When you operate in a fast moving industry such as retail or hospitality, one of the most important factors is how easily identifiable your staff are. In these markets especially, staff turnover is high, and consumers impatient – they don’t want to have to look around searching for a member of staff or someone to help them. The best way of ensuring that this never happens is investing in good quality, professional employee name badges for work.

Name badges and name tags come in various sizes and materials, and the most important thing to decide when choosing name tags for employees is fitting in with your company ‘look’, branding or uniform. Everyone has a name. Therefore, they should have a name badge! Some companies, often in the events sector, will just use their own paper badges that they’ve made with a Stanley knife and a marker – why do this? At least if you’re using paper badges use good quality holders so that they can be seen clearly. A good quality event badge shows off your event and gives you prestige.

The current most popular badge materials include plastic and metal, as they are sturdy, the names can be engraved with a laser, and they are durable. Paper has none of these attributes, especially when considering name badges. So, make sure you consider the material, and the look of your business and how they fit together. Then, remember you actually need to work on the name badge itself – consider font sizes and styles, colour choices and of course branding. Where will your company logo be positioned on the badge? What information do you need on the badge? Is it just the persons first name, full name, or including their job title. Ensure you review the criteria carefully before deciding on a badge, and ensure your artwork and images are proofed by the manufacturer first so that you know the name badges coming back to your employees are going to be good value! Some badge companies even allow you to design your own badge online, in a ‘make your own’ type scenario. These are often completed online and require no more or less work than any other badges, except that you are placing the artwork on the badge yourself rather than sending all the information into the manufacturer first.

Remember, it pays to consider the type of badge and material used because badges can be easily split into permanent and reusable. Permanent badges are only for the specific employee or purpose, for example a metal badge that is laser engraved obviously can’t have the name changed for someone else to use. If staff turnover is high or you’re getting extra workers for a certain period or holiday, then make sure you think about the reusable option – for example at BIG their Selfit badge is by far the most popular, coming with it’s own software to easily create the name inserts that slide easily into each reusable badge. Selfit is actually very popular with event organisers because in reality, they are perfect event badges. But a focus on event badges is for another article!

Finally, were you aware that employees motivation actually goes up when name badges are introduced? This is generally because they feel more valued and empowered that their employer has invested in a good quality badge for them. Don’t make the mistake of alienating your employees, or worse, your potential customers! Invest in good quality name badges and they will last longer and look better than a low quality alternative.

Gil Bert BIG Badges 
http://www.big.co.uk
http://www.mybadgebuilder.co.uk

For more information please contact enquiry@big.co.uk or Twitter @BIGBADGES