Received a letter of congratulations and thanks this week from our financial institution for reaching a membership milestone. Wow, someone was really keeping track of our long-standing patronage! The impact of receiving the letter prompted this blog entry.

A recent survey of small business owners published in USA Today showed getting repeat customers as the #1 business milestone. As a small business owner have you created a loyalty rewards program, customer appreciation plan and/or are you maintaining it? Gail Goodman’s shares cost-effective and creative ways to stay connected with your customers in her article: “Five Ways to Show Customers You Care.”