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May seem an odd question, but it's something I think smaller businesses are better at than larger businesses and organisations. How many times have you seen or heard about new banking customers getting preferential rates over existing customers?

Big organisations do it all the time, mention you want to leave your mobile phone provider or energy provider and you will no doubt be bribed into staying with a reduction in your tariff or monthly bill, something that wasn't offered until you threatened to leave.

Last year my wife was shocked to realise she had auto renewed her car insurance with directline for 9 years. So she began a crusade of going through our bills and looking for better providers, something we have talked about for years and never got round to doing. I think we saved over £300 from our household bills, which proves it's a useful exercise, but the biggest was Direct Line.

They offered to reduce her car renewal quote by a £100. So much for 9 years customer loyalty! Shopping around she actually got a better quote elsewhere and Directline lost a 9 year claim free customer. I was supposed to do mine but forgot 

But this year it was my turn, 7 years loyal claim free service with Direct Line. So a quick phone around shows there were more competitive quotes, in which prompted a call to Direct Line. After lots of waffle about market conditions and how prices vary on a day to day basis, guess how much they reduced mine by? Yep £100  In my case it worked out cheaper to stay put.

Wouldn't it have been great if my 7 years as a loyal claim free customer was appreciated with a renewal quote which reflected this, rather than seeing how much money can be squeezed out of your current customer database and hoping they won't notice?

In the age of 24/7 social media, and customer service expectations, is this really still a valid and promoted business model to generate a huge loyal customer following? Or the business practice of yesteryear from a faceless organisations past their peak?

Does it sound familiar? Do you reward customer loyalty? 

Hi Alan

If you log into your forum profile, and select "edit your profile" you will see a link to update your password, or if you login to your business listing (www.mylocalservices.co.uk/login.php) you can change your password here. Both forum profile and business listing are linked, so it is the same username and password.

If you're still stumped, let me know.

Everyone should vote, we live in a democracy. If you don't like it, vote and do something about it.

Having worked and lived in countries based on autocracy, I know which system I prefer! Unfortunately democracy breeds bureaucracy, which in turn fuels civil servant inefficiency. I think this is the root cause of most peoples frustration.

One common theme that seems to be repeated about the new Labour leader, regardless of your politics, there is finally going to be genuine political separation and debate in Westminster, which has to be healthy for everyone.

Maybe this surge of socialism and it's natural grass-roots support with the youth will be the fix for voter apathy?

I'm going straight from Windows 7 to Windows 12  Or maybe Win 14 

Business awards have exploded over the last 10 - 15 years. It has actually become a huge business, with awards companies generating multitudes of categories, and endless "winners".

For the new business owner, you may be very flattered to find out you have been short listed for the customer service excellence awards, the best blue widget, or the pan European best looking builders van. You will be assure there is no cost, and you have been chosen on merit and excellence, blah blah.

At the end of it, there will be a cost, and you will have a lovely certificate to hang on your wall and a logo to put on your website to tell the world that you are an award winning blue widget provider.

If it floats your boat, flatters your ego and think it will be a benefit to your business, then go for it. But go in with your eyes wide open, and your cynical radar on full strength.

We've had loads of these over the years, from a variety of companies. Here's the latest one to arrive, make you own minds up 

Hi,

I hope you had time to read my previous email informing you that My Local Services has been nominated for the 2015 European Corporate Excellence Awards! Over the last few months we have been accepting votes and I am delighted to inform you that you have been nominated!

The 2015 Executive Awards do not discriminate on the grounds of business location, number of employees, sector or size; instead, all we ask is that nominated firms have excelled through their dedication to client satisfaction or ongoing innovation, played a major role in advancing not just their individual firm, but their wider sector or industry.

If you would like to be added to the shortlist then please reply by email, and simply state "I’D LIKE TO SHORTLIST".

The next stage involves some heavy research on our side, and you too will be able to submit any details that you think will aid the decision making process. Your firm will then be presented to our in-house judging panel, and potentially go on to receive valuable industry recognition

Additionally, there is no financial cost or time element to this, and the award winners are due to be announced in November 2015!

Lucky us, we truly are excellent corporate Europeans 

Thanks but no thanks...

don't set him off.... 

There's a way to switch it off, and it works

http://microsoft-news.com/how-to-remove-windows-10-upgrade-notification-on-windows-7-and-windows-8/

What most people don't realise is, this is routine, and has been going on since the 1950's.

From Javelins, Phantoms, Lightening's, Tornado's and now the new shiny Typhoons. At least they are getting used and it's good training

It quietened down post Berlin wall, but in recent times, Putin and his merry band seem to want to exercise their military muscles. If nothing more than to divert attention from domestic strife and discontent.

How good are these?

Courtesy of Royal Mail

As for Andy and Clive, bahh humbug!

Welcome aboard John

Can't help with the VOIP provider, but glad you found us