Trophies2Go Blog

I wrote a blog article last December called Employee Engagement – not as hard as you think.  According to a recent Gallup Poll (Oct 2011) 71% of American workers are ‘not engaged’ or are ‘actively disengaged’ in their work.  In the blog I talked about things an employer or manager can do to help their employees be more engaged.  Ever since I wrote it, I’ve been wondering if there is another, equally critical, side to this issue.

What is Engagement?

Just as a refresher, what is employee engagement?  There is no shortage of articles and books to read on the subject.  According to Wikipedia, an engaged employee is one who is fully involved in, and enthusiastic about their work, and thus will act in a way that furthers their organization’s interests. Sounds like a great employee.

As an employer, how do you make sure your employees are engaged?  If you search for an answer, be prepared for the avalanche of opinions. They will range from ‘listen to your employees’, to ‘make them feel valued so they deliver value’, to ‘meet individual needs’. All, and much more, are critical in helping to engage your employees.

The Other Side

I’m curious though.  What if we looked at employee engagement from the employee’s viewpoint? What would that look like?

As an employee, you should ask yourself, how can I be more engaged today?  What can I do differently in my position today to make a difference in the company I work for?

Do you feel connected to the company’s mission and values?  Do you know what they are?  If not, find them, print them out, and post them in your workspace. Figure out how to connect with them.  There has to be a way, or you wouldn’t still be in the job you’re in.

Next, ask yourself, what motivates me? Is it salary, recognition, position, time off?  Figure it out and tell your manager. Hopefully they’ve already asked.  But if not, tell them.

Ask your manager to help you reach your job and career goals. See that award on your co-worker’s desk from last quarter.  Ask your manager what you can do this quarter to earn that award.  Put a plan in place.  Break down the steps and go to work.  Want the corner office?  That may be a longer plan.  Even if it’s something you want 3-5 years down the road, a good manager should be able to help you identify the significant milestones you’ll need to reach in order to get there.

Yes, good companies know they should listen to you, their employee.  And they know they should be asking what motivates you to give your best, and then helping you to do just that.  But I think engagement needs to be a two-way street.  Don’t ask how is my company going to engage me?  When do I get a raise? Why does that person always get recognized?

What can you do today to make your company successful?

Instead ask, what do I need to do differently? How do I engage differently so that I can reach my goals?  What can I do today to help my company reach its goals and fulfill its mission?  If you figure that out and actually do it, the payoff and the feeling of accomplishment will be incredible. As I’m sure any individual on a winning sports team will tell you, being a part of something successful is a great feeling. Knowing you played a big role in making it successful is even better.

I’d like to repeat myself here: As an employee, ask yourself, how can I be more engaged today?  What can I do differently in my position today to make a difference in the company I work for?

Blessings, Anne

Today we have a guest Blogger, our President and CEO, Jeff Anderson. He discusses why he attends the ARA trade show each year and the benefits. Enjoy! Here's Jeff:

At the beginning of each year, the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) holds its trade show in Las Vegas. While the focus of the show is on new products and innovations in the awards industry, I get more out of it than most. Don’t get me wrong, I do want to know what new products are out there, as most of our new awards selection does come from the show. I also use it as an opportunity to select new suppliers. When meeting a new vendor, I like to know their terms of service, order processing times, shipping times, guarantees, and if they offer volume pricing. I typically select 2-3 to test-drive. I feel fortunate if one of these turns out to be a long-term supplier for us.

Jeff with the giant JDS Oscar-replica trophy at the 2013 ARA Trade Show.

The purpose of this post, however, is to dive deeper into what I get out of the show. I feel like there are 4 additional reasons that make this trade show worthwhile, including industry trends, education, giving back, and camaraderie.

Industry Trends

What is happening now that is new? What are the latest and greatest products and tools? What pains suppliers and other retailers? This helps me know what others are doing successfully and what pitfalls to avoid. This affects our business by enabling us to provide leading products and services to our customers. If I didn’t attend (and a lot of people don’t), I would be doing a disservice to my customers by putting my business on cruise control and not trying to improve.

Education

Continuing education is also an important benefit to attending the show. Although I have attended dozens of seminars in the past, I can never get enough. There are always small nuggets of information that I get from each presenter. They also serve as a way to get to know other retailers and see how they approach business. This can be eye opening at times, since there is a wide-range of business people at the education seminars. Nevertheless, there is always something to be learned – either from the seminar or the attendees. This year, I was a panel guest at a seminar, and it was an eye opening experience being the teacher instead of the attendee.

Giving Back

Since the Awards and Recognition Association has provided so much for me in the past, the least I can do is give back. This year, I have been elected to serve on the ARA board and will be guiding the direction of the organization and the industry into the future. It is an honor and a humbling experience to be given this opportunity, and I look forward to giving back even more to an organization that has helped me and my business so much in the past. The ARA has also generously awarded two of my staff college scholarships for their children through the ARIEF Scholarship Program. This organization does a great job of giving back to our community, so I want to do my part to support them. I don’t know everything by any stretch of the imagination, but I do have 20+ of years in the industry. I have a lot of experience when it comes to growing an awards business, issues with employees, customer satisfaction issues, and more. To share some of these experiences with the end result helping someone else is a great honor.

Camaraderie

Fun, Fellowship, Friendship. Being in the company of individuals in the same industry is heart-warming. Whether on the show floor, in a seminar, or (my favorite) after-hours socialization, it is nice to spend a couple of days with people who understand what you do, how you do it, and what you go through.

Whether you are a fellow ARA member or one of our customers, I hope you have enjoyed reading what I get out of attending the ARA trade show.  It's a great organization and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Best,
Jeff

We have a lot of really great customers.  Jeff Mitchell is at the top.  Not because he spends a lot of money with us.  But because he does some pretty amazing work.  I think you'll agree after reading about his organization.  It is called Operation Bald Eagle.

Operation Bald Eagle is about serving the men and women who serve to protect us: Military, Law Enforcement & Fire Fighters.  These patriots serve us sacrificially 24/7/365. Operation Bald Eagle seeks to serve them in their time of need.

They offer several services that are performed throughout the year as a way to give back to these groups of patriots, and their immediate families out of western Washington. These include care packages to the troops several times a year, visits to the VA Hospital's in Seattle/Tacoma several times a year, and Project Picking up the Pieces to the families affected by loss and their respective agency/department or military service.

Operation Bald Eagle also sponsors Toys for Troops to collect toys and clothes for our military in-need and the families of fallen military.  They collect picnic items Memorial Day through the end of June for Picnic for Patriots. This program provides a July 4^th celebration for troop families.  And last year they were able to surprise 3 military families with a night’s stay and money to spend at Great Wolf Lodge.

Operation Bald Eagle and Eastside Fire & Rescue recognize Creekside Elementary for their supply drive.

After more than 3 years running this organization part-time, while working a full-time job, Jeff is now running Operation Bald Eagle full -time.  He believes in doing whatever needs doing for those who sacrifice their all for all of us.  And he is talking it up on the radio and in communities, and finding other organizations to partner with to help spread his ideas and his services to other parts of the country.

If you’d like to learn more about Operation Bald Eagle, you can find them at their Facebook page .

Jeff is seeking volunteers to help with supply drives for Thanksgiving, July 4^th and Toys for Troops.  He especially likes working with schools and has been known to drop in on a class to show his appreciation.  If you are interested in volunteering with his organization, email him at [email protected].

Keep up the great work Jeff!

Blessings, Anne

Planning an awards ceremony can be a large project, but the benefits can be quite significant.  While most events have the same basic components, how they’re put together will make your occasion special.

The first step toward planning an awards ceremony is deciding the purpose and goals of your event.  Who would you like to acknowledge and for what?  Is it a more casual function or a more formal gala?  Answering these questions can help guide your choice.  Once you’ve determined your goals for the event, you can begin the planning process.

Planning Your Event

Below are different components to consider when planning an event.  They are just general guidelines; it’s up to you and your team to decide what’s right for your organization.

Budget

The first place to start is with your budget.  How much can you allocate to the location?  Food?  Your speaker(s)?  Awards?  Once a spending plan has been determined, you can proceed with planning the function.

Date and Time

This may already be predetermined, such as the end of a conference or the end of a sales cycle.  If your event is a smaller affair, a Monday morning pep talk with a small awards ceremony in the office may be appropriate. However, a larger annual awards gala will require planning and securing a date months ahead of time.  The important thing is to confirm a date and time and communicate it to the guests and other VIPs so that they can be present for the ceremony.

Venue

For a smaller, less formal event, a meeting at the office may be appropriate.  For larger galas or end-of-year recognition, hosting dinner, a speaker, and an awards ceremony makes a wonderful event, especially for larger companies.  For this type of affair, hotel ballrooms, large convention spaces, and other large venues are terrific choices. Reserve your venue early, as many popular spots get quickly booked, especially during the holidays or summer wedding season.  Reserve your location at least one to two months in advance.

Guest List

The first people to invite are nominees and award recipients, plus a guest if appropriate.  VIPs, corporate managers, and other important people in the organization should be included next on the list.  Send invitations to your guests in plenty of time before the event.

Ordering Awards

If possible, order your awards at least a month prior to your event. This allows plenty of time for your order to be produced and shipped, with time to spare for any changes.  A little planning will help you stay on budget and minimize stress.  You’ll also save on shipping and rush order fees.  If you are presenting a number of awards, ordering a few extras may be helpful for any last minute changes.

It is important to word the text on the awards carefully.  For ideas, visit our Engraving Information Page.  Also, it may seem obvious, but double-check the spelling of the names of your winners.  This small detail makes a big difference in how the recipient feels about their much-deserved award!

Food

It’s not necessary to provide food at an awards ceremony, but it is nice to include it.  Be mindful of your budget when deciding on the menu.  Many locations offer full service staff, linens, centerpieces, and catering services; check with your venue for options. One important detail with food is presentation.  Whether you are serving tea and cookies or a formal dinner, it should look and taste amazing. Have attendees communicate any special dietary needs or food allergies before the event.  This information should be given to the caterer so that they can plan accordingly.

Most evening gala events begin with a cocktail hour, including appetizers.  After that, many will host a sit-down dinner, followed by dessert.  The program begins either during dessert or shortly after.  By starting the awards ceremony after dinner, the presenters and program do not compete with the meal.

If you are short on time and would like to serve a meal, such as at a luncheon, attendees can eat as the program is occurring.  However, food can be distracting during the program and there is less conversation among guests.

Timing

No matter the size of the affair, it's important to be organized and have a schedule of the timing of the different components of the event. Most recognition ceremonies have the awards portion at the end of the event.  This allows suspense to mount and excitement to build during the evening.  Also, most ceremonies start with the smaller, less glamorous awards first, with the larger, more impactful awards at the end of the celebration.

Programs

If you choose to hand out programs, they should include a schedule of events.  Also, it’s nice to list all of the nominees, what award they’re nominated for, and what they’ve contributed to the organization.   If there’s a Lifetime Achievement Award, a bio about the person can be published in the program.

Master of Ceremonies

The Master of Ceremonies is the announcer who keeps the program running, thanks planners and sponsors and introduces speakers.  This person can also present awards, or can introduce the person/people who will be presenting awards.

Speakers

It adds interest to include a speaker. This person can be someone from within the organization or an outside expert.  Keep in mind that speakers from outside the organization may require a fee.  Be sure to view the speaker in action before your event to ensure that they’re engaging and entertaining to the audience.

Tips for Presenting Awards

The awards are best presented by the sales manager or a higher-level executive, such as a VP or CEO. Recognition is more meaningful from the leaders of the company. When presenting the award, emphasize the importance of the selected metric and how much the recipient excelled above and beyond it and why that’s important to the company.

Regardless of who presents the awards, the person presenting should practice saying the recipient’s name prior to the event.  People appreciate having their names pronounced correctly, especially when receiving special recognition.  This will hopefully prevent awkward  moments during the ceremony.

Audio/Visual Needs

Many award ceremonies have music during the event, along with photos or videos of your organization or the awards recipients in action.  Be sure to include multimedia needs in your time line and budget if you plan to go that route.

Photographer

Hire a photographer or videographer to capture positive recognition during your celebration.  Not only will the recipients appreciate the photographs after the fact, but pictures make great PR for web sites, news releases, and other marketing materials.

Themes

Themes are a great way to have fun with your event, let the personality of your organization shine through, and really make a lasting impression.  Many party supply stores and web sites sell great props for themed events.

Decorations

These can be as simple or as extravagant as your time and budget allows.  Many groups use the standard décor from the venue, but if you have a special theme for your ceremony, decorations can really make the event come alive.  Be creative!  Some festive decorations include balloons, banners, or flowers.

Table centerpieces can double duty as a decoration or as a game for guests.  Consider including trivia cards about your organization or about the award nominees on the table, with answers to questions on the back.  The only limit is your imagination.

Overall Planning

Above are general things to consider when planning a corporate recognition ceremony.  Task lists with time lines for completion help keep details for the event organized.  Completing something each day makes the process more manageable and less overwhelming.   Consider forming a committee to help with planning, as this divides the work and brings more ideas to the project.

Not only is an awards celebration a perfect venue for recognizing and rewarding outstanding performers, but it is also an opportunity to deliver key messages company wide.  Seize the opportunity to let your organization shine at your special celebration.

Cheers!
Jessica

Two weeks until the biggest football day of the year - SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! Want to enjoy the game, the ads, and the half-time show with friends and family? Then throw a party! One idea to heat up the day even more is to host a chili cook-off before, during, or after the game. Chili and Football go hand-in-hand, and a Superbowl party is the perfect opportunity to share yummy food with a little friendly competition.

Below are the must have’s for any Superbowl Sunday Chili Cook-off:

The Chili:  Have your guests bring their chili in a crock pot. At chili cook-offs I host, the rules are you can make any type of chili you want– beef, chicken, vegetarian, spicy, mild, with beans, without beans – pretty much anything goes, as long as it’s homemade. But other competitions have different chili categories and award a winner in each. For ideas of how to plan and judge a chili cook-off, see my previous blog posts.

Make it easy by having entries in crock pots.

Winning Chili Recipes:  Here's my tip of how to win your cookoff:  look on the ICS web site for past chili cookoff winners and their recipes.  That's how we won our cook off this fall; why reinvent the wheel?

The Chili Accompaniments:  Be sure to include the extras for the top of the chili. Shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, chopped tomatoes, and crushed tortilla chips are all things that can go on top of chili to enhance the flavor.

The Snacks:  Even if you do a chili cook-off, don't forget the game day snacks. Chips and salsa, guacamole, nachos, cheese or bean dip, garlic bread, and cornbread all go great with chili. Cut up veggies with ranch or even a salad balance out the other junk so at least your guests get a little something healthy. And don't forget dessert! I personally like cookies, brownies, cupcakes - things you can eat with your hands, to keep dishes at a minimum.

The Drinks:  Beer, lots of it.  Conserve fridge space and have a cooler with ice for the beer.

The Awards:  We have lots of different options for chili awards on our web site. But to add some laughs at the party, I’d recommend one of our funnier trophies. Two of my favorites are The Golden Throne  and The Bomb Trophy .

The Message:  Of course any award can be funny if you add witty engraving. Below are some ideas for engraving for your awards, some tasteful, others not so much...

1. “We Wish You Hadn’t Entered the Chili Cook-Off” Award
(this is the most popular saying for the Worst Chili Award)

2. “Was That Really Chili?” Award

3. Honorable Mention
You will be in our thoughts later…

4. Best Chili Overall
Mighty Fine Cookin’!

5. Hottest Chili Award
Whoa!! That’s quite a fire!

6. Hottest Chili Award
It hurts coming and going!

7. Hot A** Award
Wipe my butt with a snowball please!

8. Roadkill Award
Was that meat?

9. Exhaust Fume Award
Chili with the most beans

10. Wild Game Award
Best of the Beast

The Superbowl is a great excuse to get together with family and friends, and hosting a chili cook-off is sure to bring an unique twist to your party. But no matter what, Superbowl Sunday is all about hanging out with family and friends and having fun (plus the commercials)!

Cheers,
Jessica