While employees may be out of sight, they are definitely not out of mind. COVID-19 has forced many companies to shut their doors and set employees up to work remotely, and as a result, these employees have had to overcome many challenges associated with working remotely. Plus, medical personnel, front line workers, and essential employees risk their lives daily and risk endangering the lives of family members. Now is the time for companies to recognize employees’ hard work and dedication to their careers—whether they are dealing with the public daily, just returning to the office, or working remotely for the foreseeable future.
According to Jay Donlin of J. Charles, appreciation is one of the principal motivators for any employee at his or her workplace. “It is the primary reason workers stay with a company,” he says. “Appreciation drives employees to work sincerely and to be more dedicated to their employers, especially when times get tough. Research has shown that words of appreciation expressed in the workplace are directly connected to job satisfaction and happiness at work.”
Not surprisingly, the top trends in the awards/recognition segment are virtual ceremonies and events, Donlin continues. “Companies and employers are drop shipping awards across the globe to recognize and reward their employees through online celebrations,” he states. “This trend is being driven by the requirement for employees to work from home during the COVID-19 health crisis. Demand is strong for drop shipment programs. While business has not returned to 2019 levels, the new ways companies are engaging their employees through online events has helped to offset the downturn.”
An exciting trend in employee recognition is creating an experience-based program, especially for a younger workforce, Carrie Lewis at BIC Graphic reports. “Millennials and Gen Z employees prefer group experiences that are memorable and sharable on their social media channels,” she explains. “Team-building experiences or group challenges—which can even take place digitally during Coronavirus—are two examples where promotional products can enhance the program. Whether that be a trophy for the winning team members to display on their desks, or medals to show off on their next Zoom call.”
Visions also sees the younger generation driving awards and recognition trends. Dana Meyer says that unique items and eco materials are due to the younger workforce having increasing concern for the environment. “Demand has been strong, especially during COVID, to recognize work from home employees, those returning to work, and essential workers,” she comments.
Campbell Davis at Origaudio notes that the company has noticed an increase in demand for recognition products that customers can use at home. “With everyone staying home due to the virus, companies want products that can be used with their families, such as waterproof speakers, picnic blankets, etc.,” he says. “Demand for recognition gear is higher than ever; many customers want to treat and reward their staff. A token of appreciation goes a long way for teams who have been working remotely for months now!”
Lewis continues that although many employees are not going into the office right now, BIC has found that organizations are moving forward with virtual events. “Commencement ceremonies, end-of-year banquets and gala fundraisers are now being replaced with their digital equivalents,” she comments. “That doesn’t mean the need to recognize stellar efforts has gone away! Now awards are being shipped to recipients ahead of celebrations for them to ‘receive’ during virtual events.”
Over at Rustico, Melissa Ercanbrack explains that the company has found that customers like to recognize others by giving them a high-end, handmade leather gift such as journals, notebooks, padfolios, and dopp kits. “These items are high-end and make for an impressive presentation,” she comments. “We are able to add a logo and/or name personalization, so that helps to make the item more personal.”
Fortunately, awards/recognition products have come a long way since the basic plaque. Origaudio’s Davis asserts that companies want something unique that can be appreciated every day. “We’ve had a lot of success with our Sonosphear™ Wireless Speaker,” he notes. “It has a huge imprint area that can do double duty as an award as well. We just released a Mini version of the Sonosphear and that’s going to be great for smaller award opportunities.”
Visions has introduced two unique products to truly customize awards and special recognition, according to Meyer. CUBED is an interactive desk accessory that Meyer says are not only amazing awards with their standard designs, but also are easy and affordable to create a unique look. “CUBED is great for on-boarding, leave-behinds, as well as a great way of keeping in touch with stay-at-home workers,” she comments. The company’s other desk accessory, Elements, is available in both bamboo and walnut versions. “It offers a variety of looks from sophisticated to rugged,” she adds.
Multi-function awards are always popular because they add more usefulness to a beautiful recognition item, BIC Graphic’s Lewis maintains. “A vase with sculptural details or a mixed media clock is beautiful and functional—so they are sure to be displayed and appreciated,” she says.
Ercanbrack at Rustico says the company’s Napa Double Wine Tote, Golf Accessory Bag, Aspen Zippered Padfolio, and a Utility Roll are popular items in this product sector, joining its best- selling Napa Double Wine Tote and Golf Accessory Bag.
“An added twist to the online ceremonies are the need for fulfillment services, such as, having us include printed insert cards, recognition program brochures, and details of how awards were achieved,” Donlin at J. Charles comments. “We included an array of promotional items for toasts during online venues.”
Davis of Origaudio urges companies looking at awards and special recognition products to be creative. “Think beyond the standard crystal bowl when it comes to awards,” he states. “We’ve seen a shift more toward experience-based products; people want to be recognized with something they can enjoy often.”
When honoring employees, essential workers, medical personnel, and front-line responders during these unprecedented times. BIC Graphic’s Lewis agrees that appreciation and recognition is all about the experience. “Things are changing so much during Coronavirus, but recognition ceremonies like graduations are still happening, just in a different way,” she elaborates. “Essential industries are looking for ways to recognize the outstanding efforts of their employees who (in many cases) are working harder than ever before. As businesses reopen and employees return to the office; there is potential for ‘welcome back’ gifts, items that show appreciation for a workforce’s flexibility, or even fun awards for things like the ‘best remote worker’ as organizations look for exciting ways to come back together as a team.”
Case Studies
Jay Donlin J. Charles
A major east coast law school had to cancel its traditional graduation ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions. J. Charles and a distributor came up with an idea for an online ceremony: "The Law School Graduation Toast.”
J. Charles drop shipped several hundred graduation programs that featured information on the graduates, their degrees along with a champaign flute etched with the Law School name and the year 2020. The budget objective of “under 20.00” was met, and the glasses and programs were well received. The online ceremony was executed flawlessly and was greatly appreciated by the graduates. The President of the Law School commented; “In light of the challenging circumstance, we couldn’t have asked for a better tribute to our graduates.”
Carrie Lewis, BIC Graphic
A financial services firm missed their usual Administrative Professionals Day luncheon celebration due to Coronavirus and their employees working from home. As stay-at-home orders were lifted, they wanted to make sure their administrative staff knew they were appreciated when they returned to the office.
The firm placed a #35267 JAFFA® Faceted Paperweight at each Administrative Professionals desk along with a gift card to the local restaurant where they always held their luncheons. The staff truly appreciated the gifts and that the firm did not overlook or forget their usual celebration.