Reviews and Your Own Reputation
We all have those moments when we would love to rant about a bad experience we had at a place of business. Whether it is in person or online, a store, the bank, a job interview or a product we bought, we are full of opinions and what we feel has fallen short of our expectations.
But wait a minute…have you thought about what your reviews say about you?
In a small company that doesn’t have a lot of reviews, your opinion could really carry some weight. That’s kind of an awesome responsibility. These small companies are not big corporations with huge budgets to counteract your negative reviews with tons of advertising or a PR firm. They represent a small group of people trying to serve the needs of their community. Even if it is a big corporation with lots of resources to protect their reputation, are you leaving reviews for the right reason? Are you trying to inform and help other consumers or are you just seeking some revenge?
Now that doesn’t mean you should ignore poor service or faulty products, but make sure your reviews are accurate and fair!
Did you give the company the opportunity to make the situation right? Are you angry with the interaction to the point where you are exaggerating the situation to make a point? Were your expectations realistic under the circumstances? Read the other reviews that are already there. Did others have a good experience? Why do you think your experience was different? Are there already several bad reviews there? If so, then what purpose do you think your review will serve?
When I look at reviews for products or services that I am considering, I look at the good reviews first. I am looking for specific details about their experience, not general platitudes. That way, I feel that the reviews are probably genuine. When I look at the negative reviews, I do the same, but I also look at the reviewer’s other reviews to see their tone overall. If the majority of their comments are negative on all their reviews, I have to wonder. What is the common denominator in their negative outcomes? It appears to be them! Do they ever have a good experience? Do they ever write good reviews? Or do they only care about being able to spout off when they are angry?
In these interesting times, we all have the ability to publish and be heard
But with these public forums and the opportunity to write reviews comes a responsibility to be as honest and objective as possible. At their best, reviews are supposed to help people make better purchasing decisions and give companies opportunity to improve through honest feedback. And although there are times when your reviews perform a service by informing consumers of your bad experience, make sure you have given honest, productive feedback and not just your latest rant!
When you find the right people for your company, don’t forget to do your due diligence
Use a professional CRA (Consumer Reporting Agency) for your background screening. An experienced CRA will save you time and money while staying in compliance. They will go through all the gathered information and verify that it is accurate.
For a free consultation or more information, contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866 944-0041 ext 101. Online, you can email or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com. You can sign up to be emailed whenever we post a new blog at https://genesisbackgroundscreening.com/blog/
Genesis Background Screening is not a law firm and provides our blogs for informational purposes only. Blog is not a substitute for experienced legal advice. Research laws or regulations mentioned in our blogs. Ask your legal counsel any questions you have to be sure your organization is within the law and compliant with regulations.
Jacqueline McClure
Genesis Background Screening Services
