General Motivation Blog » Great Service Awards Ideas

Games & Sports Items as Service Awards

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:24:05 +0000

For some people, a game or a sports item makes the perfect service award. To them, it represents relaxation, fun, and time spent with family. The possibilities are endless here: equipment for the family game room, camping items, golfing, fishing, fitness. Overall, this group of awards encapsulates the sorts of things many of your employees may like to own, but might not spring for on their own. Here are a few of our suggestions.

This Viscount Leather Backgammon Set (pictured left) is great for getting the whole family together, or for an evening of entertainment with friends. It’s a luxurious set with a genuine leather carrying case and a suede playing field. Not your average electronic game that will be outdated by next year, the quality of this set will be around for a very long time.

Here’s a fun item for the family. Metal detectors have come a long way over the years, and this Delta is a state-of-the-art unit with an LCD target readout. Of course the great excitement with a metal detector is the thought of what might be found! Treasure hunters and explorers will enjoy having this as part of their service awards selection.

Chances are you have a few golf lovers on your staff. While some service awards programs like to offer golf clubs, that can be a bit tricky for the recipient to choose. Will they work for him or her? Are they the right size? Instead of going with the clubs themselves, how about all the extras that make the game more enjoyable and exciting for the enthusiast? There are a number of kits available here at General Motivation. One of our favorites is this Golfer’s Perfect Accessory Set. The included Swiss Army Golf Tool is a must-have on the course. It’s paired with a set of Callaway golf balls and presented in a collector’s tin. A practical shoe bag designed just for golfers; tees and a divot tool are included. Fob watch and fine leather scorecard holder complete the set.

Whether your employee is looking for something to enhance family time or tee time, there is a wide array of items you can add to your incentive awards to make games and sports lovers excited to hit that special years-of-service level. (For more information on these and other ideas, feel free to give us a call at 1-888/664-6449. Perhaps we can set up a friendly game of backgammon. We’ll provide the snacks.)

Cooking Up Practical Service Awards Ideas

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:22:13 +0000

You may have discovered a growing trend towards the practical. This often extends to your employees’ service awards choices. Perhaps your employees are leaning more towards something they need around the house, instead of something they’ve just plain always wanted. But we feel these two things can merge quite nicely. Yes, many of the more useful service awards may stray from becoming any sort of a keepsake, but there are some items that can be of great use – and value – to your employees long after the awards presentation is over. Take, for instance, kitchen items.

We’re not talking cheap electric blenders and quickly-forgotten avocado colored fondue pots, either. We’re talking practical, quality, enjoyable items to make that very necessary event – dinner – more fun. And thanks to the great popularity of television’s cooking shows these days, more and more people are excited about adding something new and useful in the kitchen. We’ve selected a few of the items we carry to share with you here.

Take, for instance, this Top Chef 9-piece knife set (pictured above left), officially licensed by Bravo TV and inspired by the popular cooking show. Knife sets have always been a sought-after item in service awards, and it’s no wonder. They make cooking preparation easy – even a pleasure – yet most people don’t invest in a good set, no matter how much they may want one. A good set like this one will easily last a lifetime.

How about a solid set of cookware? When times are tight, this is another item your employees will appreciate not having to purchase for themselves; and when a great set is part of your awards program, they may just be giving themselves a welcome upgrade from their current set. Cuisinart has made a name for itself, and this 10-piece nonstick cookware set will definitely hold its own in the kitchen. A good quality cookware set is another great practical item that will last years longer than the average lifestyle item.

Most families enjoy pulling together great feasts for the holidays, and with the feasts come great preparation. Having something around like this Waring Roaster Oven will make life much easier. Capable of roasting an 18-pound turkey, chefs will have their entire oven free for the rest of the dinner. And next time you have an office potluck, you may even be able to convince them to prepare their famous baked beans for the whole crew! Now, that’s incentive for everyone!

Adding practical service awards to your incentive program can be a welcome addition – just be sure to choose quality items that will give your valued employees years of daily home use. Family life tends to revolve around the kitchen, so there’s no doubt adding some cooking items as recognition awards will give you one hot program!

Finding the Right Company Award

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:23:28 +0000

Finding the right company award shouldn’t be so complicated, but with all the choices it often gets overwhelming. Whether you need to order 100 for the big awards ceremony at corporate, or you only need one because Bob in sales finally won that trip to Hawaii and he needs a proper sendoff, there’s lots to consider.

Price is always a factor these days. And of course you don’t want to skimp on quality. Since most awards get displayed in people’s offices or workspace, you’ll want something nice for all to see, especially when it comes to visiting potential clients who will certainly be impressed with your successful staff. (“Wow, that Bob of yours must be quite an asset!”etc.) One suggestion we like to make that fits the bill on both price and quality is the acrylic award.

Acrylic awards have the look of crystal, while offering a great backdrop to your message. The quality is excellent and durable, won’t break like crystal would when Bob accidentally bumps his Hawaii recognition award off the desk with his elbow (he’s a great salesman but a bit clumsy on occasion), and there are countless affordable choices whether you need one or one hundred.

Still seems overwhelming? Yes, there is every possible variation, including color, shape, size, price, even theme. So if you’re not the catalog browsing type and if you aren’t too hip on spending the bulk of your afternoon surfing the net hoping to stumble across a discount site that, by the way, may or may not be very trustworthy, we’d be happy to help you out. Because as it turns out, we’ve been known to come up with some pretty good ideas if I do say so myself. And we can meet your budget. And make Bob happy with that shining award on his desk, long after the trip to Hawaii is nothing but a distant memory of luaus and sunburn.

So feel free to contact us with an “I need exactly this” or an “I have no idea what to get, but it has to have a polar bear theme.” We can handle it. In the meantime, you can check out a few award possibilities below. (And don’t miss the photo of Bob on his Hawaiian vacation!)

Here digital entrapment is used for a more customized look.

The Marquis Award

Star Column Award

Bob’s Favorite Vacation Photo

Time to Add New Incentive Program Ideas?

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:21:00 +0000

Clocks are a longtime favorite in service awards programs. After all they’re practical, decorative, and great reminders of time spent with the company. But when searching for incentive program ideas, there’s no need to stick with the old fashioned mantel clock standbys. Shake up Father Time with a different view.

Take it Outside - These days many people are looking at their back yards as an extension of their living quarters. Outdoor fireplaces, more comfortable furniture, and built-in barbeques are all the rage. To add another facet, recipients might enjoy choosing this indoor/outdoor City Centre clock by Howard Miller. Dials on the front and the back add a certain old world charm. And of course it’s water resistant.

Wall Flowers - The kitchen is one room of the house that can’t be without a clock. This charming wall clock by Bulova adds a beautiful grape motif to its weathered 18″ dial.

Table Time – Here’s a unique spin on the clock. This “Clocktail Table” will always let guests know it’s time for a visit. Perfect for living room or rec room. And it’s battery operated, so you won’t have to figure out how to wind this baby up!

Retro’s the Rage – For those who want to add a bit of time gone by to their desk or office, this beautiful piece offers an antique walnut finish and a cool 1940’s design reminiscent of Philip Marlowe’s office.

Milking the Company Theme - Okay, we couldn’t resist. No, not everyone is going to moo over this one (there we go again), but if your company has a theme like cows perhaps, it’s always fun to offer items within your service awards program that reflect the company spirit.

Extreme Home Style – Everyone enjoys watching Ty Pennington work his magic on a home makeover. Now you can add a bit of his style to your program with this Ty Pennington design waterfall fountain clock. The textured glass back panel beautifully enhances the cascading water, and a recessed bottom mounted lamp illuminates the glass fountain panel and accentuates the flowing water. Sure to add a bit of relaxation and a zen moment or two.

Incentive program ideas are sometimes hard to come by. It’s nice to keep the favorites such as clocks and other timepieces on the list, and adding a fresh and unique twist to the selection makes choosing that much more enjoyable for everyone! For more great ideas (or just to chat. We love to chat.) you can contact us at 1-888/664-6449 or send us an email and we can help you find more timely ideas!

The Perfect Picnic Promos for Summertime Branding

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:25:05 +0000

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Now is the perfect time to get a jump on those summertime promos, before the beach fills up and the cicadas start singing. One idea with a lot of staying power is the picnic set. Why? They tend to come out year after year, and heaven knows they won’t get tossed aside or forgotten! Especially when they’re this nice. They can also be given under a multitude of circumstances: Special clients, service awards, retirement, even housewarming (great if you’re a realtor!) and of course as prizes during the company picnic.

If you’re envisioning Grandma’s old wicker basket with the checkered tablecloth nestled inside, guess again! While there are still nostalgic and (we think) very special models that bring back memories of Gram’s cherry pie, there are some pretty hip and trendy sets out there now too. Let’s take a look, shall we?

The first set (pictured above left) is a Four Person Insulated Picnic Basket in apple green. (It also comes in red or blue.) It contains a sewn-in aluminum frame so when the basket is empty, it collapses for easy storage. But the basket comes fully loaded! Plates, glasses, napkins, and flatware are included. The basket is waterproof and insulated so food stays hot or cold.

Next up is an interesting variation on “picnic”. We like this one because it’s great for travelers who aren’t exactly hip on that 6-hour-old gas station coffee. The Coffee Tote for Two People is a great solution. With a thermos, mugs, spoons, napkins, and cream and sugar containers, any java lover is ready to hit the open road or head out for some fishing with their favorite brew in tow. It comes in black, and you have your choice of subtle plaid or gingham napkins. This one is great for the guys as well!

Here’s a nice looking set for a romantic picnic for two. The main compartment and the detachable wine cooler are both insulated and waterproof. It contains wine glasses, plates, napkins, and flatware and has a nice long adjustable shoulder strap. With its luxury Bahamas designer fabric, it’s the perfect set for an evening walk on the beach. Included is a brass plate that can be engraved with the recipient’s name and/or company logo.

Of course we can’t forget the old fashioned wicker basket like Grandma’s, and this one is the souped up edition. She’d have been proud of it for certain, because as we know, in Grandma’s day they didn’t use paper plates and plastic sporks. This full reed willow set includes Italian ceramic plates available in two patterns, cloth napkins, stainless steel flatware, a cheese knife and cutting board, a wine bottle holder, and much more – all set for four people to have an afternoon of picnicking. We think Grams would have been proud of this one. It’s a good choice as an executive gift, retirement gift, service award, or a fine giveaway for your company picnic.

All the sets shown here can include your company name and logo, along with a recipient’s name. And as you can see, these are sets that will have years of use – no doubt be the first thing grabbed when the recipient heads out the door with family and friends this summer, and many summers to come.

If you like these ideas or have some of your own (we have a wide array of picnic supplies and more), feel free to contact us. We like picnics quite a bit, an although we won’t insist on being invited, we’d be happy to help you select the right gear for your company picnics and more. You can contact us by phone at 1-888/6646449 or email us. We’d be happy to help and we promise not to eat all the potato salad.

Rings as Service Awards – Endless and Cherished Possibilities

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:12:16 +0000

Certainly one of the more popular choices in service awards programs is jewelry, for both men and women. Rings have a long history of being given as a symbolic gesture, which is probably what makes them such a fantastic service award choice, both for recipient and giver. Since the style, material, even price range is endless, the choices may seem daunting. But by keeping a few things in mind while you select, the process becomes simpler.

Price point is always important. Although gold prices are certainly not what they used to be, you don’t need to shy away from jewelry in the service awards program. Other metals make for great and beautiful buys as well. Consider sterling silver, which is enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity. Right on its heels is stainless steel, whose trend as a jewelry metal is growing fast due to its strength, durability, and shine – not to mention affordability! Of course gold is still a viable option, and there are plenty of affordable pieces out there in this most popular of precious metals. And recipients of gold will feel they’re getting not just a reminder of their years of service, but an investment piece worth hanging onto for future generations.

Also high on the list of consideration would be style. In the realm of awards catalog building, there are two basic directions here: Corporate and Fashion. Not to say that corporate rings can’t be fashionable! Indeed they can. Gemstones and diamond size easily signify years of service, and with a well-placed corporate logo, you’re offering a wonderful token of recognition to your employee. As years progress, diamonds can be replaced with larger pieces, which many people find rewarding.

Fashion pieces don’t offer the company logo, but employees often appreciate the choice of a fashion piece. When selecting rings for your corporate catalog, consider the year levels and what that might say about the recipient. For instance, someone who has worked for the company for 45 years might appreciate a more classic style in a jewelry piece, whereas many of the employees at the 5-year level may be more willing to choose from contemporary styling.

Whether the rings selected are $50 or $500 and up, offering a few choices is always a great idea, which will help reflect your varied staff. Style and durability can be had at all price ranges with a little guidance from those in the know. (We’d like to think that’s us.) What will result are service awards pieces that will be treasured for their representation of the years of relationship between employer and employee.

To learn more about using rings as part of your service awards program, feel free to contact us at General Motivation Company. We’d love to help!

Pack it Up – Outdoorsy Options for Service Awards

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:36:57 +0000

Outdoor Awards are Perfect for Heading into the Warmer Weather

Got a lot of outdoorsy types employed with your company? If so, there’s no better way to let them know they’re appreciated as part of the team than by offering some outdoorsy options in your service awards programs, or perhaps as general incentive gifts. By pairing together items in a kit, you ensure there’s something in the awarded package for everyone.

Starting with a backpack is a practical idea on all sides: The backpack is the perfect way to contain a fun and exciting host of items, and backpacks are something everyone can make use of. Try something like this Zap Backpack, which can hold a laptop, books, or even a brown bag lunch and hiking gear. Padded adjustable shoulder straps add comfort.

Fill the backpack with things such as a 3D MagLite, waterproof binoculars, two-way radios, and even a fleece throw. Items will be appreciated both as a set and individually, and of course everything can be enhanced with the names of the recipient and your company, along with the company logo.

Add kits like this to your Service Award programs, or set a few aside for special thank you’s for excellent performance and “trail blazing” within the company. Your employees will thank you for it, and anyone with a love for the great outdoors will be especially motivated to gain one of their own!

For more information on this and other similar sets, please contact us – we’d love to talk. As it turns out, there are several General Motivation people on hand who really dig the outdoors. And flashlights. Gosh, we love flashlights.

Creative Service Awards Ideas – Not Your Run-of-the-Mill Momento

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:20:47 +0000

There’s a reason things like watches, clocks, and jewelry are so closely associated with service awards: They’re well-liked and a fantastic way to turn an award into a keepsake. But for every employee that would love to have a watch or a gold ring, there’s another who would more appreciate something as unique as they are. Offering great choices in your service awards programs means adding some things a little less traditional to counter the more common favorites. Here are a few suggestions that will fit nicely into your employee’s at-home game room:

Authentic Gaming Machine – Definitely not your average service award, a slot machine will give your award recipient a bit of Vegas right at home. This beauty is a full-sized slot machine that was once a true blue ringer on the casino floor. Completely refurbished, authentic, and ready for at-home use! Even includes the tokens.

Old-Fashioned Kettle Popcorn Maker – Add it to a game room, even the family room. This one offers fun for the whole family, as movie night is turned into something really special. Anyone can throw a bag in the microwave, but how many people can have their own true blue movie popcorn? This is a manageable tabletop version that stands 18″ high.

Gumball Machine – Another one sure to please the whole family, a gumball machine adds a bit of nostalgia to the household fun area. This one is built the old fashioned way with a cast metal base and a glass globe.

Chess Set – Here’s an award that offers a lot in craftsmanship and style. This chess table features genuine Italian alabaster inlay and comes complete with a full set of handcrafted maple chessmen, weighted and felted. The table includes two drawers for storage. An elegant piece sure to be proudly displayed.

Keeping in mind the varied personalities in your company will go a long way to setting up a great awards program. While the popular choices of watches and jewelry will always have a favorite spot, adding some more unusual items to your awards catalog lets your employees know you understand how unique they are!

Got some more unusual ideas of your own? Let us know! Want to get ahold of something you see here, or perhaps discuss other options? Feel free to contact us. We’d love to chat with you. (We also tell great jokes, and some of us sing on occasion.)