Impressions of a Name Tag; Stefan Hiller

In expansion on the topic of impressions of a name tag, many have been talking about whether or not it is important for those in service positions to identify themselves by wearing a name tag or name badge. Stefan Hiller, founder of Sky Touch; Global Hotel Security Consulting, has provided a security point of view on the topic.

Stefan Hiller Sky Touch Global Hotel Security Consulting“I think it is important that staff can clearly be distinguished from guests. While general staff in uniform is a big help, name tags completes identification and adds a personal touch,” Hiller states.

In Hiller’s article, titled No name tags; a forward or backward step?, he suggests that by not wearing a name tag in a service position lessens the quality of the customer/consumer experience. While his article is based in the hotel industry, many things that he discusses can also be looked at in any service position.

Name tags and name badges not only provide this personal touch, but they also provide that much needed personal identifier. By using personal identification, a hotel or any other retail establishment, gives a sense of security to not only the consumer, but also to the employee.

Hiller provides the following anecdote.

service and retail name tags and name badges“Twenty years ago when I was an apprentice, I remember we were always told by the maître d’hôtel to wear our name tag for quality purposes. ‘Apprentice’ was written underneath my name. (While) we, the apprentices, gained our first experiences as service staff and were by no means fully trained yet, the name tag signaled that we were still a staff member in training, and in most cases guests had sympathy and excused little mistakes.

“From a marketing point of view, it reflected also that the hotel invested in young people, which certainly provided a positive image. Without the apprentice name tag, guests would not know if a staff member was still in training or not. Wearing our name tag protected us from high expectations of guests. Guests found it easier to use our name when having a conversation. It also helped us to identify ourselves with our new job.”

“Personally, I see no benefit in not using name tags,” states Hiller. “I have seen it produce unwanted guest frustration. Not using name tags lowers the quality of service and contributes to unwelcome risks.”

Name tags, name badges, lanyards and any other form of personal identification are much needed parts of any uniform. Make them part of yours today by visiting www.nametag.com.

Impressions of a Name Tag; Miss Manners

Today, reusable name tags personal identificationMiss Manners answered a question that runs rampant among workers who wear a name tag as part of a uniform. While this question isn’t always a comfortable one, it begs to be answered. Name tags are a great tool for personal identification. They have been used for many, many years in many, many circumstances. Retailers, restaurants, hotels and other consumer service providers continue to use them. The question posed, “Is it presumptuous to start a personal conversation with a person who is wearing a name tag?”

Miss Manners gave the following answer:

Miss Manners: A name tag doesn’t invite personal questions: Server’s name tag is not an invitation for friendship

Miss Manners Judith Martin Name Tag AdviceBy JUDITH MARTIN “Miss Manners” (Advice Columns, August 25, 2015)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Sometimes I see patrons in a store or restaurant peer at the service employee’s name tag and say something like, “Hello there … Tiffany … how are you today?” It always comes out with this forced conviviality, as if to say, “Look, everyone! I’m a good, egalitarian person treating the lowly server as a person. Isn’t that great of me?” I think it actually says, “You have such a menial job that you’re forced to wear a stupid name tag, so I know your name and feel free to use it even though I don’t know you, but you don’t know my name because I’m a higher-class person and get to dress the way I want.” I think name tags are just so you know whom to refer to if needed, as in, “I think Tiffany is our server. Could you ask her to bring the check?” Am I right to see this as presumptuous behavior?

GENTLE READER: The presumption in the greeting you mention is not in using Tiffany’s name but in asking the waitress how she is “doing,” a question about her mood or life that is not relevant to the business at hand. Miss Manners has no objection to using a form of address that has been supplied by the addressee, even if, in this case, it may technically have been Tiffany’s boss who chose the form. She does wish the form supplied was more formal, as she agrees with you that first names in this context are an invitation to mistreatment. It is not rude to use a server’s first name if it is provided on a name tag; what is rude is personal inquiries.

name tags personal identificationSo, in not so many words, remember what Miss Manners teaches about the etiquette of respecting someone’s personal boundaries. While it is nice to know your server’s name at a restaurant, be kind and treat all those in service positions in the same manner that you would want to be treated. Name tags are a convenient way of remembering someone’s name. They are meant as an identifier and as such, should be treated with respect.

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.

Wall Mounts, Desk Holders, Cubicle Hangers for Name Plates

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.cubicle hanger for name plates use with double sided tape or tension set

Donation Spotlight: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Houston Youth Adult League

Once again, we’d like to say thank you to all of our customers by highlighting our most recent donation activities. We were contacted by Tiffany Antony of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Houston Youth Adult League. Antony is the DYA Regional Coordinator for the church. Here are some wonderful details about the organization and how we were able to help!St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Houston Youth Adult League
Tiffany Antony, DYA Regional Coordinator, said “(The church is) a new and upcoming diocese. The mission of the Diocesan Youth Apostolate is to unite all young people of the Diocese in response to the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ by encouraging the formation of a deep interior life that overflows into genuine service to the Church and to the world.”

Name Tag, Inc.: If you could describe your organization in three words, what would they be?
“Passionate, United and Spiritual,” said Antony.

History of St. Joseph Catholic Church:
In 1879, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament founded a school near (the church) site to serve Houston’s Sixth Ward. One year later, St. Joseph Parish was founded …to serve the school and surrounding community. This Romanesque Revival structure, designed by Patrick S. Rabbit and built in 1901, replaced the earlier sanctuary (that was) destroyed in the great hurricane of 1900. http://www.stjoseph6thward.org/

Flat Woven Badge Lanyards with Bulldog Clip FastenerBlack Woven Badge Lanyards,Light Weight Badge Holders: 2.25 x 3.5 inches

Economy Vinyl Badge Holders,

and Badge Inserts were donated to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Houston Youth Adult League.

Name Tag, Inc.: How will it help your organization?
Antony said, “We are hosting a leadership conference for all the youth in the Texas and Oklahoma region this summer. The donation will help (the church) to be able to provide an easy way for people attending our conferences to meet one another and get to know one another. The name badges will have also have cabin and group numbers so that people will know where to go.”

“(Coller Industries) has helped us to make our church events so much better and we are so excited and thankful for their generous donation. We are so so so eternally grateful for this donation! You have truly helped us out so much,” said Antony.

The Importance of Wearing A Name Tag (Part 1)

Why are name tags important? (Part 1 of 3) While the importance of wearing a name tag will be covered, first things first. Most people don’t randomly search for name tags. Those who do search for name tags are specifically looking for the product that will best suit their needs; whether at work or for another purpose (e.g., conferences or parties) name tags come in quite handy.

So, first things first, right? Why should you go to www.nametag.com for your name tag needs? Check out what our other customers have to say about us!

Customer Reviews

Name tag example package to help learn the importance of name tags.

M. Whitfield said, “Requested a sample…sales rep incredibly friendly. Sample arrived in timely manner. Great product, great service!”

C. Price said, “I have ordered the Mighty Badges from you many times and we have always been happy with them.”

L. Planchard said, “I used your chat function for a question and it was great! Fast and efficient. Easy site, too!”

M. Shaw said, “Very easy to move through your website. Simple. Great selections. Tried many other sites, none had small quantities allowed.”

Badge holder with a deluxe magnetic fastener.

N. Byrne said, “A co-worker ordered your magnetic name tags for use by our volunteers during an event held here in the City, and they were the perfect size! I would like all my staff who deal with the public to wear them. Clean and customizable. Just perfect!”

B. Martin said, “I just reordered some name tags and in the small box we a 3 fold flier that had some products listed on it and it triggered my mind that I needed to order the whole office name plates.”

Patrick said, “Your folks sent me the original proof very quickly. I requested some changes and the new proofs were available the next day! When I received the final product…it was just as I expected.”

A.M. Pratt said, “Used you guys in the past at companies that I have previously worked for. Great product, great service.”

Badge holder with printed insert and stock imprinted badge ribbon.

V. Meagher said, “First website I found that had the simple ribbons I needed for name badges and a straightforward way of ordering the quantities that I required. You made it easy. Thank you.”

K. Southerland said, “I enjoyed the fact that what I needed was right there and straight to the point. I didn’t need to guess about anything. Thank you.”

*All of these comments have been left through our customer service satisfaction survey.

Don’t just take our word for it! Check us out for all of your personal identification needs, and to learn more about the importance of wearing a name tag.