Trust: The Foundation of Great Business and Personal Relationships
This year is the 31st year of E-Z Test Pool Supplies Inc. As Dave and I look back over the years a lot has changed. When we started in 1989, invoices were handwritten and items were paid with either cash check or some credit card. We have gone from paper to computers, to laptops, to iPads, to iPhones. From cash and check to credit cards, Pay Pal, Amazon Pay, Venmo, and more. Wow, all that in 31 years!
Over the last few years, increasingly, fiberglass pools have become more popular with our customer base. We have seen a shift from vinyl liner inground pools to fiberglass pools. Products change and technologies change, but the principle of “Trust” remains timeless. Many customers make purchasing decisions on price, quality, and design as well as numerous other factors that influence their decision. I would consider these all important. However, the one variable which trumps them in importance is “Trust”. Trust defined by our good friend Merriam-Webster:
Trust- “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something”
When we make large purchases, we should ask ourselves the following questions:
- Do you trust the vendor or in this case, the company installing or servicing your pool?
- Do you trust that they will do right by you, their customer?
- What is their record of trust?
These are tough questions when making a large purchasing decision that will impact our families for many years. These questions need answers. Large purchasing decisions are often emotional. Sometimes we lose focus because our emotions take over in the purchasing decision. Remember, the key takeaway that trust is the foundation of all good long-term relationships.
