Reputation is when customers return for more and credit me. This is my potential!

I am my reputation....I am the one who decide whether it is intact or neglected... My reputation is when I look my self in the mirror being authentic about my values, my reasons, my actions, the passion and the purpose of what I represent and what I do....

My reputation build on my ability to deliver what I promise...nothing more. As soon as I start giving promises for which I can not deliver or held accountable for I take a big risk in hurting my reputation, my goodwill and the ability to keep customers in returning for working with me again.

So I have a thumb of rule, that I keep as a reminder for myself when I get carried away by my emotions or get so excited that I loose perspective and sensible reasoning.

"Underpromise and Overdeliver

For me the ability to deliver on my promise is everything. Rather walk away from an opportunity than "fake it till you make it" as you might risk it will blow up in your face...maybe not first, or second time...but the time when your judgement is blinded by your greed, ignorance or god complex....

Do I have a flawless reputation?.....No I dont. Though as a human being, I make mistakes, make bad judgement calls that I know could have been better...Though I learn. I learn from the fact that I want to bring the best of my personal and professional sides into bringing value and success to other people, organisations and businesses...I dont always succeed, though I work hard with making it so every day....How?

• I ask for feedback
• I am sincere and as transparent about my goal, agenda and purpose as possible.
• I admit mistakes when I make them and do my best to resolve them, so I and my customers move on with the knowledge that it was for the purpose of excellence, and in the doing there is always a risk for making mistakes.
• Flexible to find other and new ways to meet my customers how we together can resolve things and continue in partnership and make success happen.
• I even give a discount or money back when I feel that I have overrated myself and my competencies and promised to much....
• I have the dialogue with customers and partners on how we can get back on track and how that road map need to look like in order to reach the goal we both and mutually want to achieve.
• I correct my behaviour and change my course of actions. I pay attention to my motivation and incentives of why I do as I do, and how I can change it into more value for you as well as value for my self.

Why I build my reputation.....? Communication my Value creation
My reputation is what make me different from my colleagues and competitors. My reputation is part of my storytelling to the marketplace about who I am, what I am capable of, what I do and can do, especially in regard to my value.

I am transparent with my story...I admit and tell about my mistakes, defeats, errors and my wins, successes and impact on people and organisations. I do this because somewhere in my story you will be recognized, you will find parallels to your life and career and you become confirmed that you are ok also....

This way I am creating the space for an "Aha" the moment of positive surprise or excitement because I under promised and underplayed my position to make you the important one in or relation, in our contact and in you expecting value by using your time with me...either as a coach, trainer, advisor, leader or as a close friend and colleague.

Let me explain this by showing you this model by Pink Mango

The word of mouth from my customers will reflect the value creation that they experience I have contributed with to them from working with me in my before mentioned roles. The more I am aware of these 3 areas in my work with clients and customers the more I also bring focus on you...you in the sense that I care about your outcome and the impact I create from what we have agreed to be the focus, the content and the process.

I collect testimonials...you will see them on my profile. I do this with a clear intent...to communicate the diversity of personal, social and practical value. My work is tailor made, solutions made specifically for a target audience, client or organisation. For this there will be as you will read hundreds of different experiences of value contribution and outcome....all pointing back at me.

So ask yourself in your work and in your professional capacity...where and how do I create value?

My secret for success with my clients and customers....client centered solutions, processes and value propositions...I am interested as to be interesting...My mantra alongside with under promise and overdeliver.

• Together we define the Why - Purpose
• Together we define and set the frame for process, roles and responsibilities
• Together we define the outcome in order to measure the value contribution and impact

The more you are in the center of my attention, my listening and I exploring your needs, pains and challenges in order to reframe and find solutions and keys to unlock them, the more you will experience value, even before we have started the actual delivery or execution.... This intangible asset is unique, its mine not yours...though when you find your way of assets, personal and professional features and competences then you will build a uniqueness.... Who will best deliver personal, social and practical value to you and your organisation.... So a carpenter is not just a carpenter, a IT-architect not just an IT -architect....they are all different...some great and some really bad....How will you find out....by reputation and through references / testimonials be able to contact my clients to find out what is unique about me and what will that mean to you....?

 The Copycat play and angry minds destroy 

This why you can not copy reputation...and this is why when you want to find the right vendor for you....then product and solution is one thing, yet another is who will actually serve your values and how will they go about it....?

In my profession as a trainer, coach, consultant and advisor the marketplace is so cluttered that anyone can claim their uniqueness without even having one...at least not in this area...it happens all the time, every day and it makes me angry...untill I say to myself: "Christian, no matter how much crap there is out there, you will always win, because in the end of the day, you can document your reputation, not only once, but over 10 years....."

My reputation is my backbone and my potential is my opportunity

My returning customers have bought my services and solutions more than ones...they now trust me, they know and understand my backbone, my core competencies and expertise....and by knowing this they also feel safe to explore my potential...so what else is "Christian Dinesen" able to bring me...bring us in our company?

When first we have established trust the return business starts to happened...this is when I have showcased my potential, my uniqueness and my ability to deliver the continous high level of quality and outcome as agreed....and now the magic happens....my customers and clients start talking with stakeholders, network and trusted relations about how great this was and how much the have gout out of working with me...

This when reputation is thumbs up and the potential is exposed to more new and return business and forthcoming success...

So some final questions for reflection....:

• How is your reputation, either as an independent business person or as a manager, leader or executive of a large company....?
• What will be important for you in order to reflect on and work with your reputation?
• How will you know whether your reputation is postive, negative, strong or weak?
• When will you do something about it.....and what will a strong reputation bring to you?
• What potential will a strong reputation give you?

I wish you all best with building your reputation for present and future success!

About Christian Dinesen

As an Executive Coach, Trusted Advisor, L&OD Performance Trainer and Head of Institute at The Danish Institute of Coaching, Christian Dinesen have worked with leading global organisations in the private and public sector since 2002. 

He bring you an extensive international business acumen and leadership experience in which he with passion is developing and strengthening Performance Leadership and Operational Excellence in international environments. He is driving, developing and strengthening People, Talent and Executive Development and Performance. His strong L&OD and Leadership Toolbox combined with a solid international business acumen from living and working in various countries.