Bulletin for August 22, 2023

Michael Cook, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Louisiana

Thanks to member George Messina for catering this week’s networking event at Rooftop on Basin.

At this week’s meeting, Michael Cook, President and CEO of BBB serving Southeast Louisiana, spoke to the GNOEA membership about five things to know about the Better Business Bureau.

5 Things to Know about Better Business Bureau:

 1.  BBB is about Trust. Having high trust is like a dividend and low trust is like a tax. Trust increases speed of transaction and lowers the cost of doing business. The BBB helps people find businesses and charities they can trust. Trust is the main function of the BBB, and with it consumers and businesses alike are more likely to (1) engage a business as a new customer, (2) spend more for quality (higher margins) , (3) buy additional products and services, and (4) refer others.

2.  BBB is Unique. The BBB is standards-based with unbiased, factual and objective information including:  business reviews, complaint details and customer reviews.

3.  BBB is Relevant. The BBB is a place customers where consumers look:

–  Over 20 million inquiries per month

–  Top 500 most visited websites

–  77% consumers are familiar with BBB

–  80% prefer business with “Accredited Business” (AB) recognition

–  Reviews and Ratings are free

4.  Who is BBB? The BBB was founded in 1912 when false advertising was making it difficult for consumers to  understand what they were getting in the way of products and services. The BBB started focusing on ethical business practices with a growing population desiring less government intervention. The BBB is a Federated System (Board and Service Area). The New Orleans chapter was founded in 1933.

5.  BBB is FREE. (1) Go to website, www.bbb.org. (2) Find your company: If there is no listing, build a profile. Or if it is listed, look at the information and see if it is accurate. (3) Ask customers to submit reviews as well as submit your own reviews for businesses you use. (4) Contact BBB if there is a complaint/dispute to utilize two services offered by the BBB: arbitration and dispute resolution. (5) Consider supporting BBB in your community and become an AB (Accredited Business).