name badges - Influencing Identity

Name Tags: Not Just A Label

October 10th is recognized as World Mental Health Day. So what does this mean for name tags? And what does that have to do with a label?

It’s easy to start labeling people. How many times during a day do we label someone without conscious thought? It can be a simple label like teacher, boss or cashier. But we have to be careful when using these labels. While they describe something someone is doing, they do not always make up someone’s true character.

So, what does this have to do with name tags? Well, when someone puts on a name tag, they are representing something so much more! They are representing the company or cause for which they are working. They are also representing themselves. And what a great battle that can be sometimes.

“If everybody wears name tags, no more fighting, no more intolerance and no more disrespect,” said Scott Ginsberg in his blog.

When donning a name tag, it becomes an act of acknowledging people for who, rather than what, they really are. Calling people by their given name helps to make them feel truly special.

“A few years ago I gave a speech to a group of individuals with disabilities. I was terrified. I thought the message would go completely over their heads. And I assumed that their intelligence level would keep them from understanding me. I was wrong. They loved it. Best audience I’ve ever had. Afterward, a young man from the front row ran up to me with a huge smile on his face. And although his mental condition made it very difficult for him to speak, he placed his hand on my chest and said: ‘It’s not the name tag; it’s the heart behind it.’ Just because someone is broken doesn’t mean they can’t teach you,” Ginsberg related on his blog.

So, why do we label people?

Maybe it is because sometimes there are positive attributes that are associated with these labels. And maybe it’s because we simply do not know someone. By wearing a name tag, we become more familiar with those around us.

And, when we start using others names, we are also allowing that labeling barrier to be let down. So, let’s all put on our name tags and remember who we truly are!

Name Tags for Emergency Personnel

Name tags are helping with transparency and providing security!

Recently name tags made the news! Did you see the report about police officers and emergency personnel using personal identification to make others feel at ease? What a great way to give us all a sense of security. Officers are accomplishing this by simply wearing a name tag.

Excerpts from The Boston Globe:

“The public should know our names,” Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans said during an interview on WGBH’s Boston Public Radio this past week.

“Body cameras and name tags are a way to show transparency and accountability in these challenging times,” Evans said.

“An officer is not just a number, but a person. (And knowing an officer’s name) “makes that individual more human. It humanizes a situation,” said J. Larry Mayes, one of three members of the Civilian Oversight Ombudsman Panel, which reviews Internal Affairs investigations.

“(Commissioner Evans) began this process earlier this year as a way to increase transparency and trust,” Lieutenant Detective Michael McCarthy, police spokesman, said in a statement.

McCarthy said that command staff and superior officers have already begun wearing tags with their last names.

Patrol officers in other major police departments, including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles, have worn name tags for decades. Massachusetts state troopers also wear name tags. (Boston Globe)

While not everyone enjoys wearing a name tag while at work, most organizations and companies find them necessary for communication and security reasons. However, whether or not to use a name tag in these situations is not necessarily an easy answer.

In many situations, certain levels of personal identification are needed. Using identification provides a service to consumers. It may also provide a sense of security. Overall, name tags are proving useful once again. A great thing about using name tags is that wherever they are worn, they can create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Name Tag Definitions: Part 1

Defining our business helps our customers to fully understand what we do.

While our FAQ pages are full of your questions, we thought we’d get down to the nitty-gritty for you. Here are some definitions of how our business runs. From what a name tag actually is to all the fun and fabulous details of ordering, we want to make this process as easy as possible.

So, what is a name tag or name badge?

A name tag or name badge is a piece of plastic, metal or sticker worn on the outermost clothing piece. This provides a means of displaying the wearer’s name for others to view. They are commonly worn in places such as at a grocery store or restaurant so that a customer will know who works there.

Now let’s get some of the more technical definitions out of the way.

Need By Date
We often reference a need by date on our website when a customer is placing an order. This phrase might be confusing. A need by date is the exact date that a customer needs to have the product in hand. While we do our best to match everyone’s need by date, this date is not a guarantee.

Proof
A proof shows an image of one layout of a product. It is intended to be used for a final approval of the product ordered before heading into production. Proofs frequently include a price quote. Proofs are sent to the customer by customer service so that they will go directly into the production process once approved.

Design Worksheet
A design worksheet is only provided when you may not fully know what you are requesting for your design. It may show several variations for a layout and is intended to help narrow down the choice for a customer who is not sure what they want. The customer would look at the design worksheet and indicate which variation they like most. They may also make any changes to it they would like to see. Once a variation is decided upon, it is then sent as a proof for final approval by the customer. Even if the customer approves of a variation on the design worksheet, it will still be followed with a proof so there are no other versions represented on the page with the customer’s written approval.

First Article
A first article allows the customer to obtain one physical sample item of the product being ordered. These are made to the proof’s specifications before the entire order is purchased. These are highly recommended for customers with very detailed specifications.

Do you have any questions regarding these definitions?

There will be further articles with more definitions, but help us by letting us know what you need. How about anything of which you’re unsure? Please let us know what else you need help with as we’re here for all of your questions!

Using An Emergency Contact Card

Photo identification doesn’t have to stay at work any more. Use our photo ID cards as an emergency contact card for those you love.

A photo ID badge usually comes with an employee’s name, photo, title and any other relevant information printed on it. They are a great way to identify company employees and provide security in the workplace.

As each badge may fully customized, these name badges can also be used for other things. Such as security ID, safety tags and an emergency contact card. By simply providing any important information you would like to have printed on them, you could save someone’s life!

These emergency contact cards are truly an innovative product. Names, addresses and phone numbers are all great ideas to include on these safety cards. Using someone’s picture is also a great way to make sure that they are identified properly.

Emergency cards are for everyone!

Give these emergency cards to school children to carry in their backpacks. They will help to notify teachers and other administrators of possible allergies and other emergency items. Such as a parent’s name and contact number in case of an emergency.

Great for elderly or disable loved ones, these cards provide freedom to anyone. People that normally aren’t active in their communities, can go outside without fear of being lost or not in contact with those that need to know where they are.

An emergency contact card can have printing on both sides so that they can show on a lanyard around someone’s neck or through a see-thru pocket on a bag. Keep these cards in a wallet or a purse as they are the same size as a credit card.

Add whatever information you feel is important for others to know is important. These cards are perfect in case of an accident or other emergency where someone may be unresponsive. Not only do they provide necessary information about the person, but they also provide piece of mind to their loved ones.

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!