I understand that customer service work is often a thankless task. Low paying, unappreciated by many bosses and customers, and yet in many ways it’s the most important task in any business.

Executives at the Strip’s top properties like to say that no matter how expensive the megaresort, if a security guard or hotel desk clerk fails to treat a customer with respect the experience is largely ruined.

In my business, there are hundreds of people involved in putting together each edition of this city’s largest newspaper and yet if a carrier fails to deliver it and a customer service agent fails to apologize for that breakdown, the paper quickly develops a negative reputation. No matter the quality of its writing and reporting.

Izzy Sharp, the founder of The Four Seasons hotel group, says The Golden Rule appears in a prominent place in his employee handbook — a good lesson for all businesses, including daily newspapers.