建立及維持信用的秘訣

By:Rick Boxx

兩位教授最近研究創投企業以決定公司發展並維持信用的最佳策略。華爾街日報的一篇文章把他們的研究摘要為四項：
個人信用 公司的專業能力 過去的業績 強調並建立關係我想談談這每一項，並提出聖經對每一項的原則。那兩位研究者發現建立「個人信用」的兩個重要因素：表達你個人的能力並你對這事業的委身。投資人和潛在客戶想知道你是否有能力把那工作做好，以及當有困難時（困難總是會發生），你委身的程度。

所羅門王在傳道書10章10節教導：「鐵器鈍了，若不將刃磨快，就必多費氣力；但得智慧指教，便有益處。」若你要商場上的朋友信任你，你一定要讓他們了解你的技術程度和委身程度。要讓你的斧頭保持鋒利，而且要不屈不撓。

那兩位教授認為建立公司信用的第二個要素是「公司的專業能力」。你們的環境和對細節注意的程度就展現出你們是怎樣的企業。在觀察過幾千家企業後，我看到企業的設備排列整齊與企業管理的好壞有關聯性。若你把你已擁有的處理得很好，你比較可能在以後擁有更多時得到更多福份。

耶穌在講才幹的比喻時，教導了我們智慧管家的原則：「好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理」（馬太福音25章21節）。注重細節不會花太多精神，但會帶來可觀的利益。

根據那兩位教授的研究，企業信用的第三個要素是公司「過去的業績」。許多年輕的公司努力掙扎，要贏得客戶或投資人給他們一個機會，直到他們能達到可觀的成就。在企業專業的領域裡，尋求成功並說出那些成功，在建立長期信用上是非常重要的。

要這麼做的最佳方式是建立一個見證的檔案夾，並上傳到你們公司的網站，或請見證人親自說。箴言27章2節教導我們：「要別人誇獎你，不可用口自誇；等外人稱讚你，不可用嘴自稱。」要提高你的商譽，可請客戶做見證來傳達你們的能力。

建立企業信用的最後一個要點是「強調並建立關係」。你可以透過別人的信用提高你公司的商譽。幾年前我與一個介紹幾千個顧客給我們公司的機構建立關係，因為那些客戶是由一個被信賴的機構介紹來的，我們的商譽就提高了。

摩西在出埃及計33章16節問上帝說：「人在何事上得以知道我和你的百姓在你眼前蒙恩呢﹖豈不是因你與我們同去、使我和你的百姓與地上的萬民有分別嗎﹖」上帝的聲望是最高的，但與其他值得信賴的夥伴建立關係也有很大的價值。

本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自「瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。想要更多了解正直資源中心或想要收到電子文件的「瑞克每天的正直時刻Rick”s daily Integrity Moments」系列文章，請上網www.integrityresource.org

思想 / 討論題目
當你想要評估你要合作之公司或機構的信用時，你會考慮什麼特質？ 那兩位教授認為發展企業信用的四個策略中，你認為哪一項最重要？為什麼？ 對於你的信用－－不論是你個人或公司－－你是否努力傳達出你的能力和你願意委身的程度？若是，你用什麼方式傳達？你認為以什麼方式開始會更有效？ 透過與別人的關係你可以如何提高你們公司的信用？有人建議你也可用屬靈的信心－－你與上帝的關係－－去提高你公司的信用。你同意嗎？為什麼？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言101章9節，11章3節，15章33節，20章14節，29章4節；腓立比書2章28-30節；提摩太前書3章1-10節；約翰三書12節

KEYS FOR BUILDING, MAINTAINING CREDIBILITY

By: Rick Boxx

Two professors recently studied entrepreneurial ventures to determine the best strategies for developing and maintaining trust with outsiders. A Wall Street Journal article summarized their research into four categories:
Personal Credibility The Company’s Professionalism The Track Record, and Emphasizing and Building TiesI would like to look briefly at each of these and suggest a biblical principle that undergirds it. The researchers discovered two critical factors in building “personal credibility”: communicating your personal capabilities and conveying your commitment to the business. Investors and potential customers want to know if you have the skill to get the job done, along with the strength of commitment when times get difficult, as they always do.

King Solomon taught in Ecclesiastes 10:10, "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success." If you want business associates to trust you, make sure they understand the extent of your skills and the depth of your commitment. Keep your ax sharpened, and be prepared to persevere.

The second of the four factors the two professors identified as being critical for organizational credibility was the “company’s professionalism.” Your surroundings and attention to detail say much about your business. In observing thousands of businesses, I have seen a correlation between an orderly facility and how well the organization is managed. If you do well with what you have, you are more likely to be blessed later with more.

In His parable of the talents, Jesus taught the principle of wise stewardship: "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." Paying attention to details does not cost much more, but pays substantial dividends (Matthew 25:21).

The third element for organizational credibility, according to the professors” research, is the company”s "track record." Many young organizations struggle in getting customers or investors to give them an opportunity until they can point to significant accomplishments. Looking for victories in the organization”s area of expertise and communicating those successes are critical to building long-term credibility.

One of the best ways to do this is building a file of testimonials and communicating them on your website or in person. Proverbs 27:2 teaches, "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips." To enhance your reputation, ask customers for testimonies and use them to convey your capabilities.

The last of the four critical focal points for building an organization’s credibility is "emphasizing and building ties." You can enhance the reputation of your organization through the credibility of others. Years ago I built a relationship with an organization that has referred thousands to us. Our reputation was enhanced because these callers were referred by a trusted source.

Moses asked God in Exodus 33:16, "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" God’s reputation is the best, but relationships with other trustworthy partners also have great value.

Copyright 2010, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
When you think about evaluating the credibility of companies or organizations that you work with, what qualities come to mind? Do any of the four strategies identified by the professors for developing credibility seem to stand out to you in particular as being most important? If so, which one – and why? In terms of your credibility – whether as an individual or in terms of your company overall – do you consciously strive to communicate your capabilities and the level of your commitment? If so, in what ways? Can you think of any ways that you could begin doing this more effectively? How do you think your credibility can be enhanced through your relationships with others? It is suggested that spiritual faith – one”s relationship with God – can be a part of this. Do you agree? Why or why not? NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 10:9, 11:3, 15:33, 20:14, 29:4; Philippians 2:28-30; 1 Timothy 3:1-10; 3 John 12