CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: The customer is king.

If companies want to avoid being swallowed by the economic crisis, then that's what they need to realise, says Gal Borenstein, customer service strategist and author of "What Really Counts for CEOs: Connect the Dots Between Marketing & Sales."

Customer service is making a comeback as a key marketing and brand-building strategy, Borenstein said. That may mean reaching out to customers for feedback through social networking sites, in person or making real-time incident management available for consumers who are savvy and have more resources than ever.

"Many companies have had a tin ear and just don't listen or aren't engaged," he said. "If a company wants to grow or survive in this economy, then we can't have that complete and utter disconnect between what advertisers promise and what's being delivered."

With price wars and declining profit margins, marketers will be forced to focus on repeat buyers who could easily buy the same product online or with another retailer, Borenstein said. Executives are beginning to monitor chatter about their company online and are even making themselves available for feedback, rather than rely solely on customer service statistics, to earn the loyalty of their clients.

WEIGHING THE TRUTH: Another year, another New Year's resolution to lose weight. You might even make a pact with your closest friend, family member or colleague to shed the pounds together.

But do you trust them?

A recent poll found that while 66 percent of Americans are open to dieting with someone, nearly the same amount — 67 percent — said they believe the other person is dishonest about their eating habits.

The telephone survey of more than 1,000 people, commissioned by nutritional supplements company Zone Labs, Inc., also found that more than 60 percent admitted they didn't want the other person to lose more weight than they did. Still, about 70 percent said they'd be unhappy if their partner failed to lose any weight.