Celebrate Big: Ultimate Guide to Employee Awards and Recognition
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4 minutes
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Date Posted:
September 6, 2024
Recognizing and rewarding employees is key to building a positive and thriving workplace culture. In today’s dynamic business landscape, companies are realizing that acknowledging employees’ efforts goes beyond the paycheck—it’s about creating a sense of appreciation and connection. We can help you celebrate your team’s achievements in meaningful ways that boost morale and foster motivation. Whether it’s a simple thank-you or a formal recognition program, these gestures make a lasting impact, enhancing engagement, job satisfaction, and overall productivity. We’re here to help you ensure your employees feel valued and recognized.
Service awards bring a ton of benefits, like boosting employee engagement, retention, and performance. To make a real impact, these awards should be personalized, memorable, and meaningful, showcasing the individual’s specific achievements and contributions over the years.
Here are some of the best ways to award and recognize your employee:
Annual Service Awards
Service awards are a great way to celebrate and honor employees who have dedicated years of service to your company, typically marking milestones like 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years. The rewards can vary, from trophies and certificates to plaques or even gifts that the employee gets to choose:
Cathedral Peak
Our dynamic awards are more than just prizes, they are unique and artistic presentations that recognize significant achievement, dedication, hard work, public service, and other aspects of your brand, company, social cause or organization. Reach the summit at the next award ceremony with the Cathedral Peak. This 8, 10, or 14" crystal award has a jewel cut mountain-like design sitting atop a clear pedestal base. Create a custom accolade that combines our top quality materials and construction with your logo, emblem, message, artwork and other flourishes to build an honor that will be remembered for years to come.
EDGE
Marry the natural and the modern with this award! The Edge is a cork and steel award that will acknowledge your recipients for years of service, training accomplishments, sales, or other milestones. Each award measures 4" x 1.75" x 10" and will look amazing with your brand and a personal message imprinted onto it. From employee milestones to project completions, this award delivers!
Performance Awards
Performance awards are a dynamic way to celebrate your team’s exceptional achievements, whether it’s crushing sales goals, going above and beyond, or showcasing standout skills. Some of these awards could be Salesperson of the Year, Innovator Award, or even personalize awards with names that honor past employees, adding an extra layer of meaning. Performance awards can also come in the form of bonuses, shares, or other exciting perks. No matter how you structure or name them, these awards should resonate with your team and reflect your brand’s values, making them a powerful tool for employee recognition.
Here are a few examples:
Fascination
Make sure your recipient's recognitions stand out with the sleek, modern look of the Fascination metal plaque. Offered in three sizes, each of these silver, non-directional metal panel plaques features suspended jade glass that adds to the sanded textured look of an imprint metal surface. This versatile award is perfect for a variety of events and occasions and is especially suited to tech or manufacturing industry awards. Order yours today!
Circlet Award
Part of the success of your business is maintaining the positive energy of your workforce. Continue that tradition by awarding your best with this Circlet! It's an award made of optical crystal with a rounded design that stands up straight thanks to the flattened bottom. It can feature a graphic of your choice with the use of any of our multiple imprinting methods. Add the names and titles of your recipients to make them feel special!
Team Awards
Team awards are given to employees who excel in working together, achieving common goals, and supporting each other along the way. hese awards not only boost morale and productivity but also create a strong sense of belonging and collaboration. Whether it’s recognizing results, team spirit, innovation, or growth, you can get creative with the rewards—think trophies, plaques, certificates, or even fun team outings! Add some flair with names like the Dream Team Award, Dynamic Duo Award, or All-Star Team Award to make these moments extra special and memorable.
Here’s an example:
Wilton VividPrint™ Award - Prismatic
The opulent freestanding Multi-color Wilton VividPrint™ Award is a marvelous recognition piece that is framed with a multi-faceted diamond edge that dazzles with an incredible spectrum of colors.
Other Creative Ideas for Employee Recognition & Awards
Add a QR Code
Adding a QR code to an employee or team award adds excitement and an interactive element that makes the recognition memorable! Imagine linking the QR code to a personalized message, a video testimonial, or a digital certificate that celebrates the achievement. With a quick scan, recipients can instantly access this cool content anytime they want. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to share the spotlight and showcase the award to everyone, making the recognition even more special and visible.
Edible Awards
Gifting an edible award is a tasty way to express appreciation and gratitude for your employees dedication and accomplishments. This could be a cake, cookie, chocolate, or any other food item customized with the award’s name, logo, or message. Presenting the edible award at a ceremony, meeting, or party allows the recipient and their colleagues to enjoy the treat together, creating a fun, festive atmosphere. We have a ton of delicious treats to choose from in our 2024 Corporate Gifting Snack Selection LookBook! It’s filled with a variety of sweet and savory options, you’ll find the perfect treats to celebrate your team’s success in the most delicious way possible.
Here are some examples:
Savory Tower of Snax
Giving holiday gifts shouldn't have to break the bank. Our Savory Tower of Snax offers gourmet selections at a budget friendly price! Offered in three colors, this tower measures 5.375"L x 5.375"W x 10.25"H (from bottom box to top of tower) and comes filled with English butter toffee, pistachios, cashews, chocolate covered almonds and miniature chocolate chip cookies. Top it off with a 1-color continuous imprint on the hand tied ribbon. Great for corporate events, incentive programs and much more!
Buddy Brew Coffee Gift Set For Two
Giving out this Buddy Brew coffee gift set for two is a fantastic way to spread the word about your brand! When you want to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at home, this is just what you need. It's perfect for offering to anyone who wants the comfort and taste of coffee in the morning. Make this a part of your next giveaway at a tradeshow or conference. Add your company name or logo for maximum visibility. Reach new audiences with this as your next gift!
Rise & Shine Gift Set
Keeping your staff engaged and motivated while they are working from home can be a challenge. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to stay connected to remote workers and help them feel included and appreciated. This gift set is a perfect combination of lifestyle and leisure and all items come perfectly packaged in a gift box with a holiday bow! Each gift set includes metallic lip balm, domed mint tin, coffee packet, 16 oz. black or white ceramic mug, custom satin ribbon and 2 chocolate cookies (stock Thank You or Happy Holiday design/milk or dark available). The ceramic mug dimensions are 5 1/2"W x 4 1/4"H x 3 1/4"D. The box size is 5"W x 5"H x 5"D. Set is packed in additional corrugated box for protection during shipping.
Gifts
When it comes to employee award gifts, the options are endless, and the impact is immeasurable. A well-chosen gift is the best way to recognize their hard work and show your appreciation. Whether it’s a personalized keepsake or a practical item, the right gift can make employees feel truly valued. Sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect gift, that’s why we put together the best resource for all your appreciation gift needs. Our Corporate Gifting Lookbook, spanning over 250 pages and 16 categories, is our biggest lookbook yet and has something for everyone. With our lookbook you can find the ideal gift to recognize your employees’ hard work and show you care.
Here are some examples:
Cozy Essentials Gift Set
Spark a new client relationship when you give out this Cozy Essentials gift set! It's a two-piece collection with a 60" x 50" fleece blanket and a 20 oz. double-wall vacuum-insulated Tundra bottle. These items come in blue, red, and black. Imprint it with your company name or logo using one of our methods and let clients choose which they like best. They'll love being able to use this when at home or outdoors!
Cooler Chair
You'll have it made in the shade when you relax in this cooler and chair combination that's ready for a beach umbrella. This 35" x 21" x 20.5" Scotchgard-protected polyester chair has an insulated cooler in the armrest to stash a personal supply of your favorite beverages. The design features a black powder coated steel frame, a one-piece pop up design and a carrying case with a shoulder strap. Choose from four colors and add your organizational or company logo, emblem or message to customize.
Black Marble Cheese Board Set with Knives
This chic cheese cutting board set is the perfect fit for any home. It is crafted from black marble and acacia wood. Cheese cutting tools easily store in the built in drawer under the cutting board. Due to the nature of the natural material there may be variations in marble pattern and laser engraving. Wood color will have natural variations.
Employee recognition is more than just a kind gesture; it’s a highly effective way to motivate, engage, and retain your team. Selecting the right awards for the right moments allows you to express your appreciation and respect for your employees’ hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. Whether you choose classic awards like trophies, plaques, or certificates, or prefer more innovative and personalized options like QR codes, edible awards, or custom gifts, you can make your employees feel truly valued and proud of their contributions.
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