Alisha Copfer, Author at Influencing Identity

That Isn’t My Name

How many people in this world have a name that is confusing? You know the ones no one can spell or pronounce correctly?

The ones that, nine times out of ten, most people look at you funny for? Did your parents decide that “oh, this is a cool name!” but now that you’re older and having to deal with the repercussions, it’s extremely annoying?

I have one of those names. And while I’ve never fully been bothered by my epithet, I’ve encountered over 20 spellings: Alisha, Alicia, Allicia, Aliesha, Alica, Allesha, Alecia, Alesha, Allisha, Alysha, Aleesha, Aleisha, Alycia, Elycia, Eleisha, Elisha, Elicia, Ellisha, Allicia, Alishia just to list a few! I’ve even heard it jokingly spelled as “Uhleeshaw.”

And don’t forget the pronunciation! From ‘uh-lish-uh’, ‘uh-lish-ee-uh’ to ‘uh-lee-shuh’ no matter how people say it, I find I’m always correcting someone.

To be exact, my name is Alisha and it’s pronounced ‘uh-lee-shuh’. I’ve been correcting people since I was in grade school at the spelling and the pronunciation; and it’s getting tiresome. I’ve had a friend named Alicia, one named Alysha, and even at one point a roommate named Alysia!

Others have this problem as well. And I have a fix… NAME TAGS

While one doesn’t necessarily need to be exactly like Scott Ginsberg, the Nametag Guy, (he wears a nametag each and every day) nametags and name badges do help with getting acquainted with others.

This might be the simplest form of a name tag, a laser engraved plastic one. This is on euro gold with black text, 1×3 inches and simply engraved with my company’s logo and my first name. Each of these tags can be customized to meet whatever need is there. Logos, names and titles can be included.

The second name tag is a UV Color logo on engraved plastic; white with pine green text. Each UV Color logo is printed with a full color process that allows for quality, high resolution images and are great to show gradients and bright colors. Names and titles are engraved into the plastic to show the second color.

The final name badge is a Mighty Badge. These reusable badges are available with or without a logo. Each logo is UV printed and names can be added by printing on the clear, plastic lens. There are three pieces to the Mighty Badge: the metal plate, the clear insert and a clear lens that snaps it all together.

Regardless of spelling, pronunciation or other abnormality, names are fun and should be celebrated. Each person should find a way to enjoy their name. Oh, and don’t forget the ever repeating androgynous names like Pat, Jesse or Taylor; you will never be forgotten!

Basic Lanyard Uses

While a lanyard is often required for identification, many don’t realize its effectiveness. The best thing about a lanyard is that it can have social and practical uses in everyday occasions and special events. From identification to advertising, use lanyards in multiple ways.

Lanyards are ideal for identification and safety.

Several versions of lanyards all customized for business use.

Typically, lanyards are worn in offices and conferences to provide identification. And, traditionally these work well as most lanyards are designed to compliment a name badge or name tag. If a company requires security cards or photo IDs, lanyards are a great and useful way to keep these items handy. So, as you come to a security checkpoint or somewhere else where you might need to show your ID, you won’t have to search for your card. Lanyards are a low cost option for identifying who belongs and who doesn’t. When employees are provided with custom lanyards with either a company logo or slogan, they are easily identified to provide better security.

Lanyards are also effective advertising.

Lanyards provide simplistic and efficient advertising. Usually worn around the neck, lanyards remain easily accessible. As such, they are a perfect advertising opportunity. In addition, providing employees with a custom lanyard with a business logo or slogan allows them to keep their name badge handy. Still, most of those who wear lanyards as part of their uniforms do not remove them after leaving work. This provides your company with extra and free walking advertising.

If you provide a lanyard during a convention or event, people may continually use them in their homes and life. Many people find it convenient to attach keys to lanyards for easy access and the lessened likelihood of losing them. Again, free advertising. So, the next time you think about advertising strategies, consider how effective custom lanyards are.

Name Tag Deadly Sins – Part 2

The Seven Deadly Sins of Ineffective Name Tags

*This list is adapted from Scott Ginsberg, The Name Tag Guy.

“Your name tag is your best friend for several reasons. First of all, a person’s name is the single piece of personal information most often forgotten, and people are less likely to approach you if they don’t know (or have forgotten) your name. Second, it’s free advertising for you and your company. Third, name tags encourage people to be friendly and more approachable.” ~ Ivan Misner, the “Father of Modern Networking”

Last week we covered four of the seven “deadly sins” of ineffective name tags presented by Scott Ginsberg. This week, the remaining three “deadly sins” that make name tags ineffective; and what to do to make them more effective in your branding practices.

Fifth, placement: Name tag placement serves a different purpose depending on the event or function it is being used for. For example, if the name tag is placed on the right side, it is visible when meeting new people or greeting others with a handshake as it becomes parallel with the viewers line of sight. Another example is if the name tag is placed on the left side, it is more visible to those who are approaching you from an opposite direction. The first example is great for corporate meetings and other office events. The second example is best for large conferences or conventions.

Sixth, presence: While this typically refers to placement as well, this is more than just wear on your clothing you should wear your name tag. When choosing the placement, you want to make sure that the viewer will have maximum eye contact as well. So, don’t wear your name tag on your right pants pocket, but rather on your collar bone where it will be visible to whomever you are speaking with. “The most effective location is two to three inches below your collar bone on whichever side most appropriate for your function,” says Scott.

Seventh, maximization: To make the greatest or fullest use of a name tag, make sure to utilize all blank space. Use a large font to that the name is visible from a distance. Make sure that any blank space that is left is necessary. “Think of your name tag as your ‘front porch.’ It invites people. It makes them feel comfortable. And, it initiates conversations that transform strangers into valuable connections,” says Scott. And indeed, a name tag is a piece of real estate that will help in any personal or business branding.

By avoiding these final three “deadly sins” your name tag will become more efficient and, as Scott always says, you’ll improve your approachability!

Name Tag Deadly Sins – Part 1

The Seven Deadly Sins of Ineffective Name Tags

*This list is adapted from Scott Ginsberg, The Name Tag Guy.

“Your name tag is your best friend. It is a lifesaver in meetings, trade shows and events to start conversations when you meet groups of new people. It also identifies you as well as your company in the minds of others,” Scott Ginsberg is known for saying.

So, what’s the trick to making sure that your name tags makes you approachable? Follow these first four attributes as set forth by Scott from “The Seven Deadly Sins of Ineffective Name Tags.” *Follow up will come next week with the remaining three.

First, size: Have you ever been in a situation where someone is squinting and staring directly at your chest or other area desperately trying to make out tiny letters on your name tag? “This is self defeating, embarrassing and actually works to decrease your approachability,” says Scott. A name tag should be readable from at least 10 feet away, thus making the recommended font size a minimum of 24 point. Try and make the font as big as you can, also avoid cursive, script or other fancy writing styles.

Second, color: The most effective background color for a name badge is white. While having an outline in a bright color does grab attention to the wearer, make sure the background is stark white for visibility. By doing so, this allows maximum visibility for a logo, your name and, if necessary, your position within your company. All font should be either black or dark blue ink. “Fashion must be outweighed by your name tag’s approachability and visibility!” exclaims Scott.

Third, turnaround: One frustrating name tag problem that people face is “the name tag turnaround.” No name; no logo; no company; just the blank back of the name badge. This happens especially when the name tag is worn around the neck on a lanyard or worn with a clip. To avoid having “name tag turnaround” (a phrase coined by Scott), make sure to always write the exact same information on both sides.

Fourth, clutter: “Avoid name tags with overly thick borders, unnecessary clutter or too much text. All of the information contained must be readable and memorable in less than five seconds. Remember, they call them name tags because the name must be the focal point, whether it’s the name of the person or the name of the company, those are the two most important pieces of information,” says Scott.

By avoiding these first four “deadly sins” your name tag will become more efficient and, as Scott always says, you’ll improve your approachability!

Introducing: Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone Color: What is it and how do we use it here at Coller Industries?

Every year since 2000, Pantone has released a “symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.” This color selection becomes more prominent throughout each year following the announcement, and is mostly seen in home décor, fashion and other similar areas.

And, for the first time in Pantone’s history, they have released a two-color scheme as the Color of the Year 2016; welcome Rose Quartz and Serenity!

As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

In a webinar presented by Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, she expressed the means by which Pantone chooses the annual color release. “These colors are emotionally reflective of a social mindset,” explained Pressman during the webinar. “They truly are reflective of the tranquility and inner peace that consumers are looking for.”

While Name Tag, Inc. doesn’t specifically take part in Pantone’s yearly celebration of the Pantone Color of the Year release, we do accept its importance.

However, as a personal identification provider, Name Tag, Inc. is limited to how these colors might be expressed. While one simply cannot buy a metal name badge in Serenity or Rose Quartz, a plastic full color name tag may be purchased. The reason for this is how they are produced.

Full color name tags are printed using a thermal transfer process to capture a logo in crisp and bright full colors. This process enables the customer to print a logo or background color to extend off the edge of the name tag (bleed).

Another way to utilize the Color of the Year is to order a UV Color Logo on either a name tag or a name plate. Both items will use a full color process that leaves a quality, high resolution image with bright colors and gradients.

Here is a side note for color matching:

Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors are the best way to let us know what colors are expected. Name Tag, Inc. will make reasonable efforts to match provided PMS colors. However, due to restrictions and limitations in the production processes, we are unable to guarantee color matching. Hot-stamping, engraving and surface colors are also limited to available materials, and variations and environmental factors in such preclude any color guarantee.