Importance of Recognition

As 2016 draws to a close, its time to wrap up your awards programs for the year.  January brings one of our busiest months of the year with a plethora of corporate plaques, President's Awards, sales achievement and other yearly recognition.   Below are 5 examples of year end corporate awards our customers provide to individuals within their organization.

These pretty purple YAHOO! acrylic awards were a hit with the winners!

1.  Awards for an Annual Ceremony.  The award you choose is an extremely important component of this occasion, and fortunately there are many options for any sized budget. Read 5 Tips for Choosing a Corporate Award or contact our staff to help you choose the perfect award to make your winners proud.  For ideas on hosting an event, read my post on Planning an Awards Ceremony.

2.  Service Awards.  Reward those employees who commit to your company for an extended period of time with a Service Award.  Present this award to 1, 5, 10 and 20 years of service, or tailor the time frame to your organization's specific needs.  In addition to awards, clocks, gift certificates to a special store, and personalized gifts are popular for this type of recognition.  Rule of thumb is the longer an individual is at the organization, the more significant the award.

Our customer presenting a sales award plaque to a distributor.

3.  Sales Awards.  Celebrate reaching goals and achieving quotas monthly, quarterly, or annually, as your recognition program and budget allows.  Depending on your business, a sales award can be an individual award for a specific person, or a group award for a top store, regional leader, or top distributor.  Plaques, acrylic awards, glass awards and etched crystal awards are popular options.  Read the Sales Achievement Awards post to learn more.

4.  Employee of the Month Awards.   This can also be Employee of the Quarter or Employee of the Year.  As with any awards program, its important to decide on the criteria for choosing the winner prior to launching the program.   When a person is selected for the award, be sure to publicize it.  This has two benefits - the winner feels important and others are motivated to win in the future.  For the award, perpetual plaques posted in a central location are most popular.   It's also nice to give a small take-away award to each winner to display on their desk or bookcase to memorialize their honor.

5.  Other Types of Awards.  These include community awards, corporate honors, leadership awards,  product launch awards, past president, retirement gifts, and teamwork awards.  Many organizations create their own awards too, tailoring the recognition specifically to their need.

It's important to set up a recognition program carefully before launching to ensure success.  But once it's implemented, measured and executed, corporate awards programs can improve your company culture and increase your staff morale.   Feel free contact me or any of our staff for more information about End of Year Corporate Awards!  Here's to a great 2016 and a wonderful new year ahead!

Editor's Note:  This post was originally published in December 2013, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Cheers,
Jessica

I don't give participation awards because I don't think kids can handle losing. I give them because I reward their contributions to the team.

Sunday night I was watching the Golden Globes and yet again, Participation Trophies got trashed.   I was crushed when Ryan Gosling, one of my favorite actors, made a negative comment about participation trophies when presenting.  Why is everyone hating on participation trophies?  I know I'm the owner of a trophy company, but I'm also a mom and I don't see how awarding participation trophies is making a slacker society.

So this post is a counter argument - reasons WHY TO GIVE PARTICIPATION TROPHIES.

If you haven't heard, Bryant Gumbel plus many others are slamming the practice of awarding participation trophies to kids. The argument says that the over praise of our youth is causing problems with that generation and participation trophies are to blame.  It's sad that something so positive is being twisted into a negative.

I feel that when a young child participates in youth programs they learn commitment, dedication, and team work. I see no problem when a small reward, such as a trophy or medal, is awarded for successfully completing one of these programs.

Adult Participation Awards

Adults receive participation awards all the time, yet they don't make the headlines. Here are some examples of widely accepted grown-up participation trophies:

My Mother in Law Bonnie and I after we finished a sprint triathlon. Why is ok to get participation awards at a race, but not ok to give kids at the end of a season?

1.  Every 5K, 10K, Half or Full Marathon gives participation medals and t-shirts for finishing the race. These runners train and at the end of their event, whether they finish first or last, they get a medal. How is this different from a child who attends every practice and game and then gets a medal at the end of the season?

2.  Pro Athletes get Championship rings whether they are on the star line up, are injured, or sit on the bench the whole season as the third string. When the team wins, everyone gets an award, regardless of how much they contributed.

3.  Many employees receive Years of Service awards for working for a particular amount of time at a company. Whether the employee receives hardware or cash, this is an award to motivate retention, regardless of performance.

What gets me is when adults get these types of awards, they are a good thing, but if a child gets a participation award, the argument is that the child is going to grow up being entitled and/or have easily hurt feelings.  Is this what happens to adults too?

Coach Push Back

Are you a coach with a kid who is a star athlete on the team? Then your child has probably been getting trophies their entire life and they really have no value to you or your kid – I get it.

But most children are not stars; they have to work to do well. My kids are not naturally gifted athletes but like to participate to stay active and be social with their friends. Kids like mine are the real reason for participation awards - kids that show up week after week but may only play in the game for a few minutes.  They are the ones who earn a trophy, because without those kids sticking with it, you may not have a team.

I see participation trophies as a “sports retention award”. With so many options of what to do with their time, kids can choose to play video games instead of joining a team. Why not reward them for keeping with the sport so they will continue to play?

Trophy Haters

Have a hang up about giving trophies? Fine, don’t give a trophy. But DO give something as a memento of the season so the kids know you care.

My daughter played on a soccer team with an awesome coach. He was amazing with the girls and they had a great season. But he didn’t believe in giving participation trophies. Well my daughter was crushed, especially since her parents own a trophy company. Sure, we could make her a trophy, but it doesn't mean anything if it doesn't come from the coach. As I stated above, she wasn’t the fastest or most aggressive player on the team, but she did try and she attended all of the practices and games.

At the end of season team party, true to his word, the coach didn’t give trophies but he did give the kids a photo collage with pictures from the season. To me I don’t see the difference between a small trophy and this photo gift. They are both small mementos to recognize the season. Neither one results in kids being spoiled and entitled; they are both a way to acknowledge a season well-played.

I know to an adult a participation trophy is no big deal, but to a young child, these really matter.   Getting a trophy from a coach or teacher is quite meaningful and a participation trophy becomes a prized possession and point of pride for young children.

When to Give Participation Trophies (And Not)

I am a fan of participation trophies for young kids.  This is the carrot that gets them through their commitment, whether that's a sports season or a year of piano lessons.  However when kids get older and more skilled, a participation trophy may no longer be useful.  Once in select sports and activities most kids no longer receive participation awards; they only receive trophies when winning tournaments, competitions, or other championships.

However these older kids may still receive mementos, just in a different form.  Pins, coins, t-shirts, water bottles are all forms of participation awards that kids receive for attending different events, such as tournaments. festivals and jamborees.  These are fun for kids to collect, trade and wear with pride.

However, I do not condone craziness - there is a line that can be crossed.  For example, we had a recent customer who changed the engraving on her son's trophy from "Most Improved" to "Most Inspirational" because she didn't like the award her son received.  In my book that is NOT ok and gives my industry a bad rap.

In Conclusion

Coaches, teachers, league organizers, administrators, and parents - there is a value and a necessity of recognizing our youth for committing to and participating in positive activities such as sports, academics, and the arts. A small reward in the form of a participation award at the end of the season is a good thing, especially for younger kids who are trying out activities to see what sticks.

Read more thoughts about Participation Awards, check out my past blogs, A Mom's Opinion of Participation Trophies and Making Sports Trophies Meaningful. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to let me know.

Cheers!
Jessica

Retirement represents a significant right of passage in a person’s life.  When an employee devotes years of service to a career, retirement changes their life significantly.  How the retiree is honored will remain with them and their families for the rest of their lives.

How Do You Honor A Retiree?

Retirement is a right of passage meant to be celebrated!

Plan a retirement party.  Big or small, a party matters.  Whether an informal gathering during the day or a more formal event after hours, it's important thing to have key people present - the retiree's current and past co-workers, managers, and spouse.  Retirement awards and gifts should be presented at this event.

Have a theme. Get inspiration from something the retiree enjoys, such as a hobby or a favorite vacation spot.  Use the theme as a starting point for decorations and games, if you're having them.  The theme makes a party more fun and memorable.

Say something nice about the retiree. Careful planning should be given to these words, as they will make a lasting impression. It's more meaningful when the speaker has worked directly with the retiree. Make sure to mention the contributions the retiree has made to the organization throughout their career.

Make the retirement gift meaningful.  Since the gift is a symbol of tenure with the company, it’s important.   Beautiful engraved clocks, vases, plaques, and other personalized award items are popular choices for retirement gifts.  Your gift will be most meaningful if a senior member of the company presents it.

The most important thing is that the person is honored and appreciated for their years of loyalty, dedication and contribution to the organization.

Sample Text for Retirement Awards

Example of retirement text for an engraved wall plaque.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide what words to put on an engraved award.  Below are 4 examples of text that can be used on retirement awards to make it meaningful. These are only guidelines; be creative to capture the essence of the person you're honoring.

Example #1:
Presented To
First and Last Name
Thank you for your years of
Dedication and Leadership
Company name or logo
Retirement Date or Retirement Party Date

Example #2:
Presented to
First Name and Last Name
Thank you for your years of passion,
dedication, and leadership.
Your friendship and companionship will be greatly missed.
Company name or logo
Retirement Date or Retirement Party Date

Congratulate someone special on their retirement!

Example #3:
Presented to
First Name and Last Name
{Formal saying (three adjectives) stating specific attributes of retiree’s contribution}
Company name or logo
Retirement Date or Retirement Party Date

Example #4:
Presented to
First Name and Last Name
{Formal saying (three adjectives) stating specific attributes of retiree’s contribution}
{Informal saying that speaks to the retiree’s personal attributes or parting words of gratitude}
Company name or logo
Retirement Date or Retirement Party Date

Retirement is a right-of-passage that deserves acknowledgment and recognition.  Make it memorable and fun for that special person who has given their time, energy, and talents to your organization.  They'll remember it for the rest of their lives!

Editor's Note:  This post was originally published in Fall 2012 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness

Cheers,
Jessica

How Do I Recognize My Coach?

Whether your kiddo is a tot or a teen, their coach is an important person in their life who deserves recognition.  But what makes a meaningful gift?  Show your coach how much you appreciate the teaching and mentoring they give your child and the entire team with a heart-felt gift.

During The Season

Coaches deserve recognition for their leadership.

First, do a little prep work before choosing a gift for your coach.  Ask yourself the following questions to get ideas flowing.

How good was your coach?  How much time did they devote to the team?  What was their commitment and enthusiasm?  Do they have a passion for the game?  Were they knowledgeable?  And most importantly, were they a role model of good sportsmanship?

Find out your coach’s interests to get ideas of what the coach might find meaningful.

Set a budget. Will everyone on the team pitch in for a gift?  If so, how much can they contribute? Determining your budget during the season can help decide what level of gift you can give.

With these questions answered, you can decide what to do.

Gift Ideas

Below are various recognition gift options for your coach.  To help with budgeting, they are organized by price - small, medium, large and priceless (aka Free).  Also check out our Coach Gifts Pinterest Board for other inspirational ideas for showing appreciation to your coach.

Small Gifts (less than $20)

Gift ideas include thank you cards from the players on the team, a flower bouquet, a gift card to a favorite store, a small coach themed trophy, a signed team ball, an engraved coffee mug, or a small coach themed plaque.  View our Coach Gifts and Awards page to see our large selection of Coach Trophies.

Medium Gifts ($20-$50)

Ideas include gift certificate to coach’s favorite store or restaurant, movie tickets, a popular picture plaque with a photo of the team, an engraved clipboard, clothing signed by each team member, a signed ball with an acrylic case for display, a book about sports signed by each team member,  a poster collage with pictures of the season,  or a whistle in an engraved box.

Another idea is to combine small things around a theme.  For example, if your kids play baseball, you can have the kids sign a team ball to display in an engraved ball holder trophy.  For any sport, you can put a Starbucks coffee card in an engraved mug.  For thank you cards, the kids can make them or you can use a team picture as the front of the card with a small gift card inside.

Large Gifts ($50+)

Ideas include Embroidered Sports-Related Clothing; a jersey for their favorite college or professional team; a scrapbook with photos from the season, along with personalized messages from each team member; tickets to a professional sports team game; or a larger gift certificate to a favorite store or restaurant.

Priceless Ideas (Free Yet Meaningful)

Ideas include personal calls, emails, or texts thanking the coach for a great season.  Consider creating a scrapbook for the coach.  Younger players can draw a picture, older kids can write a letter. Ideas for things to include: the player's favorite thing about the coach, favorite moment of the season, what they like about playing the sport, or their favorite position and why.  Then  these letters can be displayed in a binder or scrapbook and given to the coach at the team party.  This can be a gift in itself or can be presented with one of the ideas above.

No matter what you decide to do, any gesture of recognition will be appreciated.  Coaches give leadership and devote time to the team and deserve to be recognized in a meaningful way for their efforts.

Editor's Note:  This post was originally published in October 2012, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Cheers!
Jessica

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming the first week of May!  As parents, we trust teachers to provide guidance, teaching, and care to our most precious resource - our children. Yet how do we show how much we value the time and energy teachers put forth for our kids?  Below are some ideas to honor your favorite teacher!

6 Gift Ideas for Teachers

One of the many cute teacher gift ideas found on Pinterest.

Idea #1: Check Pinterest. Looking for cute, clever and inexpensive gift ideas for your favorite teacher? Check out our Teacher Appreciation pinterest board - I've shared my favorite ideas there!

Idea #2: Engraved Apples.  We offer a number of cute apple themed awards, perfect for teacher recognition.  Popular choices include our 3-D Apple Plaque, our Resin Apple and our new Crystal Apple.

Idea #3:  Pool Your Class Gift Money. Many students give small gifts to their teachers, especially during the holidays, during teacher appreciation week, and at the end of the school year.  Consider asking the parents in your class to pool gift money together and purchase a larger item for the teacher, such as a larger classroom supply or a gift certificate to a versatile store, such as Amazon.  That way the teacher can buy a larger ticket item for their home or classroom. A gift card is always appreciated, as the teacher can use the it whatever way they want.

Idea #4: Give your time in their classroom. Many teachers stay after hours planning lessons, grading papers, and attending meetings in order to keep up with changing student assessments and standards. By volunteering in the classroom, your time spent and tasks accomplished means less work for the teacher. You are giving the gift of time!

For Outstanding Educators!

Idea #5: Nominate your teacher for an award. Many PTAs honor an Outstanding Educator each spring, and some community groups also recognize exceptional teachers. We sponsor the 'Teacher of the Week' by Star 101.5 radio station. When a teacher wins an award, the public recognition will make them feel appreciated!

Idea #6: Participate in National Teacher Appreciation Week. During the first week of May, communities honor teachers. Most schools take this time to shower their teachers and staff with flowers, goodies, notes, meals, and other gifts. If you are organizing your school's Teacher Appreciation Week activities, the National Education Association has some great ideas.

I hope these ideas inspire you to reach out to that special teacher or educator in your life and thank them for the positive impact they make!

Cheers!
Jessica