Reward Programmes
The benefits of having loyal customers such as increased profitability and competitive advantage have encouraged a lot of organisations in different sectors to develop and implement customer reward programmes, also known as loyalty programmes.
The main purpose of these programmes is to build customer loyalty. Reward programmes can also be used to create communication opportunities, gather customer data and assist brand PR.
Operant conditioning
The concept of customer reward programmes can be explained using operant (or instrumental) conditioning theory. Operant conditioning is a learning process which involves individuals learning to perform behaviours that cause positive outcomes and to avoid those that produce negative results. Figure 3 illustrates the form of operant conditioning which involves positive reinforcement. It shows that an individual who receives a stimulus and takes appropriate action may experience a positive outcome. In this case, the positive result reinforces the probability of the behaviour that produced this outcome being repeated. As a result the individual learns to perform that behaviour.
Origin and examples of reward programmes
Loyalty programmes have been around in the UK and USA since late 1950s, when Green Shield Stamps were introduced to customers. Over the last four decades the concept has been widely adopted by various companies. Nowadays examples of these programmes can be found almost in every industry and sector, for example; the airline industry (e.g. British Airways frequent flyer programme called ‘Executive club’), retail (e.g. ‘Tesco Clubcard’), coffee shop industry (e.g. ‘Costa Club’, ‘Starbucks Card’) and hotel industry (e.g. ‘Marriott Rewards’). Compared to the earlier schemes, today’s programmes are easier to use, due to continuous developments in technology.
Tattoo Removal
When people get a tattoo, they sometimes don’t realize it is going to be permanent. We all know they will be with us forever but at that moment, no one is thinking about the future. Teenagers go out and fill their bodies with different designs and art work. They forget to think how these tattoos will look when they are in their 70’s. They also neglect to think about what they want to do for a career. Luckily, most businesses are becoming more lenient with tattoos.
The people who want to remove their tattoos usually either had a bad experience or want to erase a bad memory. A lot of younger people get their significant other’s name tattooed somewhere on their body. This is a bad idea because no one knows the future. Anything can happen and people can break up.
The tattoo removal process can take up to 15 treatments. These are not easy treatments. They can be very painful and unpleasant. These treatments are usually done 5 weeks apart. They can sometimes cost up to 10 times more than the price of the tattoo you are erasing. The whole point of the tattoo removal is to get rid of the art work that is on your body. Some removal treatments can leave a scar or discolor your skin. The newer technologies for tattoo removal have made this process more effective. It is still expensive and painful. It is also going to take a long time to complete the process.
Los Cancajos Holidays
Playa de Los Cancajos, is a sightseer resort in the Canarian island of La Palma. After Puerto Naos, Los Cancajos is the second largest resort on the island.
Los Cancajos is one of the popular holiday paradise spots as it is considered to be one of the most suitable locations to hang about on La Palma. Apart from that it is a good base from which one can take excursions to explore the rest of the island.
Los Cancajos is a small holiday village only about 2 ½ miles to the south of the capital Santa Cruz and ten minutes’ drives from the airport. The resort has a chain of bars and restaurants and a good choice of holiday accommodation. Typical of La Palma, the beaches are of black sand but are clean and safe for swimming.
Presently there are a number of large hotels and apartment complexes in Playa de los Cancajos which offer half-board options, and a good choice of restaurants, including some highly-recommended fish bistro. The nighttime in Playa de los Cancajos is the busiest on the island. With a selection of bars and two clubs in the resort make it a hub for every visitor.
The beach at Playa de los Cancajos is fairly wide and consists of three small bays situated within the rocky bay of the coastline. Enveloped in fine volcanic sand that is characteristic of the island. The beach at Playa de los Cancajos was awarded the European Blue Flag for excellence and with its crystal see-through waters protected by wave breakers, the state of affairs are safe for swimming.
There is also a recreational area on the beach for children. Playa de los Cancajos is recognized as one of the most excellent places on La Palma to go underwater and snorkel and the sub-tropical waters with their deep bay and warren are home to a eye-catching arrangement of trumpet fish, rays, barracudas and turtles.
La Palma is a haven for nature lovers, with attractive hikes all the way through the entire island, and a trip to the Caldereta crater, the most important volcanic crater in the world, is a momentous experience.
Puerto Del Carmen
Puerto Del Carmen is a prominent tourist resort in lanzarote, Canary Islands. It is situated in south-east part of the island. It is the one of the busiest resort in the island. Earlier it was a normal fishing village. The beach alongside resort has a 4 mile stretch. There are three beaches in that stretch. It is close to Arrecife airport which is about a 10 minute drive. This resort is about 40 year old resort. New town has more restaurants, bars and markets. On the contrary old town is famous for harbor and docks.
Puerto Del Carmen has wide peaceful sandy beaches. Resort does not have high rises that is the best part for a traveler who is looking for peace. Resort has many luxurious villas & hotel alongside beach. The resort has been developed in about two decades. The beaches here are known for cleanliness and are really beautiful.
Beaches are excellent for water sports and swimming. Plenty of water sport can be enjoyed here in Puerto Del Carmen, several diving school are there to help interested visitors. Cycling is also very popular in resort. Tourist can hire a bike from shops. Alongside beautiful promenade there are plenty of bike hire shops.
For shopping plenty of opportunities are there in Puerto Del Carmen Shops are generally tourist oriented. Plenty of restaurants & bars also there. There are some up market shopping complexes to shop. Biosefra plaza is one of them. Hanover ll, La Ola are the prominent restaurants. Local art, clothes and shoes are the main attraction for the tourists. There are lots of things to explore so it is better to hire a cab.
Several restaurants are serves good food. You can get any kind of food, multicultural food, Italian, English food. Food generally is at very nominal prices.
Night life of Puerto Del Carmen is also very good. There are clubs which are open until early morning. The prominent clubs are 928, Cesar, Tropical etc. Carnival is the festival of attraction for the visitors celebrated in Feb-march.
Puerto Del Carmen is an excellent place for visitors who want to enjoy sandy beaches with crystal clear water, night life attracted toward water sports.