A few days ago, I received a WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number. The message hinted at an interest in a unique service offered by my organisation, and they wondered when I'd be free for a chat. Given the foreign code, we agreed to converse at 1 p.m. WAT the following day.
The next day, we got on a call to discuss what their issues were. The family has a business rooted in Nigeria but almost all of them have relocated.
What they needed to do was something I could do. And in the course of it, I became curious to know how this person got my number or came to know about my services. Was it from Google? Or my website?
It turned out that it was a referral from a client I had worked with earlier this year. She was so excited about not only the excellent service that she received but the level of integrity that went with it.
You see, apart from that she was happy with my service, something had happened in the course of my getting the job done.
Her company paid me twice erroneously and I did not even realise because I did not receive an alert for the second transaction.
My client was out of the country and had instructed her accountant to pay me. And then, she went ahead and paid by herself again for reasons I cannot tell.
Later, it was discovered that both transactions had gone through. She reached out to me, and I had to take the trouble to get my bank statement covering that period and behold, she was right. Her organisation had paid me twice.
Without any further ado, I quickly made a refund to her as soon as this was confirmed from my bank account.
I didn’t realise how much this meant to her as she did not even mention it to me. But she told others.
And when someone in her contact wanted a service, she thought I could offer, she was very eager to do a referral to me. So here I am, sealing a deal with a new client from a referral, and I am so happy about it.
Can’t wait for them to book my flight to get this done. You know I like travelling, right? Yes, I do!
When I was done with the call with this prospective client who had been introduced to me, I asked myself what would have happened if I had not refunded the money to the other client.
I also began to wonder how many businesses must have lost referrals just because of the lack of integrity.
I don’t know about you, but one thing that can put me off very easily from doing business with anyone (apart from a lack of skills and excellence) is a lack of integrity.
I’m glad that my clients know about the level of integrity we bring to the game at Pezu Smith Consulting. It shows in everything we do.
And now, I’ll ask you.
What are your clients saying or revealing about you behind your back?
From the way you carry out your business, can they confidently refer others to use your services without you prodding and pleading and requesting them to do so?
I urge you today. Add integrity to the skills and knowledge you have. It pays. It actually does!
Have a blessed week and a happy new month, my people!
The picture below is me flashing you a smile to start the week on a good note and do the right thing.
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