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Trustworthiness

Written by: Jim Meisenheimer

Article Overview: It pays to be on time. Don't keep your customers waiting - learn why here.

Trustworthiness

Sometimes I just want to scream.

I go ballistic when somebody sets an appointment and shows up late.

It happened again last week.

We hired a young man to do some painting for us.

It's not a big job, doesn't require a lot of talent, and we thought of this person because he's currently unemployed.

Everyday we asked him "What time will you be here tomorrow?" The first three days he was late and I was furious. He told Bernadette, my wife, he would show up at 8:30 the next morning. In fact, he showed up 10:30.

When he shows up, he gives me his alibi Ike story - all the reasons why he was late. How could he ever be on time, when he's not even wearing a watch - I wondered.

So without resorting to my in-your-face NYC style, I pointed out to him I was disappointed in his inability to show up on time.

I asked him "What time can you be here tomorrow?" He said, 9:30. Then I said - okay and added, "If you're one of minute late you're fired."

The next morning 9:30 comes and goes. At 10:15 he calls and tells Bernadette the reason he's
late is because he had to stop at Home Depot - to pick up something.

Lucky for him, Bernadette answered the phone. So for the next two days, Bernadette simply told him to show up whenever he could.

I understand that not everybody is like me. I like to be on time, in fact I like to be early to avoid being late.

Here's a big sales tip for all entrepreneurs and professional salespeople. You have to earn the designation "Trustworthiness" from your sales prospects and customers.

The word "Trustworthiness" means worthy of trust. It means dependable. It means reliable.

It means you "Mean what you say" and "Say what you mean."

It's not always possible to be on time - I realize that. But I recommend, even if you're going to be only five minutes late, call your sales prospect / customer and tell them you're going to be five minutes late.

Cell phones make this a no-brainer for you.

It shows you respect their time.

It shows you care!

It shows you're dependable!

It shows you're reliable!

We are in a recession and little things can make a big difference when choosing a product and/or a supplier.

Always try to be early. If you can't be on time - always call! Doing this will differentiate you from most of your competitors.

Today is Monday and two different service people are late for appointments they committed to.

It makes me want to scream.

It pays to be on time and it pays even more to be perceived as trustworthy.

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Article Tags: alibi ike, appointment, brainer, cell phones, designation, five minutes, home depot, job, next morning, painting, professional salespeople, sales prospect, sales prospects, sales tip, trustworthiness, young man



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