THE TRUST ECONOMY

The New Reality of Business

• buyers are flooded with AI-generated ads, “too-good-to-be-true” offers, and instant online quotes.
• Every BNI member is in the trust business, whether you sell roofs, real estate, or relationships

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• Trust used to be built over years. Today, it’s built—or lost—in seconds

Trust Is a Currency

• Every Interaction Is a Deposit or a Withdrawal
• Think of trust like a bank account; every consistent, honest action is a deposit.
• Missed calls, vague follow-ups, or pushy sales tactics are withdrawals

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• 81% of consumers say they must trust a brand before buying from it (Edelman Trust Barometer 2025).

How to Build Trust Fast

• Be predictably reliable – Do exactly what you say, when you say it.
• Communicate with clarity – Follow up fast, even when you don’t have an answer.
• Show proof, not promises – Share brief client outcomes or testimonials, not slogans.

Trust and Referrals

• When You Borrow My Reputation…
• Every referral is a transfer of trust. • If I refer you, I’m lending you my reputation. • Handle it with care—follow up immediately, thank the referrer, and close the loop.

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• Ask yourself weekly: Did I make more deposits or withdrawals in people’s trust today?

3 C’s

• They trust your competence (you know your craft)
• They trust your character (you do the right thing).
• They trust your consistency (you show up)