Crafting the Perfect Recognition Award

10 Essential Considerations

In the world of awards and recognition, understanding the individual's achievements, personality, and contributions is essential in creating a personalized and meaningful award. In this post, we'll share 10 essential elements that should be explored in order to craft the perfect recognition award. Using the answers to these "questions", we'll be able to create awards that truly resonate with the recipient(s), making them feel valued and appreciated.

1. Full Name and Job Title: The starting point for a personalized award is knowing the recipient's full name and their job title. This ensures that the award is tailored specifically to the individual and their role in the organization.

2. Main Achievements and Contributions: To make the award truly meaningful, it's crucial to understand the key achievements and contributions the individual has made to the organization or team. This helps you highlight their accomplishments and recognize their hard work.

3. Length of Service: Acknowledging an individual's tenure with the organization can be a significant aspect of a recognition award. Consider celebrating milestones or anniversaries as part of the award to emphasize the individual's dedication and loyalty.

4. Unique Qualities and Skills: Understanding the recipient's unique qualities, skills, and characteristics allows you to tailor the award to their personality and strengths. By highlighting these traits, the award becomes more personal and genuine.

5. Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem-Solving Abilities: Recognizing an individual's leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills can help you create an award that reflects their positive impact on the organization. Gather examples of their abilities to include in the award description or citation.

6. Specific Projects and Initiatives: Has the individual led or been involved in any noteworthy projects, initiatives, or challenges? Including these details in the award can help demonstrate their dedication and commitment to the organization's goals.

7. Going Above and Beyond: Recognizing instances where the individual has gone above and beyond their job responsibilities can help create a memorable award. These examples show the recipient's dedication and passion for their work, making the award even more meaningful.

8. Theme, Values, or Organizational Goals: Align the award with the organization's values, themes, or goals to emphasize the recipient's contribution to the organization's overall success. This can make the award more relevant and impactful.

9. Format and Style Preferences: Determine the preferred format and style for the recognition award, such as a plaque, trophy, or certificate. Incorporate the organization's colors, logo, and typography to create a cohesive and professional design.

10. Special Quotes, Mottos, or Messages: Including special quotes, mottos, or messages in the award can add a personal touch and make it more meaningful. Choose words that resonate with the recipient and reflect their values, accomplishments, or personality.

By providing answers to these 10 essential questions, together, we'll be well on our way to crafting personalized and meaningful recognition awards that truly celebrate the achievements and contributions of the individuals in your organization. Remember, a well-thought-out and customized award can have a lasting impact on employee motivation, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.

Business Appreciation Gifts

Why and how your business should give appreciation gifts

Earlier this year I blogged about choosing the right recognition award. This time of year as everyone thinks of holiday gift giving, businesses are scrambling to show appreciation to their loyal customers, employees, and business associates.

Recognition versus Appreciation: What is the difference?

A recognition award is given as an acknowledgement for an achievement, e.g. top performer, dedicated volunteer, or years of service. For recognition awards, it is appropriate for the presenter’s company name or logo to be on the item.

Appreciation gifts are just that: gifts for people you appreciate. It is thoughtful and appropriate to the recipient. In the business world, the difference between a custom personalized gift and a can of honey-roasted nuts - which, while delicious, are somewhat generic - demonstrates your commitment to the relationship.

Business gift recipients – it’s not one-size-fits-all

Customers and clients come in all shapes and sizes. In the retail world, loyalty program members may get a free gift with purchase or special discount codes, and that is appropriate for the type of relationship. Across all industries, though, certain clients often rise to the top as a major part of your business. The same holds true for business associates; partners and vendors you work with regularly as an important part of your business might warrant a more thoughtful gesture than that can of nuts.

How to choose the right gift

So you’ve narrowed your list and have some names. But now what should you get them? Think about conversations you’ve had in meetings, on phone calls, or at business meals: what personal tidbits have you learned? What are their hobbies? Are they season ticket-holders who tailgate every home game? Avid runners or cyclists? Quilters? A bookworm? Do they live in a high-rise apartment, have a yard, or spend 300 days a year on the road? Are they single, married, have kids at home, or an empty-nester? A great gift will fit their life in or outside of the office.

When to give gifts

Contrary to popular belief or even the timing of this blog, the year-end holiday season is not always the best time to send gifts. With the hustle and bustle of parties and obligations with families and friends, it is too easy for gestures to get lost in the shuffle. A thoughtful gift delivered at a different time of year may make a bigger impact, especially if it geared toward a recipient’s seasonal interest: personalized barbeque tools in May or June or sports-themed items for the football fan in September.

How much should you spend on a business gift?

There is a target area between looking too generic and cheap (and probably wasting your money) or spending too much and making the relationship awkward. You are giving a gift, not offering a bribe to do more business. A general rule of thumb is to spend approximately what you’d spend to take the recipient out to a business meal.

When you shouldn’t give gifts!

As always, abide by the rules. Some employers – especially government agencies and elected officials – have strict policies about employees receiving gifts. In that case, a personal, hand-written letter expressing your appreciation for your relationship might be the most meaningful and legal show of gratitude.

A good rule of thumb to remember: if it has your logo prominently displayed on it, it is marketing. If it is customized for the recipient, it is a gift. Thoughtfully chosen, it will make an impression.

Perpetual Plaques

You see them in almost every business, university, community center, non-profit organization, club house, etc. Often mounted next to other achievement awards, you’ll find the “Perpetual Plaque”.

What is a Perpetual Plaque?

The perpetual plaque configuration typically provides a large “plate” or dominant area which describes the purpose or accomplishment being recognized and a collection of smaller plates which allow for variable data – typically, the names of those being recognized.

The value in the perpetual plaque is the ability to recognize more than one recipient on a single award. For example; an employee of the month, or multiple benefactors or contributors to a project. This type of plaque provides a plate or space for the name of each person being recognized without the cost of a separate plaque for each. And it logically groups the recipients under the common achievement or recognition.

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