mighty badges - Influencing Identity

Impressions of a Name Tag; Stefan Hiller

In expansion on the topic of impressions of a name tag, many have been talking about whether or not it is important for those in service positions to identify themselves by wearing a name tag or name badge. Stefan Hiller, founder of Sky Touch; Global Hotel Security Consulting, has provided a security point of view on the topic.

“I think it is important that staff can clearly be distinguished from guests. While general staff in uniform is a big help, name tags completes identification and adds a personal touch,” Hiller states.

In Hiller’s article, titled No name tags; a forward or backward step?, he suggests that by not wearing a name tag in a service position lessens the quality of the customer/consumer experience. While his article is based in the hotel industry, many things that he discusses can also be looked at in any service position.

Name tags and name badges not only provide this personal touch, but they also provide that much needed personal identifier. By using personal identification, a hotel or any other retail establishment, gives a sense of security to not only the consumer, but also to the employee.

Hiller provides the following anecdote.

“Twenty years ago when I was an apprentice, I remember we were always told by the maître d’hôtel to wear our name tag for quality purposes. ‘Apprentice’ was written underneath my name. (While) we, the apprentices, gained our first experiences as service staff and were by no means fully trained yet, the name tag signaled that we were still a staff member in training, and in most cases guests had sympathy and excused little mistakes.

“From a marketing point of view, it reflected also that the hotel invested in young people, which certainly provided a positive image. Without the apprentice name tag, guests would not know if a staff member was still in training or not. Wearing our name tag protected us from high expectations of guests. Guests found it easier to use our name when having a conversation. It also helped us to identify ourselves with our new job.”

“Personally, I see no benefit in not using name tags,” states Hiller. “I have seen it produce unwanted guest frustration. Not using name tags lowers the quality of service and contributes to unwelcome risks.”

Name tags, name badges, lanyards and any other form of personal identification are much needed parts of any uniform. Make them part of yours today by visiting www.nametag.com.

Impressions of a Name Tag; Miss Manners

Today, Miss Manners answered a question that runs rampant among workers who wear a name tag as part of a uniform. While this question isn’t always a comfortable one, it begs to be answered. Name tags are a great tool for personal identification. They have been used for many, many years in many, many circumstances. Retailers, restaurants, hotels and other consumer service providers continue to use them. The question posed, “Is it presumptuous to start a personal conversation with a person who is wearing a name tag?”

Miss Manners gave the following answer:

Miss Manners: A name tag doesn’t invite personal questions: Server’s name tag is not an invitation for friendship

By JUDITH MARTIN “Miss Manners” (Advice Columns, August 25, 2015)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Sometimes I see patrons in a store or restaurant peer at the service employee’s name tag and say something like, “Hello there … Tiffany … how are you today?” It always comes out with this forced conviviality, as if to say, “Look, everyone! I’m a good, egalitarian person treating the lowly server as a person. Isn’t that great of me?” I think it actually says, “You have such a menial job that you’re forced to wear a stupid name tag, so I know your name and feel free to use it even though I don’t know you, but you don’t know my name because I’m a higher-class person and get to dress the way I want.” I think name tags are just so you know whom to refer to if needed, as in, “I think Tiffany is our server. Could you ask her to bring the check?” Am I right to see this as presumptuous behavior?

GENTLE READER: The presumption in the greeting you mention is not in using Tiffany’s name but in asking the waitress how she is “doing,” a question about her mood or life that is not relevant to the business at hand. Miss Manners has no objection to using a form of address that has been supplied by the addressee, even if, in this case, it may technically have been Tiffany’s boss who chose the form. She does wish the form supplied was more formal, as she agrees with you that first names in this context are an invitation to mistreatment. It is not rude to use a server’s first name if it is provided on a name tag; what is rude is personal inquiries.

So, in not so many words, remember what Miss Manners teaches about the etiquette of respecting someone’s personal boundaries. While it is nice to know your server’s name at a restaurant, be kind and treat all those in service positions in the same manner that you would want to be treated. Name tags are a convenient way of remembering someone’s name. They are meant as an identifier and as such, should be treated with respect.

Donation Spotlight: Bethesda Thrift Shop

Recently, Name Tag, Inc. had the opportunity to make a product donation to Bethesda Thrift Shop in Minnetonka, MN. Bethesda Thrift Shop is a non profit organization that is affiliated with Bethesda Lutheran Communities. This dates back to 1904 (Wow! That is incredible!) and is based in Watertown, WI. We got a chance to talk briefly with Pat Bellefeuille, who is a store manager there. Pat was able to give us some insight into what Bethesda is all about!
Bethesda has 21 thrift shops in 8 states that rely on more that 3,000 volunteers who donate more that 260,000 hours each year. 100% of our net profit goes to support our mission. Pat’s store will be celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this Feb. It was started in 1993 and was run by all volunteers for the first 17 years.

name tags-nameplates-nametags-ribbons-lanyards-shipping — Bethesda Thrift Shop’s building.

When we asked if Bethesda Thrift Shop has a mission statement Pat responded:

“Our mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that share the good news of Jesus Christ.”

We were able to donate some of our Mighty Badges, and their accessories to the people at Bethesda Thrift. When asked what they would be used for we received a heartfelt answer.

“The name badges were are given as a way to recognize the many hours our volunteers have volunteered. We have some people who have badges with as many as 18,000 hours on them, and many who have 4,000 or more hours. At the end of each year we total the hours for each volunteer, when a they reach 500 hours of volunteering they get their first badge, when they have 1,000 hours they get another one and so on. These badges are worn with much pride by those who have earned them. They are presented at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet we have each spring. These name badges mean a lot to our volunteers as this is about the only recognition that they get for their many years and hours of selfless service.”

In 2010 they moved from their small store in Hopkins to a much larger 17,000 sq. ft. store in Minnetonka, MN. At that time a full time manager was hired with 2 assistants and 3 part time cashiers to allow the store to be open 7 days a week. In support of their mission they also have 3 people with disabilities who are paid staff. The current staff of about 200 volunteers includes about a dozen people with disabilities some of whom have been volunteering there for 5 years or more.

What a fantastic organization! They certainly deserve our continued support! Visit their website by clicking the link below, or go and visit them at their store!

Bethesda Thrift Shop
4749 County Road 101
Minnetonka, MN. 55345

Click here!

Branding on a Budget!

If you’ve been to any conferences or business meetings then you’ve probably seen or worn these stick-on name tags before.

Are these the best choice, you ask?

First of all, wearing one of these tags is better than wearing no name tag at all. They are inexpensive, and it can be fun to let your creative side shine through by writing or drawing on them yourself. On the other hand, they do wrinkle and tear easily. Secondly, they’re much harder to brand than more traditional name tags. It can be hard to read your hand-written name and company on a wrinkled name tag. However, these can also be run through a printer. This would eliminate the need for handwriting your name and company. You always want to make a positive and memorable impression. This is the first rule of any decent branding strategy for meeting potential clients and business partners.

So if the most inexpensive option is not what we are looking for, what is?

If you want your the effects of your branding to be more permanent and long lasting, your name tags ought to be too. This doesn’t mean you have to spend top dollar on a set of name tags with each employee’s name printed or engraved permanently onto each badge (But we do those too!). Plenty of lower-cost options exist which give your organization the ability to reuse branded, professional badges for multiple events or employees.

Mighty Badges are a fantastic product to use in any setting – especially if you handle smaller events and rotate volunteers in and out, or need new logos for each event.
They are elegant, and highly reusable. They are also the top reusable seller among Non-Profits. They’re affordable, and clean looking. Print names and even your logo onto the transparent insert sheets for a crisp, well thought out look that is sure to make a memorable impression.

For conferences or other large scale events, badge holders are one of the more recognizable and popular products because they’re sturdy, easy to use and rather inexpensive. Additionally, you can attach ribbons to your badge holders to further separate yourself and your staff from the rest of the conference attendees.

These are three products which allow you to further your branding strategy without breaking the bank.

(Click on the photos to get yours today!)