Access2

Positive reputations and the simple rules that build them

Every so often a high-profile figure is exposed in the media. It turns out they’re not living the life they’ve projected and within hours, a reputation they’ve spent years building crashes to the ground. It’s shown to be a hollow façade, and the truth behind it isn’t nearly so pretty.

It happens in business too. We could all name a few big names who had a sterling reputation but nothing to support it. And that’s the thing about a reputation – it isn’t necessarily a reflection of the underlying truth – it’s dependent upon how your organisation is perceived. That perception matters across every part of your operation. Some organisations with excellent products and efficient service can struggle to build a positive reputation because they’re seen as cold and impersonal.

The benefits of a positive reputation

Despite the difficulties, it’s easy to see the benefits of a good reputation. It attracts better people to work within the organisation. It builds loyalty and because it’s grounded in trust, customers often extend their purchasing activities – if the supplier has excelled in one area, they’re highly likely to perform well in another. Reputation is also a powerful motivator. Wouldn’t we all choose to work for an organisation that we can trust and that others respect?

Building a positive reputation often takes time and it’s a balancing act. Because it’s based on getting everything right – product, brand, service, price, people, quality – each aspect must be viewed positively by both the market and by the customer base. Once a good reputation is established, protecting it becomes paramount. With poor management decision making, this can sometimes lead to companies becoming overly risk-averse, limiting their future development, or worse, in some of the scandals we’ve seen, lead to fraudulent practice.

The simple rules

If we go back to basics, our reputation is always – ultimately – based upon how we treat others. And that thread runs through the Access2 approach. The old adage “say what you do and do what you say” is more valid today than ever. We could sum it up as: do the right thing, do it consistently and have respect for all your stakeholders. Adding a bit of detail to the summary we advocate the following:

–      Deliver. If you say you are going to do something, stick to it.

–      Exceed expectations. Don’t start low and then better it. Promise high and go beyond.

–      Recognise others. When you’ve been supported, give thanks. When you can offer support, offer it without expecting anything in return.

–      Demonstrate professional competence. Contribute to the industry in which you operate.

–      Be a community: your team, your neighbours, your suppliers, your customers. Value each other.

–      Respect what you do, present yourself and your business well. Be clear about your purpose, your responsibilities and your ambitions.

Building a positive reputation can take time, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. When reputations fall apart, when scandals are revealed and once-mighty business giants start on the slippery slope of exploiting the loyalty of those who have supported them, it’s because trust has been betrayed and integrity sacrificed. If you want a positive reputation – be trustworthy. Act with integrity. The positive reputation will follow.

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Photograph of a Certificate of Registration issued by Alcumus ISOQAR - confirming that Access 2 has passed their ISO 9001 audit.

Access2 Passes ISO 9001 with flying colours – Because quality isn’t just a checkbox

At Access2, quality has never been an afterthought, it’s embedded in everything we do. That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’ve once again passed our ISO 9001 audit and while it’s not our first time, it never loses significance. ISO 9001 is the globally recognised gold standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It’s about more than ticking compliance boxes it’s about building smarter, stronger processes that deliver consistent, reliable results to our customers. For Lesley Rhodes, Head of Policy & Process, ISO 9001 is close to the heart.  “We don’t do it for the certificate on the wall. We do it because it challenges us to always be better and that benefits our customers, our people, and the future of Access2.” Why it matters: The whole management team is involved — this isn’t a solo effort. It’s part of our everyday operations — not a once-a-year scramble. We use the audit process as a chance to pause, reflect, and find improvements. Whether it’s refining our product quality, streamlining customer service, or sharpening our decision-making with data, ISO 9001 gives us the tools to lead, not follow. The Power of Process From mechanical security to access control, our clients rely on us to get it right, every time. And with ISO 9001, we’re not just saying we deliver quality, we’re proving it through a tried, tested and internationally recognised system.   In an industry where details matter, we’re proud to show our commitment to constant improvement, customer satisfaction, and doing things properly.   Here’s to raising the bar and then raising it again next year.

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