name tag - Influencing Identity

Four Favorite Name Tag Features

Name tags and name badges have a controversial past, but there is no reason to have a fear of name tags. Here are four name tag features to overcome that fear.

Some people believe that name tags are useful for businesses and others believe that name badges block individuality and are becoming obsolete. In either case, most people can agree on one thing, name tags and name badges can help when trying to identify people in large groups and in certain surroundings.

First, and the most obvious, providing identification. One of the most important name tag features is that they reinforce someone’s identity. When a retail employee wears a name tag with a company name or logo clearly visible on it, that name badge becomes a subtle form of advertising and it reinforces that company’s brand into the minds of any customers.

The second name tag features, and maybe a little less thought about, is security. Name badges make it easier for employees to recognize those who might not belong. As an example, if an employee is accustomed to seeing his or her fellow employees with name tags, an abnormality would be spotted easier. This is particularly true for a company that deals with sensitive information or products. Anyone that may be out of place would be immediately spotted to help maintain the company’s security.

Third, providing an immediate relationship with the viewer. While this is a more subtle use of a name badge, it is just as important as other reasons to use a name tag. Name badges worn at a school reunion help attendees to locate old friends and job memories. They are great for ice-breakers and other games that might be played at such an event. Name tags allow someone to be easily identified and give information on who that person is, such as a title or department that said person might work in. Several surveys have discovered that customers prefer interacting with employees that wear name tags.

Last, but not least, is professionalism. This is probably the second most thought of name tag feature. Business name tags subtly encourage the wearer to maintain some professionalism while being worn. Sometimes it is easy for employees to forget where they are, but by adding a name badge or name tag, this is less likely to happen. While there is nothing wrong with having a casual working environment, a name tag will ensure a certain amount of professionalism.

So, don’t be afraid of the ever elusive name tag. They are your friend and can be very useful in many situations. They should never be overlooked.

Thank You and Happy New Year Wishes

As we come to a close of this great year, Coller Industries has to send a thank you to the most important aspect of our company: you, the customer.

We have seen growth in our company in many ways, and we have many people to thank for that. First, we have seen our website www.nametag.com go mobile and provide access to so many others that may have not seen it before. We have seen growth in sales and in repeat clients. We are ever so grateful for that!

We have also seen growth in our inventory. Earlier this year we were able to roll out our Speedy Badges and offer those to our clientele. Speedy Badges are so easy to use and come in three different colors. They are simple to assemble and are fully reusable. And, they have been a huge hit!

We have seen growth inside our company as well. We have a strong Customer Service Department who is ready and available to assist in any need a customer may have. They are a wonderful addition to our company. And, as customer service is our main goal, we want and need to make sure that our customers are happy with our products and that they match to the customer’s needs. Our Customer Service Department sees to that need and fulfills it with flying colors.

Production and Shipping also do a wonderful job with making sure all orders are produced and shipped appropriately and in a timely manner. Again, they assist with making sure that our customer’s needs are precisely met.

We have also seen growth in our Marketing and other departments. Marketing has made our website fully mobile and is working on other things to make sure that you, as our customer, are highly satisfied. Our first goal is to see that our customers are happy and satisfied with our products and that all needs are met when seeking personal identification products.

We would like to thank all of our wonderful customers for an outstanding year! You are the reason we are in business and we want to acknowledge that. And with that thank you, we also wish you a wonderful and happy New Year!

TOP 5: Holiday Name Tag Ideas

A simple how to list for name tag ideas during the holidays.

USE AS DRINKING GLASS TAGS

Name tag ideas can be very simple. Simply order a name tag of your choice and write the person’s name on it. Take it one step further and have the name tag punched with a hole to easily affix it to the wine or drinking glass stem.

TO/FROM “REUSABLE” GIFT TAGS

A great name tag idea for those who like to “go green.” Don’t throw away your tags from year to year! Custom made name tags can be made from plastic and engraved with “a gift from:” and then taped to each gift under your tree. Once the wrapping has been removed, collect the tags and save them for the next year.

USE ADHESIVE NAME BADGES FOR HOLIDAY GAMES

Adhesive name badges are a wonderful party item. Use these name badges for multiple games from “Who Am I?” to getting to know you games. Simply remove the backing and attach to your clothing. Once finished, these badges can be discarded.

USE NAME BADGE HOLDERS TO CREATE HOLIDAY MEMORY BOOKLETS

Every year people take dozens of photos of their holiday events. Make this year even more unique by creating memory booklets using name badge holders. Make sure to print your pictures the size of the holder and put them in an order that will be memorable. Choose from our vast variety of personalized ribbons to tie the pages together.

CREATE HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS OUT OF BLANK NAME BADGES

The sky is the limit on this project! Take any of our blank name badges and draw things or write names or memories in a permanent marker. Attach any ribbon you want to the back of the tag and hang it on your Christmas tree or another place that you want to showcase your homemade talents.

Whatever your use this year, make name tags a part of your life!

And, from all of us here at Coller Industries, we wish you a very merry Christmas!

Donation Spotlight: Water Mission

“Water Builds Life,” says Lisa Cottingham, of Water Mission.

Water Mission, formerly Water Missions International, sees the need to address a global water crisis. Lisa Cottingham, Director of Development for Water Mission, explains, “We view the global water crisis as a problem that needs fixing, not a cause that needs unending donations. We are resolving the crisis as we scale the work. The global water crisis is enormous, urgent; and is desperate for innovative, break-through solutions. Therefore, we aspire to be experts and best in class in all aspects of our work.”

Water Mission is a nonprofit Christian engineering organization that designs, builds and implements safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions for people in developing countries and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has used innovative technology and engineering expertise to provide access to safe water for more than 3 million people in 52 countries. Water Mission has over 200 staff members working around the world in permanent country programs located in Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

“Our Mission is to be a best in class Christian Engineering Ministry that transforms lives through sustainable safe water solutions,” stated Cottingham. The organization’s values include compassion for those in need, excellence in their work, and integrity in all their relationships and activities.

Due their name change, Water Mission recently went through a rebranding phase. Part of the rebranding included needing new name tags for their organization.

Coller Industries stepped in to help out the effort with a donation of UV Name Tags with Water Mission’s new logo.

“The new, rebranded name tags from Coller Industries Incorporated will help us present our brand and mission to the world,” said Cottingham. A UV color logo is a full color printing process which allows for quality, high resolution images with bright colors and gradients.

“The generous (donation) from Coller Industries allows us to devote more of our resources to providing safe water around the world,” said Cottingham. Water Mission also maintains a news blog to keep followers up-to-date on their actions and activities.

Donation Spotlight: Bethesda Thrift Shop

Our customers are amazing! And to help all of our customers realize how important they are to us, we’d like to spotlight a donation that we’ve recently made. We were contacted by Scott Glidden of Bethesda Thrift Shop in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Bethesda Thrift Shop is run by Bethesda Lutheran Communities. “They are a Christian organization that provides homes for people with developmental disabilities across the country. They create connections that support people on their journey to live the best life possible.”

Glidden shared the following mission statement with us. “(We are here) to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that share the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Coller Industries provided a donation of Medium Plus Mighty Badges™ to Bethesda Thrift. Each Mighty Badge™ comes with a reusable, metal back plate, a printable insert, and a plastic lens that snaps onto the back plate to make the whole system work. This product is a wonderful option for those who need a quick, reusable name badge for volunteer positions.

“We use your name badges to recognize our volunteers for their hours of service. Some of our volunteers have over 19,000 hours, so they are very proud of their badges,” said Glidden. “The volunteers have just loved them in the past, and it is nice to see how much it means to them to give them one. I always let them know that they were donated by Coller Industries.”

Glidden describes Bethesda Thrift as “a place that welcomes volunteers who help support our mission. We pride ourselves with the fact that we have paid staff and volunteers with disabilities working in our store. We have demonstrated that people with disabilities have different skills and abilities and are able to have meaningful jobs in our community. We have helped many of them find stable rewarding employment.”

Bethesda Lutheran Communities is a national leader in providing homes and support, promoting awareness, and advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They operate in 14 states with more than 300 program locations and they succeed through the passion of their employees and volunteers who make a difference every day in the lives of those they support.