LOOKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS? WHY AN OPEN MIND IS FOR THE BEST…
If you’re looking to move overseas, one thing you’re probably going to find enormously useful are the forums and Facebook groups set up by folk who have already made the jump or are thinking of doing so. They can be a veritable mine of useful information, pointing out the pitfalls those who have gone before may have fallen into, giving you a heads-up on local dos and don’ts and a conduit to trustworthy professionals who can help with anything from a leaky tap to buying a house.
But, while we’d thoroughly recommend you find the right forum for you and to squeeze every last drop of useful info you can from it, we’d also counsel a little caution, especially when it comes to use of the word “best”.
What makes a company the best?
Why? Well, firstly if you’re describing a business or a professional you know as “the best” it’s largely subjective. It may be a firmly-held opinion of course but it’s unlikely to be factual. Taking estate agents as an example, of course we’d be flattered if one of our customers was to describe us as “the best” but the implication is that all the others were tried and were in some way inferior. When most of us only buy and sell property a handful of times in our lives, It’s highly unlikely one person will have had the opportunity to work their way through so many companies – so how can they truly say who is the best?
The same applies to any other businesses. Whether it’s an electrician, a removal company, a plumber or – come to that – a restaurant, bar or hairdresser; “best” is just an opinion and not a fact.
Of course we all have our favourites and, sometimes, we may feel loyal enough to try to help with a recommendation. But to describe your favourite service as “the best” can suggest a closed mind, a blinkered view or even a belligerent refusal to consider alternatives.
Far better to pen a testimonial which elaborates on your reasons for giving a recommendation. Was it efficiency, professionalism, professional knowledge, courtesy or cost – or all five? Did you feel confident in the service you were given and was it offered for a fair price. It’s these details which others are going to find helpful and which will offer the company you’ve chosen to recommend the sort of marketing material which they can’t buy.
So, if you have used our services and you would like to pass on some positive vibes that would be great. Of course, we’re not going to object if we are ever described as “the best” but, if you can also offer a few reasons as to why, we’d be even more grateful.
