PlaqueMaker Blog

At PlaqueMaker.com, we help businesses recognize, inspire and motivate employees, associates and customers with a wide range of custom engraved awards, gifts and mementos that you can personalize yourself. Currently, we work with many leading organizations that represent a broad range of businesses:

Corporations put a lot of time and money into recruiting, hiring and training new personnel because keeping good employees is essential to supporting the bottom line. Yet research shows fewer than one in three workers feel valued on the job. Those who feel under-appreciated are the ones most likely to leave despite competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

In today’s fast-paced business world, companies realize the clearest path to success comes from within. They are challenging workers to brainstorm solutions for technological and manufacturing challenges. If you want your employees to be innovative, encourage them to be independent, push boundaries and think outside the box.

Does your organization feature local businesses in “Best Of” competitions? Does your company recognize sponsors with an award program? Does your non-profit thank volunteers for their service with a “Wall of Fame”?

Corporations are no longer installing rows upon rows of bland, isolated cubicles. With the traditional nine-to-five work schedule morphing into flexible hours and telecommuting, the traditional office setting is changing. The trend is to create an open, freeform space where employees work wherever they want. Comfy sofas, chairs and large tables give them ample room to work or hold a meeting, creating a new conference room or personal work space trend.

Today’s customers spend a great deal of time on their mobile devices and expect to take advantage of free WiFi service at all the places where they shop and dine. Recent surveys show 50% of shoppers who access a store’s WiFi spend more money than those who do not, while 62% of businesses say customers spend more time in their shops if WiFi is available. Posting a sign that says WiFi is available with a password makes good business sense.

Personalized name tags not only build a positive corporate identity for your business:

The first annual American Business Women’s Day was held almost 40 years ago on September 22, 1982. Officially recognized as a national holiday by congressional proclamation in 1983 and in1986, it was conceived by the American Business Women’s Association, which was founded on this same day in 1949. American Business Women’s Day celebrates the accomplishments of over 68 million American working women and almost eight million women business owners.

● No personal grooming

Employee recognition awards are an excellent way for businesses to retain good workers and re-enforce strong team dynamics. Keeping these honors from becoming boring or stale is the real trick. Rather than sticking with the same categories every year, break away from the traditional with employee recognition – try humor.

If you are one of the millions of people who started a small business this year, how are you defining your brand? Brand identity is not just a to-do item for corporations and larger companies. Small businesses also benefit from leveraging the power of a strong brand or identity:

Paperweights – yes, paperweights – help some of the world’s most successful people stay organized and efficient. They’re also a stylish way to adorn a tabletop, combining beauty with productivity.

If not, you’re missing an excellent opportunity to connect with customers and project a high level of professionalism. A custom name tag is like a little billboard that rides around with each employee, providing information and promoting your brand.

A glass plaque shines from your office wall or desktop with crystal brilliance. Visitors can’t help but notice it. Glass catches the eye and sparks the imagination.

If you ever spot perpetual plaques mounted on an office wall, you’ll notice they create a stunning display. Not only can all the people who see them appreciate the winners, every day -the gallery itself represents the high value that company leadership holds for individual and team achievement.

Thank you. Expressing gratitude to someone goes beyond simple appreciation. It also says you take the time to consider who adds to your happiness and that you place a high value on their contributions. It shows you care.

Being recognized at work is important, no matter how humble you are. It shows that the company values your individual contribution to the group dynamic. It makes you feel special, and probably a lot more motivated, too.

Here are some eye-opening facts: Half of shoppers say the on-premises sign for your business is the primary eye-catcher that draws them into your store. About 76% of people would try a new store based simply on liking the sign.