Is image more important than reputation in business ?

Question

I run a small building company in the south of England. I have a very good reputation and I am a member of the Guild of Master craftsman & Federation of Master Builders. My problem is the fact that I have an old transit van "L" reg. Should i purchase a newer van so that it improves my image or should dose this matter , the van is well looked after but would new clients think that having such an old van would not look good parked outside there homes ?

Answer 1

If you already have a good reputation, the van shouldn't matter. The image isn't about the van..it's about YOU. Do YOU project a professional image of yourself as well as your reputation? If no one's really complained about your van...then why bother? However..if it looks really run down and such..then perhaps a new van would be a good idea..but if it's well looked after and doesn't look beat up with paint chipping off...I wouldn't worry about it.
Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi Simjam

Just a couple of words for you "First impressions Last" I work in management consultancy and Executive Search. Picture the scenario - I walk into a city based client wearing a matalan suit with dirty shoes.... I can assure you that I might have the best pitch in the world but body language and overall presentation count for 60% of peoples perceptions of you.

When I work with contractors and companies I look for a good strong proffesional presentation.

So..Whether you are recruiting exectutives or building extensions it makes no odds.......Image is everything and you will be judged accordingly.... A final thought.....How frustrating would it be to loose business to a competitor with bad service, a lack lustre reputation for the sake of his shiny new sign written van -

I am not saying for a moment that should you get a new Van you will see a massive improvement in business overnight but I can assure you that if you have the whole package right in term of your presentation and quotation skills to the customer you will win more than you loose.

Good luck matey I wish you well

Si

Answer 3

What yoju need is a combination of image and recognition. Having an old van like that may give off the image that you are notsuccessful enough to purchase a new one. But what you should probably do is purchase a different one(maybe used) that is more up to date but doesnt intimidate your customers into thinking you have alot of money. But if your customers are aware of your reputation, they will not care what vehicle you show up in as long as your service is top notch.

Answer 4

I think a good reputation certainly is better than a good image. However, if your van looks like it's 5 days away from the junk yard, it certainly doesn't present your business as being successful now does it? A successful business can afford to have good equipment. You don't have to buy a Mercedes van-just something that looks presentable and that should do the trick.

Answer 5

Reputation is most important. People are buying your service, not your image. If you do a bad job, they won't employ you because you have a nice motor.

Most people expect builders to turn up with a work-horse van. However, if you tend to go more upmarket then a good image (new van) will impress, however your work will keep returning customers.

Answer 6

I would say that reputation is probably more important. The job that you do must be done well and this in turn will give you more business as word gets around. You will then be able to afford a new van.

Answer 7

Reputation is everything. Getting that right is the most critical. A van that looks shoddy may make people think your work is shoddy, but a brand bew van may make you look overpriced. How about getting something a 2-4 years old, which is a good compromise.

Answer 8

A balance of both but ultimately it is the quality of your work and not the age and condition of your van that will lead to repeat business. If things are going well invest in a newer van but nothing too flashy.

Answer 9

Image helps a lot with companies these days, buy upgrading your van to something newer then you will most likely benefit from word of mouth of your clients.

Answer 10

HaHAHA sure acceptance is quite important ! If agencies are being given a bad call and/or being advised to the pubolic that there keep is undesirable or un-higenic or something like that, they gets a bad acceptance. No-one will want to keep there and the enterprise will pass down-hill from there. The media performs a large section in a shops acceptance. for shops like wall-mart needing or needing a extra effective acceptance, they could get in touch with the media climate or no longer that is on upload comersials or merchandising specials interior the newspaper or cataloge.. wish this facilitates!