Hiroshi sells building materials to local contractors. He wants to build long-term relationships with his contractors through effective follow-up. After delivering the materials, Hiroshi can demonstrate ________ by checking with his contractors right after the delivery and addressing any problems promptly.

A) assurance and profitability
B) responsiveness and empathy
C) tangibility and competence
D) profitability and reliability
E) reliability and tangibility

By checking with his contractors right after the delivery and addressing any problems promptly, Hiroshi is demonstrating both responsiveness and empathy, which are key components of effective follow-up to build long-term relationships with customers. Assurance, profitability, tangibility, and competence are important factors in customer service, but they are not directly related to follow-up after a delivery. Reliability and profitability are also important, but they do not capture the full range of behaviors that Hiroshi should exhibit in order to build long-term relationships with his contractors.