The Platinum Rule of Recognition

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the "Golden Rule of Recognition" meaning you treat your employees exactly as you would like them to treat you and your company.

Today, I'd like to talk about the "Platinum Rule of Recognition."

But first, let's examine the relationship between your company, your employees and your brand.

While your company may promise a great brand experience it is actually your employees who deliver it. Employees are your company's "promise keepers."

I'm sure all of us have had our own personal experience with employees who have made a difference... both good and bad! The type of employees who have made us vow "never again" and those who have made us come back to purchase time and time again.

More and more research shows there is a clear link between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. (If you want to read some great articles on this and other relevant topics go to the Forum for People Performance Measurement and Management's website at www.PerformanceForum.org.)

It is no coincidence that some of the most profitable companies in America are also the best companies to work for.

And this is where the Platinum Rule of Recognition comes into play... make sure you treat your employees just like you want them to treat your company's customers!

The Golden Rule of Recognition

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms, greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind."
- Gordon Gekko from the movie Wall Street

Who can forget Michael Douglas’ lines from Oliver Stone’s classic movie Wall Street?

Although the characters were fictional, the times they portrayed were real. Consolidation and mergers were the rage. Those were the days of “right-sizing,” “down-sizing” all code words for “you’re losing your job!”

Isn’t it ironic that today’s managers bemoan the lack of loyalty from their workers? Is it any wonder? We have taught employee’s not to expect any loyalty from the corporation. So why should they be loyal to the corporation.

It is called the ethic of reciprocity. Don’t expect loyalty if you don’t give loyalty. Likewise, don’t expect commitment if you don’t give commitment.

At Rideau, we call this the “Golden Rule of Recognition”… treat employees like you would like them to treat the company. You’ll be amazed how far a little loyalty goes in improving your retention rates.

Practice the “Golden Rule of Recognition” because loyalty is a two way street!