End of the Year Appreciation: 6 People to Remember

The Office Christmas Party is Right Around the Corner … so Prepare Awards Early!

When it comes to the end of the year appreciating things can become hectic; trying to figure out who deserves what. It’s important not to leave anyone out that is worthy of recognition.  The obvious top-performers will always seem like the most important of the list of award recipients in a corporate environment.

However, what about those loyal employees that deserve recognition for the behind-the-scenes tasks so often overlooked?  Like the assistant who made sure all of your appointments were on time and who made sure every paper you needed for an important business trip was intact; along with your passport, airline ticket, itinerary, etc.?  Or what about that new guy – the one you hired a couple of years ago – who has never missed a day of work or called in sick, ever?

We have come up with some ideas for you to think of some special people who deserve to hear a “Thank You” or “Congratulations.” First, you need to get a list of all of those deserving employees and begin to place them next to a list of categories, such as:

1. The Overachiever

This is one of my personal favorites, because this individual is usually the one putting in the extra work even when nobody has asked them to. These are the types of individuals that will ultimately make your company money, so this is a biggie.

2. Perfect Attendance

It’s hard enough these days to organize a full schedule. People have family commitments, like sick kids or appointments which can hinder an ability to get to work sometimes.  No one likes those employees that abuse their “sick day” privileges, either.  Especially when a valuable deadline is missed or when another employee has to work double to cover the excuse-maker. That’s why it’s important to let the individuals who never miss a day know, how much you appreciate their dedication.

3. Top Producers

Your company is growing at a rapid pace, but it’s likely that you didn’t do it all alone.  Make sure to award individuals of outstanding sales, top producers, etc. This is the award that should be at the top of the list and needs to be one of the most elaborate awards that you pass out, partly because it will make the other employees green with envy and they will strive harder to become next year’s recipient.

4. Leaders

Every team has a General.  That someone is there to motivate, inspire and teach the individuals on the team.  Make sure to give proper accolades to the organizers and leaders who excel.  They are ultimately the right-hand of your business.

5. Retirees

No matter how long an employee has been with your company, it is a nice gesture to recognize someone even after they decide to move on.  Especially if the employee has been a loyal and dedicated member of the crew who has contributed to the structure of the organization.

6. Dirty Deeds

Someone has to do the dirty work, so they say.  The janitor who changes the trash can and vacuums the office every night; the messenger who delivers packages in the hot sun all day; the gal who changes the sheets at a hospital or nursing home; these are just a short list of suggestions to get you thinking… who have I forgotten?  These people are valuable contributors to your organization and deserve to be noticed for all the dirty deeds they do that no one else wants to do!

Come and browse through hundreds of crystal awards, plaques and acrylic trophies at trophies2go.com, for virtually every occasion. If a trophy or plaque is not appropriate, make sure to acknowledge them in a special way.  Be thoughtful and creative with your recognition as small gestures can bring great things.

Before you know it, the champagne will be flowing and the New Year will be upon us.  Don’t let another year go by without saying thank you to those people who we hold near and who keep the company flowing smoothly.

Trophies and Awards promo codes and discount codes

From my perspective, the economy sucks and money is tighter for all of us.  I have pondered the use of promotion codes in the past.  Sure, I want more business, but is it the right thing to do?  Our product costs have increased substantially over the past few years as have rent, utilities, and labor costs.  We have increased prices a little, but not enough to keep pace with the expenses.  So now I am faced with another question: do I raise prices again and then try to use other sales tactics, such as discount or promotion codes?

As a consumer, I hate the tactics of some businesses (like furniture companies or mattress companies) that mark up products half of the year, only to significantly discount them the other half.  I am sure that works for them, but does anyone who buys awards and trophies want their supplier to apply such a tactic?  My gut says “no” – I think that most people expect to receive great products, service and prices every day of the year.

I value the internet as a great source of knowledge for the consumer.  I also feel it serves as a tool for customers to ensure they are getting a good deal.  My blog serves as an outlet for me to share my thoughts/ideas and as a way for me to test business strategies.  In the interest of testing out the use of promotion codes in my trophy & awards business, I am going to offer a promotion code good for 10% off.  Use the code: awardsgurutest09 , on the last page of the checkout, from now until August 31st, 2009 as a gesture of goodwill to see how good we are at what we do.  I am not going to raise prices and then give you a discount – this is off of our great everyday prices.  I hope that we will beat your expectations of what an online trophy & awards supplier should be.  Make sure to check out our extensive line of acrylic award trophies, plaques, crystal award trophies as well as our sports trophies!

Thanks for being a reader of my blog!  Your readership and support is appreciated!