Good Business in the Eye of Society
A business that only pleases their customers loses sight of the future. You do not know where all your future customers reside and who they know. Business give high quality customer service and the society gets a perfect business citizen. Commercial advertisement is costly, but good citizenship is free.
Present Customers
Maintain a high standard of customer servoce through ethical work standards so customers view your business as an asset. The value of word of mouth advertising extends beyond the price of commercial advertising. Many realize this since construction companies frequently post signs where they work so people will know whom to ask about the quality of work. So begin with making sure that work reflects the image you want portrayed,
Present Employees
The definition of society comes from the collective expression of citizens and employees of your business help make up that collective group. When employees of a business watch their children in little league, attend church, and volunteer for charities, society views the industries that hire these employees in a good light, because a less than valuable employer would not willingly employ quality employees. Once again a positive word of mouth advertisement occurs
In addition, the impact of employees on the community becomes a great advantage when negotiating for a governmental advantage. A business viewed as too valuable to loose can prevent regulations that hamper the business would simply by reflecting on the financial impact of the loss of employees. Many times governments realize the savings from maintaining business employees within the community, but even willingness to follow the standards in the eye of the community adds to the image.
Business and Present Regulations
Every community has an image that they want to portray. When business follow simple rules such as the landscaping rules around the business, and the environmental standards of the nation, they tell their community they value the environment of all citizens whether or not they are customers of the business. Imagine the view of a business that has garbage strewn within full view of all citizens. Do citizens want to patronize such business? Many potential customers would wonder about the personal attention to their own concerns since no concern for their impression existed prior to a business relationship.
Business Itself
Just as the business' employees reflect on the business, so do the owners. The owners must make a community presence. Through membership in governmental boards, volunteer work for charity and sponsorship of community events, the business owners illustrates their membership in society.
No one thing can produce positive image that creates word of mouth advertising. It takes quality service, employees and owners.