2016 Advantages of Accrediation

2016 ADVANTAGES OF ACCREDITATION denver.bbb.org

TRUST

I N TH E MAR K E TPL AC E

B B B E I G H T S TA N D A R D S F O R T R U S T

BUILD TRUST

Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.

ADVERTISE HONESTLY

Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling.

TELL THE TRUTH

Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.

BE TRANSPARENT

Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees, and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.

HONOR PROMISES

Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations.

BE RESPONSIVE

Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.

Our Vision An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

SAFEGUARD PRIVACY

Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information.

Our Mission To be a leader in advancing marketplace trust.

EMBODY INTEGRITY

Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions, and commitments with integrity.

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LEADER

IN THE COMMUNITY

LO C A L I M PAC T O F B B B

7,207

TWO KEY REASONS WHY BUSINESSES BECOME BBB ACCREDITED

Accredited Businesses and Charities (7,871 locations)

• For customer trust and confidence • For enhancement of a company’s reputation

7,038,484

1,026,223

Total website pageviews in 2015

Total Facebook impressions in 2015

BBB leads as the preferred resource of choice for hiring companies and purchasing decisions

7 7 out of 1 0 0 C O N S U M E R S

Rating sources are among the TOP FIVE INFLUENCERS

on decision to purchase

are familiar with BBB

8 4 out of 1 0 0 C O N S U M E R S are likely to consult BBB and would consult BBB for contractor purchases

7 1 out of 1 0 0 C O N S U M E R S are likely to consult BBB and would consult BBB for in-person purchases in a business or store Data collected from the Nielsen Company (2012), Alexa (2013), CBBB (2013)

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2015 BUSINESS REVIEWS READ

4,076,484

TOOLBOX

F O R AC C R E D I T E D B U S I N E S S E S

ACCREDITED BUSINESS SERVICES SITE

ACCREDITED BUSINESS SERVICES SITE Visit our Accredited Business Services website to maximize your BBB accreditation. This “one stop shop” will provide you access to the advantages available to you as an Accredited Business.

Jump start your accreditation by visiting denver.bbb.org and click on Business Login in the upper right corner.

80%+

PROUD OF BBB ACCREDITATION More than eight

in 10 Accredited Businesses mention their accreditation if the topic

• Download the Accredited Business logo for online and print use.

• Customize your company’s BBB Business Review.

• Take a peek at your company’s statistics to see how many people are viewing your business review.

is relevant to a conversation.

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ALIGN

W I T H I N N O V AT I O N

LEVERAGE THE BBB BRAND PROMOTE YOUR BBB ACCREDITATION Various types of collateral are available to help you promote your company’s BBB accreditation: BBB Certificates, Decals, and Stickers • Display your BBB Accreditation plaque, decals and stickers at your accredited location(s).

• Post BBB decals on office doors, windows, storefronts and company vehicles.

• Use the Accredited Business logo on company letterhead, business cards and invoices.

• Add the logo to print ads, flyers, commercials and other marketing and promotional material.

BBB Accreditation on the Go • Bring BBB Accreditation marketing collateral to sales presentations.

• Show BBB Accredited Business plaque at trade shows and events.

• Use BBB magnets on company vehicles.

BBB Accredited Business Sound Bites • Tell your customers and vendors your company is a BBB Accredited Business—in person and over the phone.

• Say “BBB Accredited Business” in telephone on-hold recordings, voicemail greetings and on-air advertising.

Online Visibility • Install the BBB A+ BBB Rating dynamic seal on your Click for Review company’s website and social media pages to let current and future customers know you’re an Accredited Business.

The interactive seal provides a powerful backlink to your BBB business review.

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ENHANCED

MARKETING

CON N EC TING CONSU M ERS TO YOU R BUSIN ESS BBB ACCREDITED BUSINESS REVIEW Your BBB Business Review is contains detailed information about your company. Customize your review with specific details related to your company—exclusive to only Accredited Businesses: • Photos – up to 20 • Company logo • Videos – up to three • Descriptions about company products and services • Hours of operation • Service area Customizing your BBB Business Review may assist in increasing your company’s SEO value. Search engines prefer websites with keywords and detail; therefore, the more valuable the information on your Business Review, the more SEO that may be provided.

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ENGAGE

W I T H C U S TO M E R S

SCREENED, APPROVED, MONITORED CUSTOMER REVIEWS BBB provides an interactive way online for your customers to engage with your company through BBB Customer Review program. Customer reviews on our website are easy to post and trusted as authentic. Prior to the posting of a review, BBB sends your company notification and requires confirmation that the interaction occurred. Once the customer review is posted, your company is encouraged to respond.

HOW CAN BBB CUSTOMER REVIEWS BENEFIT MY COMPANY? • Engaging content increases search engine optimization (SEO) to your website.

• Positive reviews may increase referrals to grow your business.

• A positive review can be an extension of your marketing campaign.

• Customer reviews engage your younger demographic customer.

• The BBB confirms each review was written by an actual customer before its posted to ensure trust and integrity.

HOW CAN MY COMPANY GET REVIEWS? • Encourage your customers to write a positive review directly on your BBB Business Review.

• Promote the new option by sharing our social media posts.

• Place your BBB dynamic seal on your website so customers can easily click through to write a review for your business.

• Important - Respond to your customers’ comments or concerns.

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PROMOTE

YOUR BBB ACCREDITATION

PROMOTING ACCREDITED BUSINESSES BBB ONLINE DIRECTORY Another exclusive advantage of accreditation is BBB’s Online Directory. Included in your accreditation is an automatic listing; your company appears by name and industry.

Take a look at your company’s listing today at findacompany.org.

BBB encourages consumers and companies in our community to always do business with a BBB Accredited Business and the Online Directory is the most direct avenue for these consumers to access Accredited Businesses. An average of over 25,000 visitors each month find Accredited Businesses on the Online Directory.

To help you stand out within your industry, you may choose to upgrade your listing to a featured listing to add your company logo, advertisements and include a coupon for products and/or services. Banner advertisements that appear on the directory homepage, above each industry listing and along the side menu are also available. Contact businessrelations@denver.bbb.org or 303.758.1658 for more information.

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S AV E T I M E A N D M O N E Y REQUEST A QUOTE LEADS Consumers visiting the BBB website, your Business Review and Online Directory listing can request a bid directly from your company via BBB’s Accredited Business Request a Quote program. Here’s how it works: • Consumer fills out the Request a Quote form and submits it to BBB.

BBB Business Reviews File A Complaint Tips

• BBB reviews each request to confirm it is an authentic request and sends it to you.

News & Events Request A Quote Scam Source

• Your company receives an email and/or text message titled “Lead from your BBB.”

Senior Services

In 2015, BBB sent over 11,000 Request a Quotes to Accredited Businesses. BBB strongly recommends you to promptly respond to the consumer; companies that communicate quickly tend to receive the job.

ADDITIONAL BBB SERVICES Alternative Dispute Resolution If your company finds itself in the position where mediation or arbitration is necessary, know that BBB provides these services to Accredited Businesses. One mediation and arbitration per year is available at no charge. BBB uses trained mediators and arbitrators that are not staff and hearings are held at the convenience of both parties. For more information contact BBB at info@denver.bbb.org.

As an Accredited Business, if your company desires to use BBB mediation or arbitration services as an alternative to litigation from a dispute, your customer contract should read: SPECIAL PROGRAMS BBB offers specialized dispute resolution programs for certain industries. There is a specialized program, BBB AUTOLINE, for automobile warranty disputes. There is also a specialized program for moving and storage disputes. BBB will inform you of any specialized programs that can resolve your dispute.

CONTRACT VERBIAGE WHEN USING BBB SPECIAL PR OGRAMS MEDIATION/ARBITRATION

“Prior to litigating any dispute arising out of this agreement,

BBBCOcustomer agrees to mediate and/or arbitrate said dispute NTRACT VE RBIAGE WHEN USIN G BBB the dispute resolution program offered by BBB through Arbitration MEDIATION/ ARBITRATIO N BBB Serving Denver/Boulder (BBB). By agreeing to submit any dispute arising out of this customer agrees that A BINDING AR rb it ra BITRATION tiagreement, on FEE SCHEDU LE no dispute shall be submitted to arbitration prior to the

BBB offers spe cialized disp ute resolutio progBBB When a business desires to use rams for cert n mediation and/or arbitrationspe services asprog an ain industries. There is a cialized ram, BBB AUT auto alternative to litigation in the court system OLINE, for mob ile warranty E disputes. The also for any dispute arising out of an aagreement, specialized re is RBIAG prog ram for mov storageshould the customer’s purchase contract When a bus ing disputes. BBB iness desires will inform you and specialized to use BBB read: mediation and BBB of any programs that /or arbitration can resolve dispute.

BINDING ARBITRATION ATION alternative to services as an your litigation in RBITR B the court syst for any disp em BB ute “Prior to litigating any dispute arising FEE SCHEDULE e arising out of the custome an agreeme es to us rvices as an r’s out of this agreement, customer agrees nt, purc se hase contrac em read: What You Pay tration t should urt syst ent, to mediate and/or arbitrate said dispute co e n in th an agreem For For For through the dispute resolution program of ld g out 1st 2nd Seniors ct shou offered by BBB Serving Denver/Boulder ra “Pri nt or to litigatin What You Pay Amount in Dispute Party Party (59 yrs +) hase co (BBB). By agreeing to submit any out of this agre g any dispute arising ement, cust For Less than $5,000 $ 150 $ 150 $ 25 dispute arising out of this agreement, For omer agrees to mediate and For /or arbitrate 1st Amo ising 2nd customer agrees that no dispute shall unt in Disp said dispute through the $ 200 $ 200 $ 25 Seniors ute Party ute ar $5,001 - $10,000 dispute Party (59 yrs +) y disp er agrees be submitted to arbitration prior to an offe Less red by BBB Serv resolution program ng than $5,000 - $100,000 $ 300 $ 300 $ 25 $ 150 custom disp$10,001 ute ing Denver/Bou t, the exhaustion of informal grievance $ (BB en 150 B). By agre m id lder $5,001 - $10,0 $ 25 m $100,001 eing to sub $ 500 $ 500 $ 25 trate sa prograOver 00 bi procedures traditionally used by BBB. $ ar disp 200 mit any ute arising or n $ 200 $10,001 - $100 $ 25 out of this solutio lder Customer further understands that,000 the $ 300 customer agre agre pute re Denver/BouPrices are subject to change at any time. $ 300 es that no disp ement, any g $ 25 arbitrator’s decision is Ove legally binding r $100 be submitt ute shall Servin to submit Note:t, First Arbitration and first Mediation for ,001 ed to arbitrat $ 500 A PROGRAM TO en $ 500 g on all parties involved in the dispute.” em in ion the re $ ee prio exhaustion 25 ag r to gr Prices are subj Accredited Businesses is free per year. of informal shall of this sputeBBB ect to change procedures grievance ASSIST IN DEALING g out at any time di trad .

Note at no ior to : First Arbi Customer furt itionally used by BBB . _______ (Customer Initial) tration and ees th tion pr ance her underst first MedWITH BBB Accredite O arbitra iation for DISAGREEMENTS ands that the arbitrator’s d Businesses d to al griev decision is is free per year RAM T G G BBB. inform lega O . by on lly of R all bind parties invo ed on ing AP lved in the disp at the nally us EALIN S ute.” traditio derstands th T IN D T nding un EN ally bi This is the only proper wording for a ASSIS urther REEM _______ (Cus n is leg ute.” tomer Initial) company to include in their contract that will decisio d in the disp DISAG H IT ve ol W require a customer to use BBB mediation es inv Initial) tomer and arbitration before going to court. _ (Cus ______ This is the only proper wording company to for a include in thei r contract that require a cust omer to use will a BBB mediatio and arbitrat ing for that will ion before goin n rd wo ct g to court. ra oper eir cont ediation only pr th in m de Published by o inclu to use BBB t. ur co er BBB Serving Denver/Boulder custom fore going to 1020 Cherokee Street ation be

BBB ation Arbitr

exhaustion of informal grievance procedures traditionally used

by BBB. Customer further understands that the arbitrator’s decision is legally binding on all parties involved in the dispute.” _______ (Customer Initial) A PROGRAM

Denver, Colorado 80204 303.758.2100 denver.bbb.org

This brochure designed and created by Vickie Denham, Graphic Designer, BBB Serving Denver/Boulder.

Published by BBB Serving Denver/Bou lder 1020 Cheroke e Street Please call Jessica Clausson at 303.996.3646 Denver, Colo rado 80204 if you require further information.

303 .758 .210 0 denver.bbb.or g This Vickie Denha

96.3646

303.9 n. sson at ica Clau er informatio ll Jess ase ca require furth if you

brochure design ed and m, Graphic Designer, BBB created by Serving Denve r/Bou

lder.

TO ASSIST IN DE ALING WITH DISAG REEMENTS

Money Matters Have you done business with a company and were not paid either in part or full? BBB can help. Money Matters is an exclusive program to assist BBB Accredited Businesses in dealing with nonpaying companies. Please contact BBB at 303.758.2100 for details.

Please call Jess ica Clausson at 303.996.364 if you require 6 further infor mation.

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AFFINITY PROGRAMS BBB has created programs with the following partners to bring additional value to your accreditation and provide services geared to helping your company save time, money and increase employee satisfaction. Please reach out directly to our partners and let them know you want to take advantage of the BBB partnership.

PINNACOL WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SAFETY GROUP BBB’s safety group program brings together businesses that are committed to maintaining and enhancing industry-leading safety and claims management practices. Qualifying Accredited Businesses receive access to resources and assistance for establishing safe working conditions. Savings include a four percent discount on workers’ compensation premium, eligibility for a safety group dividend and improved risk management and loss control. Contact businessrelations@denver.bbb.org or 303.758.1658 for additional information.

MOUNTAIN STATES EMPLOYERS COUNCIL (MSEC) MSEC represents employers in aspects of employment law, human resources, training and surveys. BBB Accredited Businesses with 10 or fewer employees receive a 50% discount on MSEC membership. For more detail, visit msec.org or contact David Murphy at dmurphy@msec.org, 303.223.5479.

PUBLIC SERVICE CREDIT UNION (PSCU) PSCU offers many benefits to its members including: a personal benefit representative to educate and answer questions from managers and employees, direct deposit for employer payroll, free and premier business checking accounts, small business loans and free credit score analysis. Get in touch with Sandra McGill at sandram@pscu.org, 303.691.2345 for more information.

MERCHANT SERVICES Does your company accept credit cards from customers and vendors – or are you interested in accepting credit cards as payment? Reach out to our affiliate partners to receive a free analysis of your credit card statement and get a better understanding of how to get the most out of merchant services.

Contact Brian Cook at Perfect Processing, bcook@perfectprocessingllc. com, 303.741.2874 or Sean Gifford at TransFirst, sgifford@transfirst.com, 303.625.4131.

REFER AN ACCREDITED BUSINESS

Start With Trust

®

Do you know a business that embodies integrity and promotes trust?

Refer a company that you feel would meet our “BBB Eight Standards For Trust” and would like to align with one of the most recognized symbols of trust across North America. To refer a business, contact Business Development at apilarski@denver.bbb.org.

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REFER A

TRUSTWORTHY

BUSINESS

NETWORKING

A N D E D U C AT I O N

Visit denver.bbb.org for a list of current events and workshops.

R O I S E R I E S • A N N UA L E V E N T • TO R C H AWA R DS BUSINES S•

R I• O OWTH GR

BBB ROI SERIES ®

Results of Integrity

Conventionally, ROI stands for “return on investment.” However, integrity may be the single most important practice in which a company can invest.

Join our Lunch ‘n Learn educational workshops that are designed to enhance and grow your business.

Sponsorship ���������� 10+ Programs including: Packages, Panels, Workshops Event Details �������� Generally held from 11:15 am - 1:00 pm Attendance ����������� 40+ registrants Demographics ����� Professionals of all levels 2016 Topics Include: Marketing Series - Marketing for Small Businesses, Search Engine Marketing, New Marketing Channels Customer Service - How to Handle Complaints Social Media Series - LinkedIn, YouTube & Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter HR Series - Hiring & Firing and HR Laws Tickets are discounted for BBB Accredited Businesses and Charities

Each year, BBB Denver/Boulder recognizes their Accredited Businesses and Charities with an annual event. This event is a celebration and Thank You to our loyal Accredited Businesses where they can connect with other business leaders while enjoying an exciting night out! Moonlight Over Monte Carlo is a fun-filled evening of casino gaming, music, food and drinks. Plan to join us in 2016!

Visit denver.bbb.org for a list of current events and workshops.

A Fun Night of Gaming, Music, Dancing, Food & Libations!

Attracting more than 500 attendees, this event recognizes one small, medium and large business, and one small and large nonprofit that actively demonstrate ethical practices in the communities in which they operate. Over the past 12 years, the BBB and BBB Foundation has honored 26 Torch Awards recipients.

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UST R T ethics

clients

strategy

leader justice

philosophy

results

marketing

available

integrity priorities

promise morality

information responsive

transparency goals reporting prosperity

power standards open relationships companies time daily fair disclosure people

helpfulness

cooperation

honor

honesty conduct marketplace life money

control

truth right

BBB Serving Denver/Boulder Business Relations Department 3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 350 Denver, CO 80210 303.758.1658 businessrelations@denver.bbb.org denver.bbb.org

January 13, 2016

This publication created and co-designed by Vickie Denham, Graphic Designer, BBB Serving Denver/Boulder.