Abstract
This paper discusses customer loyalty, using the company Comcast Corporation as a case study. The paper begins with an assessment of the roots of customer loyalty, which it maintains are in staff loyalty. Next the paper examines how customer loyalty is developed. Then the paper asks how customer loyalty is incorporated into marketing strategy. Finally, the paper studies the affect of customer loyalty on Comcast's customer retention.

From the Paper
"Winning customer loyalty begins with winning staff loyalty. Companies that try to win customer loyalty without first winning staff loyalty often find that in spite of great customer loyalty programs and initiatives their results fall far short."

Tags:customer loyalty, staff loyalty, customer retention, Comcast Corporation, marketing

Abstract
Customer loyalty describes the tendency of a customer to choose one business or product over another for a particular need; customer loyalty becomes evident when choices are made and actions taken by customers. This paper analyzes and critically evaluates the various methodologies and techniques of customer loyalty in application to the hotel industry in its marketing management, supported by theoretical models, news excerpts, case studies and research articles focusing on the trends and the latest problems/issues concerning the industry. The paper includes a graph.

Paper Outline:
Abstract
Definition
Customer Loyalty in Hospitality Industry
Efficiency Measurement in Hotel Industry in terms of Customer Loyalty
Theoretical models/techniques of Customer loyalty programs in Hotels
Latest Problems/Issues Concerning the Industry/Organization
Conclusion
References
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Academic analysis of the literature on customer satisfaction within the hotel industry brought forth an amazing lack of empirical data. Lewis and Nightingale (1991) commented that hotel companies have difficulty in measuring customer satisfaction and, in spite of the proven inefficiency of comment cards, many still rely upon them. However, they also make the point that Marriott regularly surveys its customers randomly and chains like Sheraton are always looking at how the room comment cards can be improved. Schneider and Bowen (1985) empirically demonstrated that customers and employees share perceptions and attitudes. It is therefore appropriate to use the employee perceptions of customer satisfaction as a reasonable measure of organizational performance in regard to customer loyalty."

Tags:loyalty, programs, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, marriot, chains

Abstract
This essay explores competition strategies for General Electric, specifically regarding maintaining customer loyalty in existing and future customers. The essay outlines components of customer loyalty in the United States, and then discusses issues in building customer loyalty on the global scale. The essay describes General Electric as building its global image as an environmentally responsible developer by providing China and other countries with environmentally conscious technology. The essay argues that by presenting this environmentally conscious image, customer loyalty is ensured on both the global and local scales.

From the Paper
"General Electric is one of the largest companies in the United States, and indeed around the world. In order to achieve and maintain this status, it is necessary for the company not only to maintain its strategies in terms of the competition, but also in terms of its existing and future customers. GE then has various strategies by means of which it maintains its loyal customer base both locally and abroad. The company's Web site, along with other sources, provides insight into what has been done to maintain loyalty in customers and to ensure an influx of new customers. Customer Loyalty: United States Most of the transitions towards ensuring a better customer experience in the United States have occurred over the last five years, since 2003. According to the GE Web site (2008), the company as implemented new tools towards the goals of customer-centric service and market-facing competition. These strategies, according to the Web site, include a variety of actions all focused upon making the customer's experience something unique. This is done by directly involving customers not only in the assessment of the company, but also in the creative process itself."

Tags:customer satisfaction, global image, marketing strategies, energy saving technology

Abstract
The paper explains that customer loyalty programs are designed to assure that existing customers continue to purchase goods and services, rather than switching to a competitor. The paper provides a literature review to determine what makes customers remain loyal to a company. The paper proposes a study to determine which factors influence the decision to use a particular customer loyalty program for grocery customers who have more than one grocery customer loyalty cards. The paper outlines the research methodology of the study and explains how this study will contribute to a better understanding of the importance of customer loyalty cards in the decision to shop at a particular grocer.

Outline:
Literature Review
Problem Definition
Research Methodology
Contribution of Study

From the Paper
"Customer loyalty programs can have a positive impact on customer retention, but they also have a downside. They represent a capital expenditure and continuing operating costs. Nearly 75 percent of US shoppers currently belong to a customer loyalty program (CIOInsight 2003). Schemes are creative and include anything from free merchandise to frequent flyer miles. Managing customer loyalty has become a major part of the marketing mix. The effectiveness of these programs has become a topic of interest in both the academic and business world."

Tags:competitors, consumer, motivation, turnover

Abstract
This investigation presents an in-depth study of marketing, its techniques and different applications depending on the climate in which the marketing takes places. The paper defines the elements of distinctions between traditional and e-marketing. It looks at how different companies - both financial and retail - currently use integrated marketing concepts in their relationship marketing strategy as a way to encourage customer service and therefore strengthen customer relations. The paper offers an in-depth look at the marketing tactics utilized by Countrywide Financial Corporation and its international offshoot of Global Home Loans, located in the United Kingdom. This includes some background history on the organizations and their relationship. This paper also defines important terms to allow better understanding of how marketing, cost and customer loyalty form a direct and vital relationship with each other, regardless of method, agent or presence they are applied to. The paper focuses on different attributes of how these concepts work together to make business practices possible. This includes an exploration of the techniques used to market a product. It also focuses on how market segmentation and demographics play an important role in defining the market place but also allow an organization to target the best possible "match" consumer for its product or service. The paper looks at how a proactive marketing analysis allows an organization knowledge of the consumer in order to build a lasting relationship. It also explores the implications of such marketing techniques and how different degrees of brand presence within the market can create different concerns regarding risk and too much exposure. This also includes any threat to protection of intellectual property as well as the organization's image and customer relations.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
Company Profile
Literature Review: The Role of Switching Costs
Traditional Marketing Strategy-Brick and Mortar
Knowing the Market and Demographics
Globalization
Customer Loyalty
E-Marketing and E-Commerce
Implications and Concerns Regarding E-Marketing
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"The best way to utilize marketing to an organization's best benefit is to simply know the market in which business is done. It is imperative a company knows its target and be flexible to new targets. An organization can remain at the forefront by having a cutting edge attitude toward change within the target audience. Gordon writes, "The mood of the marketplace profoundly affects a campaign's success. It is important to respond correctly" (2003, p. 1). Also to remain competitive, an active pace is needed. Instead of allowing the market to define the marketing strategy, the organization should strive to define the marketplace. This can be done through incorporating innovative ideas across the board."

Tags:Porter, technology, retail, ERP

Abstract
The paper examines the issue of whether or not customer service is more important than loyalty programs. The research study examines the primacy of customer service as a predictor of customer loyalty. The paper provides a literature review, a study and questionnaire substantiating its basic thesis, and concludes with a review of why studies such as this one are so important to the hospitality industry.

From the Paper
"Building Customer Loyalty through Quality: Why Substance still wins out Introduction In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that hotels (and motels) face enormous challenges as the twenty-first century approaches its second decade. Not least of all, these businesses are confronted with a much more demanding public than ever before as well as by a public that is far more conscious about what it can - and cannot -demand from the industry. Given this state of affairs, hotels understandably want to keep the customers they do have as loyal as possible. "

Tags:customer, loyalty, service

Abstract
The paper discusses the various types of loyalty programs, their key features and their effects. The paper reveals the new elements of the Starwood Preferred Guest Program and provides recommendations to the director of the Hilton's HHonors Worldwide Program on actions designed to answer Starwood's initiatives.

Outline:
Introduction
What a Frequency Loyalty Program is
How Frequency Loyalty Programs Work
What Loyalty Programs are Supposed to Do...
Can These Guest Loyalty Programs be Measured
Are Loyalty Programs Successfully...
Memo to Jeff Diskin
The Different Impacts These Programs Have on Redemption Across Hilton's Offerings
How Hilton Should Respond to the 4 Key Features of Starwood's Plan
Recommendations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Customer loyalty is particularly important to the hotel industry, because most hotel-industry segments are mature and competition is strong. Reichheld and Sasser (1990) found that a 5-percent increase in customer retention resulted in a 25- to 125-percent increase in profits in nine service-industry groups they studied. Thus, the goal of relationship marketing is to build customers' loyalty based on factors other than pure economics or product attributes, and building a relationship with customers should be the strategic focus of loyalty programs."

Tags:Hilton, Starwood, consumers, marketing, rewards

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes an article on e-customer loyalty. It looks at the article's view of creating and maintaining a loyal customer base, its discussion of the impact of the internet on business, and the reasons provided for the failures of many on-line businesses. The paper consists of a one-page synopsis and two-page critique of the article.

From the Paper
"This article goes into detail about what many consumers have known for a long time. The most successful merchants, both online and off, are those who recognize the importance of developing a good relationship with their customers, thereby creating customer loyalty and greater profits for their company. The paper argues that many online merchants do not recognize that many brick-and-mortar business rules still apply to their businesses online. "They often forget that the fundamental rules of successful business still apply" (Reichheld et al 173). The article goes on to discuss two particular companies foray into e-commerce, and their experience with building a profitable company online. It continues with information on how to build customer loyalty, and identify your customer. It also provides ideas on how to build trust, get to know your customer, and empower your organization to develop great customer relationships."

Tags:succesful, merchants, online, customers, e-commerce, internet, boo.com, service

Abstract
The paper looks at health care information via the Internet that has changed the way individuals manage their health and receive health care information. The paper explains that this has greatly impacted customer loyalty to a doctor since one can order medication or research symptoms, treatments and long-term prognoses online. The paper therefore concludes that customer satisfaction has become much more important to the healthcare consumer than customer loyalty to a doctor.

From the Paper
"When it comes to healthcare, people want to be satisfied. They often feel as thought they are not getting enough for their money, their doctors charge them too much, and their insurance companies do not pay for enough treatments and procedures. This being the case, they also doctor-shop to either (a) find a doctor that actually works the way they think he or she should, or (b) find a doctor that tells them what they want to hear. This comes down to a difference between customer loyalty (to one doctor, for example), and customer satisfaction (going from one doctor to the next until one is satisfied with the answer)."

Tags:websites, online, medication, treatments

Abstract
This paper analyzes the factors that affect a customer's loyalty in the online services of financial service companies. It specifically provides evidence from the Greek stock market. The paper provides a conceptual profile of the financial services industry and how it has been affected by and has made use of innovations in information technology in recent years. It also looks at the four major pillars of the financial services industry. The paper then shows that the theory base for brand loyalty has been based on numerous efforts to model basic consumer behavior in terms of how consumers evaluate alternatives and make purchase decisions.

Table of Contents:
Review of the Literature
Definitions of Terms
Background and Overview
The Financial Services Industry and Information Technology
Customer Loyalty Considerations in the Financial Services Industry
Brand Loyalty and the Importance of Information Technology
Trust and Service Quality Issues
Costs of Switching Services
Chapter Summary

From the Paper
"In addition, Das (2004) reports that recent advances in information technology have proven to be a facilitating factor for many financial services companies, improving the capability of both investors and creditors to manage their portfolios and undertake better risk analysis of credit and market risks. As Gerstman and Meyers emphasize, though, consumers will still seek out those financial services that can provide them with the best mix of online and traditional services that allow them to maintain existing market share and gain additional inroads on their competition. These authors note that, "Across that entire spectrum, the comprehensive definition of customer or brand experiences will help to shape and guide the way companies manage their brands and achieve competitive advantage" (p. 21). In the final analysis, then, customer satisfaction in and of itself is not sufficient and differentiation must be sought in the conscious development of customer commitment, i.e. loyalty and devotion that transcends short-term 'feel good' relationships by building interdependencies, shared values and mutually beneficial strategies (Lewis & Varey, 2000)."

Tags:portfolio, brand, quality, IT