Whether you're planning an event for the public or looking to reward employees, there's always the problem of what to offer. Should you award cash, plaques, or certificates? Should you limit it to event winners, high performers, or should everyone get something? Custom medals provide you with a solution to most of these problems. Even better, they offer many other benefits. Let's jump in and take a closer look at those benefits.
At some point, you probably participated in or even won an event that got little or no coverage. Everyday people and the media love a bit of spectacle.
Sure, watching someone cross a finish line or eat 7 pies is exciting, but it's over in a flash. Getting custom medals lets you do an awards ceremony. That's the kind of thing media outlets like to cover. It gives them an opportunity to capture footage of the winners getting the medals. That improves the chances of the event getting into the public eye.
Just as viewers like spectacle, participants like getting something physical to take home with them. It creates a psychological value to participating and winning. For example, you can make larger, custom medals for the winners. You can do a larger run of smaller participation medals for everyone else. It encourages participation by offering value to everyone.
Awarding medals offers an opportunity for brand building. Let's say fun is one of your brand values. Let your medals reflect that attitude. The first place medal might say, Supreme Champion, or feature a big gold star. You might put a big thumbs up on the second place medal. Third place might get a hand making the OK symbol. The mild silliness of the medals becomes another reinforcement of the brand's commitment to fun.
Businesses often struggle with employee engagement. This isn't helped by the tradition of annual reviews. Employees crave recognition at the time they perform well. The military handles this by handing out challenge coins for accomplishments. Don't offer feedback months after the fact. Adopt challenge coins or custom medals as a way to reward employees at the time. They'll feel acknowledged, which encourages better engagement.
Another stumbling block in regards to employee engagement and happiness is family goodwill. Spouses, children and even parents often pay a price when employees stay late. Use family events to acknowledge that sacrifice. For example, give spouses or children medals of their own. It fosters goodwill by showing you realize employees live much of their lives beyond the business.
Custom medals offer many benefits for events and businesses. They help solidify your brand and raise your profile. They create a sense of value for event participants. They also offer a way to foster goodwill and improve employee engagement.
Metal Promo specializes in customized metal products, such as medals, pins and challenge coins. To learn more about our offerings or to place an order, contact us today.