Tutorials and Product Advice - Influencing Identity

Love What You Do: Taking Pride in Your Work

The Life is Good Company gets it right with its tagline, “Do what you love. Love what you do.” As they say, doing what you love is a way of life. And we agree. Taking pride in what you do is essential for your success. Both personally as well as professionally.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary includes two positive definitions of pride. One, “reasonable or justifiable self-respect,” and two, “delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship.” These definitions provide us with a better understanding of why we need to take pride in our work. When we have successes in life, taking pride in a job well done shows others that we have the self-confidence to achieve our goals and dreams. We can continuously show others how they can also achieve their successes.

To help you with your business success, here are some pointers on how to take pride in your work. So now you can love what you do.

Know the Value of Your Position

Every person at every business has an important role they play in that company’s success. Once you know your role, make sure you find meaning in it. And, taking pride in that role will help you love what you do. Taking pride in your work is an important role for any professional at any level. Learn your job and what it takes to succeed in that position. Once you have that knowledge, you can seek to improve constantly. Someone who takes all the necessary steps to improve themselves will always be someone who can take pride in their position at work.

Build a Reputation for Good Work

Always be looking for any opportunity to build your reputation. Doing a job well done is only half the battle. Make sure that no matter what you do, that you are always giving everything you have to your job. No matter your position or standing in your company, doing good work is sure to help others see their value in the company. Being a positive influence will help you take pride in your job. Show a hunger for learning what your company has to offer, and you will not go overlooked for growth opportunities your company may offer. Engage with your job and find that you not only take pride in a job well done but also that you love what you do.

Presentation Matters (Put Your Name on It)

You own it. Your name is on it: Everything that your company does, awesome or pathetic, it has your name on it. People contribute to the success and failure of projects, companies and their colleagues. It matters. Everything that you do. That trivial piece of work for a client, your contribution to a large-scale project or a part to play in a flawless delivery, you own that success; be proud of that.

From dressing for success to taking pride in everything you do, presentation matters. And don’t stop with your pressed shirt and tie, add something that will make you stand out from everyone else: YOUR NAME. The easiest way to accomplish this is a name tag!

a server wearing a name tag so you can love what you do

By wearing name tags, or other identification, newer employees and other team members in the company are more apt to recognize each other. Name badges also provide accountability for all of your employees. When wearing name tags, it requires that your employees accept responsibility, one, for their actions and two, for the way they treat your customers.

Owning Your Success

Your job should always be something you can take pride in. So, from building trust with those around you to looking the part, learn to love what you do. Invest in yourself and keep learning how to accomplish what you need to do your job well.

Effective Networking While Working from Home

From video apps to professional development, networking while working from home takes focus and planning.

You think that you have it all figured out, right? Then life gets in the way. Whether it’s an illness or a family matter that takes precedence over being in the office, you might be asking how you can keep your networking alive and well when you are out.

It doesn’t have to be hard to network while away from an office or other business setting. Using available tools will help you gain control over your networking. And by using these tools, your remote working experience will be better than you expect.

wearing a name tag during a conference call for networking while working from home

We live in a time where networking is one of the primary keys to making a business work. And, when you use networking properly, not only will your business flourish, but it will also make an impact in your community. So, here are several easy ways to make sure that your networking while working from home doesn’t fall short.

Staying in a Routine

Whether it’s setting up a home office (desk and computer included) or just making sure you keep to regular hours, staying in a routine will help with networking while working from home. First things first, make sure getting dressed (and even putting on a name tag) remains part of your daily schedule. This routine should also help you keep out distractions, like TV or phone use. If you have kids, make sure you sit down and talk to them about your working hours.

Video Conferencing and Phone Calls

While getting together may not always work for other people, you still need to make yourself available for face-to-face connections. These connections should include video and phone calls. And, by using online tools and apps to increase the time you spend talking to people, your networking will still thrive even if you are using a home office.

Keep Messaging Alive (Texts, Emails or Apps)

Just like video conferences, sending written exchanges is still a great way to network while working remotely. Texts, emails or using other apps to stay connected are important to any business. You can communicate with employees, colleagues and customers alike via these online channels. Make sure when using this form of communication that you remember to edit your text before hitting send. When it comes to networking, you need to make sure you are putting your best foot forward, and your grammar and voice in these emails are important.

“Meet” Colleagues for Coffee or Drinks

Staying social is just as crucial as using video or phone calls when working. Your social efforts may be limited to a video chat through your favorite social media channel or another easy-to-use app. But, these connections are just as important to your networking goals.

Make an effort to remember birthdays and congratulate colleagues on a work or life accomplishment during the next team call. When you learn about upcoming vacations or weekend plans, make it a point to ask them how their trip went. Remembering the small things will make everyone feel appreciated and more connected.

Use Social Media

From LinkedIn Groups to Reddit, utilize every platform you can when using social media for networking. Make sure your profile is designed appropriately for networking and then jump in. Most social media sites are easy to use and require very little time to set up. Just remember to keep your networking goals in mind while using social media. Without focus, you can end up surfing instead of working.

TIP: Join a LinkedIn Group that can benefit from your specific knowledge and skill set.

Continue Professional Development and Pursue Your Hobbies

Keep learning. And keep dreaming. From hobbies (like crafting holiday wreaths) to distance learning, your brain is your most valuable asset when networking while working from home. Keep yourself sharp in your understanding of how your business needs to run. And, keep your creative side available to combat any stress or distractions.

Overall, remember that networking while working from home isn’t as hard as some people think it is. Keep your goals in mind, and keep working. You’ve got this!

The Best Name Tags for a Low Budget

From blank tags to reusable badges, these name tags are the perfect solution for companies on a tight budget.

Name tags may feel like a luxury that your business can go without, especially when you have a tight budget. However, name tags are necessary for achieving business success. When everyone at your workplace wears a name tag, customers feel comfortable working with you. They see you and your colleagues as people, just like them, who can relate to their needs. The more customers feel comfortable doing business with you, the more sales you will have. If you want to not only survive but thrive in the business world, then having company name tags is a must.

Fortunately, providing name tags for your whole team does not have to be a financial burden. There are plenty of low cost alternatives to traditional, permanently engraved name tags. And, they look just as professional too.

Check out these high quality name tags (or name badges) that go easy on your budget while still making a great first impression.

Conference Name Tags

Full color, laminated name tags work just as well for everyday office work as they do for conferences. Because they are meant for large events, they come at a low price, making them a low cost solution for your identification needs. Use them to take control of your brand by customizing them with the colors, graphics, logos and text you need to promote your business. Once you see your new name tags in all their full-color splendor, you will want to keep them around forever.

Blank Name Tags

Looking for highly durable name tags that fit your budget? Plastic and metal Name Tag Blanks are made from the same quality material as our laser engraved name tags. Not only are they made to last, but they are also reusable. Just print the names and titles you need onto adhesive labels and stick them onto the name tags. If you want the text to be more permanent, write directly onto the plastic or metal surface using a marker. Customize the size, color and fastener for these blank name tags so they go well with your company uniform or dress code.

Badge Holders with Paper Inserts

By far the most affordable solution, badge holders are a professional choice for any company on a tight budget. They are made of quality vinyl plastic and come with reliable fasteners such as bulldog clips, magnets and pins. When you use them with colorful paper inserts, they make a positive impression on your customers. Use thicker badge holders for your full time employees and thinner ones for temporary staff (e.g., interns, volunteers) to save on business costs. If your staff does not like to wear name badges on their clothing, pair your badge holders with lanyards.

Reusable Name Badges

Quality reusable name badges are not only affordable, but they save you tons of money in the long run. Whenever you have a change in position, these badges let you replace names and titles on demand using printable inserts. By replacing old inserts with new ones, your company’s identification is up to date within minutes.

Mighty Badges™

With a metal back plate and domed lens, these reusable badges give your business a professional style. Choose name badges with a blank background or with a UV color logo to promote your brand. These badges also come in different sizes and various shapes (rectangles, ovals and squares) so you are sure to stand out from your competitors.

Speedy Badges

Each badge features a plastic, window style frame with a forward curve to give it a distinct look. Add a name and title by sliding an insert into the frame and placing the clear lens over the top. With a pin or magnetic fastener on the back, these badges will hold in place throughout a typical workday.

Name Tags for Any Budget

Whether you are a start up company, small business or large corporation looking to cut costs, these name tags are for you. They go easy on your budget while giving you the quality you deserve. As you use these quality name tags to identify your employees, you will see an increase in sales as customers come to trust your company’s ability to meet their needs.

Why You Should KISS Your Name Tags

From conference to convention and every event in between, when it comes to your name tags, you should always KISS them. In other words, keep it short and simple. Simplicity is necessary to make your name tags work for you. And, avoid unnecessary complexity.

Professional tools such as name tags are essential in marketing and communication. They provide not only personal identity but corporate branding as well. Employees who wear name tags offer a sense of customer service and responsibility for that business. And, name tags are often the hardest working element to a person’s uniform in meetings, at conventions or during any event.

Here’s how you can and should KISS your name tags.

The KISS Principle

KISS, an acronym for “keep it simple, stupid” or “keep it stupid simple,” is a design principle noted by the U.S. Navy in 1960. The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated. The phrase has been associated with aircraft engineer Kelly Johnson. The term “KISS principle” was in popular use by 1970. Variations on the phrase include: “Keep it simple, silly,” “keep it short and simple,” “keep it simple and straightforward,” “keep it small and simple” or “keep it stupid simple.”

Whether you’re adding names and titles or logos and names, you should always remember the KISS Principle. Make sure your text is concise and to the point. Avoid longer titles unless necessary, and use an appropriate logo for your brand.

Remember that you should use the KISS Principle on your name tags as it is the most important thing you can do for them.

Yes, you should remember your branding by adding a logo to all of the name tags in your office. Or when creating name tags for a conference, add different company logos to each company’s name tags. Everyone will appreciate their branded name tags, and it also helps with continued recognition for each business.

For a name tag to be the most effective, there are guidelines to consider. The first rule is to keep yours simple. Some people treat them like business cards or resumes, but personal identification should be straightforward and concise. Name tags should only include the bare minimum information necessary to identify the person wearing it. In commercial and retail settings, that means the person’s first name, unless there is more than one employee with the same first name. With such cases, adding a last name helps with identification.

So, for branding to work on your name tags, you need only to include what is necessary. Whether you are gathering information for a convention or making new name tags for your office, only include the bare minimum.

According to Scott Ginsberg, the Name Tag Guy:

“How many times has someone rudely squinted at your chest desperately trying to make out those tiny letters? This is self defeating, embarrassing and actually works to decrease your approachability. Not to mention it makes the other person feel ridiculous! So, much like a retail price tag, your name tag must be readable from ten feet away — both the font and the name tag itself.
“According to a name tag survey done by David Alder of Biz Bash, 50% of a group of meeting planners claimed that ‘illegible font size of name tags was a major problem.’ And, consider the 75 million baby boomers that have reached, or will reach their bifocal days, this is a top priority. The recommended font size is 24 point – hopefully bigger if possible. Also, be certain to avoid cursive, script or other fancy letters.”

So, always remember to KISS (keep it short and simple) your name tags, and they will do the work for you. No matter what situation you are in, these KISSed tags are sure to get the job done.

4 Important Reasons for Wearing Name Tags

Wearing name tags helps build a corporate identity. They also help employees and customers interact better with each other.

In any retail establishment (grocery store, boutique, department store, etc.), there are significant benefits to wearing name tags. Some of these benefits include the use of identification in marketing, providing security, identifying employees and other staff, as well as many other positive benefits. Here are some of our favorite reasons you need to utilize name badges in your retail business.

Identify Employees and Other Staff

Sometimes, especially in larger retail locations, it can be challenging to remember everyone’s name. By wearing name tags, or other identification, newer employees and other team members in the company are more apt to recognize each other. Name badges also provide accountability for all of your employees. When wearing name tags, it requires that your employees accept responsibility, one, for their actions and two, for the way they treat your customers.

Building Company and Brand Recognition

Corporate branding is a rising trend and doesn’t seem to be peaking any time soon. Add your retail store logo to your name tags, and quickly identify every employee, volunteer and other staff at your location. Inevitably when employees go to lunch, they leave their name tags on. Sometimes employees even wear them on their way home from work. When employees continually wear their name tags in public, a company’s brand is repeatedly advertised.

Conversation Starters for Customers

Name tags are an excellent way for customers to start up conversations with employees and other retail staff. They tell the customer who they are working with from the first moment they meet your employee. Identification provides an easy way for customers to distinguish your employees and other staff in your store from other customers. Then, when a customer has a question or requires assistance, they will know who to ask for help.

Wearing Name Tags Provides Better Security

When you require employees and other staff to wear name tags, you can quickly identify and acknowledge whether or not they belong where they are. Name tags are particularly valuable in companies and organizations that deal with high tech gadgets, expensive equipment or sensitive information.

While identification doesn’t seem to be as common as it once was, wearing name tags will always have an essential place in any retail environment. By utilizing name tags into your company’s culture, customers will be able to relate better to your employees. Name badges eliminate any barrier between the customer and employees, so try adding these to your business today!

Buy Your Name Tags Now!