What Does Trust Mean?

Trust is one of the most important traits that a person and/ or a business can have.   Once upon a time, trust was conveyed with a firm handshake, and someone’s’ word.  As it was, verses what it is today, is that people actually followed through!

If a person gave their word that something was so, or that something would be done, then it would be known by all to be.   The repercussions that would come towards the person or business that did not act according to their word, were devastating to the person and business almost immediately.  For example, most historic towns were small, and each town probably had one or two professionals in any given field.  Further, within these towns, everyone knew everyone, and everything that went on within them.  Now, translate those points with a negative connotation attached to them; word would travel fast whether someone had the quality, integrity, or professionalism to warrant the towns’ business.  Trust builds a perceived quality, and a perceived consistency. 

Lets look at McDonalds for example.  If we visit a McDonalds in a foreign country, it is obvious that the food might be slightly different to appeal to the local tastes and cultures, but everyone trusts the quality, the cleanliness, and the service that they will receive from McDonalds.  McDonalds has built a trust within all of us, and we have all come to expect certain amenities.  Imagine if you went to a McDonalds and the décor of the establishment included the colors blue and gren, verses the normal color scheme of yellow and red?  Would you trust that McDonalds?  What are you doing to build trust within your customers?  What are the expectations of your customers? 

To build a thriving and sustainable nosiness, trust must be ingrained within the everyday business practices that we conduct.  Consistency really is the name of the game.  Above all, follow through.  The old adage of, “actions speak louder than words,” very impactful to building trust within customers and clients.   Imagine your favorite companies, or brands, and how they have built a trust within you.  How would you respond if that trust were broken?  Now imagine your customers and clients…

Trust, to me, means a consistency and expected value that my customers have come to love.

Scott