’s integrity will likely control the integrity value of his or her business as well.
Warren recently posted..Tips for Outsourcing your IT Requirements
Yes, so true Warren. I guess this is where looking after any staff well and training them to follow the same values as you do pays out in the end. And yes, building business integrity is a gradual process over time, just as branding is. Thanks for the visit.
Hi Rachael,
Great article about a very important topic
Trust is everything. It takes a while to develop trust, but a moment to
destroy it
A lot of people look at their list as buyers instead of real people.
Like Zig says “you can have everything you want, if you give other what they want”
wishing you success,
Jeff
Jeff Faldalen recently posted..Steve Jobs life and what it can mean for you
Thanks Jeff, yes, remembering that customers are real people is an important step forward in the development of your business. It is far better to have fewer customers who you can service really well then many customers you forget about. Repeat business and word of mouth referrals are gold! thanks.
Hi Rachael,
It really is important to have integrity in all of these areas. People will pick up on the lack of integrity quickly and go to someone else.
Thanks for sharing!
Stacy
Stacy recently posted..The Double Edged Sword of Personal Development
Hi Stacey, Yes people will follow their instincts on whether a business has integrity, and buy accordingly. And this is closely linked to the idea of attraction marketing – people will do business with those they know, like and trust. Thanks for stopping by!
Great post Rachael, I like all 4. Honor your profession could be included in no.2. We should have integrity for our profession, similar to ethic code of other professions.
viviana recently posted..Dear Prospects, What is Your BIGGEST Fear of Starting a Network Marketing Business?
Hi Viviana, Yes, nice addition. Many professions do have their own set of ethics to follow so of course it is wise to follow them : ) Cheers!
HI Rachael, I believe having integrity and building trust is huge.
You have to resonate at a personal level… after all, we are not after working with robots.
You have to take the time to listen to your customers and respect their feelings.
I think building a business is all about being transparent. This doesn’t mean perfect and untouchable though.
Thanks for the common sense post.
Jayne Kopp recently posted..I Just Nominated 15 Great Bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award!
Hi Jayne, Sure, simply being human hey? Warts and all, but ready and able to listen to your customers and respond to their suggestions/requests. Thanks for the comment!
Hey Rachael,
Interesting article.
It is really important to have business integrity. Building Trust plays a huge role in the success of any business.
Thanks for sharing this nice post with us.
~Dev
Thanks Dev! Trust is important both ways – it is wise to show trust towards others, and lovely to be trusted by others. It must be earned though. See you next time.
Hey Rachael,
Great post and important reminder. Integrity is about you first..
Are you honest with yourself..Do you love yourself, trust and respect your values and dreams? Do you take action in spite ofdf fear, doubt etc. This is the first type of integrity. If you do that first with others will be the same: respect, support, relationships ,and contribution.
Since we are the source in our “universe” better we look in the own yard, clean everything with love& patience and then treat others likewise.
Business success is a result of personal integrity and your own level of growth
Thanks for sharing. Really nice
Best,
Radu
Radu recently posted..Generate Web Traffic In Short Time
Hello Radu, I like your take on this topic – having integrity with yourself first. Thank you for contributing to the conversation. I agree that business success stems from personal integrity and growth.
Business integrity is all that matters. I am very happy that you wrote a post on this. I believe running a business is not going to be enjoyable if our clients is not enjoying our services. Great customer service is the key. Along with respect, giving a sense of community and being honest. That all people want.
Tisha recently posted..Introductory Course 101: Stunning Truth about Personal Development
Thank you for your response Tisha. Business success always seems to boil down to great customer service.
Hi Rachel,
I love each and every point you share in this post! If you view your list and loyal reader’s as $$$ signs, you are lost in the sauce. To switch this around, you must place your focus on authentic, heart-felt service; that is, by adding extreme value to each and every word you author and by building a relationship of trust through transparency. When you approach your life (which includes your business) from this mindset, the Universe will provide the right client/customer, at the right time, with a common vision.
A. Leigh Edwards recently posted..5 Ways to Flow Gracefully Through Change and Trust Your Intuition
Hi Leigh,
Thanks for your input, I totally agree. You make a good point about approaching your whole life, which included business, from the mindset of integrity. Thanks!
Radu put the definition of integrity in the right words. I believe business integrity comes from your own integrity. I realized this after I found it in me, until then my business was less than mediocre. It was not until I started expanding a bit and hired 2 virtual employees, that I realized I need to get myself together and know exactly who I am, what I want and how I want to do it. I had to delegate certain tasks to them and keep some of them for myself (the more personal ones). I couldn’t have done this without using this employee monitor software through which I could see into their work and be more precise in my instructions and training. I had to clarify my thoughts and project my new-found integrity. This started to show in my business as well, because our customer service got better and our branding became more organized and coherent. So, I agree, integrity is highly important.
Hi Leonard, Thank you ever so much for your thoughtful comment. And welcome to my blog!
I’m glad you have discovered what is important for you in your business. All the best in the new year, I hope your business continues to grow.