Alisha Copfer, Author at The Learning Center

Community Sharing and Working Together

From defining community to revisiting our younger days when we were told to share, we learn that community sharing can help determine basic business practices. So, what is a community? It is a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society. Community is also described as a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.

As we all have been taught from a young age, sharing is to partake of, use, experience, occupy or enjoy things and experiences with others. When you put the two together, it becomes a strong sense of belonging. And when businesses adopt these practices, their business will grow exponentially!

Community sharing with people wearing lanyards and name tags while serving others.

“The key benefit of the sharing economy that we are the most passionate about is that it empowers people,” says Rachel Botsman, founder and director of Collaborative Consumption and author of the book What’s Mine is Yours: How Collaborative Consumption is Changing the Way We Live. “It empowers people to live more sustainably, to build community in new ways, to make money from their existing assets and most importantly, to rediscover a human connection we have lost somewhere along the way.”

When businesses get together in their communities and take pride in everyone’s work, they will see growth and camaraderie that can only be accomplished together.

As the sharing economy picks up momentum, its reach has become global. In cities and towns around the world, people are creating ways to share everything from baby clothes to boats, hardware to vacation homes. There are also groups emerging that consciously identify with the big picture sharing movement. These groups focus on education, action and community building and advocate for a cultural shift toward widespread sharing.

From neighborhood level cooperatives to global organizations, these groups work to bring sharing into the mainstream. They see sharing as a new paradigm; a means to a more democratic society, and they understand that sharing is not a new fad but an ancient practice that technology is reinvigorating.

Connecting to Others Through Community Sharing

Identification products are more valuable than you might think when you involve them with your community sharing. From neighborhood get togethers to corporation events, name tags and ribbons are the best tools to get your brand out there. In addition, adding your logo to these products at community events can increase your brand reach.

Building these social connections can also help you reach your professional goals. By building relationships with people at work and in your community, you form a strong network of people who trust your abilities and are willing to support your business. And, in turn, you prove to your community that you are eager to help them succeed.

Building community: how sharing ideas can bring us all together

As the world grows more connected, digitally and physically, people are living closer together and interacting in ways they never have before. As a result, the process of building communities – coming together with people across cultures to share goals and ideas – is more important than ever before.
When it comes to joining together to make our neighborhoods, our cities, and our world better, one of the most important things we can do is to find out what we have in common. When we share something with the people around us – no matter how small or insignificant it seems – it can help us make connections we never realized we could.
Public art projects, community development groups, and museums are some of the people and organizations who are using this principle to bring us all closer. Check out these amazing examples of people getting together in completely new ways.

The idea here is that your community doesn’t just buy your product or service. The community stays with your business because they trust how you make them feel. You are providing solutions to their problems. So, the more you know about your community, the more you can help it grow. And by supporting your community, you help your business grow.

Building Customer Relationships

The key to any good relationship is communication. Keeping open lines between yourself, your employees and your customers is crucial to your success. Without this communication, those customer relationships that keep you in business will fall short of where you need them. And remember that without your customers, you will go nowhere.

You must meet the standards that the customer expects from you. This could mean products or services rendered. Make sure that everything your business does is for the customer. Not only will this help with the retention of current customers, but this can also bring in others that your clientele tells about your wonderful company.

Identification and Community Sharing

Name tags, personalized ribbons and other identification products will help your brand reach. However, and more importantly, these products will let you reach out to your community and let them know who you are and that you are there to help. Here are three products with ways they will help in your community.

Three stock rosette ribbons that are for first, second and third place.

Everyone Deserves an Award (Place Rosettes)

Community recognition can happen anywhere: school art shows or neighborhood events, so be prepared with award ribbons. Reward those in attendance as well as winners at any gathering.

A black reusable speedy badge with a printed insert for a community sharing event.

Reusable Speedy Badges and Community Sharing

Come together in your community by sharing products and services with those around you (name tags included). These reusable badges will identify everyone at your next community event.

Gold imprinted custom badge ribbon for a community event award.

Using Badge Ribbons as Show Passes

Create unique awards and passes with custom imprinted badge ribbons attached to contestants and given to guests. These ribbons are the perfect way to make sure that everyone at your event feels invited and welcome.

Students, Back to School and Identification

It’s back to school time. Students know they are going back to school, and they are ready to see their friends. Parents are excited for a return to a stable schedule. School organizations are in the process of planning for back-to-school events, fundraising and autumn activities. Although some of us are a little more hesitant about returning to these tasks, we should all prepare for what is to come.

We understand that teachers are facing the time of back-to-school setup and organizing their classrooms. Parents may be shouting for joy during this time; however, one of the hardest things teachers must do is prepare their rooms for students to return. So, we are here to help teachers and other educators prepare their supplies for back-to-school needs.

Students sitting in a classroom for going back to school in style.

Back-to-school needs are everywhere, from books to pencils, pens and note paper. Kids need all sorts of supplies to start the school year off right and prepared. While we don’t offer these items, don’t underestimate the importance of name tags and identification for your classroom.

A Teacher’s Guide to Engaging Students

You may think having students who want to be at school and learn from their teachers sounds too good to be true. But that’s what schools that focus on increasing student engagement are seeing. More than coming to class and turning in homework, engaged students are enthusiastic about their education and desire to excel in their classes. So if you want to see your students succeed, you must figure out how to engage them in the learning process.

Whether it’s for the first day of school or needing to know how to make a lesson plan, this information is for everyone in the education field. Even students can learn from these tips. From how to use identification products in the classroom to advice on setting up storage for the school year, find everything you need here.

Motivating Students and Recognizing Individual Excellence

As a leader and a teacher, you have a responsibility to make sure that your students know how much you care about their learning and retention. When you celebrate even small achievements, you are helping your students see their excellence. This recognition will help them understand what their education is all about.

Engaging with your students will help to motivate them to do their best work. Take the time to recognize individual achievements so you can manage engagement, help reduce stress and increase productivity among your students. Motivation naturally comes when everyone is involved in staying productive and on task.

Recognizing individual excellence can build an educational culture that retains the best students. However, the truth is that no one can be successful alone. You always need help somewhere along the way. Most anyone can learn a skill, but not everyone knows success is all about how you prioritize people and talents.

Teaching Tools and Personalizing Your Classroom
Learning is more effective and stimulating when using teaching tools already in front of you. It is up to teachers and other school staff to ensure every student has the tools they need to learn. When students know what tools they have available and how each works, they are more apt to pay attention and, in the long run, learn what they need to succeed.
We are here to help you know how to personalize your school and use these teaching tools. From the classroom to the counseling center, we have custom products to make your school run smoothly. Use these great teaching tools to help your teaching and instruction.
Here’s a fun idea: when giving out welcome gifts to your students, wrap them with fun ribbon rolls. Your students are guaranteed a great first impression when handed trinkets with personalized ribbons wrapped around them. And, maybe they will even behave a bit better as a way of saying thank you for your thoughtfulness.

NAME TAGS

Most teachers have so many students that it is hard to remember everyone’s names. Name tags are great helpers that make remembering names easier. And the students will love the personalization and knowing there is a specific space just for them. Using these tools can also help students get to know each other.

There are many times when these name tags will come in handy. For example, career days, Grandparents’ Day and other school events. From adhesive badges to a more permanent solution of engraved tags, when you need your students to wear their names, these teaching tools are great to have available. Student name tags are also useful for labels around the classroom. For example, you can use them on a pocket chart to identify each student or use name tags to create a display for student jobs each week on your whiteboard.

Cognitive Engagement Strategies

Motivate your students to do their best by creating learning objectives for your class. Learning objectives show your students what they can achieve if they pay attention and complete assignments. Once they understand how your class benefits them, they will take it seriously.
Part of keeping your students engaged mentally is giving them a chance to unwind. To make this easy, customize name tags with various mental breaks (e.g., sing a song or play rock, paper, scissors) and put them in a jar. Then, when it is time for a mental break, take a tag out of the jar and have your students do that activity.

PHOTO ID BADGES and LANYARDS

Quickly identify students, staff and visitors in your school using photo ID badges and colorful lanyards. These tools help with identification, security, classroom aids and extracurricular events.

Photos, along with names, titles and logos, are presented on these badges in a way that provides extra security at your school. With these elements, you can quickly identify those who belong wandering the halls. So, provide photo ID badges for teachers and school staff to ensure the proper people enter and exit your building.

Several students wearing name badges and lanyards for a school event.

Whether hundreds or thousands, it doesn’t matter how many kids come back to your school this year; security is always an issue. Yes, there are name tags and photo ID badges for the teachers. But how do the children keep their things safe and secure?
Lanyards are a convenient way of displaying identification and other things while at school. And these lanyards don’t have to be boring. Choose from a variety of colors to match your school and mascot.
Help your students stand out from the rest with bright colors, logos and messages custom imprinted on these lanyards. These lanyards are also perfect for fundraising events, sporting meets and any other time your school gets together.

Learn even more about incorporating Custom Lanyards into your teaching tools!

BADGE RIBBONS

Badge ribbons are always fun to collect, especially when your favorite teacher gives you one as achievement recognition. Many students enjoy decorating their desks with these fun ribbons. Or they use them as bookmarks! No matter how students collect each ribbon, they will always take them home to display these awards proudly for all to see.

A student wearing a name tag and badge ribbon for a school movie night or other event.

These ribbons are so incredibly versatile that they are also great for labeling things in the classroom. Customize each ribbon with memorable quotes or other text as well as graphics to match the uniqueness of your needs. You can also choose from many different colors (both ribbons and imprinting).

So, help each person at your school see just how important they are with these incredible ribbons. Whether for a new teacher in your school or a way to identify different grades, badge ribbons are the best solution ever. With double-sided tape ready to stick to anything (like a name tag), these ribbons are super easy to use.

Use these wonderfully versatile ribbons in just about any school setting you can think up. Custom (and stock) ribbons are essential in your classroom and available for your students. Choose from an abundance of ribbon selections to meet most any need you might face in the classroom.

Extra Teaching Tools

Now and then, teachers need a little help and guidance to help enrich their teaching styles and the education of their students. These articles will feature helpful hints and tidbits on how to run a classroom and so much more. So, if you’re struggling to get things done and help your students or just want to add to your teaching toolbox, these education tools are for you!

How Name Tags Step Up Your Branding

You see them everywhere: restaurants, grocery stores, retail establishments. Employees wearing name tags can be found nearly every place you need to go. And it doesn’t stop there! You can find name tags at conventions, conferences, meetings and more.

Someone putting on a name tag makes them immediately more approachable. A name tag connects your name with your face, so customers feel more comfortable where you work. A business’s best asset is its employees. Customers who interact with employees wearing name tags are more likely to have a positive experience. With these experiences comes customer loyalty.

As Scott Ginsberg, the Name Tag Guy says, “Your name tag is your best friend for several reasons. First of all, a person’s name is the single context of human memory most forgotten. And people are less likely to approach you if they don’t know (or forgot) your name. Secondly, it’s free advertising for you and your company. Third, name tags encourage people to be friendly and more approachable.”

Logo Name Tags and Branding

Your employees can help with branding and customer retention by wearing their name tags outside work. Think about this: as your employees travel to and from work, if they still have their name tags on, you get free advertising! And, if they leave them on during off-campus lunch breaks, free advertising!

When employees continually wear name tags, your brand becomes more visible. The more people see your logo, the more they will know your business and what you do. So, when purchasing name tags, make sure to add your logo to make the most out of them.

Typically the power within name tags is acknowledged as a professional and friendly way to identify a company or personal identity. Many companies use name tags for branding and employee recognition. And this employee communication helps to improve customer care.
Name tags also provide confidence to those at a conference or meeting. Even if everyone doesn’t know each other, their names are visible, making introductions less intimidating. In addition, people can confidently call each other by their names.

Providing balance and uniformity is what name tags do best. When your business succeeds, your employees feel they are a part of that. So, having them help with your branding (by wearing logo name tags) is an essential part of your marketing.

Wearing name tags can help create an inviting atmosphere, making the employee feel more approachable. In addition, when your customers come into your business and see a face and can immediately associate with a name, it makes them more apt to stay and do business with you.

Custom Lanyards and Networking

Everyone can use lanyards; seriously, you can find them everywhere. Schools, office buildings and even sporting venues use them daily. In addition, lanyards are commonly used during conferences, conventions and other events. Remember, every detail counts for any event, including branded lanyards for every attendee and presenter.

Not only do custom lanyards help in branding on the job, but they also help with networking at events. And, when you design your lanyards to have a business logo and name, it makes your marketing efforts more effective.

Keep your employees branded at all times. Add your logo and company color to a lanyard, and you won’t be able to give them out fast enough. Or, use a slogan or motto on branded lanyards to promote your business. These tools add recognition and identify not only the wearer but also the company. Often, lanyards are a requirement for access to a building or meeting and can be used this way as advertising.

While lanyards are commonly used for displaying badge holders or name tags, they can also be useful for other daily activities. And, they make for great marketing tools as well as providing security for events. Use branded lanyards for keeping track of keys and other personal items.

Lanyards are incredibly versatile due to their custom nature. Add text, logos, graphics and more to promote any brand. The text can be a phrase, a date or the name of an event or business. In addition, wearing a lanyard makes ID or credentials more accessible to show to others or for security proof that you can be in a building or any other typically private place.

The Power of Names (and how to help others remember yours)!

Whenever you put on a name tag, you become the face of your purpose, whatever that is. Your name tag represents this purpose to everyone around you, which benefits you and others. It can quickly help the people around you put your face with your name. We have all heard that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” So, tell that story simply and quickly with your smile and a name tag.

Planning for Summer Activities

(Products to Help and Tips for the Perfect Event)

Whenever people gather together, whether it is for a wedding, a business conference or a summer festival, the most important part is making sure people participate. Start with employee engagement for your summer activities, and ignite your team’s spirit with refreshing activities such as BBQs, bowling and more.

Corporate summer events are the most successful when the activities are things that employees want to do, and the more fun, the better. Foster goodwill among employees and give people a chance to mingle with people outside their regular work contacts by hosting a summer event. But don’t forget that someone is always needed to oversee the event’s details to ensure that it happens and is a success.

Organizing a seminar, conference, brand promotion, or product launch is not as easy as it may seem. However, paying attention to small details is essential and will impact the participants at your event. They say the devil resides in the details, and it is this devil you need to cater to when planning a summer corporate event. All events need a lot of planning and proper execution to avoid losing out on participants. So, make sure that you start well ahead of time and get everything in order before the big day.

10 Things to Keep In Mind While Planning Your Corporate Event

The most important point to consider when planning an event is to decide on the theme. This means that you need first to conceptualize your idea. You also need to bear in mind the targeted audience for the particular event. Based on these two main aspects, i.e., the audience and the theme, you need to plan and execute the corporate event accordingly.
It pays to know your resources well, and it will only help you delegate the responsibilities well in advance. Remember, it is always best to have designated people to do their respective jobs rather than taking it all on your shoulders. Distribute the work evenly, and keep backups just in case there is a last-minute slag. Most importantly, collaborate on the event with them at all times.
A day before the event, make sure you have everything in place. You could visit the venue a couple of hours before the event and check the sound and light system. Ensure that the arrangements are proper and everything is looked into. Handing out programmed brochures to the guests will make the event seem more organized. Remember, the first impression will leave a lasting impact on your guests.
To do this, you would have to ensure that the entry management is efficient and well-organized. Last but not the least, ensure there are no snags and delays in your event that will put off your guests. Also, remember to place your guests’ safety and satisfaction at the helm of all your efforts. By keeping all these things in mind, you will leave your guests with a smile, translating your event into a huge success.

Personal identification products that can be customized to use at any summer activity your business is planning.

Team Building and Employee Summer Engagement

Teamwork is critical to any business’s success, both large and small. So, when employees can connect over common interests, goals and ambitions, they will work better together. And when you have a team that builds up each other, your business will constantly succeed.

Keeping your team motivated takes effort, especially during summer activities. And as a business owner, you need to help your team members develop their bonds to collaborate and communicate effectively. Enter team building!

Team building activities and games are supposed to be educational and enjoyable. They help the team learn about each other — how each person thinks, works, solves problems and has fun. So whether you want to do some icebreakers or just bond your team, there are inventive ways to do this.

Badge Holders and Lanyards to Spice up Your Summer Activities

Badge holders with printed inserts and colorful lanyards used during a company summer event.

Nearly every organized event requires attendees, volunteers, and others to wear name badges. So, hand out customized badge holders and lanyards to everyone at your summer event. Also, make sure to keep extra badges just in case you need them during the day of the event. With printable inserts, it’s easy to get someone’s identification quickly.

Once everyone is identified clearly at your summer activities, it helps ease introductions. That way, those in attendance can move on to more important things, such as business discussions and networking. Badge holders are one of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to identify large groups of people. Add in lanyards for extra branding and recognition.

So, get your employees involved this summer at your office shindig (and color coordinate your teams for better participation). Having fun this summer at your office party is even better with fun titles! Print them on inserts in badge holders for your summer activities.

Conversations About a Lanyard

As lanyards are an easy way to display name badges and other personal identification, they are used every day by various people. College students, teachers, employees in retail stores, office workers and even government officials wear lanyards to show IDs or security reasons.

When everyone at the company is wearing the same lanyard, it creates a sense of unity. Colleagues work together with camaraderie and respect. Whether your employees or in the office or on a corporate retreat, company lanyards instill the reality that everyone is a part of the same team, including upper management.

Networking is also an essential aspect of trade shows and summer events. Lanyards identify you and your colleagues by carrying name badges and advertising your company name and logo imprinted on the material. Also, lanyards work with nearly any dress code. Professionals can wear lanyards with their suit, dress shirt or blouse without compromising their appearance. Lanyards also allow people to carry their identifications or credentials without damaging their clothes with pins or other fasteners.

Employees should wear a badge holder for summer events to help create unity and elevate the security. Leaders need to be able to identify each participant at the event, and having each employee wear a lanyard and a name badge will help identify those who belong. They also aid in remembering people’s names.

Name Tags and Badge Ribbons for Your Next Summer Event

Black engraved name tag with colorful custom badge ribbons designed for use during summer activities.

From company summer festivities to family reunions, name tags and badge ribbons are perfect for every event. You can tell people more about each other at first glance with a highly personalized ribbon attached to their name tag. Likewise, if you have VIPs or other prominent members at your event, set them apart with a ribbon that reflects their importance or position.

Networking with Name Tags

Here’s the scenario: “You’ve just arrived at your weekly, cookie-cutter networking event. After walking up to the registration table, you search across a sea of identical plastic name badges with tiny print for the one with your name and company printed on it. You’ll affix this name tag to your shirt at the least awkward angle you can contrive and proceed into a crowded room of people all arching their necks to scope out the people worth chatting to while trying not to stare at someone’s chest for too long. (And most likely many have chosen to position the name) tags to be hidden in the folds of jackets or flipped around entirely, making them impossible to read. Good luck with that one.”
We’re here to offer that perfect solution. We offer a product that facilitates networking and promotes making those critical connections. In addition, our name tags and reusable badges are ideal for use with our lanyards and other fasteners.

Stand out from any crowd with bright, fun and festive badge ribbons.

Each ribbon helps make an initial introduction when worn with a name badge. They help break the ice for those attending social meetings and a get-together. And, it is always fun to think outside the box to come up with unique ways to personalize these badge ribbons.

While name badges are the usual place to find a badge ribbon, these identification tools are perfect for imaginative uses. From group identifiers to getting-to-know-you games, these ribbons help add flair to any event or function. However, use your imagination and create fun things to add to these promotional ribbons. They don’t always have to be professional. Instead, add silly things that will make them memorable such as Coffee Fiend or Here For The Food. Also, let attendees pick out something that describes their personality so others at a conference or corporate meeting will feel more at ease.

Ribbon Tools for Employee Engagement

Badge ribbons are the perfect tool to engage your employees, especially during summer events. With many different colors to choose from, and you can add any text and small graphics, these ribbons are incredibly versatile. Use them to inform your employees about your next event. Or, use them for event games, fun summer-themed titles and more.
No matter your event, you can make these ribbons work for you! Whether it’s an employee-only event or a summer get-together that your business is sponsoring, badge ribbons can do most of the work for you. First, include messages of dates, times and locations for each of your events. Then, use them to help employees and customers stay engaged with your business.
You can also use custom top ribbons as awards, reminders and souvenirs at your next company summer event. These ribbons are just as versatile as badge ribbons but a bit fancier. Sometimes the best way to keep your employees continually engaged is a simple reminder of the fun they have with your company. Summer events are the perfect reminder. So, create unique and engaging ribbons to give to your event guests as a reminder of the fun they had celebrating.

Custom Signs Designed for Summer Activities

Custom sign designed to show daily schedules for summer activities.

The best part of custom products is personalizing them for every event or need, including planning office summer activities. Informing your customers upfront about business hours and policies builds customer trust and keeps them coming back. Adding professional signage to your business (and event) will help your employees and customers understand your company goals. After all, helping your customers is your number one priority, so make sure they know by using classy engraved signs.

Finding a way to let your customers know where things are just got easier with stock engraved signs. Welcome everyone to your lobby by providing instructions on how you handle business. Help your customers find their way around your facility with easy-to-read stock office signage. Make your business more welcoming with custom and stock signs featuring messages that help your customers.

Signs also play an important role at your summer events. Add daily schedules, include information about the event or simply display a fun summer message. No matter what, make sure your message is engaging for everyone in attendance at your event.

So, what are the benefits of throwing company sponsored summer activities?

Hosting any company summer activities is one way to keep employee morale boosted, which can often dip up and down quite often. It’s almost seen as a perk, just in the same way that a Christmas party is. Giving your team the chance to interact outside of the office is one way to boost their morale. In addition, it provides the team with an opportunity to get to know each other better, and differently.

Learn even more: 5 Tips for Planning a Conference

Improving Your Customer Service

Helping your customers is what your business does, right? When you focus your priorities on your customers’ needs, you are actually doing your business a favor. As you meet your customer’s needs, you can better your business and better your customer service. In the long run, focusing on who is doing business with you will help you in your client retention as well as finding new customers.

Whether small or large, every business will always benefit from improved customer service practices. So how can you, as a business owner, help your employees and customers feel more valued? Here are several steps that you can take to improve your customer service.

Improve Your Customer Service by using name tags (relatability), name plates (approachability) and reusable badges (versatility).

Understand Your Customers’ Needs

According to several studies, service is vital in a customer’s brand loyalty choice. However, each customer will have a different view and opinion of excellent customer service. To provide this excellence, you need to determine your customers’ needs. Once you find out these needs, you can better train your employees to meet them.

Listen to (and Implement) Customer Feedback

You should also listen to customer feedback. Sometimes reading customer feedback is not the most exciting thing to do as a business owner. However, whether you are a small business or a large one, customer feedback should be a critical point in running your business.

Even if it’s negative, customer feedback will keep your business running up to par with what your customers expect. Part of being a business owner is listening to your customers. When you listen to your customer feedback, you can improve the customer’s experience. Once you improve this experience, your business can better help meet your customer’s needs.

Take all customer feedback constructively. Remember that most customers only provide negative feedback when something needs to be fixed. Therefore, even when dealing with positive feedback, find a constructive way to implement any changes that you need to your business.

Pay Attention to Your Competitors

Yes, even your competitors will influence your customer’s needs. For example, if consumers have a bad experience with a competitor, they may turn to you to meet their needs. So, you should always pay attention to your competitors to better help your customers.

While it is not prudent to stalk your competition, you will find it necessary to understand how your competitor runs its business. Then, you can identify possible shortcomings in their business and find ways to improve your business by building on what customers need.

Provide Open Communication

One of the best ways to improve your business’s customer service is by communicating openly with clients and customers. Find ways to communicate directly with customers about what services and products you offer and how they meet their needs.

Use every available means to communicate with your customers. Whether it is online and social media or in-store surveys, make sure you keep in contact with your customers. No matter how you communicate with your customers, make sure you use consistency in that communication.

Communicating with your customers is a crucial component of running a business. When you have an open line of communication, customers’ needs will become readily available to you. From the feedback received via surveys or messages sent through emails, customers will be happy to let you know what they need when your business is transparent.

Helping your customers remember your brand will also help you retain them. You help customers remember your brand and business by constantly providing them with your best business practices. This consistency is one of the best ways to accomplish customer retention.

Following Up with Your Customers

There are so many different ways that you can get in touch with your customers. From in-store surveys to social media postings, customer communication is easier than ever. Following up with your customers after completing a service or transaction is an excellent opportunity to understand their needs.

Once you understand these needs, you can follow up with your customer to ensure that they are satisfied with your business dealings. One of the easiest ways to reach out to your customers for a follow-up is an email. Make sure that when you send out emails to customers, you fully represent your brand. Your voice still needs to remain consistent so that your customers will keep coming back.

Promptly Handle Complaints

Part of listening to your customers is also taking their complaints. While taking complaints may not always be an easy part of doing business, it is vital that you allow your customers an opportunity to speak their minds. In addition, when you let customers complain about poor service or poor quality of product, you are also gaining their trust.

It is an important part of this step to follow up after receiving a complaint promptly. Remember, most customers do not complain unless there is an issue. And as a business owner, you want to make sure that there are no issues between you and your clientele.

No matter the kind of feedback you receive, you can always learn from what your customers tell you. So, always encourage customers to express and share their feelings about your company. Stay as transparent as you can during this process, and customers will continue doing business with you.

Meeting Your Customer’s Needs

One of the keys to excellent customer service is understanding and meeting customers’ needs. To make this happen, several steps must be followed. Keep the following in mind while dealing with your clients, and excellent customer service is sure to follow.

Offer Reasonable Solutions

Knowing your customers’ needs is only half the battle. The other half is to offer solutions to any problems that may occur. Find ways to explore how to improve your business continually. One of these ways is to listen to your customers’ needs and then respond with a way to fix any issue.

One key thing to remember is that the solutions need to be simple. Keep an open mind when responding to customer issues, stay as transparent as possible and actively keep your customer in the loop as you offer any solution.

Keep Listening to Your Customers

Just because you found one customer’s need does not mean that you found them all. Constantly keep listening to everything your customers say about how you run your business. Remember, your goal is excellent customer service. Without listening, this goal is unattainable.

And, don’t just listen but actually hear what your customers are saying. Take into consideration everything they say, no matter how unimportant it may seem. While sometimes it is hard to admit that a customer may be right, you may have a broken system (especially if more than one customer complains about the same thing). The only way to stay in business is to keep listening.

Be Honest and Transparent

It does not matter what type of business you run, honesty and transparency are two of the most important things you need to remember. Keeping your customers aware of how you are running your business will keep you in business.

Unhappy customers are not repeat customers. After all, a happy customer is your greatest asset as a business. Remember that a happy customer is also a buying customer. Whether it’s goods or services you offer as a company, your customer is there because of how you make them feel.

Honesty and transparency are just good business practices. Stay honest in your dealings, and your business will increase. Keep transparency as part of your brand, and you will continue to have excellent customer service.

Tools for Improving Your Customer Service

Name Tags

Communicate and relate better with your employees and customers easier with the help of name tags. While we are slightly biased, name tags are just a good business decision. They provide identification, security and so many other benefits.

There are significant benefits to wearing name tags in any retail establishment (grocery store, boutique, department store, etc.). Some of these benefits include the use of identification in marketing, providing security, identifying employees and other staff, and many other positive benefits.

With an extensive line of tags available, we have everything to meet your needs. Name tags are guaranteed to improve your customers’ experience and improve your customer service.

Engraved metal and plastic name tags will help make your customer service better.

Name Plates

Be more approachable by using personalized name plates around your business. These name plates can include employee names, directions to find offices and other amenities, identify conference rooms and even provide an uplifting message for your customers.

Reusable Badges

These versatile reusable name badges help your customers even when you have a high employee turnover. Your customer service will improve when everyone has identification. Reusable badges are perfect for volunteers, seasonal employees and even visitors.

And, with printable inserts, you can quickly provide identification for everyone at your company. Our reusable name badges are simple systems that can either be written on or printed and still look professional.

Speedy Badges provide temporary identification that improves your customer service.

Blog Highlight: Connecting with Customers

The H2H experience should be available to all customers. What we mean by this is human-to-human connections. Connecting with customers should be the focus of every business. Over the past while, we have become disconnected.

As humans, we crave experiences that connect us with others. Those connections have turned online throughout the last year and have become a little less human. So, how do we revert to that constant human interaction we naturally crave while still existing in our ever-changing world?

Part of the solution to this issue is becoming more approachable. While you and your company may have already been in a position of trust, people need to feel that they can still trust you and your services. Now the question is, how do you gain that trust and become more approachable.

Learn Even More: How To Connect with Your Customers

Autumn Education & Virtual Learning

With school back in session, there is one definite question looming over every teacher, parent and student: is this year virtual or in-person? No matter what happens, everyone involved is hoping for the best possible education for their students. While virtual learning can be stressful, there are several ways to combat this stress and still make learning fun.

Themes are a great way to keep learning fun. Use themes in all of your curriculum to keep students engaged in their studies. From fun science experiments involving the changing leaves and nature to creative autumn-themed indoor games, you can make your child’s fall learning fun and educational.

Autumn Education & Virtual Learning by The Learning Center

Creative Autumn Education Ideas

You can make fall one of the most exciting times in your classroom, even if it’s your kitchen table. With so many things changing (outside and inside), it only takes a little thinking to get the creativity moving so you can plan activities for your students.

Using pumpkins, leaves and other fall foliage

Learn to count using pumpkin shapes or match shapes to numbers for a math lesson.
Paint leaves with silly faces or get really creative for an art project.
Create an ABC chart with fall objects (Hint P is for Pumpkin, L is for Leaf).
Make science fun with a demonstration of photosynthesis (all the color changing of leaves).
Using a scavenger hunt, you can get multiple kids together to work on communication.
Find some fun fall-themed books that you can read together with your students.

As you can see, from art to science, fall has all of your education needs covered. Adjust these activities for kids of all ages to help them feel involved. Your autumn education ideas have been solved! Just go outside and look around for additional ideas on things to get your curious students doing.

Other Engaging Tools

Here are some unique tools to help you in your home classroom (as well as your in-person one).

Lanyards

Whether hundreds or thousands, it doesn’t matter how many kids are coming back to your school this year; security is always an issue. Yes, there are name tags and photo ID badges for the teachers. But how do the children keep their things safe and secure?
Lanyards are a convenient way of displaying identification and other things while at school. And these lanyards don’t have to be boring. Choose from a variety of colors to match your school and mascot!
These lanyards are also perfect for fundraising events, sporting meets, and any other time your school gets together. Help your students stand out from the rest with bright colors, logos and messages custom imprinted on these lanyards.

Lanyards are useful for the at-home teacher as well. Use them to keep pens or other important objects close to you. For example, hang them from the wall to show off art (you’ll need a clip attachment for this) your students have made. Or use them as a sensory coping tool to run around your hand or through your fingers.

Photo ID Badges

One of the essential features of a photo ID badge is the security it offers. Provide these for teachers and other school staff to ensure that the proper people enter and exit your building. Quickly and easily identify someone with photos and provide safety and security while at school.
They will also help with productivity. Teachers can focus on what they need to teach instead of worrying about other security issues. Pictures of an individual are on each tag, along with their name and title, to make recognition easier. With a glance, anyone can see who that person is and make sure they belong where they are.

Use photo ID badges for the virtual learner in nearly the same ways. Add their photos and have them wear these badges during online classes so teachers can see student’s names easily. For parents, photo ID badges are a great thing to have around. When you take small field trips, you can have your student wear them as it provides the perfect way to identify a lost child.

Custom Signs

Sometimes all you need is a creative mind, and you’ll have an instant piece of art. For example, adding a door sign to a room is the perfect touch to help you be yourself. Custom signs are perfect for a classroom and any room in any school. (Careful, our processes are more limited than your imagination!)
From desk placement to student homework, there is a place for everything. So, make sure you know where that place is by creating an organized space. Once you have an organization plan, write it down. Doing this will help the students in your classroom know where things go, and you will stay organized. Then label it with custom signs!
And, don’t forget that decorations are an excellent tool for learning. Use posters, banners, ribbons and custom signs to make your classroom a pleasant place for learning. Don’t go overboard, but make sure that your classroom is inviting and stimulating.
From simple instructions about completing a task to holidays and birthdays, these custom signs are here to make your day.

Custom designed signs for classroom usage as well as virtual education purposes.

Here’s a fun way that a virtual learner can use custom signs! First, have each student design a sign with a classroom rule or part of your motto. Then, during each lesson, assign your students to have the signs available to display while they take part. Play with colors and fonts to get each sign as unique as the students.

Autumn Education for Online Learners

While virtual learning can start as a complicated process, you can make the transition easier using these tools and your creativity. And don’t forget to incorporate the season into your lesson plans. Make your autumn education easy by helping your students with everything they need to keep motivated.

Going Back to School & Work Success

It’s that time again! People are heading back to school and to the office after having summer vacations and much needed breaks. And although some of us are a little more hesitant about going back to these tasks, we should all be prepared for what is to come. No matter if it’s school or work, whether or not you will be remote learning or working, here are several things to help every transition in your life go smoothly.

Going Back to the Office

Even thought it isn’t exactly the same as going back to school, getting back in the swing of these at the office can take just as much preparation as school. From working from home to in-office positions, and even hybrid schedules, everyone going back to work should be prepared for their coming workload. Make sure you’re ready to head back with some quick pointers and advise.

Acknowledge Success Using Prize Ribbons

Back to school and work ribbons for awarding teachers and employees.

Using custom rosette ribbons to acknowledge success will help anyone feel special. Employees, and really anyone, will know how much you care when you put thought into a prize ribbon just for them. And, you can customize these ribbons to say just about anything!

Start by picking how detailed you want the ribbon to be by choosing streamer count and length and how big you want the rosette part. Then you can work out which colors you want for your ribbon. Once you have chosen these styles, add any text and graphics or icons you need for these fun and fabulous ribbons.

Remote Work

If you are working remotely, here are few things to make your day go better:

Get dressed as if you are going into the office, it will help you retain focus throughout the day.
Create a working station or place that isn’t just the kitchen table.
Keep track of work that you have accomplished to keep yourself motivated.
Take actual lunch breaks: get up and leave your work station just like you would at the office.

Effective Networking While Working from Home

From video apps to professional development, networking while working from home takes focus and planning.

You think that you have it all figured out, right? Then life gets in the way. Whether it’s an illness or a family matter that takes precedence over being in the office, you might be asking how you can keep your networking alive and well when you are out.

It doesn’t have to be hard to network while away from an office or other business setting. Using available tools will help you gain control over your networking. And by using these tools, your remote working experience will be better than you expect.

We live in a time where networking is one of the primary keys to making a business work. And, when you use networking properly, not only will your business flourish, but it will also make an impact in your community.

In-Office Work

If you are physically going back to an office, remind yourself that’s where you work best.

Dress appropriate for your office/work setting so that you maintain work standards.
Keep your desk clutter-free so that you can stay on task.
Create a work calendar that will help you stay motivated.
Remember to take your breaks and lunch away from your desk (this helps maintain focus throughout the day).

Taking Pride in Your Work

Name tags for teachers and employees going back to school and work can help everyone to take pride in their employment.

You own it. Your name is on it: Everything that your company does, awesome or pathetic, it has your name on it. People contribute to the success and failure of projects, companies and their colleagues. It matters. Everything that you do. That trivial piece of work for a client, your contribution to a large-scale project or a part to play in a flawless delivery, you own that success; be proud of that.

From dressing for success to taking pride in everything you do, presentation matters. And don’t stop with your pressed shirt and tie, add something that will make you stand out from everyone else: YOUR NAME. The easiest way to accomplish this is a name tag!

By wearing name tags, or other identification, newer employees and other team members in the company are more apt to recognize each other. Name badges also provide accountability for all of your employees. When wearing name tags, it requires that your employees accept responsibility, one, for their actions and two, for the way they treat your customers.

Your job should always be something you can take pride in. So, from building trust with those around you to looking the part, learn to love what you do. Invest in yourself and keep learning how to accomplish what you need to do your job well.

For Students & Teachers Going Back to School

These ideas will work for both online and in-class options.

Stock up on supplies! Whether it’s for an art project or pencils and paper for students, make sure your supply closet has everything you will need.
Create an organization calendar. Place this in an easy-to-spot area in your classroom so that every student can see what is expect of them.
Prepare for daily meetings and lectures. Make sure to jot down what you need to make your classroom successful. This should include your lecture notes and messages and homework to send home.

Using Custom Signs for Your Classroom

Get students excited about their education with classroom signs. Use them to encourage participation with motivational quotes and classroom rules. By hanging these custom signs behind your desk, you’ll have no trouble keeping students engaged throughout the school year.

Whether teaching in person or online, classroom signs will look great behind your desk, or anywhere they are easily visible. Customize each sign with text and graphics that remind your students why their education is essential. As they see these signs every day, they will stay motivated to pay attention and participate in class.

Going back to school and work is easier with award plaques for students and employees.

And remember that whether it’s for work or school, we have the award plaques, name tags and custom ribbons that you need to keep your students and employees motivated while doing their work.

Team Building and Employee Summer Engagement

It’s simple: having fun while working keeps up employee engagement. The happier the employee, the better work they will accomplish. And, to make employees even happier, remember to make sure they work well as a team. Team building is a necessary component to your business success!

While teamwork is critical, you also need to find the balance between work and fun as a business professional. Allowing your employees to get to know each other through fun-filled team activities combines their strengths and helps them finish work faster.

“Teamwork is the ability to work together towards a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

Keeping your team motivated takes effort. As a business owner, you need to help your team members develop their bonds to collaborate and communicate effectively. Enter team building!

Name plates, award plaques and name tags will help employees in their team building efforts and establish your business goals. — Providing new name plates and name tags for employees help them to keep engaged with co-workers. Award plaques also help with encouraging strong teamwork.

What is Team Building?

It is a way of describing different activity types used in a learning or working environment that enhances social relations. These actions in turn define roles within teams and often involve collaborative tasks to help people work better together. When teams are put together, they are expected to understand their roles and responsibilities and to get along.

A team that works well together is more effective, more productive, and more successful — not to mention happier and more fun to work with! But team building at work can be tricky, especially when typical team building activities tend to induce more eye rolls among teammates than high-fives.

Studies have shown that businesses with engaged employees pull in more sales and services compared to competitors how have low employee engagement levels. The bottom line is that it is essential for every business to find a way to keep their employees engaged and to work on their team building.

How to Build a Better Team

Don’t underestimate team building games, but don’t overestimate them either. Make sure that if you are going to be adding games to meetings and other team activities they are something that will keep the attention of your employees.

Team building activities and games are supposed to be not only educational but also enjoyable. They help the team learn about each other — how each person thinks, works, solves problems, and has fun. Whether you want to do some new hire orientation icebreakers or just bond your team closer together, there are inventive ways to do this.

From inside around a board room table to outside while relaxing in the shade, keep your games moving. By using interactive games, you will keep your employees’ interest longer and have a more meaningful situation.

Interactive Team Building Games

Gift Exchange

Exchanging white elephant gifts at your (next) party? Name tags make it easy to draw a person’s name to see who gets to choose a gift first. And unlike with paper strips, you won’t have to rewrite their names again next year.

If you want to have a different activity this year, there are several games you and your coworkers can play with blank name tags. Have each person draw a picture of something that represents them. Then, have everyone guess which picture belongs to whom. Or, write a question on each blank tag and give it to each person to pin on their shirt. Everyone then has to answer the question pinned on the person they’re talking to while they socialize. Be careful which markers you use as some markers may be permanent.

Grab That Badge!

One person should be chosen as the group leader and has everyone form a circle. They will then pass out adhesive name badges and pens to each participant. The badges should still have the backing on them so the sticky side is not exposed. Each person then writes their name on the badge. After everyone is done, the group leader collects all the name badges and mixes them up.

The group leader will then give each person an adhesive name badge and tells everyone to peel off the backing and place the name badge on the back of the person sitting to their right. The members of the group must then wander through the group and search for the name badge with their own name. Once they find it, they will take it from the person wearing it. The game becomes extra entertaining if someone’s name badge ends up on their own back.

Crack a Joke (Seriously)

Research shows that humor not only makes work fun, but it also increases productivity. So, give your employees something to laugh about by customizing badge ribbons with work appropriate humor. Use clever puns, dad jokes and funny pop culture references. If you and your team have inside jokes, stick them on a badge ribbon too. Wearing funny badge ribbons around the office will reduce stress levels and keep your employees smiling. The more your employees are in a good mood, the more productive they will be.

What other activities and ideas can you come up with for your team building activities?

Recognize Achievement and Celebrating Excellence

Not only do people like receiving recognition for their achievements, but they deserve it as well. When you recognize achievement, several things happen. One, they are provided with a vital boost to continue in their excellence. Two, they gain happiness for their job well done. And, three, the recognition spills to other people. It’s almost like a ripple effect that goes beyond just the person receiving the recognition. After all, one good turn deserves another, right?

So, how can you learn to make achievements work for you no matter where you work (education, business and organizations)? Driving excellence in your organization will help to boost employee engagement and clientele satisfaction. Here are some great ways to get the ball rolling in your business.

Recognize Achievement

Recognizing employee and colleague achievements has incredible outcomes. When you celebrate their excellence with a tangible award (think award plaque or ribbon), they will respond with increased motivation and know that you appreciate their hard work.

Here are some steps to take to make sure that the people in your life know how much you appreciate them.

1) Reward Good Behavior

When you reward good behavior and recognize achievement, you set the foundation for how someone needs to act. Taking the time to acknowledge good behavior lets the recipient and others around them know what you expect from them. So, giving out rewards for good behavior, such as staying on task, will help shape how your office, classroom or other employees will continue to act.

Employee recognition works wonders on employee retention and loyalty. A simple thank you, or a celebration of an employee’s achievement is all it takes – and in turn this will benefit your company’s retention rates.

PRO TIP: The quality of the reward will affect the quality of the return work, so make sure your awards are high-quality!

2) Making Someone Feel Appreciated

Whether it is an employee, student or other colleagues, feeling appreciated has its own merits. Appreciation goes a long way for most people. When you either tell or show someone how appreciative you are for them being involved in something, their work ethic is guaranteed to improve.

The biggest thing when expressing your appreciation is to make sure that it is genuine. Don’t just say you appreciate someone without having a reason for it. Make sure that when you tell someone how proud you are of them, you tell them why they mean so much to you.

3) Show Pride for a Job Well Done

Recognize achievement as soon as you see it. By doing this, you establish the essential bond between yourself and employees or students. This bond, when created and nourished, will encourage good behaviors and a steady work ethic. It will create a healthy and positive environment where communication is open and free.

Employee recognition doesn’t just come from the managers, but also from the employee’s peers. Peer recognition goes a long way; it helps to establish comradeship between colleagues and is great for increasing teamwork in the workplace.

When someone feels that they have something to be proud of, it shows in how they continue to act. Rewarding someone for a job well done is the perfect way to make sure they have a sense of pride. The recipient can then show off their tangible award (again an award plaque or ribbon is a great example) to friends and family. This pride will then motivate the recipient to continue wanting to do their job well.

4) Helping to Motivate

Being engaged with employees or students will help motivate them to do their best work. Taking time to recognize achievement will foster engagement, reduce stress and increase productivity among employees and students. Motivation comes naturally when everyone is involved in staying productive and on task.

After all, motivation is what drives people to success. Giving recognition for these successes creates a positive atmosphere and helps keep employees and students going. Employee/Student does a great job (and you want this behavior to be repeated) should be followed by recognition. Once the achievement has been recognized, the employee/student will want to repeat the behavior to receive more recognition.

5) Creating a Happy Environment

Students (and employees) that are successful with their work are happy. By recognizing their achievements, you are encouraging them to continue to work hard and be productive. When you reward them, you’ll make them feel appreciated and happy. Making sure that you are recognizing achievement when you’re supposed to is important.

Showing your appreciation, even for the small things, will help your employees and students feel happier while they are working. After all, happy employees and students make for a happy workspace. And, when an incentive is in place, people tend to work harder. Don’t underestimate what happiness can do for your office or classroom!

Products that will help with recognizing achievements, both great and small!

Award Plaques

The elegance of these Crystal Acrylic Plaques will make any office achievement shine. So, for your next “Employee of the Month,” grab one of these incredible awards and make your team feel important and appreciated.

No matter who you want to thank, make it shine with these beautiful plaques. Remember that coach in your life whether it be for little league baseball or the professionals. Everyone enjoys being recognized for their hard work and achievements.

Rosette Ribbons and Prize Ribbons

From equestrian events to fairs and classrooms, Rosette Ribbons are perfect for all awards.

Rosette Ribbons are great for place ribbons. So, when you have a classroom contest or a need to represent several athletes for the quality of their work, choose from a variety of styles and colors. Most ribbons represent up to nine places and also participation awards. All our rosette ribbons are high quality and can be ordered as custom or stock rosette award ribbons.

And, these rosettes are perfect for awards for any shows or event types. From sports, hobbies and animals to horticulture, business achievements and education everyone will want a rosette as their award for a job well done. With the fancy tops and long streamers, the high-end look will indeed show recognition for doing well.

Customize each ribbon to your needs by choosing a logo or graphic to go with the sporting event or school activity. Then, provide a message for each streamer and individual names for each award. No matter your choice, each award recipient is sure to treasure such a unique gift.

Acrylic Desk Blocks and Executive Desk Wedges

Celebrate a promotion, graduation or a new job with an executive desk wedge!

Executive name plates are perfect for showing just how much you appreciate someone. They also make an excellent award for any achievement. With a class of excellence above any other, these beautiful nameplates are sure to show how much you care. Whether you give one as a gift or buy one for yourself, the professional quality reflects the excellence you demand from yourself and your company.

Celebrating Excellence

As a leader, teacher or manager, you have a responsibility to make sure that your employees or students know how much you care. When you celebrate even small achievements, you are helping those you lead see their excellence. This recognition will help them feel appreciated and let them know their contributions are welcome and wanted.

“People may take a job for more money, but they often leave it for more recognition,” said Dr. Bob Nelson, best-selling author and motivational speaker.

Through celebrating excellence, you can build a culture that attracts and retains the best talent. The truth is that no one can be successful alone. You always need help somewhere along the way. Most anyone can learn a skill, but not everyone knows success is all about prioritizing people.

Online Learning & Maintaining Student Motivation

Lately, it doesn’t seem to matter which grade a student is in. Everyone is taking virtual classes this year. Some of these classes are going with online learning for the first time. This makes it difficult for everyone involved. So, how do you (as a parent, student or teacher) adapt to these changes? Here are some quick tips and suggestions to keep you focused and stay motivated throughout this school year.

Students & Online Learning

How can you, as a student, find that focus that will help you stay motivated? Here are several steps to take to make sure you get your work completed and turned in on time.

1. Set Goals

Most people hear this advice throughout their entire lives. So, let’s apply it to this school year as well. Take a look at all the classes and subjects you are currently taking. Now, what needs to happen for you to be able to get the grade you want for these classes? Start by writing down what your end goal is. Then, separate these broad goals into smaller ones.

Dedicate a specific notebook to your goal making. After all, the key to achieving your goals is writing them all down. Once you have them in writing, you can refer to your goals frequently so you know you are taking every step to completing them. Accomplishing your goals requires constant follow-up. And when you write everything down, you can always go back to see where you are in achieving your goals.

2. Keep to a Routine

Many students have a small opportunity to attend classes at least once a week. Going to these physical classes offers a structure that normally doesn’t exist for online classes. Many students find that having that structure, even for one day, is soothing and helps them better focus. It’s the routine of a daily schedule that keeps them motivated.

Develop a plan to stay on task so you can complete your coursework while still allowing time to enjoy the things you like to do. Schedule set times to log in to your course and to study, create reminders of due dates on your calendar or phone, and build in ample breaks to give your mind some time to take in what you’re learning. Having a plan will increase your likelihood of success and will help you reach your goals.

So, find that routine for the other days when you are doing online learning. Sometimes it’s as easy as duplicating that in-person routine while you are at home. For example, study math, English or science at the same time every day. Even if you don’t have homework or an online meeting, pull out your textbook and notes and keep caught up on the class studies.

3. Take Breaks

Just like breaks between classes when you’re on campus, it’s smart to take small breaks to help yourself stay motivated. These breaks can be something as simple as standing up and stretching. Or, make them a bit more interactive with quick activities like three-minute exercise routines.

No matter what break activities you choose, make them a part of your daily routine. In elementary, we all had recess breaks, and it’s important to give our brains a little bit of a distraction instead of always staring at a computer or textbook. Your mind will thank you for taking these breaks.

4. Reward Yourself

From celebrating the little achievements to making a big deal for passing a class, every student should reward themselves for a job well done. Figure out a rewards system for meeting goals; match the reward to the success. Doing something nice for yourself will help with your online learning motivation. So treat yourself for a job well done.

Parents & Online Learning

things to do while committing to online learning

While it isn’t your education, you are there to help your children accomplish their educational goals. Make sure you take some time to follow these simple steps to ensure that online learning functions well.

1. Stay Healthy

Part of staying healthy focuses on both the parent and the student finding balance with school work. As a parent, you need to work with your student’s online learning to meet both mental and physical needs.

Taking care of the student’s mental and physical health can help their academic performance. As you build out your schedule, try to work in regular exercise, healthy meals and plenty of rest and relaxation. If you’re not sure where to begin, contact your school’s respective recreation or counseling centers.

2. Create an Inspiring Study Space

Parents, make sure that your student has a dedicated space in which to study. Make this space accessible and free of distractions so that your child has a fighting chance of focusing and staying motivated in their school work.

Something easy to do is to add motivational signs or name plates for the students to see. Also, keep educational tools on hand. Set up a work station that is inviting for your child. Each child may need something different, so make sure you focus on individuality and personalities.

3. Take an Active Roll in Education

Online learning is hard on everyone. Some students can thrive in an online environment, but more often than not, they will need some assistance to stay on track. Listen to your kids for what they need to accomplish their educational goals. And, find ways to actively support those needs.

Once you know what each child needs, help them succeed by taking actions that push them in the right direction. Encourage them and show them that they are not alone in accomplishing their goals. If you let your kids know you have their back, they are guaranteed success in their schooling.

Teachers & Online Learning

As an educator, you understand the importance of keeping students engaged and motivated. Online learning complicates these a bit, so here are a few things you can do to help your students stay on task.

1. Create a Schedule

Help your class stay on task by creating a daily schedule for them. Some students may need a little more guidance than others, and without your in-class help, they may not be able to focus like they need to. With a set daily schedule from their teacher, these students should thrive a little better in an online learning environment.

Schedules will also help you when working with assignments and grading. Ensure you are doing things in a timely manner and making yourself available to help your students when they need it. Writing out daily, weekly and monthly schedules will also help you as the teacher stay motivated so that you can do your job well.

2. Eliminate Distractions

As many of your classes will now communicate via video conferences, make sure your environment does not distract from your lesson plans. While you don’t have to remove everything from your background, make sure things behind you are not taking away from what you are teaching. And add items as needed. Use custom ribbon rolls to help keep the background engaging without distracting.

Maybe you find yourself constantly reminding students to mute their microphones or raise their hands before blurting out answers. Custom signs are the perfect tool to have that as a constant reminder behind you. Pick a color that works with your surroundings and add a message that will help with your teaching style.

3. Stay Connected with Students

One challenge of online learning is that students often feel quite isolated. Consider how you can make direct contact, through emails, instant message and video, to as many learners as possible, helping them see how you are invested in their learning. In addition, encourage ways for learners to see each other as resources through methods like peer feedback and peer review, as well as potentially helping students find peers to study with.

Your students need to know that you are there for them. Make yourself as accessible as you can during days that students may be on campus, and especially on days they are not. Everyone’s educational experience will be better knowing that the teachers will always remain accessible.

Making the Transition to Online

While online learning may be difficult at first, use these ideas to make your transition easier. If you still find that you need help, reach out to other teachers and parents. Your local school district is also a great resource. And keep on learning!