For individuals or businesses, there is nothing more important than a good reputation. Having a good reputation among family, friends, co-workers or customers is often the key to career advancement or taking a business to the next level. However, sometimes circumstances result in a reputation becoming damaged, possibly through no fault of an individual or company. Yet, once damaged a reputation can be difficult to restore. Difficult, but not impossible. After a company's reputation is damaged, there are several things to focus on to make things right.
Make Customers Happy
First and foremost is customer service. Whenever a company loses its good reputation, focusing on making customers happy again is critical. This must be done quickly, for the faster a company gets out in front of a problem the quicker it can be put to rest. For example, companies who have product recalls can do damage control by offering customers a similar product free or at greatly reduced prices, or cruise lines whose ships malfunction may offer passengers a free cruise or their money back. Whatever happens, using customer feedback technology such as surveys from mshare.net will say much for a company, and customers will indeed take notice.
Face the Media
Another area of focus when a company's reputation is called into question is facing the media. Tough as it can be, establishing a good working reputation with the media can pay off when a crisis occurs. Answering questions, telling the world what is planned to correct a problem and playing it cool during a crisis can help keep a bad situation from becoming a full-blown disaster. Integrity is key during any crisis, and being willing to give interviews instead of trying to hide or play hardball with the media will take most situations from crisis level to yesterday's news in no time.
Think Long Term
Businesses who realize that restoring one's reputation is a marathon rather than a sprint often emerge with few scars and little permanent damage to their reputations. While it may take time to fully recover, realizing that all it takes is another story to capture people's attention and forget all about you needs to be kept in mind. Performing some good deeds free of charge, being open and honest about what happened and why and refraining from criticizing others can help a company take the high road and come out on top. By focusing on these three things, a company whose reputation is called into question can go far toward making everything right again.