Why corporate trust depends on evidence

Consumers are being asked to trust claims about fuel quality, digital payments and financial performance. In each case, trust improves when companies publish the process behind the claim.

Oil companies responding to E20 concerns described tests at refineries, depots, terminals and pumps, including more than 100 additional samples. The important corporate lesson is that assurance must be measurable.

A bank reporting higher profit also needs to explain margins, provisions, slippages and deposits. A payments company needs to explain what remains free and how the system is protected.

Evidence does not eliminate disagreement, but it gives customers, employees and regulators something stronger than a slogan on which to base a decision.