Nigerian human rights activist and businessman, Segun Awosanya, recently took to his Twitter page to talk about the importance of honesty and trustworthiness in business.
According to him, nothing beats honesty because it helps to push one’s business even better than adverts.
Mr Segun further added that no advert can correct the damage caused by the word of mouth of dissatisfied customers. He advised business owners to always treat their clients and followers well, because doing that helps to portray businesses in good light.
Furthermore, he stated that business owners should strive to create good experiences for their customers because that is one of the best ways to advertise.
No advert can beat the damage done by word of mouth. Treat your clients and followers right. The experience you leave them with make them evangelists and apostles of your brand. Advert is overrated. Create experiences no one can erase even with blackmail & propaganda. #TrueStory
— SEGA L'éveilleur® (@segalink) March 27, 2019
Why it matters
Honesty and trustworthiness have always been the bedrock of every successful company. On the other hand, however, companies that are ethically irresponsible find it difficult to maintain growth due to their deceitful nature.
Any investigation into the affairs of some of the struggling companies in Nigeria always reveals that honesty is not one of their most important characteristics. And it is almost impossible for any business to gain the trust of their customers if honesty isn’t a guiding principle in how they handle every aspect of its work processes.
Note that in business, honesty isn’t only about doing things the right away; it is also about expressing the values on which companies are founded.
Also, honesty in the workplace can never be overrated. It is a key characteristic of any business, which sets the tone for the kind of work culture that one wants to create, provides consistency in workplace behaviour, and builds loyalty and trust in customers and prospects.
When a company’s business model is built on honesty, it inevitably fosters a workplace behaviour that is consistent regardless of external influences. In other words, employees work in line with their employers goals, and most unlikely to be influenced by external circumstances if such goals are positive and honest.
