Trust is one of the most crucial characteristics a brand can attain. A company can function for a long time if investors, customers, and employees feel they can rely on it to be fair and honest with them.

In recent times, especially post-pandemic, trust is even more important than ever. Modern brands need customer trust in order to avoid scandals and experience growth.

There are different factors to consider when ranking the most trustworthy companies in the world. Key factors include:

• Brand reputation
• Customer service 
• Employee trust
• Ethical business practices
• Investor trust
• Quality level of products and services

This article includes 15 of the most trustworthy companies in the world. Each of these brands is a global leader that’s worked to earn customer trust by focusing on quality and leveraging its digital strategies.

The way you’re perceived online matters. Find out how to create the online reputation you deserve by calling (844) 458-6735 today.

15 of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies

Most of these trustworthy companies have been around for a long time now, but some are younger than others. Each brand shapes consumer decisions, acts as a global leader in its industry, brings in impressive annual revenue, and maintains trust for the long term.

Do you need help with your digital presence? Call us at (844) 458-6735 for an in-depth audit and valuable insights from an expert.

1. Amazon

This famous online retail giant is well-known for selling practically anything you can think of for the lowest price possible and shipping it to your home in record time. Moreover, Amazon regularly makes changes to how the company runs, including raising the base wage, which has helped it gain employee trust.

2. The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company is one of the most famous, trusted, and well-known companies in the world. This global entertainment and media conglomerate has its headquarters in Burbank, California, and the brand has an incredible and inspiring history.

It is no surprise that Disney is one of the most trustworthy companies in the world. They regularly produce high-quality media and park experiences, appealing to every age group. Focusing on family-friendly entertainment has also helped to gain immense levels of brand trust.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft is a leading developer of digital applications, systems, software, and related technologies. Additionally, the company publishes books and multimedia titles, and it’s considered one of Apple’s top competitors.

It’s no surprise that this software giant is among the most trusted and respected companies in the world. Microsoft has had especially great success with its Surface laptop, Xbox console, and online gaming network, along with its computer software.

4. Sony

Sony is a leading provider of audio and video electronics, along with IT products, which has elevated it to be one of the most trustworthy companies on the planet. Between the company’s history of innovation and solid brand reputation, it’s been an example of maintaining trust with the public over the long term.

Moreover, Sony has become a leading player in the entertainment industry thanks to Sony Music and Sony Pictures. Having such a diverse portfolio, high-quality products, and a commitment to ethical business practices has raised brand trust in a way that other companies can only dream of.

5. Google

Google specializes in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, search engine technology, computer software, online advertising, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and quantum computing.

Considered by many to be not just one of the world’s most trustworthy companies but also the most powerful company in the world, Google has become a household name (and even a verb, in some cases).

The company’s status as a global leader comes from its dominance in the market, its technological advantages, and its leaps forward when it comes to artificial intelligence. 

Get started today with online reputation management or repair. Give us a call at (844) 458-6735 to learn more.

6. Netflix

Netflix is a production company and subscription streaming service with an enormous library of movies and TV series, including many from its own “Netflix Originals.” The brand has played an integral role in independent film distribution, and the company pioneered streaming after creating a DVD mail service.

Netflix is one of the world’s most trustworthy companies in part thanks to its user experience strategy. Offering subscribers an ad-free, convenient and flexible experience speaks to its product quality. Moreover, personalized recommendations show customers that the company is willing to dive deeper to discover what they want.

7. YouTube

YouTube is a social media and online video sharing platform that’s owned by Google. The social media platform also doubles as a powerful search engine, which helps users discover content in a way that other social platforms don’t match.

YouTube is beloved by consumers because of its high functionality, breadth of content, and ability to easily find whatever it is you’re looking for. With subscription options and interactive elements, YouTube is not just among the leading trustworthy companies, but it’s also a standout social platform unlike any other.

8. Target

Target has stores in all 50 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia, and it’s one of the biggest merchandise retailers today. This general merchandise and food discount store has a solid code of ethics, along with a strong brand identity — the red and white bullseye logo is recognizable around the country.

Target is one of the biggest providers of affordable retail, and convenient shopping options make it even easier to buy what you need. Notably, the layout of Target stores is easy to navigate, no matter which brick-and-mortar location you enter.

9. Patagonia

Patagonia specializes in making outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear for a large number of outdoor sports, including climbing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, trail running, yoga, surfing, and others.

Their high-quality products and excellent relationships with customers have built immense trust over time. Patagonia also makes efforts to reduce the impact that people have on our planet, including enabling people to trade used Patagonia clothes.

10. Wegmans

Wegmans is one of the most famous supermarket chains in the United States, and the company has high-quality products and reasonable prices. Along with excellent customer service and helpful in-store amenities, Wegmans has built a strong and trustworthy reputation in its niche.

Additionally, Wegmans has created an employee-first culture that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of its team members. Workers appreciate the company’s investment in employee development and training, as well as its inclusive and empowering company culture.

11. L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean manufactures high-quality outdoor accessories and clothing, and many of its styles have become classics. One reason why L.L. Bean is among the top trustworthy companies is that it’s always been dedicated to offering expert-level advice and problem-solving for customers. 

Another reason why customers trust L.L. Bean is due to its product quality. Many customers are able to keep and use their L.L. Bean products for several years, which is becoming more and more difficult to find with modern retail companies.

12. Samsung

Samsung is one of the largest companies in the world that specializes in the manufacturing of electronic devices and related equipment. It produces a wide range of consumer and industry electronics such as appliances, digital media devices, semiconductors, memory chips, and integrated systems.

Samsung is also well-known for its wide range of smartphones and TVs, as well as leading design and innovation. They’ve managed to remain among the globe’s trustworthy companies thanks to a track record of selling high-quality products.

13. Publix

Publix is one of the fastest-growing supermarket chains in the U.S. and holds an excellent reputation among its customers. They are one of the most respected companies in their industry, too, and they’re well-known for having affordable prices and high-quality products.

Publix stores are known for being well-maintained and having helpful, friendly employees. The company also gets involved in local community efforts through donations, sponsorships and volunteering.

14. The Home Depot

As one of the world’s largest home improvement retailers, The Home Depot has maintained excellent relationships with shareholders, communities, customers, and associates. In addition to in-store products, The Home Depot is also known for offering in-store classes and getting involved in community projects. 

The Home Depot’s wide product assortment has helped it build customer trust. Both DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors head to The Home Depot when they need to purchase products. The large selection offered in-store has created one-stop shops for anything you could possibly need in the home renovation space.

15. UPS

UPS is a package transportation and supply chain company, and its sister company, The UPS Store, handles shipping, printing, packing and similar in-store services. Customers consider UPS a leader in its field thanks to a broad range of flexible shipping options and a reliable tracking system. 

Deliveries are known for being timely, whether they’re being shipped domestically or internationally, and the company has also made strides to be more environmentally conscious. UPS also has a highly recognizable brand, and its customer-centric approach includes helpful online tools and convenient shipping options.

Build a Trustworthy Company of Your Own With Professional ORM Services

Are you ready to count yourself among the public and private companies in America with the most brand trust? Whether you want to showcase your ethical business practices, increase your annual revenue or influence media sentiment about your brand, it’s possible with ORM services.

At ReputationSciences.com, we work with clients who need to create, grow or fix their digital reputation. Through our parent company, NetReputation, we offer ad management, local SEO, review monitoring, content removal and more. Our strategy includes auditing, repair, monitoring and management, and our services will be customized to your needs.

Contact us at (844) 458-6735 for more information about becoming the most trusted company in your niche.

The post What’s the Most Trusted Company in the World? These Brands Compete for the Top appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

On the service, reputation management services from companies like ReputationDefender sound like the ultimate solution to your reputation-related needs.

However, how can you know what’s actually hiding underneath?

Online reputation management — and related fields, like search engine optimization (SEO) and influencing search results — can be a minefield.

Since the industry isn’t regulated, online reputation management firms can make unsupported claims, charge unreasonably high fees, and fail to follow through on their promises. This can result in unsuspecting customers losing thousands of dollars, with nothing to show for it in the end.

Your reputation is far too important to take that risk. In this article, we’ll review ReputationDefender by Norton, a prominent player in the online reputation management field.

Are you questioning who you can trust with your online reputation? Give us a call today at (844) 458-6735 for a free consultation.

Our transparent methods and personalized services are only a call away, and we’re ready to give you what you deserve most: peace of mind.

What Is ReputationDefender?

ReputationDefender is an online reputation management firm based in Redwood City, California. It was founded by Michael Fertik in 2006. The company is a subsidiary of Reputation.com, with both operating separately from each other.

ReputationDefender is known to promote its services widely. You may have seen their commercials on TV or heard them on the radio.

With a large enough budget, this is, of course, achievable. To the average consumer in need of online reputation services, the company may seem like the only option after seeing its numerous advertisements. 

Let’s discuss a few of the reputation management industry’s hard truths — the secrets that corporate ORM firms like ReputationDefender and Reputation.com won’t tell you.

Important Truths To Know About Online Reputation Management

While ORM is a vital service for many individuals and companies, the industry isn’t without its share of ethical issues and other dilemmas.

Improving an online reputation is far from easy. Every reputation management campaign is different, and each client requires a personalized approach.

Additionally, ORM companies have to be well-versed in Google’s policies in order to influence search results. This is the only way for an ORM strategy to adapt to Google and remain effective.

Here’s what every consumer should be aware of when considering hiring an ORM company.

Many ORM Companies Are Unethical

ORM experts and companies that engage in questionable tactics are unethical. Some of these practices include:

• Creating fake reviews to make it seem like a brand has more positive reviews than it really does
• Writing fake negative reviews for competitors to give their ORM clients a competitive advantage
• Posting fake content about the client to influence Google search results

Strategies like these can seriously backfire on the client, leaving you with a worse reputation than you started out with.

There’s No Such Thing as Instant Results

While many ORM experts are able to act fast when it comes to implementing your reputation-building campaign, most of the time, results aren’t going to be instantaneous. It takes time to build or rebuild a digital reputation.

ORM strategies include creating positive content to suppress negative search results, addressing poor reviews, and building trust with your audience. All of these efforts take a while to implement and work.

While you’ll likely see positive results over time, be wary of any ORM company that promises instant results.

For a free consultation about your personalized ORM strategy, call us at (844) 458-6735 today.

Negative Content Doesn’t Always Disappear Permanently

It’s important that you work with an ORM company that gives you realistic expectations instead of promising results it can’t reasonably deliver. This is particularly important when it comes to removing negative content.

There are various strategies that ORM companies use to remove or suppress negative content. But the truth is that some content cannot be removed at all. Or, if it is taken down, it may not disappear permanently from online sources.

For example, information that is supposed to be made available to the public, like certain types of criminal history, often stays available online.

ORM Services Can’t Manage Every Aspect of Your Digital Reputation

If an ORM company says they’ll handle every single element of your online reputation without you having to do a thing, you should be suspicious. Yes, ORM services can take over quite a bit of your reputation-building to-do list. They can’t do everything, though.

For example, let’s say your company’s reputation is being damaged by an onslaught of negative reviews. An ORM company may be able to respond to those reviews in a professional manner before they get out of hand. But if customers are having issues due to an internal company problem, you’ll need to fix that in order to protect your online reputation.

Does Reputation Defender Have Desire to Succeed? 

Consider this: If large ORM companies like Reputation Defender get you the results you desire in 3 months, what does that mean? It means you’ll stop paying them. 

If they could stretch that time into 12 months or even 24 months, knowing that they can achieve results in less time and with less cost, wouldn’t they do so?

While an online reputation campaign can take time to succeed, clients should see some type of forward movement relatively early on. To this point, be cautious of ORM companies that promise fast results, as well as those that seem to take months to deliver any kind of results.

You would expect that a reputation management company would have an excellent reputation online. However, this isn’t the case for Reputation Defender.

Reputation Defender has several negative reviews that should make you think twice before trusting them with your digital reputation.

Pro Tip: With any ORM company that you plan to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on, research them online first.

Trustpilot Reviews

In this review on Trustpilot (screenshot below), the user calls Reputation Defender a “scam” and says he was lied to and didn’t get his refund in a timely manner. The reviewer also says that he reported Reputation Defender to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Another Trustpilot review from February 2024 says that after entering his information on the Reputation Defender website for a free reputation scan, the reviewer was bombarded with phone calls. Additionally, the free scan feature didn’t work.

BBB Reviews

The BBB relies on people to leave complaints or reviews for any business with substandard practices or behaviors. Businesses can then respond to any complaints or questions to have them resolved.

On the BBB, the top review for Reputation Defender, which is from September 2023, is negative. The review says that the free reputation report provided by Reputation Defender had inaccurate information. According to the review, “They posted my email address in [sic] the dark web to retaliate.”

Another review, which you can see below, says that Reputation Defender charged for services that had been canceled.

Many other BBB reviews of the company are also negative, with customers saying that it’s nearly impossible to stop services; negative content is not suppressed, even if that service was promised; and the company isn’t cooperative about refunding clients if they don’t receive the services they expected.

PissedConsumer Reviews

The PissedConsumer website has a number of reviews for Reputation Defender, and a majority of them are negative.

According to one review, the company didn’t suppress negative information, even though the client had legal proof it was a case of libel.

Other negative reviews for Reputation Defender on PissedConsumer discuss the service being a ripoff, people losing money without seeing results, a lack of results, and poor customer service.

Sitejabber Reviews

Sitejabber has thousands of reviews for Reputation Defender, and while many of them are positive, the negative reviews are similar to the poor feedback we’ve seen elsewhere.

For example, this reviewer said that their reputation report did not actually have their information on it:

In another review, the customer says the ORM service is overpriced and also suggests that Reputation Defender posted fake content:

Pro Tip: Pay attention to repetitive feedback. If multiple customers had the same positive or negative experience, you can expect to have the same experience, too.

How To Choose an Online Reputation Management Company

We understand that many people choose Reputation Defender to help build a positive digital presence. However, after reading the online reviews above, you may be changing your mind about using their services.

Whether you opt for a different ORM company or not, it’s important to be careful when selecting a team that’s in charge of something as important as your online reputation.

Here are our top tips for selecting the right ORM company for your needs.

Research the Company’s Track Record

You want to work with an ORM company with proven success in managing online reputations similar to yours. Check out case studies, reviews, testimonials and other search results to get an idea of what other clients have experienced when working with the company. You may even want to reach out to past clients to verify their experiences and learn more.

Learn About the Company’s Strategies

First, the ORM company should have a broad assortment of basic strategies they use in most campaigns. Second, they should tailor their campaigns and services to your specific needs. Ask for an overview of the different strategies the company uses, and discuss your personalized campaign as well.

Ensure Clear Communication

Reputable ORM companies provide excellent customer service and are available to answer their clients’ questions. It’s important that the ORM company you hire is communicative from the start because you’ll be relying on them to provide status updates throughout your campaign.

Get a Clear Idea of Deliverables

A quality ORM company will be able to provide you with deliverables and timelines so you know exactly what to expect. For example, if the company will create positive content to influence search results, you should know approximately when those search results will begin going in your favor.

While ORM takes time, there should be a plan in place with specific goals and when those results are expected to be achieved.

Review Pricing Information

The ORM company you hire should provide you with detailed pricing information, and you shouldn’t be surprised by any hidden costs. It’s also wise to work with a company that has flexible, results-oriented pricing so that you don’t agree to long-term services without knowing that they’ll actually work.

Online Reputation Management You Can Trust

The NetReputation brand has perfected the art of ORM after countless hours of creating successful reputation campaigns. 

We set out to be the front-runner in the industry. Clarity, affordability, and, most importantly, honesty set us apart from other firms.

We offer a variety of reputation management services, including creating positive content to influence search results, review management, and PR crisis control.

Our technical team takes pride in succeeding in ORM campaigns, and our business model is based on results.

Don’t let your online reputation management be a leap of faith. With our proven track record, we invite you to see the difference for yourself.

Contact us today for a free reputation analysis and take the first step toward a flawless online presence.

The post Reputation Defender Can’t Manage Their Own Online Reputation appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

With so many aspects of our lives being lived out digitally, everyone should consider online privacy to be a priority. Business leaders, however, are especially vulnerable to online privacy concerns because they handle sensitive company data all the time.

Today, maintaining executive privacy and protecting corporate leaders present unique challenges.

In this article, we’ll discuss the state of executive privacy today, the risks posed to high-profile individuals, and the best ways to protect yourself from reputation damage and cybercrime.

To speak with an executive privacy expert immediately, call us today at (844) 458-6735 .

What Is Executive Privacy?

Executive privacy refers to the process of protecting the personal data of high-profile individuals, including executives, and keeping them safe from online threats.

This includes protecting their homes, online accounts and private devices, like their computers and phones.

What Are Executive Privacy Services?

The main goals of executive privacy services are to find your personal data online and work to eliminate threats. Services include:

• Internet monitoring to always know if and when personal data becomes available.
• Personal data removal from data brokers and similar websites.
• Compiling detailed reports that reflect the individual’s current level of exposure and protection.
• Offering customized recommendations for staying safe.

These types of services keep leadership members safe by making it difficult for bad actors to gain access to personal data.

Are you in need of online reputation management and executive privacy services? Call us today at (844) 458-6735 to speak with a consultant.

Why Do I Need To Prioritize Executive Privacy?

Prioritizing executive privacy is integral for a number of reasons. 

When an executive’s name or personal brand is used for fraudulent purposes, it can result in reputational damage. In more serious cases, individuals can be victims of fraud, such as having their financial assets or identity stolen.

Since executives have access to highly sensitive company information, they make prime targets for hackers who want to commit cybercrimes or steal company data.

What Type of Personal Information is Available Online?

There’s all sorts of personal data online about executives that can be used for criminal activity and other fraudulent purposes.

Here’s where just some of your personal information can be accessed:

People-Search Sites

People search databases gather and display personal information for anyone to search for and find. This information includes the basics, like:

• Full name
• Age and birthdate
• Current address
• Past addresses
• Phone numbers

Additionally, more in-depth people search sites can have criminal records, financial records, property records, information about family members, and more.

Social Media Accounts

Personal and professional social media profiles can harbor more private information than you think.

For example, you may make an effort to never post your location or any private information about you. But hackers may be able to find your exact location from a tiny detail in one of your photos, even if you think nobody will be able to figure out where you live.

Armed with even this small snippet of information, a bad actor can target your home when you’re traveling or attempt to blackmail you by suggesting they know where you live.

Data Breaches

Even if you’ve exercised the utmost control over the personal info that’s available on people search sites and social media, you can’t protect yourself when there’s a data breach.

Data breaches can expose highly sensitive personal information, such as:

• Bank account numbers
• Healthcare information
• Social Security numbers

They can also expose corporate data, including financial information, intellectual property records, and customer data. 

Common Types of Online Threats to Executive Privacy

There are numerous ways that executive privacy can be threatened and attacked. Let’s go over some of them.

Financial Fraud

High-income executives commonly have multiple financial accounts, putting them at risk for finance-focused identity theft. 

When a hacker finds out enough personal information about an individual, they may be able to convince someone at a financial institution that they’re speaking with the account holder.

The identity thief may then be able to update the person’s contact information and have new debit or credit cards sent to their address.

Information Security Threats

One of the biggest reasons why executives are commonly targeted in cyberattacks is because they have so much access to databases and documents.

If the company hasn’t prioritized cybersecurity, it’s particularly easy for a hacker to access this sensitive information.

Information security risks include account takeovers, corporate espionage, and social engineering. Let’s discuss social engineering a bit more since it’s so common.

Social Engineering: Phishing and Whaling

When discussing executive privacy and information security, social engineering refers to the deceptive practice of using confidential or personal data for fraudulent purposes.

There are two main types of social engineering attacks:

• Phishing: This is when personalized messages are sent via email or text to executives. The goal is to trick the execs into revealing confidential data. It’s also common for hackers to install malware on executives’ devices.
• Whaling: This occurs when a hacker sends deceptive messages pretending to be high-profile leaders at companies. The messages may be sent to other execs or to clients.

In both types of social engineering attacks, the attacker uses the confidential information they collected to make their messages sound authentic to their targets. By creating a false sense of security, cybercriminals are able to gather even more data than they already have.

Personal Threats: Doxxing, Harassment and Swatting

With so many people search sites available, it’s easier than ever than find a person’s phone number and home address. Even a simple Google search can return this information without having to access a data broker site.

When a person’s private information is exposed, they’re at risk of real-life dangers.

Doxxing

Doxxing is when a person’s private information is publicized online, typically on social media and other easily accessible platforms. The purpose of publishing this information is to embarrass or shame the individual.

Often, hackers will use doxxing to help others attack the individual. This is common when it comes to people who have differing viewpoints. Doxxing is commonly used as a way to take down someone who doesn’t agree with a certain belief system.

Harassment

Online harassment can quickly escalate to in-person harassment and danger. Inappropriate emails or phone calls can easily lead to a disgruntled customer, client or ex-employee showing up at your house.

Even more serious criminal activity can take place. Once someone finds out where you live, they can look up floor plans and other details online to plan a way into your home without you realizing it. They can also stalk you to watch your daily routine and make plans for breaking in or worse.

Swatting

Swatting is a serious and dangerous practice that fraudulently sends law enforcement officers, usually a SWAT team, after an individual.

A hoax call is made to the authorities, claiming that an executive is engaging in illegal activity. Armed officers are then dispatched to the individual’s location without knowing that the call was a prank.

Protect Your Personal Data With ORM Services

Corporate executives have a responsibility to protect their personal data and the confidential information they have access to through their company. This means protecting the sensitive personal information of customers, clients, other execs and even family members.

Aside from online threats, executive privacy concerns can lead to real-life danger. That puts you and your loved ones at risk.

With NetReputation and Reputation Sciences working on your behalf, you can gain invaluable insight into your digital presence and level of online security. We’ll work with you to customize the executive protection services you need so that your personal devices, family members and online privacy stay safe.

Contact us today at (844) 458-6735 to speak with an online reputation management and executive privacy expert.

The post What Is Executive Privacy and How Can I Protect My Data Online? appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

Consumers want brands they can trust. In fact, a recent study from Label Insight found 94 percent of consumers will be loyal to a brand which offers transparency. Even more eye-opening is 73 percent of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for products which offer complete transparency.

Why is transparency so important? Transparency builds trust.

Customers trust companies who are transparent about the what’s, why’s and how’s of their product and their manufacturing process. CMO put it this way:

“Trust bestowed by the consumer can not only make or break a business, it can also ensure you survive a problem in the future.”

Consumer trust is a brand differentiator which is critical in an environment where consumer expectations and competition increase exponentially daily.

Transparency is the catalyst to trust. Customers must feel like “what they see is what they get.” Maintaining transparency must be an integral part of corporate reputation management -a corporate focused version of online reputation management also known as ORM.

Why Consumers Care About Transparency

Sadly, trust is at an all-time low in America. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, only a third of the respondents in the U.S. trust their government “to do what is right.” That’s a drop of 14 percentage points from 2017. Only 42 percent trust the media. Trust in business and non-governmental organizations dropped by 10 percentage points in just one year. Edelman has been doing their global research for 18 years and have never seen such substantial drops in trust.

Out of the 28 countries surveyed, the U.S. is home to the least-trusting informed public. Less than a decade ago, Americans witnessed a global economic crash, which was largely blamed on greedy and deceitful business practices, especially among financial institutions. The Edelman report noted, “it’s gotten much harder to discern what is and isn’t true, where the boundaries are between fact, opinion and misinformation.”

All industries have experienced a trust crisis. Uber. Facebook. Equifax. Target. It’s not unusual for our most trusted brands to fail us. Remember in 2010 when Toyota had to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to apologize for safety issues which killed 19 people? Or, who could forget when two peanut butter company leaders received prison sentences for practices resulting in salmonella poisoning which sickened more than 700 people and killed nine? This led to a lot of bad pr which is why all of these companies had to use online reputation services to mitigate the damage to the company.

Simply put, American consumers have trust issues which aren’t unwarranted.

Authentic Communication is Key

Seventy percent of consumers just don’t trust advertising, according to research published by Marketing Week. Why? “Big business scandals and arrogance around brand purpose.”

What does “arrogance around brand purpose” mean? Simply bragging about your product and making big promises is not the advertising approach which connects with consumers. They want words backed up by actions. They want transparency about their products from credible sources. Therefore, authentic communication is key. Here are two ways to accomplish that.

1. Teach

Today’s consumer doesn’t believe what a paid actor says about a product. Focus on teaching customers, not just talking to them. Build trust in your products and services by speaking candidly about them, including their limitations. This will help customers feel you are not trying to hide any defects.

Use brand ambassadors to teach consumers what your product can do and what it can’t. Brand ambassadors are more than just a celebrity giving you an endorsement. They are people who are truly passionate about your brand. They will not just talk about how great your products are, they will teach other customers how to use them.

An Example in Teaching Through Transparency

As Americans are adopting more healthy lifestyles, they are incorporating more fruits and vegetables in their diet, many even becoming vegan or vegetarian. Dole Food Company wants to reach this audience to promote its many frozen fruit options. Frozen fruit, however, isn’t as desired as fresh for this audience. Dole could launch a series of advertisements promoting their products.

However, a better way would be to enlist the help of brand ambassadors. Dole searches for credible social media personalities who focus on a healthy lifestyle and have over 5000 followers. They identify their top three.

These ambassadors are given free products to try, and might even be paid. They, in turn, post pictures of luscious smoothies made from Dole frozen fruit. They tell their audience why they like Dole products (i.e. easy to use, convenient, no sugar added, always top quality).

Followers are excited to learn about new recipes and techniques for incorporating more fruits into their diet. Dole builds trust with this coveted audience. The brand ambassador loves getting promotional products and getting paid for simply maintaining their Instagram account and showcasing their inherent love of the product.

Companies across industries can use this technique. Strategize educational topics you could teach your consumers, and find ambassadors to do the teaching. CEO of JVZoo Laura Casselman says:

“Your product may create satisfied customers, but educational content creates the kind of cheerleaders who will outsell your sales team by a 10-1 ratio.”

Greater transparency leads to increased trust, which gives you greater sales.

2. Listen

Transparency is more than just revealing your hand. It’s about listening to feedback, even if it’s negative.

This is where brand ambassadors are especially effective. Using the example above, Dole’s brand ambassador is promoting the product in an open forum. Followers all across the globe can provide feedback. This feedback, when positive, works to validate the ambassador’s claim.

Let’s say a follower posts a question about where Dole sources its produce. Does it come from organic farms? Is it produced in the U.S.? These questions serve four main purposes.

First, they provide invaluable insights for Dole. The company can find out what concerns their customers the most. They can adjust their sourcing or manufacturing process based on the feedback and draw more attention to sustainable practices they already have in place.

Second, asking questions in an open forum tells customers Dole is not afraid to reveal their practices in a public setting. It gives the perception of transparency. Surely, a company would not open the door to comments if they had something to hide.

Third, Dole may stumble upon future ambassadors from the positive comments.

Lastly, Dole can get valuable feedback for future products. Customers may ask for specific fruit mixes for Dole to consider. Listening to customer feedback creates a partnership-based relationship. Customers feel invested in a company which takes their feedback and concerns seriously, and they trust a company which allows everyone to see the feedback and concerns of others.

Be Transparent with Employees Too

Building consumer trust starts with building employee trust. If employees feel company leaders are not trustworthy, customers will pick up on the perception. Just as is true with building consumer trust, transparency is key to building employee trust.

How are companies doing in this area? One global survey of nearly 10,000 full-time workers found the following:

• Only 46 percent have a “great deal of trust.”
• 39 percent have “some trust.”
• 15 percent have “very little” or “no trust at all.”

Researchers found a high level of trust was associated with happier employees, higher quality work, and more engaged and productive employees. Employers who instilled trust also had employees who stayed with the company longer and recommended the company to others.

Do you consider employee opinions in your corporate reputation management strategy? Here are four behaviors leaders can cultivate to build trust with transparency.

1. Be Unambiguous

Company leaders must be specific when communicating direction. Ambiguity sends a perception of secrecy (the opposite of transparency), which drives mistrust and skepticism. Be clear and direct with the company’s vision and direction. Help employees clearly see their role in the vision. This makes them feel engaged and builds loyalty.

2. Don’t make promises you can’t keep

Don’t make false promises in order to motivate employees. If company leadership makes a promise, be ready to deliver. Failing to deliver a promise violates trust and makes employees think, “what else are they hiding?”

3. Delegate critical tasks

Delegation sends the message you trust your employees, which employees will reciprocate. In addition, it makes employees feel like they are in the “inner circle.” There are no secrets because you have empowered your employees with knowledge to complete leadership tasks. Even those not delegated to will notice this shift in power, decreasing the perception that all tasks are completed by a select few with secret knowledge.

4. Keep the lines of communication open

Just as “listening” was key to maintaining transparency between companies and consumers, it’s also critical to building trust through transparency between employers and employees. Employees have valuable feedback, both about company culture and customer needs. Tap this powerful voice by creating opportunities to gather feedback, whether it’s in-person or via an employee portal.

Treasure the Benefits and Maximize the Pitfalls

Trust is the No. 1 benefit of transparency. However, there are numerous benefits trickling down from there. Loyalty, from both employees and customers, is the backbone of success for any company, regardless of industry. One report noted the link between transparency and loyalty. Ninety-one percent of customers said they were more likely to trust companies with their personal information if they were transparent about how they will use it to improve the customer experience. In turn, 95 percent of customers said they are more likely to be loyal if they trust a company. Ninety-three percent said they were more likely to recommend companies they trust, and 92 percent said they were more likely to buy more products and services.

Forbes explains another lesser known benefit of transparency, greater efficiency. How so?

By spending less time talking around the limitations of your products, sidestepping your customers’ concerns and embellishing your results, you save time for more productive work.

Invest time fulfilling customer needs instead of covering up or making excuses for shortfalls.

With all its benefits, transparency does have its pitfalls, however. It’s not easy to wear the white hat. Transparency requires you always take the high road, offering the whole truth even when it’s not positive. Being transparent means you are vigilant, always fact-checking to stay ahead of the controversy.

Transparency Highlights Your Flaws

You will likely receive push-back from industry peers and other leaders within your organization. However, maximize this pitfall by setting yourself apart from the competition. Using the tips above, build a positive corporate reputation, earn loyalty and establish market dominance.

Being transparent can also be a pitfall because it exposes your shortcomings. However, you can maximize this pitfall too. Consider the example of Airbnb and how they saved their reputation when accusations of discrimination arose. Note, it was transparency which opened them up to criticism, but it was also transparency which saved them. The transparent nature of their business allowed the home-sharing platform to undergo scrutiny from Harvard researchers. In 2015, Harvard released a report revealing travelers with “distinctively African-American names are 16 percent less likely to be accepted relative to identical guests with distinctively White names.” At the same time, social media lit up with negative experiences from African-American travelers, and numerous lawsuits were in the works.

Use Criticism as a Chance to Build Even More Trust

Instead of dodging the problem or becoming defensive, Airbnb proactively addressed it to build trust with transparency. Later, its CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky released a statement of apology, acknowledging the company was too slow responding to the issue. Then, Airbnb hired Laura Murphy, director of the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office to perform an audit. It ended up being 32 pages, outlining how Airbnb failed to prevent discrimination and measures to put in place to discourage discriminatory behavior. The company publicly launched a campaign of inclusion, climaxing with an ad during the 2017 Super Bowl. So, their quick reaction, willingness to hire an outside expert, and publish her findings gave the public the perception Airbnb was being transparent. Did it work? Well, last year Airbnb reported $2.6 billion in revenue and $93 million in profit.

In conclusion, building trust must be a priority in today’s competitive environment. Markets used to provide consumers with a handful of brands, and now have a global mix of hundreds of brands to choose from. Before making purchasing decisions, customers want to know who they can trust. Build a trustworthy reputation through transparency. Contact the team at Reputation Sciences, a reputation firm- to learn more about successfully managing your corporate reputation with their many online reputation services.

The post Why Companies Must Build Trust With Transparency appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

It’s clear that thinking strategically about what to share and not to share online is critical to maintaining security, as well as a reputable corporate and personal reputation.

Balance is needed to know what to share and what not to share online. Playing it safe and just staying off the virtual airways is not an option for today’s companies. By 2021, it’s estimated that 216 million people will use social media. That equals a huge potential for brands to reach their target markets. Developing your brand’s personality through social media and other online forums is critical to success.

There’s Power in Numbers

In a report from Sprout Social, researchers studied 289,000 public social media profiles and surveyed more than 1,000 consumers. Forty-eight percent said they preferred to buy from brands that were “responsive to their customers on social media.” Even more telling, 36 percent of respondents said they are more likely to buy from a brand that is viewed as humorous. Seventy-nine percent of Millennials and 84 percent of other generations said they like it when brands let their personalities shine on Facebook. Witty. Funny. Popular. Cool. These are all traits that are important for companies to develop through their social media marketing strategies, both the company’s accounts and the individual accounts of company leaders and employees.

However, sharing content that is “cool” is a slippery slope. You risk offending some of your audience or potentially leaking confidential information. The same survey found that 51 percent of respondents will “unfollow” a brand that does something they do not like. Twenty-seven percent will report them as spam, and another 27 percent will completely boycott the brand.

Clearly, the stakes are high when it comes to what is shared online. How can an effective corporate reputation management strategy help companies strike a balance?

How to Control the Conversation

The key to developing an attractive online personality for your brand is to control the conversation. Realize that you don’t need to share everything. Think carefully about what content will evoke emotion in your customers. Be honest and open, but don’t be an open book. Whether it’s your personal reputation or your brand’s, an executive’s job is to distill the data and crystallize the story. Even if you need to address something that could reflect negatively on the company, the conversation must be introduced by you in order to set the tone and minimize damage. Consider five tips for controlling the conversation, and how they apply to both social marketing campaigns and personal social feeds.

1. Move from communicating to conversing

It might seem like a contradiction to talk about controlling the conversation on social media. According to most experts, social media has put the customer in control of content. In fact, Forbes put it this way, “Thanks to social media, brand managers have lost the power to control the perception of their products.” Turn this tide by creating conversation, not simply communicating. Here’s what we mean.

Communicating would be posting a promotional video about a new product. Conversing would be prompting followers with a question, industry trend or eye-opening statistic that will open a conversation about your product. Better yet, have a brand ambassador open the conversation. Whether you are posting a photograph of a staff event, a promo about a new product or just an inspirational quote, ask yourself, “am I just communicating or am I starting a conversation?”

2. Be transparent

We live in an age of transparency. Operate under the assumption that nothing is secret. If you post something that is going to come across as hypocritical, you are going to be called out on it. Take Dove’s “Real Beauty” Campaign for example. Praised by many for starting a conversation about what defines true beauty, critics were quick to note that Unilever (Dove’s parent company) also sells skin-lightening cream, diet aids and cellulite cream. While these products were not secret, Dove came under some pretty stiff criticism, making their brand personality seem hypocritical. Hypocrisy can be seen in more than just product promos. Does your personal social media account reflect the mission and vision of your brand, or is it contradictory?

3. Stick to your core values

Most brands have more than one demographic they are trying to reach. Therefore, your messaging must stick to established core principles, not specific product details. Here are two great examples.

McDonald’s has a great business in India, operating 370 locations. In a country where beef is forbidden, McDonald’s maintains a strong reputation by sticking to its core value of providing affordable food, while catering to vegetarian diets.

Similarly, Cosmopolitan magazine is thriving in Islamic countries, nations where attitudes toward females and sex is vastly different. How does Cosmo maintain its reputation? Once again, they stick to their core values of fun and femininity, making the necessary local adjustments. How does this relate to what you post online? Before sharing anything, ask yourself, “Is this in line with my (or my brand’s) core values?

4. Don’t be afraid to start a debate

Let’s get back to the apparent hypocrisy of Dove’s campaign. How could they get ahead of the negative feedback? Address it head on. People love to give their opinion about a passionate topic. Give the perception of transparency by starting the debate yourself.

For example, Dove (or one of its ambassadors) could ask followers, “Do you think women can be confident in their appearance and still want to purchase products that improve it?” Phrase your question in a way that tries to reconcile the contradictory feelings. Even if there is no resolution, you’ve shown that your brand is transparent and you welcome the ideas of your customers, even if they are negative. Give your customers a voice. Empowerment is a core value of that campaign, and you’ve just leveraged it. In the same way, if you find your brand in the middle of a controversy, control the conversation by starting the debate. Ask followers what they think. How would they like the brand to resolve the issue?

5. Keep it visual

Check out this fun fact from the Content Marketing Institute. “Neuro-imagery shows that when evaluating brands, consumers primarily use emotions rather than factual information. This is as true for brand-created content as it is for traditional advertising spots and banners.” Dove’s success, in spite of some negative feedback, was largely due to its imagery. Real women in their underwear resonated with the majority of the female population. Customers love when brands are humanized. Show pictures of your staff in day-to-day activities, working hard and facing challenges.

However, these candid posts must also be shared with caution. For example, if your brand is targeted to average income Millennials, showing pictures of a lavish holiday party will not only not resonate, but might distance them from your brand. You’ll be viewed as out-of-touch.

Practical Applications

So, we’ve covered some general tips and how corporate brands applied (or didn’t apply) them. Let’s consider three scenarios that illustrate the pitfalls of oversharing and how these tips can help.

TMI Puts Your Reputation at Risk

Let’s consider John, an executive for a prominent non-profit agency that is working on relating to his donors on a personal level. He wants to humanize his brand by being more “real,” showing his followers he’s a real guy with real struggles who is working hard to make a difference. His firm is participating in an event that focuses on sustainable sourcing. In fact, they are sponsoring it, and he’s flying to New York City to represent them. He sees positive PR all around. He’s following the principle of “keep it visual.”

When Oversharing Doesn’t Seem Like Oversharing

But, he knows what to share and not to share online. No photos of receptions with free-flowing alcohol. Check. No photos of the fancy hotel that costs $400/night. Check. That would leave this waste-conscious group with a negative impression. John launches his journey by snapping a photo of his boarding pass to post on Instagram. John fails to realize how much data can be gleaned from his boarding pass. True, a cyber criminal could change or cancel his flight simply by having his e-ticket number and booking reference. However, a silly prank like that is the least of John’s worries.

Critics of John’s brand can access information to shed a negative light on his trip. How so? Passenger portals can often be accessed through the barcode on the boarding pass, giving easy access to payment information, the names of other people in the party and where you’ll be staying upon arrival. Barcode readers are cheap, and disgruntled investors or other organizations competing for John’s firm’s dollars can easily purchase them.

When Oversharing Breeds Professional Criticism

Armed with the data gathered from his boarding pass, John’s critics comment on his post. “Was it really necessary for the firm to send five employees to an event that costs $1000 a ticket?” “Thousands of dollars are being spent on just the accommodations for this group. Is that a wise use of donor funds?” “The event is only three days, why is your stay a full week, a vacation on donor dollars?” Without even realizing it, John has set off a firestorm of criticism about the use of funds, jeopardizing the firm’s reputation.

How can he repair it? Use the same principles. Be transparent. Keep it visual. Stick to the firm’s core values. John needs to make sure he monitors the account while his is actively posting. So, John sees these negative comments immediately. He can give a sound, transparent response. For example, “Yes. I decided to take a few days to meet with city leaders about sustainable sources within such a large city.” Or, “I decided to take a few extra days on my own dime.”

John must be truthful and proactive. Responding immediately puts John in control of the conversation, and will prevent more people from jumping on the bandwagon. After responding, John can leave it alone. In a sense, he has started a debate. John should let his followers talk it out. He can continue to closely monitor the responses, but he should let his advocates come to his defense.

TMI Can Have Legal Consequences

Sometimes we’re not victims of sabotage. We’re just victims of our own poor judgment, or that of others. Let’s talk about Jane now, a Millennial lawyer whose firm is representing a client in an age-discrimination suit against their former employer. As with most lawyers, Jane knows the importance of confidentiality. Part of the agreement included a confidentiality agreement, and she reminds her client not to talk about the terms.

Unfortunately, her client’s husband bragged about the settlement to his 600 Facebook friends, causing the employer to yank the majority of the settlement. The post wasn’t Jane’s fault. However, her firm appears to have lost the case.

Jane’s client and her husband learn a tough lesson about sharing too much, but Jane also learns that the online activity of others can affect her reputation. Companies must have an online policy in place. As a rule, do not post pictures of other people without their permission. Always ensure your posts stick to your core values. That is, your company’s and your individual values.

TMI Can Jeopardize Your Future Prospects

Michael had a rough week at work. His boss was highly critical of his project, and Michael feels unfairly judged. He vents through a long rant about his boss on social media. His boss doesn’t follow him, so Michael feels there is no risk. Still dissatisfied, he starts looking for a new job.

After an initial interview, his prospective employer Google’s Michael and finds his Facebook account. The post about his boss catches the prospective employer’s eye. Michael’s unprofessional manner does not impress the employer. He doesn’t bring him back in for a second interview.

Never talk about your current or future employer online. It just reflects poorly on your reputation. Don’t jeopardize your future prospects with distasteful posts. Avoid posting pictures of your big night out, or how drunk or high you got over the weekend. Definitely don’t mention how you called in sick to have an extended weekend. Employers want employees that are going to be an asset to the company’s reputation, not a liability. Ensure employees know the risk. Make social media training part of your onboarding process. Explain that their reputation reflects on the company’s reputation.

The team at Reputation Sciences is passionate about helping your company manage its online reputation. Is your company equipped to effectively manage negative reviews, press and feedback, replacing it with positive search results. Contact us to talk more about your corporate reputation management strategy.

The post Control the Conversation: Know What to Share and Not to Share Online appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

Our Reputation Team offers this free ORM toolbox to help you build the positive online image you deserve. 

Whether you’re seeking a job, raising a family or managing a business, how you look online matters.

Without strong online reputation management (ORM), your digital brand is at the mercy of an unpredictable online environment. This could potentially damage your image, reputation and even decrease potential revenue.

Fortunately, we’re going to help fill your ORM toolbox.  Here are key services that can help you build a better search engine presence and manage a stronger online brand.

Popular resources for your ORM Toolbox

Google Alerts

Google Alerts is an easy-to-use monitoring tool that emails you each time your name or business pops up on the web.

How to Use This Tool for ORM: Google Alerts can help track new mentions of yourself and your brand online.  This allows you to adapt your online reputation strategy and mitigate potential threats quickly.  

Google Analytics

The Google Analytics platform allows your business to analyze traffic through your website, monitor keyword performance and determine how your marketing efforts are driving user behavior.

How to Use This Tool for ORM: Google Analytics can provide the keyword and content analytics your brand needs to shore up search phrase weaknesses while strengthening keyword association and industry authority on the web.

ReviewTrackers

ReviewTrackers is designed to monitor your company’s online review presence while providing insights into customer feedback and behavior.

How to Use This Tool for ORM: Once you learn of new reviews through the ReviewTracker platform, your business and develop an appropriate response quickly—an effective way to mitigate the impact of negative commentary on your online brand.

IFTTT

IFTTT is a device/app connection service that can send automated alerts once your brand is mentioned online. 

How to Use This Tool for ORM: Real-time brand alerts give you the chance to craft and adapt your brand reputation strategy quickly.  This allows you to mitigate negative items and promote online positivity more effectively.

The Brand Grader

A free brand analysis tool, The Brand Grader offers a brief glimpse into your brand’s online presence.  It includes digital mentions and sentiment on social media platforms.

How to Use This Tool for ORM: Running your brand through The Brand Grader can reveal potential reputation threats and gaps your brand faces on social platforms.  Brand Grader also makes you aware of any customer engagement opportunities you may be missing.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a paid membership service that focuses solely on managing your social media presence and boosting user engagement.

How to Use This Tool for ORM: Hootsuite tracks mentions of your business on social media platforms and schedules posts. This gives you the opportunity to steer the conversation and control your social media reputation.

SEMrush

Built to optimize your paid digital marketing potential, SEMrush offers keyword and marketing performance, monitoring and analytics solutions.

How this fits into your ORM toolbox: Using metrics and analytics provided by SEMrush, it allows you to better manage and improve your performance for important industry search terms while strengthening outreach and brand authority.

Google Keyword Planner

The Google Keyword Planner is useful for locating, researching and analyzing search phrases to include in your new or existing ORM campaign.

How this fits into your ORM toolbox: Google’s Keyword Planner can be used to identify keyword opportunities. It can help you map out content strategies to build a stronger online reputation management strategy for your brand.

Bing Webmaster Tools

The Bing Webmaster platform provides your business the opportunity to create alerts, analyze site traffic and track performance in Bing search results.

How this fits into your ORM toolbox: Bings Webmaster Tools provide the insight needed to master brand presence and search engine results pages (SERPs).

GT Metrix

GT Metrix offers insight into how your website’s speed and performance, as well as recommendations for improvement.

How this fits into your ORM toolbox:  Insights into the customer-website interaction can be used to improve the user experience.  This can cultivate a more positive brand association and grow your bottom line.

LSI Graph

LSI Graph works to locate secondary keywords to help optimize your brand’s content and performance online.

How this fits into your ORM toolbox: LSI Graph can be used to identify and capitalize on industry-related search terms you may be missing out on.  Those which can improve brand performance and deliver a powerful competitive edge in key market areas.

InfoSweep

In today’s digital world, online privacy protection is a smart move to protect yourself and your family. InfoSweep is an affordable online privacy monitoring service. InfoSweep makes it easy to locate private information online and gives you the power to have it removed. With InfoSweep, you can set it and forget it.

How to Use This Tool for ORM: 24/7 brand monitoring makes you aware of online mentions as soon as they happen. It can be used to develop strategies, responses and actions to mitigate problems before they become online nightmares for you and your business.

Professional Online Reputation Management

When it comes to managing your online reputation, you have endless options to choose from. If you’re serious about building the ultimate ORM toolbox—and carving out the stronger online presence your brand needs to thrive—it’s time to consider professional online reputation management.

As leaders in ORM solutions, we offer your brand everything it needs to be is best on the web. Our award-winning internet reputation services include:

• Individual reputation management that suppresses online negativity, restores visibility and helps to promote a more positive online image.
• Business reputation management solutions that work to heighten search engine rankings, strengthen brand authority and improve your brand’s digital reach.
• Business review management that helps you better manage, control and improve your brand’s online conversation.

When you choose Reputation Sciences to manage your digital brand, you’re getting the expert advice, support, services and technology you need to elevate your online profile to an all-new level.

To schedule an appointment, call us today at 844-458-6735.

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