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Aug
18

Forget the Golden Rule! It’s all about the Platinum Rule!

By Brenda | Blog, Customer Service, Entrepreneur, Marketing, Sales, Small Business

6 Comments

Are You Giving Platinum Service To Your Customers?

Platinum Service

Why The Platinum Rule Matters Beyond Your Customers

We all know the golden rule, “Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.” Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about another rule. I call it the Platinum Rule. The Platinum Rule is about treating others the way they want to be treated, not the way you think they want to be treated. For a high volume business this may be hard to achieve, but may well be worth it. Look at Zappos, the successful  online shoe company. They have a reputation for “Platinum-Like” customer service.

For the professional service-based business, the Platinum Rule is definitely achievable and an all-around win for everyone. Think about it. Your customers are happy because they are being treated how they want to be treated. And, happy customers tend to refer more customers your way. More customers = more sales and revenue.

I think the best way to find out how your customers like to be treated is to ask them. I am a big fan of SurveyMonkey.com. I think you can also apply the Platinum Rule to your vendors, employees, and partners. After all, isn’t the Platinum Rule really about being considerate of others? Isn’t it about understanding what their needs and wants are and empowering them to succeed by meeting those needs and wants?  When you empower those around you, it makes for a positive and uplifting environment. Who doesn’t want to be in a happy workplace?

What are your thoughts on the Golden Rule versus the Platinum Rule? Are you already using the Platinum Rule? Please leave your comments below.

About Brenda

Brenda Horton is the President of Hware, LLC., a software company that designs productivity tools and products for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits. She is nearing the launch of Actionplanr a goal-setting tool for high achieving female entrepreneurs.

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    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brenda Tello Horton and Gena Livings, Chuck Horton. Chuck Horton said: Forget the Golden Rule! It’s all about the Platinum Rule!: Blog Post: There's a big difference between the … http://bit.ly/co5srf #hware [...]

  • Susan Gouveia

    Thanks, Brenda!

  • Rosemary Metrailer

    I’m already using this rule and agree that it is the most effective way to build and sustain customer/client relationships. Another key to its success, however, is that you carefully agree on expectations at the front end so that you don’t end up dancing to a tune for which you never signed up! Some people expect WAY more for themselves than they’re willing to extend to others, so in my experience, there are limits to the “platinum” rule. Rosemary

  • http://www.hware.com Brenda Horton

    You are welcome! Thanks for reading Hware’s blog!

  • http://www.hware.com Brenda Horton

    Thanks for your comments Rosemary! I couldn’t agree with you more with regards to setting clear expectations up front. Frustration and resentment tend to set in when expectations have not been met, which ultimately lead to a poor relationship experience. I also think it is important to have clear boundaries. For example, what are you as a business and a business owner willing to do and not do? It starts with understanding and knowing your business model.

  • http://christinebreese.name/ Christine Breese

    Platinum rule, that’s very good! Golden rule is one thing, but your Platinum rule, that rules! 

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