Hairdressers and the loyalty factor

Loyal customers are the lifeblood of any business - but so many get it wrong. As part of my 'New Year, New Me' regime, I joined the gym yesterday. It's not the first time. I joined about three years ago - and actually went regularly for 12 months.Then I joined again two years ago and gradually visits dropped from three a week to two, to one to none for about the last five months of my membership. Obviously the main reason I failed to maintain my programme was my own laziness, but I wonder if the gym concerned could have done anything to encourage me and keep me as a loyal customer? Maybe a phone call offering me a free consultation or a special offer for me an a friend to use the facilities for a day. Customer loyalty has to be a major focus for any business, and so many of the top hairdressers we talk to here at HJ have programmes set up to ensure they keep clients for the long haul. Why not share your loyalty building tips with fellow hairdressers? Or have you experienced any examples of bad customer service in other sectors that meant your loyalty was lost? Also, any encouragement in my endevours to look and feel great in 2007 will be gratefully received. All the best Matthew