Business reputation is an incredibly important thing in our time, which is equally necessary for the individual and the whole enterprise. Now, in a highly competitive environment, everyone wants to use only those services and goods that have proven themselves well, and cooperate with those companies that are time-tested. A reliable reputation is the most important thing that allows you to stand out among your competitors and succeed in the chosen business.
Image and reputation of the organization
Many are inclined to confuse the concepts of business reputation of an organization or citizen and his image . However, there is little in common, so it is important not only to distinguish them, but also to use them wisely.
The business reputation of an enterprise or a business person is a public opinion about a company, more precisely, the opinions of interested parties related to the company or person. They include everyone - consumers, employees, analysts, creditors, government officials, investors, media, etc. Thus, a high reputation is a "good name", which is formed over a long period of time by a large number of participants under the influence of a variety of factors. In this sense, the honor, dignity and business reputation of the company are approximately the same thing.
The notion of image involves a completely different meaning, not having a direct relationship to reputation and honor.
Image, or image - is a superficial appearance, the idea of a person or company, which is quickly created in the minds of people and is often artificially planted. The image of the same company for different people can seriously differ. The image does not reflect any characteristics of the enterprise, and it can be changed without affecting the work of the company.
Reputation is what the company earns by hard work. A damaged reputation can seriously damage the company's work and reduce its profitability. A brilliant image can attract new customers, but only a good reputation allows them to cooperate with them for many years.
The differences in these concepts are much greater than similarities, so do not confuse them. Image - this is momentary and superficial, and reputation - created by honest work.
Protection of business reputation
Serious damage to business reputation can be caused both by careless action and deliberate steps on the part of competitors. That is why the protection of honor and business reputation in the modern world is such an important and complex business.
Management of business reputation is really a difficult matter, because it takes years to shape it. It is for a long time that people are ready to evaluate services and goods and distinguish them among others. Many counterparts and potential partners make a decision on cooperation or refusal on the basis of the reputation of the company.
Protection of business reputation today is a still developing legal institution. Not in every country the legislation in this area has reached the proper level. Due to the absence of all accepted definition of business reputation, and most importantly, the description of the conditions in which it can and should be protected leads to many unpleasant situations. For example, in court they can simply refuse a claim, because in this situation it is difficult to prove the falsity of defamatory information disseminated by competitors in the course of unfair struggle.
In this regard, there is no single answer to the question of how to raise a reputation, because if the court in this case does not render any assistance, then it can be quite difficult to restore its honest name in the public eye. However, if we continue to work conscientiously, sooner or later everything will return to its own place.