The Golden Rule In Business?

Everyone has heard of it over and over but how many actually practice it? Especially in business. How much better would our world be if we all lived by the Rule? People are more trusting of businesses that make this a practice. Why take the chance of alienating customers by not treating them with respect or not being completely honest in your dealings with them? The Golden Rule is not just a "Christian" concept as it is universal to all people.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it;

The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is an ethical code, or a morality^[2], that states (in four forms, see table below) the following:

1. One should treat others according to how one would like others to treat one's self (positive, passive form)
2. Treat others as you would like to be treated (positive, active form)
3. One should not treat others in ways one would not like to be treated (prohibitive, passive form)
4. Do not treat others in ways you would not like to be treated (prohibitive, active form. Also called the Silver Rule)

The Golden Rule has a long history, and a great number of prominent religious figures and philosophers have restated the above four forms of the Rule in various ways.
The Golden Rule is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights, in which each individual has a right to just treatment, and a responsibility to ensure justice for others.^[3] A key element of the Golden Rule is that a person attempting to live by this rule treats all people, not just members of his or her in-group, with consideration. The Golden Rule has its roots in a wide range of world cultures, and is a standard which different cultures use to resolve conflicts.^[4]
The Golden Rule, as a concept, has a history that long predates the term "Golden Rule" (or "Golden law," as it was called from the 1670s^[5]). The concept was present in certain forms in the philosophies of ancient Babylon, Egypt, India, Greece, Judea, and China. Principal philosophers and religious figures have stated it in different ways, but its most common Modern English phrasing first appeared in a Catholic catechism around 1567 (certainly in the reprint of 1583^[6]): That English phrasing is a translation of ancient Greek manuscripts; and in the original Greek it is attributed to Jesus of Nazareth in the Biblical book of Matthew: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:39, Luke 6:31)

The next time you are dealing with someone ask yourself "Is this how I want to be treated?" The Golden Rule is also tied to the saying "what goes around comes around." The longevity of a small business has a lot to do with these concepts. The question for a business owner is are you in it for serving your customers for the long term or just looking for a quick buck?