Loyalty must be very important to companies today. Hotels, airlines, rental cars all offer loyalty programs. So to do clothing and grocery stores. Even my hair styling shop has a loyalty program.

The first few such programs in any given industry probably made a difference for repeat business. But no longer.

I’ve never been convinced that bribery is the best route to gaining loyalty. There have to be better ways.

Do you know from each group whose loyalty is most important to you? Do you know for sure if you have it from them? And importantly, do you understand which exact conditions have enticed any of those “chosen few” to be loyal to your organization?

There is one trick that can attract and maintain loyalty. While everyone can do it, few do it well. That trick is to demonstrate honest caring and respect in every single interaction.