This week’s focus point –

Honesty. Integrity. Trust.

Yesterday, my wife Barb and I stopped after church at our local Starbucks to grab a mocha and relax. After coming out to the car, I noticed the rear passenger tire was really low. I mean really low. Fortunately, we were next door to a Wal-Mart that has a tire store. We went in and the tire guy found that there was a slow leak caused by a puncture. He was honest and said he didn’t know if it was repairable, but would know more after looking at it closer. We left instructions that if it could be repaired, great ($10), but if not go ahead and put on a new tire that we picked out ($100). When we checked back an hour later, we found out the tire indeed was repairable and the total cost for us was $10.

That’s the way it’s supposed to work, but doesn’t always. They tire place could have easily told me it needed to be replaced and charged me ten times the amount, and I’d have been none the wiser. In fact, they led me to believe that this would be the case, so I was resigned to it already! Being honest as they were is good business.

We have opportunities every day to exert honesty and integrity to increase trust. Sometimes they are small things, and sometimes they are big. You know when you’ve done the right thing, and your clients, prospects, and associates will, too. Spend some time reading the Wall Street Journal and NY Times and you will see business isn’t always conducted with honesty, integrity, and trust. Keep doing what you do and you will always rise above your competition.

This week’s quote –“Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? “
– The Rotary 4-Way Test as created by founder Paul Harris and friends