The president of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week every year since 1963 to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America. This year, May 16-20, 2011, has been designated as National Small Business Week, where politicians, entrepreneurs and small business leaders across the country will celebrate and honor the 27.2 million small businesses that strengthen our economy.
As part of National Small Business Week, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) would like to spotlight the following eight principles as the best business practices that we recommend and require of all businesses in order to qualify for BBB accreditation.
More specifically, the principles are what we expect to see actively exemplified by a business that we would consider trustworthy, otherwise known as the BBB Standards for Trust.
All BBB-accredited businesses affirm that they will meet and abide by the following standards:
- Build trust: Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.
- Advertise honestly: Adhere to established BBB Code of Advertising principles.
- Tell the truth: Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.
- Be transparent: Openly identify the nature, location and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.
- Honor promises: Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations.
-Be responsive: Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally and in good faith.
- Safeguard privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information.
- Embody integrity: Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.
Does your business practice these principles? If so, BBB invites you to apply for BBB Accreditation as a way to distinguish yourself and inform your current or desired customers that you are trustworthy.
In addition, BBB is committed to informing consumers about the trustworthiness of local businesses (accredited or not), so we encourage you to confirm that we have updated information about your business by checking out your current BBB Business Review listing here: www.centraltx.bbb.org/find-business-reviews.
Be sure to also check out the local BBB business training events and webinars available to you during National Small Business Week – May 16-20, 2011 – at www.centraltx.bbb.org/events-calendar. We hope to see you there!
BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB is the preeminent resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses and charities.
Contact BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas at 512-445-4748.
