I’m reading a 2004 book on trust, “Building Trust: leading CEOs speak out: how they create it, strengthen it, and sustain it,” a publication of the Arthur W. Page Society.

The following template for building trust was developed in the 1930’s, “another time of dismay about corporate performance and economic uncertainty.” Arthur W. Page, the Society’s namesake, developed his postulates of what it takes to build and sustain corporate reputation. Page was a VP and member of the board of directors of AT&T. Ma Bell, a monopoly and at the time, the world’s largest public corporation, had to be concerned about public trust.

The wisdom of Page’s concepts can apply to any business today:

– Tell the truth.
– Prove it with action.
– Listen to the customer.
– Manage for tomorrow.
– A company’s true character is expressed by its people.
– Conduct public relations as if the whole company depends on it.