In my last post I shared my experience with someone who I trusted my business’ future with, only to find that she was not who I thought and hoped she was.

This is a follow up to that post…

The internet has brought about a phenomenon that has not been experienced before in the business world.  People are constantly updating their status on social networking sites, and the world has instant access to all sorts of experiences.  Likewise, companies have taken to these sites to screen perspective employees, business partners and customers.

So, if the world is watching…then it is up to each of us to protect our reputation at all costs.  After all, how much new business will you do with a tarnished rep?

With that said, my next question to you would be…”What are you worth?  Or more specifically, “What is your reputation worth to you?”

I would suggest that your rep is worth the future of your business.  There is an old adage that says, “If you do something right, it may be shared with one other person…but if someone has a bad experience with you, they are guaranteed to tell at least 10 others”.  Mind you, that was posed well before the advent of the internet.  In reality, a shared experience today is almost guaranteed to reach thousands if not millions of people in a heart-beat.  In a world of faltering trusts between consumers and businesses, one shared experience can be the difference between prospering or failing in a small business.

Here are some helpful tips when it comes to protecting yourself today:

1. Review your resume if it online – make sure that it speaks to what you are trying to accomplish, and if you are currently employed, and job searching, be sure to hide it from the public and only allow businesses that you are interviewing with to see it.  I know that this sounds strange, but it is not uncommon today for HR depts to search the internet for current employees to see what they are up to.  So keep your business matters private.
2. Google yourself – you never know what has been placed on the internet about you.  Certainly, all public record information is available to those who seek it.  But the list of various other forms of data about you is staggering.  You should Google yourself at least every 6 months to make sure that there is nothing that could come back to harm you or your rep.
3. Order your yearly FREE credit reports every year.  Make sure that you order all 3.  The Big 3 do not compare notes, and you will find big differences between them.  Take actions to clean your credit of outdated or inaccurate data.
4. Whenever possible, ask your clients for referrals and testimonials.  These are evidence of your integrity and are one of the most valuable tool you can have to protect yourself.  When it comes down to someone saying something damaging, it is easier to battle it with an opposing 3rd party that touts your expertise and professionalism.  Otherwise, there is little you can do yourself to balance the scales.
5. Above all else, the customer is always right.  And when he/she is clearly wrong…they are even more right!  Exemplary customer service is the sure fire way to ensure that your reputation remains in tact.  There is no better protection against bad press than not having any!

These are just a couple of ways that you can protect your rep, which will have a direct connection to your net worth.  So how much is your rep worth?  To what extent are you willing to go to protect it?

To Your Continued Success