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November 24, 2010

Inexpensive Employee Gifts That Don’t Break The Bank

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Above and Beyond Stars Post it NotesOne aspect of working for a big company is that employees do get recognized for their contribution. It’s been proven that showing appreciation for employees is a big morale booster and that it improves productivity. Some corporate management feels that recognition programs cost too much money, but studies have shown that even inexpensive employee gifts have just as much positive impact on employee morale than those costing hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Employees may appreciate the big gifts like a vacation, corporate car, gift cards to Star Performance Personalized Notepadsfancy restaurants or high end stores, but even less expensive gifts will reach out and touch an employee as effectively as something more expensive. All too often, the expensive gifts are given to one or maybe two employees a year. This means the “regular Joe” really doesn’t stand much of a chance when it comes to getting those rewards. But being able to give inexpensive employee gifts to lots of deserving employees will do more to boost morale and make happier employees a lot faster and easier than the one-off expensive gifts.

Even little things like personalized Post-It notesnotepads or note cards with their name on it lets the employee know that the company is paying attention to the efforts they make. And when they use those rewards, like putting that personalized Post-it note on a stack of papers, it lets them show others that the company has noticed them. Not only does it serve as a recognition tool, but as an encouragement tool to others as well. And there are lots of other inexpensive gifts for employees that aren’t expensive either that also work quite well as recognition tools.

Casual Personalized Note CardsAll in all, employees want to be recognized by the company for their contribution. And, they want others to know that the company has recognized them as well. With such great gifts available that don’t cost a lot, it enables HR departments and upper management to truly show their appreciation.

November 19, 2010

Proper Wording for Wedding Programs: Make Ms. Manners Happy

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Adornment Program PaperWedding programs have long been used to give guests an idea of what is going on during the ceremony. Not only does it give a sequence of events so people have an understanding of what is going on, but it helps in giving guests an idea of what will be happening. And, when all is said and done, it gives the guests a way to memorialize the day. It is suggested that all guests teens and older be handed a program as they come into the ceremony.

As an example of how to properly word a wedding program, see the following:

Introduction:
The Marriage Ceremony UnitingInspire Gold Program Paper

Jeannie Renee Wilson
and
Edward Robinson Smith
on Saturday, June 18, 2006
at half past five o’clock in the evening
St. Michael’s Cathedral
Toronto, Ontario

Order of Ceremonies:

Prelude …………………….. “Here We Are”
Solo …………………………….”Love is All There Is”
Lighting of the Candles
Seating of the Mothers
Processional ……………….”Canon in D Minor”
Invocation
Wedding Message ………Rev. Jim Reeves
Solo ……………………………..”O Canada”
Exchange of vows
Exchange of rings
Announcement of marriage
Solo …………………………….”Frankie and Johnnie”
Presentation of the Bride and Groom
Recessional ……………….”Ode to Joy”

Wedding Party (in order):

– Parents of the Bride
– Parents of the Groom
– Grandparents of the Bride
– Grandmothers of the Groom
– Maid of Honor
– Matron of Honor
– Bridesmaids
– Junior Bridesmaid
– Honorary Bridesmaid
– Flower Girl
– Best Men
– Groomsmen
– Ring Bearer
– Officiant
– Pianist
– Soloist

Charisma Program PaperWhile all parts aren’t necessary, these are the suggested guidelines in order to maintain proper etiquette and protocol. When it comes time to print or have these bulletins printed, this would be the proper sequence.

November 18, 2010

Memorable Holiday Letters Made Easy

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Jolly Holiday Christmas Border PaperWhen it comes to the holidays, it’s gotten to the point where too many people feel it has become a hassle to mess with all the trappings. Traveling to family, buying presents, exchanging gifts, having to cope with the crowds and traffic, and even all the commercialization of the season has become overwhelming.

Purpose

People have lost the focus of the holidays which, contrary to popular belief, has nothing to do with Santa Claus. While all the commercials push buying all these amazing gifts, the real purpose is to connect to your friends and family. Instead of spending all kinds of money on gifts they probably won’t even like, why not put your time and effort into a letter written on holiday stationary that shows your true feelings instead of a gift?

Reconnect

While a lot of us may cringe at the thought of having to sit down and focus on writing a Bethlehem  Christmas Border Paperletter, if you stop and think about it, which would you rather have? Another gift you put back in the closet or wind up re-gifting to someone else, or a warm letter from a friend or relative that actually reaches out and touches you? Most of your friends and family feel the same way.

Share the Latest News with Everybody

Sitting down and writing a letter to each person we want to connect with this year can be a daunting prospect. However, if you stop and look at what you’re going to be doing, it actually turns out to be fairly easy. What you’ll do is write the middle section of the letter to “everybody.” That way, the core of it, mostly about what is going on in your life with job, immediate family, hobbies, etc. will be the same.  That simplifies the entire process immensely.

Baroque Christmas Border PaperPersonalize

After that, write an introduction paragraph or two and a closing paragraph or two that is specific to each person. That way, when they get the letter, it will be to them. It will reach out to them specifically instead of being a “generic” letter. That way, not only have you made it personal, but you’ve also made it relatively easy as well.  Then put it on holiday stationary and you’ve just given a gift that most people really will appreciate.

November 10, 2010

Make Your Own Award Certificates

Filed under: How to Design Certificates — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Traditional Certificate PapersIn today’s economy, having to make every dollar in each department’s budget stretch as far as possible is more important than ever. But cutting programs could actually cost more in collateral damage than it would to even increase the amount being spent. For instance, employee recognition programs are vitally important to the health of the company. An employee that feels appreciated is one that will work harder and will be more loyal, even during times of financial struggles. So having to find ways to make your HR budget go farther can sometimes mean bringing things in-house to lower the expense. This is especially true when you make your own award certificates.

Confetti Stars Casual CertificatesMany times, an award or certificate is all the encouragement an employee needs to feel their efforts are being noticed. Even though it may be a blank certificate purchased and then filled out at the job, the point of recognizing the employee is still uppermost. And the process to get the certificates, fill them out and give them to the employee is little different than if you were to have a third party do it. It merely takes a little longer.

Above and Beyone Specialty Certificate PapersFirst, choose a great blank certificate. Next, download a template for the certificate to be used in your favorite word processor. After that, all you have to do is put in the employee’s name, the reason for the award and hit “Print”. You’ve created the certificate in a matter of minutes. You can even have the company logo, motto, and other graphics on it with just a few clicks of a mouse.

After having the CEO or President of the company sign the certificate, you have something that is suitable for framing. Whether you frame it, or you let the employee frame it is up to you. The point is, the certificate is done, it cost a fraction of what it would if you had an outside company make it, and the employee gets that appreciation and validation they deserve. And you look like a hero, because you’re doing things that will help keep the budget under control when you make your own award certificates for your employees.

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