Whether you like it or not, transparency in business is here and it’s not going away any time soon. Instead of shying away from it, you should embrace it.
Transparency is about being honest, open, accountable and responsible. It’s about making your business more personal. Customers are looking to make a connection with your brand and by being transparent, you are forging that connection.
There are a few ways you can make your business more transparent.
1. Honesty – don’t hold back any pertinent information that is important for your customer to know.
2. Community – know your audience and be involved every step of the way, on a local level or otherwise
3. Straight Talker – be confident in what you know and shout it from the rooftops, but don’t say what you don’t know. Don’t be a fake.
4. Responsiveness – connect with your consumers and follow up with them.
5. Point of view – think about the opinion you offer before you offer it. Think about any ramifications that can come from sharing your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook or otherwise.
There’s an article in the LA Times that shows how transparent pricing in the wine industry is becoming, thanks to Wine-Searcher.com. Wine-searcher.com levels the wine industry playing field
There’s another article in Wines & Vines, Winemaker Talks, Consumers Buy, which shows the positive effect a winemaker’s transparency with consumers can have.
The point is simple – be a window, not a wall.
Cheers!
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