Did you know that 80% of employees would work harder if they felt better appreciated? Also, consistent employee recognition and the implementation of recognition programs can reduce turnover rates by up to 31%.
Simply put, it pays to recognize your hardworking employees. However, we often find many businesses are at a loss when it comes time to find special ways to recognize their employees. In this case, corporate awards can be the perfect solution.
Giving out custom awards is an excellent way to show appreciation, reward achievement, or even boost morale in the workplace.
Ready to start awarding your employees? Great! Follow along as we cover everything from what corporate awards are and why they matter to how you choose award types and design ideas.
What Are Corporate Awards?
Corporate awards are given to individuals to recognize their achievements, excellence, and contribution to their field. These awards are often presented on plaques but can include corporate crystal awards or other mementos.
The idea is to award employees something they can display in a prominent location. What can you award employees for? We’ll offer some unique ideas below, ranging from displays of appreciation to plaques for outstanding achievement.
Plaques are popular for corporate awards because they are simple, affordable, and offer plenty of space for engravings. They are often made of wood or metal and are customizable to fit the organization’s needs.
Crystal awards are another type of corporate award that is gaining popularity. They offer a more modern, elegant look and are often given for more significant achievements such as a significant milestone or a prestigious award.
Crystal awards also come in various shapes and sizes and often have the recipient’s name and the accolade etched onto the surface.
Regardless of the type of corporate awards and trophies you give your hardworking employees, they’re a great way to show appreciation for individuals and teams. They serve as a reminder of accomplishments and motivate individuals to continue striving for excellence. With that comes several benefits.
The Benefits of Corporate Awards
Who doesn’t love to feel rewarded for a job well done? We all do; however, this is especially important in corporate environments. When recognition is a core part of a company’s culture, employees report they’re nearly three times more likely to “strongly agree” that they feel loyal to their employers.
However, it’s not just about loyalty. There are several other benefits of corporation recognition awards. Here are just a few of those.
Morale
Corporate awards increase morale in the workplace by recognizing individual and team contributions. When employees feel appreciated for their hard work, they are more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.
Regardless of the industry or the person’s job position, this recognition contributes to the following:
- Employee engagement
- Job satisfaction
- Productivity
It also fosters a sense of community within the workplace and boosts employee loyalty, inspiring individuals to continue making significant contributions. Through the right kinds of recognition programs, companies can create a positive work environment that encourages employee engagement and overall success.
Productivity
Want to motivate employees to perform at their best? Setting goals and celebrating achievements help individuals stay focused and push themselves to improve. Some employees may even become more competitive in earning recognition, resulting in greater productivity overall.
For example, let’s say a sales manager sets a goal for his team to reach a certain revenue target for the quarter. As the team works towards the goal, the manager keeps track of their progress and rewards individuals who have shown great efforts.
This positive reinforcement encourages the team to strive for success, even when challenges arise. The program leads to a boost in productivity because the team feels a sense of responsibility and an eagerness to meet expectations.
Talent
Do you want to attract and retain top talent in your business? Then consider implementing a corporate awards and employee recognition program. When employees feel appreciated and recognized for their hard work, they are more likely to remain loyal to the company and feel motivated to continue performing at a high level.
Moreover, if potential job candidates know you actively recognize and reward your employees, that incentivizes them to want to work for your company. Current employees are also more likely to recommend your business to others (employees and customers) if they feel recognized for their contributions.
Turnover
While it might not seem like a big deal, the cost of high turnover rates is huge. If you employ hourly workers, you’ll pay at least $1,500 per worker every time someone leaves to cover hiring and training costs for someone new. The best way to avoid this? Rewards your employees!
A stable workforce can lead to increased productivity and, ultimately, a stronger bottom line for the business. By investing in corporate awards and recognition programs, your business can retain valuable employees and create a positive work environment.
Corporate Awards Ideas
Are you sold on the benefits of corporate awards? Great. Now it’s time to consider what kinds of corporate awards you’ll offer your employees. There’s no hard and fast rule here. However, here are a few great ideas our customers have implemented in the past.
Employee of the Month
Implementing an employee of the month award can greatly boost employee morale and create a sense of healthy competition among coworkers.
To structure the program, decide on the criteria for selection (including factors like productivity, attendance, and attitude) and the prize (which can range from a certificate to a plaque or even a fancy crystal award).
Make sure to announce the winner in a company-wide email or meeting, and consider rotating the responsibility of selecting the winner among different managers or team leaders each month.
Department MVP
Depending on how large your company is, you might find it easier or better to create awards for specific departments instead of awarding just one employee company-wide. This is often helpful if you have multiple departments with varying functions.
To structure this type of program, consider setting clear criteria for what qualifies as “MVP-worthy” performance. This might include exceeding goals or going above and beyond in teamwork. Offer perks for the winner to add an element of fun and competition.
Remember to be fair and transparent in the selection process by involving employees and providing frequent feedback.
Sales Awards
Implementing a sales awards program can be incredibly beneficial for motivating and incentivizing your sales team. While most sales teams have metrics to meet, few are rewarded for meeting those goals. So, take time to recognize top salespeople publicly. Give them an award for their performance and continued success.
Some general tips for structuring such a program include:
- Setting clear and attainable goals
- Offering a mix of individual and team awards
- Making awards tangible and desirable (such as with personalized plaques)
With the right program, you can increase sales, boost morale, and foster a healthy sense of competition within your sales team. This can drive performance and boost your bottom line. So, it’s a win-win all around.
Work Anniversaries
Finally, offering corporate recognition awards for work anniversaries or retirement is a great idea. Retiring is a huge milestone, and it deserves recognition.
When creating a retirement award, consider personalizing it to the recipient with their name and work experience. Including a heartfelt message or a quote that resonates with the recipient can make the award more meaningful. You can also add a unique design or incorporate the company logo to personalize the award further.
Don’t forget to present the award thoughtfully and memorably, perhaps during a special ceremony or event.
What Are the Best Corporate Recognition Awards?
Implementing the right award program isn’t the only part of recognizing your employees. It’s also important to award them with the right kind of award. While there are nearly endless options here, our two top suggestions for these types of corporate awards are glass and plaque awards.
Glass Awards
Crystal glass awards are an attractive and visually appealing option for employee recognition. Their smooth surfaces convey elegance and sophistication, making any employee feel valued and appreciated. What makes them so special?
Unlike other materials such as metal or plastic, crystal glass awards capture and reflect light in a way that makes it sparkle and stand out. It’s part of what adds to the elegance of the award. It’s also why they’re often such a favorite among many companies.
One of the great advantages of crystal glass awards is their customizability. You can personalize them with logos, text, and even photos. This makes it easy to create a unique and memorable employee recognition award.
In addition to being visually appealing, they’re also durable and long-lasting. This ensures that the recipient can proudly display their award for years.
The bottom line? Whether it’s an employee of the month award or recognition for reaching a major sales goal, crystal glass awards are a stylish and meaningful way to show appreciation for employees who go above and beyond.
Plaque Awards
Plaque awards, or flat or wall awards, have been a classic choice for recognizing employee achievements for many years. They are usually rectangular and made from wood, metal, or glass. The timeless appeal of plaque awards makes them ideal for commemorating exceptional employees, leaders, or teams.
What sets plaque awards apart is their versatility. They can house engraved messages, logos, or even images. Plaques also come in different shapes and sizes. This makes them easy to customize to suit the occasion, theme, or brand of the company.
Furthermore, wall awards are easy to display. Your employees can proudly display them in their workspace as a reminder of their hard work and a source of motivation for others. They’re sure to leave a lasting impression on those who receive them.
How to Customize Corporate Awards
Sure, there are plenty of awards to choose from. But customizing their awards is the way to go if you want to make a statement and show your employees or partners that you truly value them.
And the best part? It’s not as hard or expensive as you might think. In this section, we’ll walk you through creating your corporate awards and trophies, from choosing the perfect design to adding your branding and personal touches.
Material
Choosing the right material for corporate awards is crucial to achieving a professional and prestigious look.
Crystal glass awards have a brilliant shine that reflects excellence, while wooden plaques exude warmth and sincerity. Meanwhile, metal plaques or awards exude a sleek and modern perfect for young and innovative companies.
The point is that each material has its unique charm and can be personalized to suit your business’s needs. Choose wisely.
Color
Consider the message you want to convey when choosing colors. Reds, for example, symbolize passion and energy; blues are known to symbolize trustworthiness and dependability. Gold and silver can be effective choices to communicate strength and prestige.
It’s also important to pick colors that complement each other. Ultimately, picking the right color is about ensuring the message behind your award resonates with those who receive it. Or, opt for your brand’s colors.
Engravings
Don’t forget you can customize these awards with engravings. You can engrave a message, the employee’s name, or even the company logo onto the award.
Personalizing the award in this way adds an extra touch and shows the recipient that their hard work has been recognized and appreciated. Plus, it makes the award more special and memorable in the long run.
Get High-Quality Corporate Awards
Ready to purchase corporate awards for your team? We’re here to help. With our pantograph engraver, computerized rotary, and laser engravers, we create the finest detail for plaques and other awards.
