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Jackie Larson

Guide to Promotional Plaques and Awards

Recognition can motivate employees to improve and excel

By Jackie Larson

Promotional plaques and other awards in the workplace can tell employees their work is noticed and valued. More than just a pat on the back or money that's quickly spent, a seemingly simple piece of engraved wood or gift certificate can provide a visual reminder to the recipient and those around them that you're paying attention.

Plaques, trophies, certificates and having your work praised in a mass email are all effective. Non-cash gifts with a personal touch can make a more profound, long-lasting and less expensive impact.

Here are three reasons to use awards to increase motivation for excellence and build a team:

  1. Rewarding employees inspires strong performance and competitiveness in battling absenteeism and workplace accidents. It also can promote customer service and sales growth.
  2. Providing incentives for setting and reaching goals keeps everyone focused on the bottom line and builds your business.
  3. Expensive turnover is reduced by recognizing employees as individuals and teams.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Set reachable yet challenging goals and benchmarks for achievement

Set and share a reachable goal that challenges employees, and budget for rewarding them. Encourage ownership by dangling an incentive "carrot" or award. This can be as simple as giving someone an engraved nameplate for their desk once they successfully reach their 90-day probation.
I recommend: Download a demo of MindSolve's Goal Alignment and Accountability program.

Schedule an annual (or seasonal, or quarterly) recognition event

You may already have an annual tradition, such as a Christmas party. But try establishing a new tradition, such as a quarterly cookout. A regularly scheduled event gives people something to look forward to and allows employees to see their peers acknowledged.
I recommend: Numerous vendors offer promotional plaques and awards. A few to consider include: Awards Zone, Artistic Awards, Quick Trophy, Martin Awards, McAeiro, MGA Graphics and Delp's Awards.

Find different categories for excellence

Go outside the box to recognize unique achievements. For example, if spirit and attitude are what differentiate support or customer service employees, establish a "That's the Spirit Award."
I recommend: Go to World Class Awards to order gold metal pins engraved with phrases like Attitude, Quality, Cut Above, Customer Service Excellence in Action, Record Sales or MVP. Gimmees.com offers tote bags, pens and imprinted items that can serve as a badge of honor for the employee carrying them.

Enlist the help of professionals

If you have a large budget (or lack manpower to devote to the project), use a company to help manage incentive programs.
I recommend: Select-Your-Gift can create a program that allows employees to choose from an album of awards. Get a menu of companies to choose from at Employee Incentive.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Don't constantly reward the same people.
  • Make sure rewards are based on actual contribution, or they won't meet your objectives.
  • Celebrate the team as a whole.
  • Get workers to nominate their peers. This can empower workers and give them a stake in the process.
  • If you praise a team, name them. Encourage individual effort with individualized attention whenever possible.

The official source of Promotional Plaques and Awards is
the Business Achievement Awards page at Business.com

Plaques & Awards
Buy plaques, trophies, medals, and awards for sports or other events. Most orders ship by the next business day.
www.quicktrophy.com
Plaques and Awards
Full service award and design company that develops the perfect awards program consistent with the high standards set by your organization.
www.artisticawards.com
Interactive Multimedia Donor Walls and Recognition Displays
Interactive multimedia donor walls, donor recognition displays, Hall of Fame Walls and promotional digital signage signage systems.
Recognition Walls | Kiosks | About Us | Testimonials
www.PlannedLegacy.com
Business Achievement Awards
Compare prices on a wide selection of high-quality achievement awards. Choose an existing design or create a custom award unique to your business.
www.bennettawards.net
Related Resources

Recommended Solution Providers

Trophy Central: Trophies & Award Plaques
Trophies, awards and trophy cases.

4imprint: Promotional Products
Imprinting on promotional products such as coffee mugs, bags, and corporate apparel.

Successories: Motivational Products
Designs, manufactures, markets and distributes proprietary business and personal motivational products.

e-CorporateAwards: Corporate Awards & Business Recognition
Diverse offering of custom corporate awards and business awards.

Trophies2Go: Trophies
Sports and corporate awards, trophies, plaques, apparel, resins, and coaches gifts.

PromoPeddler: Custom Promotional Products
Logo promotion items and imprinted corporate gifts.

Branders: Promotional Items
Online promotional products source, that enables customers to find, brand and buy promotional products.

Awards International: Corporate Awards
Awards, trophies and medallions for corporate, academic, or sporting achievements.

Contemporary Engraving: Plaques & Name Plates
Custom engraved plaques, name plates, brass plates, and corporate gift items.

Printglobe: Business Printing & Promotional Products
Printing products and services to small and mid-size businesses.

Best Sites to Learn More

Promopeddler: Promotional Articles
Promotional marketing articles.

BuyerZone: Corporate Gift Incentives
A buyer's guide to business gifts and incentives.

Best Blogs and Forums

Martin Corporate Awards: Corporate Awards & Promotional Gifts America
Blog on business gifts and awards.

Promopeddler: Promotional Blog
Blog on promotional products.



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