How To Keep Up with Industry Trends

New trends are always popping up in odd places, and even name tags are no exception!

Like most things these days, name tags have evolved over the past few years. They are more than just boring names attached to a cashier’s apron or a salesman’s jacket. Businesses and other corporations are finding more ways to make sure that their employees enjoy wearing their name tags.

From new printing methods to custom shapes, trends in the personal identification industry have expanded with the needs prodding them forward.

With these trends comes various questions such as:

Will name tags help promote better internal employee relationships?
Can they encourage stronger teamwork in offices and retail locations?
Are name tags able to help an employee feel more like an individual?

These questions are all answered with a single word: YES!

While each name tag still has the basic information on it, such as an employee’s name and title, personalize each with bright and vivid colors, different types of printing or engraving, and even creative logos and graphics!

How To Keep Up with Industry Trends using personal identification and name tags

One idea that was recently discussed was including personality identifiers on a name tag.

Recently several companies (have been) identifying employee’s personalities on their name tag. There are many personality tests that people use today. While all are a bit different, all shed light on employee’s social patterns, group dynamics and motivating factors. By placing the personality color code on the name tag, employees are able to interact with each other more easily and are able to communicate better. (These) companies (that) are embracing this (are) finding success (in this endeavor).

So, the lesson here is to embrace these trends. Whether it be a custom shape such as a fish for a pet store, or a brightly colored background to match someone’s mood or favorite color, trends keep us all in business! Need any more convincing? Check out everything we have to offer for your next name tag at www.nametag.com!

3 Ways We Went Green

Here’s something you might not know about Name Tag, Inc.:

We offer green products!

We live in a world that seems to be focusing a lot on reusable or “green” products for consumers. Here at Coller Industries, we support this movement to keep our world going around for the benefit of all. And as part of that, we offer several reusable products.

From name tags to name plates, you’d be surprised at the products that can be reused! Here’s a short list, but we’re sure you can find more!

Speedy Badges

These reusable name badges are custom name tags that are a great solution for companies with positions that experience high turnover rates. They are inexpensive and easy to use. Each plastic badge is simple to assemble and comes with a colored frame and a clear plastic lens. Each frame features a gentle forward curve that accents the style and classiness of this badge choice.

What makes this a green choice is the printable paper insert. Just print with your name and even a logo. These can be used over and over again by removing any used insert from the badge and adding a new printed or written paper insert.

Mighty Badges

With three easy to use parts, these name badges are perfect for any business. The metal back plate can feature your logo for easy brand recognition. Add names by printing on the clear, plastic inserts. Then add the clear, plastic lens by snapping it into place over the top of everything to hold it together.

These badges are green the same way a Speedy Badge is. Need a new name badge? Just replace the printable insert at any time.

Logo Only

Name badges are ideal for high-turnover positions and volunteers. Adding a logo to a name badge will help to associate your employees with the brand image you have worked to build for your company. Add a logo to either a plastic or a metal name badge to make your badges stand out.

This green choice makes your name badges last exceptionally long! Add names and titles to these name badges with either a permanent marker or a label. Just peel off the label or remove the writing with an alcohol pad and reuse again and again.

So, pretty much anything that is labeled reusable is considered a green product. Come on over and find your perfect green product today!

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.

Using Last Names on Name Tags

While “John Doe” or “Jane Smith” are a bit more professional, it may not always be appropriate and safe using last names on name tags. Not everyone enjoys wearing a name tag while at work, but most organizations and companies find them necessary for communication and branding. Most restaurants require serving staff to wear personal identification. Name tags and badges are also often seen in retail settings. They are even worn in office buildings.

And, not just cashiers and waitresses wear these identifiers. Managers, security and CEOs also wear name tags on a regular, if not a daily, basis. Name tags are a great way to quickly identify someone if you need help with something. And, as such, they are often a required part of a work uniform.

Having a person’s full name on a name tag can be quite helpful to a consumer, however it may also be dangerous to the employee who is wearing the name tag. These name tags have been recently scrutinized for their validity. Safety issues have also come up in many conversations.

Question: Why would having both your first and last name on a name tag be dangerous to an employee?

There have recently been several studies and panels evaluating the usage of first and last names on name tags. They have concluded that a person’s safety and privacy might be endangered outside of the workplace should a consumer attempt to locate or make contact with an employee. However, this misuse of someone’s name has been proven highly unlikely by the same studies as above.

Question: Why would someone need to have both their first and last name on a name tag? Does it depend on the type of work you are doing (i.e. customer service vs lawyer)?

Again, “John Doe” or “Jane Smith” are a bit more professional than “John” or “Jane.” However, some companies and business types require that employees use last names on name tags. Typically wait staff at a restaurant is only identified with a first name. The same goes for someone in a retail situation.

In an office setting last names would be appropriate to use as a more professional way of identifying someone in their current position. By using someone’s last name on their name tag, it provides the prestige that can accompany a specific title in a company. It also helps current and future clientele identify the person with which they need help from.

Question: What happens in situations where security may be a factor, such as detention facilities, schools or hospitals?

Typically in security situations, name tags are used to determine if someone should be where they are. In places like schools these name tags are often used as a means to enter the building. They are also used to help students know who teachers and school workers are. This, in turn, helps them feel more secure.

The argument can be made that first names are not necessary when referring to Mrs. Smith as a teacher. However, the same argument can be made in hospitals that “Jane Smith” might be providing too much personal information to a patient. “Jane” would suffice in this instance.

Whether or not to use someone’s last name on a name tag is not necessarily an easy answer. However, in many circumstances, certain levels of personal identification are needed. They provide a service to consumers, and they also provide security in many situations. Make sure your reasons for using last names on name tags fit not only your needs, but your security situation.

SOLUTION: Design name tags specifically for your profession!

Choose Your Name Tag!