Attending a Networking Event with Name Tags

Badge holder with a printed insert and matching lanyard and imprinted badge ribbon to help make connections at a networking event.

Lanyards, name tags, reusable badges and even signs are useful tools for any conference or convention. And the corporate event name badge is one detail that has been overlooked too much. For years people have been dealing with this awkward situation over and over again at event after event. As such, setting the stage is just as important as attending a conference or networking event. However, there are many roadblocks along the way.

Here’s the scenario:

“You’ve just arrived at your weekly, cookie-cutter networking event, and after walking up to the registration table, you proceed to 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 finagle, 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.”

Let us help you with finding the perfect solution to this problem. We offer products that facilitate networking and promote making those important connections. Our name tags and reusable badges are perfect for use with our lanyards and other fasteners.

For many people, the idea of wearing a name tag evokes the stale idea of the epic “Hello, my name is…” variety you might find at an awkward mixer or high school reunion. But a name tag is a valuable tool and, when used in fresh and creative ways, it can be an effective tool in helping people at a networking event and when interacting with each other.

Still not convinced on wearing name tags at a networking event?

Here are some creative ways to use any name tag or reusable badge to help eliminate any awkwardness while at a networking event.

Try omitting titles and company names. Use this as an effort to associate people more with what they love to do, or excel at, than what they do for a living. Focus on the individual.

Move beyond the work domain. Try using reusable badges with a catch phrase or other conversation starter to get people to mingle.

Incorporate a theme. It doesn’t matter what the theme is, just as long as it’s geared toward getting people flowing through the masses. After all, it’s about making those important connections.

Name Tag Deficiency Syndrome (NTDS)

Is there really a condition called Name Tag Deficiency Syndrome?

From Scott Ginsberg, The Name Tag Guy:

“Over a half of a million people suffer every year from Emblema Nomenpenia, more commonly known as Name Tag Deficiency Syndrome (NTDS). This debilitating condition has run rampant through the American business community for many decades, experts say, although only recently has it been classified.”

Symptoms: You may experience localized font shrinkage, inflammation of the company logo, noticeable eye irritation due to cluttered texts, absence of upper chest name tag placement and mild conversational uncertainty and frustration.

Possible Side Effects: Beware of sudden, sever attacks of name forgetting, possible networking anxiety, unapproachable behavior, missed opportunities to make new friends or business contacts, and feelings of annoyance due to the inability to say hello to a new member or employee whose name you can’t read because their name tag is turned backwards.

While NTDS is completely “made up,” the side effects are serious! However, this disease is easily treatable and completely curable!

Kris Hay, Communications Coordinator at the University of Puget Sound, offers her advice:

“When it comes to networking, a name tag is a necessity. Anonymity is not to your advantage in these situations. Worn properly, a legible name tag helps people remember your name and then quickly move on to exchanging information with you.

“A poorly located, illegible, or absent name tag can cause consternation, and even embarrassment. A name tag should make it easy for people to meet and greet you without having to gaze at body parts other than your face. Wearing your name tag correctly demonstrates your etiquette and networking savvy.”

Come find your solution to Emblema Nomenpenia (NTDS) at www.nametag.com! We have all possible solutions. From blank name tags to name badges to customized name tags with a logo, we truly are your one-stop shop for all things related to personal identification!

The Functionality of Name Plates In The Work Place

The primary function of a name plate is to inform viewers of a specific person’s name and/or title.

Many people need to work to earn a living. Those of us who must seek employment may end up in a job or career that requires some sort of personal identification. Personal identification could be as simple as wearing a name tag to work. However, those of us who end up in an office setting, are finding that this personal identification comes in the form of a name plate. Name plates are typically designed with not only the employee in mind, but also the employer.

To promote consistency, many companies tend to use the same style name plate for all employees. Each name plate Name Tag, Inc. offers comes in a plastic or a metal material. Each one can be ordered as a template design or custom made with or without a company logo. And each name plate can be ordered with a wall mount, a desk holder or a cubicle hanger.

These name plates are typically mounted on a door, wall or cubicle in an office setting. There are many ways to accomplish this task. There are desk holders that simply sit on the corner of a desk. There are wall mounts that can be fastened to a wall or door using screws or double-sided tape. However, many people don’t like using screws or tape to stick these name plates to their office walls or cubicles. It also becomes quite the process to make them sit level so that they look professional. Name Tag, Inc. provides another option for those leery of screws and tape. Enter the cubicle hangers; these provide an easy way to hang a name plate using double-sided tape, or just insert the name plate under the hanger so the tension holds it in place. And if a customer doesn’t want to use these cubicle hangers, we do offer velcro and magnetic tape.

Fun Ways to Say Thank You with Name Tags

Use a customized name tag, name plate or sign to express appreciation for those around you.

Saying “Thank you” to someone could be considered the most powerful two words in any language. Why not use it more frequently? There isn’t a single person in the world who doesn’t appreciate hearing these two little words as an expression of appreciation, respect and courtesy. In fact, if people were to say it more often to each other, we would all have a better sense of well being.

With that being said, how do you remember to say thank you? And why is it so important? There are many things to be thankful for. Good service that you received while at a restaurant, a thoughtful gift from a friend at a time that you were feeling a bit down, having someone respect a simple request such as not spoiling the end of a movie.

While it is easy to remember to say thank you for many things, especially if it is in the moment that it occurs, sometimes it gets a bit hard to remember to say thank you for the little things. Try ordering a customized sign that will remind you on a daily basis to say thank you for those little things. Order a bunch of simple name tags with a simple engraved thank you expressing your appreciation and give them out to friends, family or co-workers.

Need something a little more accessible? Try a name plate with a customized message that you can place on your desk to remind the people around you at work, or at your home office, that they really are appreciated in your life. All of our products are customizable to fit any need or situation. From a sign you can hang on your office door to the suggested name tags to hand out as a written thank you, all people appreciate the courtesy of a simple thank you.

Pay attention to the number of times you say thank you in a day and keep trying to up that number. By the end of just one week you will be well on your way toward developing a great habit that will fill your life with many great and wonderful things. So, whether you are at work, at home or out and about, develop a habit to say thank you more often.

6 Steps to a Professional Photo ID

Many companies choose to give their employees a photo ID rather than a basic name tag. This can be a great idea for many different professions, as it creates a level of security, professionalism and confidence for the customer.

But there are many details to consider as you submit photos of your employees for Photo ID Badges. Here are some tips to get your employees looking their best on their badges, making your company look even better.

1. Create a set of standards for the photos used

The best way to do this is simply to designate a camera, an employee and a place to take all photos for the IDs. This will ensure control over the quality of the image (more on that below). If you allow employees to submit their own photos, you will have a varied range of images, which may not all represent your company as professionally as you would like. If you do decide to allow employees to submit their own photos, make sure they are following the rest of the tips listed below.

2. No “selfies”

Photos used for identification should be taken by some one other than the person in the photo. Self taken images do not appear professional, and frequently are not at a good angle or do not show enough of the person for good identification.

3. No filters

Photos submitted should avoid using social media filters or similar processes. This is because they can alter the focus, color or overall look of the photo in some stylized fashion. Unless that is a look you want to apply to your photo IDs company wide, no single individual should have it.

4. Content of photo ID should be professional

Use a photo that only contains the person who will be using the ID. Make sure that employees are not posing with pets or other people, even if they are partially cropped out. The employee should be wearing clothing that would be appropriate for their job or standard business attire. The background should not be too busy or distracting; a blank wall or photo backdrop is ideal.

5. Photo ID should show the employee well

Make sure to have adequate light on the employee’s face in the photo. This way the details of their face are easy to see. Keep in mind that we will most likely produce the photo relatively small, so dark photos may lose the shape of the facial features entirely. Photos should be in focus.

6. Do not crop the photos

Name Tag, Inc. will handle all cropping of the images as we produce the Photo IDs. Photos are all cropped to the same standards, creating a uniform look across your company. If a company submits photos which have been pre-cropped, there are sometimes issues with image quality and the shape of some of the individual photos. Allowing us to crop all photos to the dimensions your company’s badge was designed for ensures that every employee gets the best looking ID.

A Guest Article by Melanie Bunch