adhesive name badges - Influencing Identity

Name Tags: Pros and Cons

All personalized identification comes with pros and cons.

Seeing them listed can help you to see why you should be wearing a name tag every day!

PROS and CONS: Case #1

Con, From: A Case Against Name Tags
They’re not very chic. They encourage tacky behavior. And there are better ways to introduce and connect people.

Pro, From: Do the Name Tags at Your Event Suck?
Tools like business cards and name tags are the hardest working elements of high-performance collaboration in meetings, events, and social occasions, and we barely give them a thought when we design them.

Pro, From: Name Tag, Inc.
Name tags and name badges provide necessary corporate and company branding. This branding is important for all marketing needs. It distinguishes you from your competition and helps others to more readily recognize your quality. By using logos on name tags, you can create a focus to help drive your business.

PROS and CONS: Case #2

Con, From: A Case Against Name Tags
If you want get people interacting (at large events), I think you should take a more interesting, active approach. Traditional name tags aren’t just tacky. They’re lazy.

Pro, From: Name Tag, Inc.
While adhesive name badges can be considered tacky, there are less traditional ways of handling large groups. Choose from a variety of other reusable name badge options. Speedy Badges and Mighty Badges are both great for using in large meetings or conventions. Each insert can be printed so names are all the same size. And they can even be printed with colors and logos to make them stand out.

PROS and CONS: Case #3

Con, From: Ditch Those Employee Nametags Now, These Customer Service Experts Say
And then there’s the elephant in the room, so obvious I wasn’t sure I’d even mention it. Employees hate name badges. And the more creative and quirky the employee, the more likely they are to hate them. As the newest generation of employees are millennials, a very, very creative and quirky generation, and it’s best not to start an adversarial relationship with your employee at the word “go,” this is another factor to consider.

Pro, From: Name Tag, Inc.
With a “creative and quirky” generation coming into the work force, name tags can be fun! Make them bright and interactive. Who says a name tag has to be boring? Add logos and graphics. Choose from an abundance of colors. There are metal name tags and plastic name badges. Whatever your choice, personalize it to meet your employee needs.

Overall, name tags are something that should stand out.

Make them memorable with your company branding, customization and personalization!

Name Tags: The Simple Truth

Remember to keep your name tag simple! They are for personal identification and not meant to be used as a resume.

Amazingly enough, some name tags read like a business card, or as otherwise suggested, a resume. However, personal identification should be kept as simple as possible. Name tags and name badges should only include minimal information that identifies the person wearing it. Here is a short, concise and simple list of what should be included in designing a name tag.

If a logo is being provided for a company, remember to keep it to a size that will fit and look good on a name tag. Depending on the type of name tag, such as a plastic laser engraved name tag, logos may only be done in a specific color or format. Full color name tags do offer a bit more versatility, but keep in mind that the logo shouldn’t be the only thing on the name tag. Full color tags offer the user the option of brighter colors and the option of bleeds. This is useful for logos that are large or need to have specific colors used.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at name tags is possibly using name badges. Name badges are ordered with only a logo either printed or engraved and names and/or titles are added at a later point. These badges are a great idea when you need to be able to reuse them, such as for a seasonal or temporary position at a company or organization.

Names and titles can both be extremely effective on a badge. But keep in mind that size is extremely important here. Keep it simple and to the point! Many times a person’s name is the only thing that is needed for identification. A first name is typically sufficient for name tags, however last names can be used in some cases. First names are great on name badges at conferences. They are also perfect to use in a commercial or retail setting as most customers don’t need to know the person’s last name. However, in the case of having multiple people with the name first name, adding a last name will help with the identification.

Of course, titles may be added to these name tags. However, make sure to order the name tag in an appropriate size so as to accommodate the text properly. One of the most important things about a name tag is visibility. Text size is extremely important! The text should always be readable from a distance, typically about 10 feet. Don’t add too much text to one line as it could become too small to read even from close up.

The final thing to cover is the fastener choice. Most name tags come with multiple options, but be careful with these. Don’t order a lanyard to go with an adhesive name badge! It just wouldn’t work. Be smart about the choice. While magnetic fasteners are popular, pins or clips might be more appropriate for your situation. Always think of how and where the name tag will be worn before making the final selection on a fastener.

And, as always… remember: K.I.S.S. (keep it short and simple)!

Personal Branding vs. Corporate Branding

First things first, what is BRANDING?

Definition: BRAND – a particular product or a characteristic that serves to identify a specific product, a trade name or trademark, or a particular kind or variety.

Let’s break it down a bit farther to make it a little easier. The act of branding is the process involved in creating a unique name or image for a product, person or idea. This is done mostly through advertising and other similar means. It is also the action of building a convincing individual or unique presence in a consumer market that attracts and retains loyal customers.

Now that we’ve established what branding is let’s discuss the different aspects of what it is.

Personal branding is the process of an individual marketing, or advertising, themselves or their career as a unique image, or brand. It is in effect the ongoing practice of building up an image or uniqueness about themselves to others around them. A personal brand often involves the use of someone’s name on various marketing products.

Examples of personal branding:
Rachel Ray, Michael Jordan, Oprah, Scott Ginsberg, Tony Robbins

In the name tag world, a personal brand comes when you wear a name tag with your name (first and last) to identify yourself as an individual and to stand out in a crowd. By wearing personal identification products, e.g., name tag, name badge, etc., one makes themselves more visible to others and opens the door to better experiences at large events. Most often one can see this type of brand at large corporate meetings or conventions where the individual needs to be distinguished from others.

Corporate branding is the process of promoting the logo and brand name of a company or corporation for marketing and advertising purposes. Typically the range of a corporate brand is extensive and is often used as a way to express the company’s ideals and goals.

Examples of corporate branding:
Apple; The Hershey Company; NIKE, Inc.;
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.; M&M (Mars, Incorporated)

Corporate branding utilizes the same items as personal branding, such as lanyards and name tags, but they are used differently. Many companies choose to add their logo, or brand, to the name tags so that their employees are easily identifiable to the consumer. These items are then turned into a way of advertising their company rather than the individual. Many times this type of branding is seen at conferences where many companies that manufacture or sell the same ideas or items might mingle. Lanyards, name tags and often signs are used to distinguish each business attending the conference.

Whether personal or corporate, a brand is essential to anyone who is seeking to be differentiated from those around them. Corporations typically have a logo designed while individuals must promote their names as a logo.

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!