Developing an awards program is a wonderful way to consistently recognize the dedication of your staff and increase morale. Generally, we do not recommend placing your logo on products within a Long Service or Milestone award program, simply because they are intended as pure thank-you gifts, not with a promotional message/logo, which has an underlying purpose of marketing. However, depending on the situation (for example safety programs, merit programs), branded (logoed) products can be most appropriate. At Cornerstone, we “hold your hand” to take you through from concept to complete administration:
It starts with getting to know your company. What are your employee demographics? Key job groupings? Corporate culture? All of these have an impact on whether we should select traditional gifts (such as watches and jewelry) or lifestyle items (camping supplies, luggage, helmets) or even artwork (which appeals largely to a female demographic). We also examine your budget to set a reasonable amount per level of achievement that is competitive when compared to other businesses in your sector.
We’ll strategically suggest gift choices. Rather than dumping a stack of catalogues on you, we carefully select items and choices for each tier of your program, covering off the various groups within your company.
We’ll analyze your administrative requirements. At this stage we’ll give you a detailed demo of how our web-enabled system works, and figure out what reports and administrative functions you’ll need. Once this is clarified, we can give you a solid quotation for tailoring our system to your needs.
Then we build the program. Once approved, we build your system and ensure all the functions are exactly what you require.
We present and launch the program. At this stage, we’ll present the program to your staff, to ensure they understand how to use it.
Running the program. From sending out the notices to recipients, to tracking their selections, to providing help-desk support, we send you the reports you need, and get the items your staff have ordered.
Nice little extras. At Cornerstone, we also provide lots of nice little tools to make your job easier:
Event support. If you’re holding an award ceremony, we can send out and track RSVP’s for you so that you know who’s attending.
Delivery options. Do you want each gift wrapped, with a tasteful card attached, and delivered straight to the employee’s home? Just ask!
Would you like to see a preliminary online demo of a Long Service Awards online program? Click here to contact us for access codes to view.
Want more advice on Award Programs? Click here to see our tips page.
Awards Products – Great Ideas
Generally, we do not recommend placing your corporate logo on products intended for Long Service Awards, as these products are meant as pure “gifts” and need not carry the underlying “marketing message”. That said, placing your logo on products can be appropriate for certain types of awards, such as safety awards.
Here are some of the products that you might consider for your awards programs:
Art & Sculpture: Many companies believe you cannot have art in an awards program because it’s too personal. We choose artists in various categories: realistic, abstract, interpretive, glass, sculpture, art jewelry. Art prints and sculpture are great because they last forever and hold their value. We choose establish Canadian and local artists who can deliver consistently to ensure product availability… Usually prints. Some are originals – but we keep the size and subject matter consistent (eg. 8” x 12” original antler etching depicting polar bears). Art jewelry is custom-designed.
Traditional Gifts: Jewelry, Watches, Clocks – Great for LSA because it lasts. Can be custom designed or manufactured. High perceived value. Usually not sized (unless rings). These can be logoed either directly screened, engraved or enhanced with a “fob” (this is a very classic approach, that has been standard for Long Service awards for many years).
Donations: It’s a last option, but still a “feel good” option for those who “have everything.” If the employee wants nothing, or if nothing jumps out at them, then they can feel good about donating the value of the gift to a charity of choice. At Cornerstone, our online awards programs do allow for the administration of this selection.
Lifestyle Items: This includes items such as sports equipment, optics (binoculars) premium leather goods, luggage. Some good, some not. Good: optics, luggage, leather goods – because they last, can be a bit unusual. Not good: clothing (because sizing difficult) and cameras (because technology rapidly changes). Household things (eg. Large BBQ’s, cookware sets, furniture) often fail because they don’t usually fit the message… and are very difficult to ship. These things are common and can easily be compared and price shopped. It is best to find gifts that your employees couldn’t easily order themselves – and has less concrete dollar value. (i.e. won’t see the same item at a retail store to compare).
High Technology Items: i.e. “gadgets” – We believe these are not ideal for long service awards programs, but they are sometimes requested by clients in high-tech sectors. Examples include Electronics (MP3, electronic picture frames, GPS devices, cameras). The key problems is that they become obsolete so quickly, that your employee may not receive exactly what he or she has ordered. Further, these products can easily be price-compared at the nearest electronics superstore. NOTE: products shown here may not be available as-is.
Cash/Gift Cards/Gift Certificates: These are not generally ideal gift selections for an awards program for a few reasons. Why? First, they are taxable, and as such, the dollar amount may not seem like enough to compensate for the employee’s contribution. Second, an employee could take the cash and pay a bill, which loses the intended meaning. Finally, there is also a risk that the company who issued the gift card may go bankrupt, or not honour the card by the time it is used. That said, if you would like to use them in your program, we can indeed accommodate you. Depending upon budget levels, travel incentives are also an option.
Awards Programs
Developing an awards program is a wonderful way to consistently recognize the dedication of your staff and increase morale. Generally, we do not recommend placing your logo on products within a Long Service or Milestone award program, simply because they are intended as pure thank-you gifts, not with a promotional message/logo, which has an underlying purpose of marketing. However, depending on the situation (for example safety programs, merit programs), branded (logoed) products can be most appropriate. At Cornerstone, we “hold your hand” to take you through from concept to complete administration:
Would you like to see a preliminary online demo of a Long Service Awards online program? Click here to contact us for access codes to view.
Want more advice on Award Programs? Click here to see our tips page.
Awards Products – Great Ideas
Generally, we do not recommend placing your corporate logo on products intended for Long Service Awards, as these products are meant as pure “gifts” and need not carry the underlying “marketing message”. That said, placing your logo on products can be appropriate for certain types of awards, such as safety awards.
Here are some of the products that you might consider for your awards programs:
Art & Sculpture: Many companies believe you cannot have art in an awards program because it’s too personal. We choose artists in various categories: realistic, abstract, interpretive, glass, sculpture, art jewelry. Art prints and sculpture are great because they last forever and hold their value. We choose establish Canadian and local artists who can deliver consistently to ensure product availability… Usually prints. Some are originals – but we keep the size and subject matter consistent (eg. 8” x 12” original antler etching depicting polar bears). Art jewelry is custom-designed.
Traditional Gifts: Jewelry, Watches, Clocks – Great for LSA because it lasts. Can be custom designed or manufactured. High perceived value. Usually not sized (unless rings). These can be logoed either directly screened, engraved or enhanced with a “fob” (this is a very classic approach, that has been standard for Long Service awards for many years).
Donations: It’s a last option, but still a “feel good” option for those who “have everything.” If the employee wants nothing, or if nothing jumps out at them, then they can feel good about donating the value of the gift to a charity of choice. At Cornerstone, our online awards programs do allow for the administration of this selection.
Lifestyle Items: This includes items such as sports equipment, optics (binoculars) premium leather goods, luggage. Some good, some not. Good: optics, luggage, leather goods – because they last, can be a bit unusual. Not good: clothing (because sizing difficult) and cameras (because technology rapidly changes). Household things (eg. Large BBQ’s, cookware sets, furniture) often fail because they don’t usually fit the message… and are very difficult to ship. These things are common and can easily be compared and price shopped. It is best to find gifts that your employees couldn’t easily order themselves – and has less concrete dollar value. (i.e. won’t see the same item at a retail store to compare).
High Technology Items: i.e. “gadgets” – We believe these are not ideal for long service awards programs, but they are sometimes requested by clients in high-tech sectors. Examples include Electronics (MP3, electronic picture frames, GPS devices, cameras). The key problems is that they become obsolete so quickly, that your employee may not receive exactly what he or she has ordered. Further, these products can easily be price-compared at the nearest electronics superstore. NOTE: products shown here may not be available as-is.
Cash/Gift Cards/Gift Certificates: These are not generally ideal gift selections for an awards program for a few reasons. Why? First, they are taxable, and as such, the dollar amount may not seem like enough to compensate for the employee’s contribution. Second, an employee could take the cash and pay a bill, which loses the intended meaning. Finally, there is also a risk that the company who issued the gift card may go bankrupt, or not honour the card by the time it is used. That said, if you would like to use them in your program, we can indeed accommodate you. Depending upon budget levels, travel incentives are also an option.