Building Trust: Insights and perspectives from our CEO

When we set out to celebrate our 40th anniversary, there was one key message we wanted to deliver: Trust still matters. A lot has changed since 1983; in fact, a lot has changed since this time last year. But some things have – and should always – remain constant.

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Customer experiences can make or break a business. Good experiences build loyalty, lead to repeat revenue, and generate positive word-of-mouth. Bad experiences, on the other hand, create unhappy customers who take their business elsewhere and share their disappointment with friends, family, and anyone else who will listen.

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO 

Unscrupulous people have been trying to swindle money from others for thousands of years. In fact, the earliest recorded case of insurance fraud dates back to 300 BC (yes, BC). Two Greek sea merchants took out an insurance policy on their ship and cargo. They tried to sink the ship, so they could keep the loaned money – but they got caught in the act. One drowned in an attempt to escape, and the other stood trial in an Athenian court. 

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO 

Hearken back to the late 1990s. A new technology was emerging – one that would eventually change the way we communicate, shop, and conduct business. Everyone was talking about the internet, but no one really knew what to do with it. There were no rules or standards for creating and using websites. We saw a dot-com bubble and then experienced a crash. But as the internet became more ubiquitous, things settled down, people grew more comfortable, and we learned how the internet and ethics could live together in harmony.

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO

A business’s reputation can be an asset or a hinderance to growth. A positive reputation attracts customers and employees, generates loyalty and repeat business, and differentiates a company from the competition. On the other hand, a negative reputation makes people leery of doing business with an organization – which could lead to the death of the company. 

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO 

People now expect businesses to be more engaged with society than ever before. According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, 63% of those surveyed will buy or advocate for brands that share their beliefs and values. But it’s not just consumers who look for socially responsible companies. The survey also uncovered that 69% of people believe a prospective employer’s ability to impact society can make or break their decision to accept a job.  

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO 

Wyoming’s fourth annual statewide giving day will take place on July 12, 2023. The number of participating nonprofits, donors, and gifts have grown over the last three years, and according to WyoGives, more than $6 million has been raised for Wyoming nonprofits. The donations given on WyoGives Day – and every other day of the year – enable incredible organizations to deliver on their missions and make Wyoming a better place to live. 

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO , May 2023

A company’s culture is the foundation by which it operates. It’s the sum of the company’s behaviors, processes, attitudes, beliefs, and values. It’s not something that’s simply written down on paper; it’s a living, breathing thing that continuously evolves as the organization changes staff, operations, products, markets, and more.

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO, April 2023

Society is facing a substantial lapse in trust. Institutions – including government and the media – are looked upon skeptically. People are even finding it hard to trust one another. But there is a silver lining. According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report, business is the only institution that the public views as both competent and ethical. 

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO , March 2023

Not all organizations are created equal. Some truly stand out by exemplifying honesty, integrity, and excellence in all that they do. These organizations have the courage and commitment to do the right things for the right reasons, even when it’s not easy. They are true role models – and should be celebrated. 

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO , Februrary 2023

The first Better Business Bureaus, established in 1912, were originally called Vigilance Committees or Advertising Clubs, and their goal was to correct advertising abuses. In response to marketplace demands, BBBs quickly expanded across the country to monitor business performance and provide consumers with reliable information to avoid pitfalls in the marketplace. 

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By Shelley Polansky, President/CEO , Janurary 2023

In 1983, Colorado State University student Lisa Curtis felt that our community was missing something: a branch of the Better Business Bureau that could serve everyone. A survey of consumers and businesses in the area revealed she wasn’t the only one with that thought. Nearly 90% of respondents said “yes” to establishing a local branch. 

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