Influencing Identity: A Better Way to Blog

Influencing Identity is here to help you figure out how to use name tags and identification products.

Plastic engraved sign with an explanation of Coller Industries Incorporated's personal identification blog Influencing Identity

From name tags for your business to badge holders for your next conference, we have it all. Get all your identification needs in one place and find out how to use them at work, while networking and at any event you are planning. Use our how-to articles to get your ideas flowing for working with all of your personal identification.

From Name Tag Experience to an All-Inclusive Influencing Identity

We started as “Name Tag Experience,” but over the years we’ve branched out to so much more than name tags. And to keep up to date with that expansion, we have changed our name to Influencing Identity. We have thrived as Coller Industries Incorporated over the past 20 or so years, as our focus and mission have always remained the same “To Serve Our Customers.” We accomplish this mission by providing fast and friendly service with only the highest-quality personal identification products.

It isn’t just the name tags!

Coller Industries Incorporated's personal identification blog Influencing Identity

Yes, we sell name tags, reusable badges, name plates, badge holders, lanyards and signs. But, we’re so much more. Influencing Identity has a wealth of information with product highlights and how-to articles to get your creative ideas flowing. This blog (by Coller Industries Incorporated) has helped customers like you learn how to best utilize name tags and other products for their specific needs. From tutorials to strategies, discover how custom identification will help you grow your business and promote your brand.

Coller Industries Incorporated broadens the blogosphere with a new long-form content platform and renames two product and idea based blogs.

Coller Industries Incorporated's event planning and informational blog The Learning Center

The Learning Center is full of articles about learning how to host the best event ever, networking with colleagues and so much more. We guarantee that the information you find here will help you and your business. With a wide range of products such as ribbon rolls, rosettes, name tags, lanyards and award plaques, we want to make sure that you know how and where to use them. Whether you’re planning the best conference anyone will ever attend or hosting a simple dinner party, The Learning Center is here to make sure you are using these tools in the best possible ways.

Coller Industries Incorporated's personalized ribbons blog Ribbon Impressions

Ribbon Impressions provides information about everything from custom ribbon roll ideas for your wedding to badge ribbons for a conference or convention. And don’t forget about rosette ribbons for your award needs, such as fair or festival prizes. Find all your ribbon needs in one place and learn how to best use them at events, during promotions and for your corporate gifting. Discover inspiration for using personalized ribbons and find useful how-to articles.

The Truth About Name Tags

The more you know of the truth about name tags, the more you will want to wear them all the time!

the truth about name tags is that even professional and collegiate coaches wear them

From a mural in Texas to the neck of a football coach in Utah, name tags continue to make a mark in the news! And, the truth about name tags is that actors, athletes and plenty of other people wear them daily. And we’re sure you have heard about people (Scott Ginsberg) that choose to make name tags a daily part of their wardrobe. So, we’re here to prove the truth about name tags and why everyone should be wearing them.

Recently, Shannon Palus, a writer at Slate magazine, found herself wishing for name tags in her office. Palus said, “I started at Slate not too long ago, and in my first weeks in the magazine’s New York office, I was faced with a problem that is familiar to anyone who’s ever started a new office job. I was surrounded by dozens of new faces and struggled to connect them to names. Which man with a scruffy beard was the one in charge of podcasts again? Who was the friendly woman at my desk pod offering me some of her snacks? I found myself wishing, as I often do, that everyone was wearing a name tag. In fact, I realized all adults should wear name tags.”

And, here at Coller Industries, we love Palus’ anecdote, “Think of the accessorizing possibilities: Everyone could have a little name tag drawer, right next to underwear and socks. Flowery script for days when you feel fancy, basic Helvetica for no-nonsense impressions… Entire new traditions could spring up around name tags; dare I say it would be a cute move to leave one of your tags at a date’s house?”

The Best Features of Name Tags

From security to identification, the truth about name tags is that people use them for a variety of reasons. And, because of their distinguishing features, name tags are perfect for everyone! By providing everyone at a conference or other event with identification, it reinforces their identities. They will also help with networking activities where attendees may not know everyone yet.

By using name tags at conferences and other events, you become more approachable. And, in turn, this approachability increases your chance of making lasting relationships that will help in life and business. The truth about name tags is that wearing one stretches your personality. It makes you come out of your shell and your comfort zone. And, in turn, it helps others to do the same. Sure, it might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but think about the impact you have on others by immediately disclosing your name.

When you wear a name tag, you become the face of your purpose, and you are representing that to everyone around you. In many ways, this benefits both you and your goal so that the people around you can put a face with a name. We have all heard that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” So, tell that story simply and quickly with your smile and a name tag.

Name Tags get the Last Word

And, finally, we again agree with Palus when she said, “The thing is, in the 21st century, we already use name tags for lots of our interactions. Entire meetings’ worth of discussions take place on (work chat systems), where you can always clearly identify the name of whoever is ‘talking.’ Facebook is an endless high school reunion, with name tags. LinkedIn is a networking happy hour, with name tags. Twitter is, at times, like being stuck on a 20-hour flight where everyone is yelling, but at least there are name tags. If we made wearing name tags in the real world a social norm, we might even reduce the friction of in-person interactions—and make it a tad easier to log off.”

Because name tags are permission slips, they encourage engagement. Their primary function is to personalize and humanize each person. Inviting encounters is what they do. And you permit this change to happen every time you put on your name tag. So, grab your name tag and start sharing the truth about name tags at your next office party or friend’s night out!

How to Commit to Quality Using Name Tags

From customer service to team building, every business should commit to quality using name tags.

What does commit to quality mean?

COMMIT: to carry into action deliberately; pledge or bind (a person or an organization) to a certain course or policy.

QUALITY: the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.

Why would a company need to commit to quality?

In most cases, businesses who do not have a commitment to quality fail. Yes, a company who doesn’t maintain quality in their service or goods can succeed. However, it is far more likely for a business to succeed when they focus and commit to quality.

Author of Out of the Crisis, W. Edwards Deming wrote, “Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service, with the aim to become competitive, to stay in business and to provide jobs.”

The message to learn from this statement is that no matter the service or product, consistent quality must be your primary business focus. And with that knowledge, you can make sure that your business maintains quality throughout your production and practices.

Deming also wrote, “Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality. Eliminate the need for massive inspection by building quality into the product in the first place.”

Constancy of purpose means that quality decisions are not situational. End of month quality is the same as the beginning of the month. It means that the long term benefit of the organization is not sacrificed to hit quarterly targets. It means having your eye on the competition, whether it is in your industry or coming from elsewhere, with plans to stay ahead.

When a company commits to quality, they must do so from day one. Once a specific quality standard is set, it must be upheld at all production stages and in all departments. And, communicating this standard of quality to your customers is an absolute must. Make sure that your customers understand that when you commit to quality that it isn’t just for your company, it’s for them!

How do name tags help with committing to quality?

To commit to quality is easier than you might think. For a lot of professions, appearance is a crucial factor in this quality. So, maintaining your commitment to quality is easy with a uniform and the proper name tag. Whether you choose a daily business attire like a suit and tie or a matching polo shirt for each of your employees, don’t forget that name tag.

Whether your job is in the food service industry or you are a CEO of a major corporation, showing professionalism by wearing a name tag is sure to make your job a bit easier. By attaching this simple item to your uniform or daily attire, you will stand out from all of your competitors. And, they make corporate branding a breeze by identifying employees at any business even easier.

From branding to color matching, name tags, like uniforms, help to symbolize your quality. Creating a positive influence with your brand means guaranteeing that all of the services and products of your business are consistent. Employees and customers know when that consistency is not present. So, make sure to choose name tags that reflect your brand’s commitment to quality. And once this is accomplished, showing that you commit to quality is easy.

Company name tags show you care about the quality of your brand. When employees wear name tags, they are more accountable for their actions as customers can comment on them by name. And branded name tags prove to customers that you pay attention to all details. So, when you commit to quality, it helps you gain public trust and grow your business.

Coller Industries commits to quality with every name tag!

For the past five years, Coller Industries has kept its error rate under 1%. In 2018, our overall error rate was 0.386%, which means that only 1 in about 260 orders contained an error. Considering that each product has up to 15 variables, we are proud of this accomplishment. It is thanks to our careful checking process and customer satisfaction guarantee that we can achieve this. And, because of our company procedures, each customer will walk away with a positive consumer experience and the identification products they need.

Investing in the proper tools also shows that you want to commit to quality. From name tags to lanyards and even custom ribbons, help your business branding with logos, colors and so much more!

Celebrating Christmas, Name Tag Style

From name tags to custom ribbons, all we want is to celebrate Christmas in style!

While it’s all about personal identification 364 days of every year, for one fleeting day it’s about socializing and stuffing ourselves full of delicious food. And, this Christmas is no exception!

Customer Service employees celebrating at the Coller Industries Incorporated Christmas party

Marketing Department employees celebrating at the Coller Industries Incorporated Christmas party

Production and Shipping employees celebrating at the Coller Industries Incorporated Christmas party

Here at Coller Industries, we pride ourselves on our high-quality workmanship, our culture of quality and our perfect name tags and ribbons. And, while we like to boast about our less than 0.05% error rate, we also want to boast about our nearly perfect employees.

Ramona, the Marketing and Web Services Manager, said, “It’s amazing just how much everything works together. We have such a culture of quality in this company. And, it is so impressive that we are less than a half percent in our error rate.”

All in all, Coller Industries strives in every way possible to get each order not only out the door quickly and efficiently, but correctly! And our low error rate proves this, not only to us but to our current and potential customers.

Aimee, the Senior Account Manager, said, “It has been a fun and exciting year getting to know our many customers and I would like to thank all of the employees, everyone from every department for their assistance and support in ensuring the satisfaction of all of our customers.”

Having a low error rate increases sales and increased sales translate into happy customers. And with happy customers, Coller Industries remains in business to continue to serve everyone and their personal identification needs!

And, part of this happiness needs to extend to our family here at Coller Industries.

Hannah, the Customer Service Manager, said it best, “What makes Coller Industries stand out, is that it feels more like family than work. We all support each other and care about each other, and I think that is such a big contribution to how well we do as a company. Obviously work is work, but it is so much easier to do when everyone you work with is a friend, and everyone cares about each other. I think that is part of what keeps us so motivated to do well.”

Celebrating at the Coller Industries Incorporated Christmas party

Our annual tradition of the Christmas party includes a giant luncheon hosted and catered at a local hotel. This year’s meal included prime rib, chicken, salmon, asparagus and other sides for a feast fit for a king. There were also delicious appetizers of crackers and spinach dip with prosciutto wrapped asparagus.

Vance, the Design Manager, said, “I enjoyed the appetizers, I was nearly full by the time the main meal was starting. And I liked that this year’s party was smaller, with only the one guest it made the party feel more about our accomplishments as a group than a meal with families.”

We also played games and gave out prizes for raffles. From a holiday word scramble to trying to remember who had played the jolly man in red, the games were a blast and the presents even better.

And, every year each employee receives a personalized gift from Coller Industries. This year was a water bottle decorated with the CI logo which was full of candy. We also got a custom embroidered jacket with the CI logo.

This year we also had a special treat and recognized the hard work of several employees. From perfect attendance to most efficient, each of these employees received one of our new custom plaques engraved with their specific talent and name.

Here are more thoughts from several employees about our fabulous annual Christmas party:

Crystal (Shipping Clerk) “Everything about the party this year was just so amazing and fun. I wouldn’t have changed anything. And, I really like how plaques were given out for employee appreciation.”

Mathew (Web Design / Development) “The people and environment are the best part about the annual party. It is a nice casual setting where we can enjoy one another’s company and socialize.”

Leslie (Shipping Clerk) “My favorite thing about the Christmas party was getting together with all of the employees and just having fun.”

Charles (Sample Requests) “I always enjoy the company of my coworkers as we are also friends. And it isn’t very often that we get to chat and hang out throughout a workday.”

We just want to say thank you to everyone who works for Coller Industries. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our wonderful employees. And, to all of our customers, have a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!

Holiday Survival Kits Using Name Tags

No matter how you look at it, holiday survival kits are something everyone should have on hand. But what do name tags have to do with survival kits? Plenty! From providing quick identification for holiday events to hosting the perfect party, name tags are a must to have on hand. These products help make your plans run smoothly. Here are a few of our top products and why you need them for the holidays.

Name badges are a must for all holiday survival kits.

Adding things like adhesive name badges and badge holders to your kit is sure to make your seasonal plans flow perfectly. Use these identification tools during party games and at any holiday event. From identification to buffet labels, these name badges are sure to meet all of your needs.

Blank name tags are also a versatile product for use in your holiday kits. With a simple label or permanent marker, quickly turn these name tags into identification for practically any job position by adding names and titles as needed. From game pieces to table settings, we’re sure you won’t have a problem finding uses for these highly practical identification tools.

Custom shape name tags are perfect for adding flair to your decorations.

From snowmen to trees and stars to reindeer, custom shapes are perfect holiday ornaments. Or, add an extra bit of flair to your corporate name tags with a unique shape. Choose a shape that highlights your logo or goes with one of our many stock shape choices. A custom shaped name tag is a great way to draw attention to your company in a world of rectangle badges.

A name tag with a custom shape, color and size make a visual verification of the name tag easier. These name tags draw the customers’ eyes straight to you, leaving them with nothing to wonder. The different shapes or sizes will help make your name tag stand out from the crowd. Just let your imagination run wild and design a badge that will separate you from your competition.

But, don’t limit these shapes to just the office!

Share them with your family and friends on your Christmas tree or by giving them away as presents. From holiday greetings to a special someone’s name, these creative holiday ornaments are sure to be a hit with anyone. Choose a color to match each shape, and we’ll engrave names or any other text you may want.

Use custom signs for decorations in the home and office.

Decorations for the home and office

Step up your decorating game by adding a custom sign to your door wreath. Or, add a sign to the buffet table. From adding unique flair at the office to making decorations in your home a bit more exciting, using custom signs can be fun.

And, they are easy to make. Choose a color to match your ideas of hosting the holidays or match a specific holiday theme. Then select the text you need. Use holiday quotes or a seasonal greeting. And, you can even add a custom logo or graphic!

Make a custom gift

Whether it’s a colleague or family member, personalize a sign for a unique gift for someone special. From a favorite quote to a special nickname, add your custom text to any sign for a this extraordinary gift. Once you receive the sign, wrap it up for your chosen recipient. They are sure to love your thoughtfulness.

Holiday survival kits are not just for you, though. Create one for your colleagues and neighbors because they make perfect gifts.

SHOP NAME TAGS FOR YOUR HOLIDAYS