Awards for a Cause Recipient is

Faith In Action.

The seniors in our community often struggle to find ways to keep their homes clean and safe, make small home repairs, shop for groceries and other essentials, or travel to a doctor’s appointment. Too often these individuals lose their independence completely and are prematurely placed in institutional care settings. Faith in Action rallies the resources to meet their basic living and safety requirements.

Services include: Transportation Services, Home Services, Resource Services, Transition Support Services and Social Support Services.

3rd Annual Auction – March 19, 2011

Need more information?    425-369-9120

http://www.faithinaction4seniors.org

http://faithinaction4seniors.blogspot.com/

For me, this drives home a very crucial point – the importance of peer-to-peer recognition.  While the products we provide focus on the symbol of accomplishment, the delivery and meaning behind the recognition is perhaps more important.  This award for our company proves the point to me.  To have my loved ones present and accept the award in front of a crowd of applauding peers will forever be an amazing memory.  It is my wish to whoever reads this to keep it in mind that the delivery of your award makes a lasting impact.  Who was there?  Who presented the award what did they say about you?  How was the venue, the food and the atmosphere?  All of these made receiving this award extremely special for me – along with the classy hardware.

Finally, I would like to make a quick note to my peers in the industry.  As you know, the awards business takes a huge amount of effort.  It takes your heart and soul to make a recognition business successful.  This is true whether it is online or in your storefront.  No matter what your focus, it is my wish for us to raise the bar for our customers – to provide them with a great experience and pass on the power of recognition. Thanks for honoring Trophies2go and best wishes for a prosperous2010.

Jeff

This is not just me blabbing, folks, studies have proven that service awards and other periodic recognition increases job satisfaction - that makes them stay longer.

Also, it is important to gauge how often you present service awards.  For some well established companies, recognition at the 1, 5, 10, and 20 year mark is perfectly appropriate.  For some start-ups or companies with higher turnover positions, it may be prudent to provide them with gifts at the 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 year mark.  Even 6th month awards can be worthy of recognition if the typical employee lasts 2 months in a position – don’t laugh…there are plenty of ‘less than desirable’ jobs out there.

Don’t blast them with the same gift each anniversary date.  Consistency is good, but who will want a gift basket year after year, or the same plaque or acrylic award year after year?  I suggest an award every other time period, and a useful or edible gift on the off year.

Looking for award product suggestions?  I have them!

For the earlier years, I suggest an acrylic award like these: Acrylic Ice Block, Peaked Acrylic Awards, or a Diamond Oval Acrylic Award

For the middle years, I suggest an award plaque like the Rosewood and Glass Plaque or the Custom Black Engraved Appreciation Plaque.

For someone with 15 or more year of service, consider a crystal awards like a Loving Cup Crystal Trophy or a Triangular Cobalt Blue Engraved Vase.

Questions are always welcome!

Do you remember when you were a kid and saw a bobblehead doll for the first time? I do, and all I can remember is laughing my tail off. Their funny cartoon faces and bobbing head motion has a way of making people laugh.

Believe it or not, bobbleheads have been around longer than you may realize.  Their origins can be traced back almost a hundred and fifty years, to the 1842 short story The Overcoat. The very first bobblehead to hit the open market was in the 1950s.  By the 60s, major league baseball had its first papier-mâché dolls bobbling their heads in little kid’s hands.

This is also a period when baseball was considered the tops of all sports, so the bobblehead characters helped MLB streamline their products and services. Fast forward to the 1990s, and we found the bobblehead bobbing its way on dashboards and rearview mirrors across America, featuring funny celebrity bobblehead look-alikes.

The bobblehead dolls have an infectious funniness to them, which makes for great trophies. At trophies2go.com, not only do we have a fun sense of humor; we also have a great selection of bobblehead trophies that will make you laugh so hard your belly will hurt.

We have bobblehead trophies for maniacs that will fill most any special ceremony. Do you have a salesperson with a great sense of humor?  If so, our Sales Shark Joke Bobblehead is the perfect award to show your appreciation in a memorable way that will also get some laughs, as well.  The bobblehead award series covers every sport from swimming, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, football and of coursebaseball bobbleheads. We even carry bobblehead trophies for poker players and pool champions. The bobble head trophies are great for kids.  And the cost is even better.

No matter what your need may be, the bobblehead things are just plain lovable to look at and will no doubt bring joy to the recipient.

The crystal trophy or award is something that can be proudly displayed for generations to come, and will stand to remind everyone who looks at it of all the hard work and dedication that was necessary to earn the crystal award.

So, why else is the Crystal Award so special? Other than the work and dedication it took to get the award, the simple fact that the crystal looks very close in appearance to a diamond makes crystal a valuable, yet often fragile commodity.

Crystal has beautiful shapes; like pyramids, triangles, octagons and sculpture-like figures that are translucent and always a “clear” reminder of a job well done. The crystal award has come to represent a sense of being a prestigious achievement and when you look at what kind of applications that a crystal award can be used for, you will see why.

You will commonly find engraved crystal awards being handed out to CEOs, businessmen, athletes and scholastic overachievers worldwide. They are more than just an award; an award in crystal makes a dramatic statement of excellence. Crystal awards such as these premium crystal awards present a fine example and can be further enhanced with a company logo. With all of the customization options available, the quality of a etched crystal award is one that says, “You’re the best there is!”

Timing:

The most important thing that is universal to our customers is when they receive their order.After all, what is the use of getting a good deal on high quality awards if they arrive after the awards presentation? We have engineered our site so that we guarantee the delivery date based on the shipping method chosen during checkout. The catch with this can be the rush nature of when the order is placed and when it is needed. So Tip #1: Order Early! The sooner the order is placed, the higher the likelihood that you will be able to ship it by the cheapest method possible. We even have a promotion that allows for free shipping if your order is over $100 and you give us an extra week for production. A lot of our repeat customers are aware of this promotion and order well in advance – it is a win-win for all involved when ample time is given. On the other end of the spectrum is rush orders. We are happy to accommodate rush orders, but overnight or 2^nd day air shipping can be expensive. This leads me to Tip #2: if you need your awards within 2 or 3 days, be prepared for expensive shipping. We can adjust our production schedule in order to meet your deadline, but UPS is going to be the beneficiary of the extra cost. Finally is my Tip #3 – if there is a super-urgent need (24 hours) and cost is a factor, try a local trophy company first. This may be contrary to an internet company making money, but most of us are in business to please our customers. If it is going to leave a sour taste in your mouth to pay $15 for an award and $50 for shipping, it might be worth it to explore a local business to accommodate your needs. Even if they charge a $10 rush fee, you are still ahead of the game. If it is worth the time and hassle to pay the overnight shipping fee, please don’t hold it against us…we are just trying to fill the need in your life to award someone who has done something extra special.

Price and Quality:

In my opinion, the internet has turned a lot of products into commodities. Most of our suppliers have chosen to import products from overseas to stay competitive and keep prices down. Even though we hand pick the products that we think provide the best value, there is another component to the finished award that is equally, or perhaps more important – engraving. I think engraving is the most important part of the finished award, but it oftentimes gets overlooked by the buyer. There are several different engraving methods that can decrease the cost of the award. This leads me to Tip #4: find out the engraving process used on the award and make sure you are comfortable with it. As an example, we engrave directly onto all of our medals. We also use premium quality brass and aluminum and diamond drag our trophy plates. We laser engrave into our acrylic awards. We sandblast our crystal awards. In contrast, some internet retailers use plastic labels for the engraving of medals and trophies.They may also use other methods for engraving acrylic and may surface laser etch their crystal awards. All of these styles provide a faster and cheaper method for marking the awards, but detract from the possibility of making a fantastic award.

There is also an artistic component to the layout of the engraving. I have written an article on this in the past, but be aware that not all companies have ultra-experienced engravers. If you are concerned about how your engraving looks, make sure to ask for a pre-production proof of how the engraving will look. This can save an unpleasant surprise when you open your shipment.

Other factors:

Some other factors that influence whether you should buy on the internet and from who are: shipping expense, inventory levels, the company’s reputation, and building a long-term relationship.

The cost of shipping can be significant, but so is the cost we pay to our shipping carrier. If you qualify for a free shipping promotion, that is best. If not, make sure that you order well in advance to eliminate air shipping charges. Inventory levels and the retailer’s supply chain are also important. It is hard to gauge how much stock a company has, but if you are ordering in bulk, call your provider before placing the order to make sure they will be able to fill your order. This should only be a problem for smaller companies, but occasionally there may be a national shortage that only a larger supplier’s existing inventory can rectify. Finally, I will lump the retailers reputation and building a long-term relationship into one. It is important to choose an awards retailer that you trust and then nurture that relationship. The amount of time the company has been in business, viewing customer testimonials, the friendliness and knowledge of the employees, the look and feel of the website are all building blocks for building trust in the company. At a certain point you will need to take a leap of faith and place an order. This is the first step to building a longer term relationship with the company. If you like what you get, tell them. If not, let them know as well. We are all in a state of constant improvement and welcome feedback so we can make your experience better. When there is a history with our customers, it also allows us to treat them better when they need something extra special, such as a unique award or expedited shipping.

To summarize, there are a lot of factors that go into making sure that you should buy awards on the internet and from whom. These factors are timing, price/quality, and other intangibles.We feel like we do a great job in communicating and providing value for our customers. If you choose a trophy and awards internet retailer other than us, keep us in mind for next time. Our staff’s commitment and integrity in the long-term is our foundation of our vision to be the national leader in meaningful recognition.

I feel now more than ever, it is time to put aside some of this uncertainty and look more positively to the future.  The recession will not last forever.  There will be a time that your company grows and thrives again.  With that being said, what is the message that you are sending your employees if you do not thank them or appreciate them for a job well done?  Even though sales might be down and morale might be low, the time is now to create the foundation for the future.

Consider implementing a sales contest.  Recognize and reward your top performers.  Create a service award program that assists with longevity and retention.  Think about safety, product enhancements and creative thought.  Implement recognition programs around a couple of your most important business challenges.  When done properly, these programs are one of the most powerful and inexpensive ways to attain your company’s goals while building a loyal and fulfilled staff.

Positive affirmation and recognition for a job well done are keys to a successful company.

Visit us today at www.trophies2go.com for a wide array of recognition awards or give us a call to assist with the creation or refinement of your recognition program.

We have filtered out our suppliers to three: RB Fabrication, PDU, and ‘others’.We are considering adding a 4th main supplier of acrylic awards. Why I bring up our suppliers is that each affords a niche in the acrylic awards market. I would venture to say there are 4 levels of suppliers in the industry ranging from downright cheap (level 1, poor quality and inexpensive price) to upscale (level 4, high quality and expensive price). I would rate PDU as a 2 and RB Fabrication as a 3. We will be adding a level 4 supplier in the next year to compliment our product line. Our level 4 supplier will offer unique, creative and high quality acrylic awards. We will not bring on a level 1 supplier because if I am not willing to buy it, I am sure you won’t want to either – no matter how low the price.

You say, cut to the chase, Jeff. OK, I understand…here is what you should do.If you want the lowest price possible and you do not care about the quality of the product or accuracy/craftsmanship of the engraving, go to dinntrophy orcrowntrophy.

Otherwise:

Visit our PDU acrylic section if your highest priorities are:

· Cost

· Production Time (meaning you need it in a week or less)

· Shape

These are our most popular acrylic awards. They usually come in jade green orclear. The etching is done with a laser engraver, so the resolution is great and it gives a crisp and clean frosted look.

We sell a lot of these as service awards, sales awards, and recognition awards. If you want to be safe and quick, these are the best for you. I would suggest choosing the shape, size and color (clear or jade green) that best fits the feeling of the award you want to present. In addition, if you are ordering in quantity, make sure to look at the quantity discount price and know that there are no extra setup charges or engraving fees.

Visit our RB Fabrication acrylic section if your highest priorities are:

· Quality

· Color

· Size

· Shape

If your budget can afford a little more, these acrylics are incredible. RB acrylics have more style and more color choices. They are also made in the US (by some really cool people by the way). These acrylics are the trend setters in the industry.

We sell these acrylics to companies that want something different.Oftentimes, they want a theme or certain style or certain color to be in alignment with their brand or corporate culture. If you want to be unique and special, these are the acrylics for you.

The following is a brief description of a few of our plaque categories:
Appreciation Plaques – a great way to show thanks and appreciation.
Corporate Plaques – a selection of company or business appropriate plaques.
Recognition Plaques – perfect to award recognition for a particular achievement.
Economical Plaques – these are great for smaller budgets without compromising quality.
Crystal and Glass Plaques – a nice selection of our favorite plaques are made out of crystal or glass.
Acrylic Plaques – an incredible alternative to wood plaques.
Perpetual Plaques – these are monthly, quarterly or ongoing plaques with individual engraving plates.  We include the header engraving in the price, but individual plate engraving is extra.
Rosewood Plaques – Modern and rich, these reddish plaques are a staff favorite.
Black Plaques – a contemporary look.  Solid wood with a piano finished black lacquer finish.
Wood Plaques – traditional plaques mostly made from walnut.

Professional engraving is included in the cost of our plaques.  We offer the ability to provide a proof before we engrave your plaques.  This ensures that you are getting exactly what you want.  Our experienced engravers are eager to show you their expertise.  Visit us today and let us become “Your Source for Awards”.

Trophies2Go began in 2000 with the vision of using state-of-the-art technology to provide exceptional awards and recognition products to customers around the world.  We specialize in Sports Awards, Corporate Awards, Recognition Awards, Retirement Awards, Corporate Gifts, Plaques, Ribbons and so much more!  We take pride in a fast production time and guarantee accuracy and delivery dates to creating a trophy ordering experience that’s worry free.

Submit your own photo, logo or emblem to personalize your awards.

One of the most remarkable services Trophies2Go offers is the ability to submit your own artwork that can be used on various awards and gifts.  Using new technology to ensure the engraving is precisely the way you want it, we are able to provide engraving proofs for customers who would like to see the exact engraving layout before production begins.

Here is an example of testimonials you can find on the web site: www.trophies2go.com:

I just wanted to send my love for www.trophies2go.com I just received my order and the product quality exceeded my expectations. I have a Very intricate logo for my jump-off, and I didn’t think ya’ll would be able to replicate that onto some trophies and dog tags-but you did. I am very happy with my purchase and will be dealing with ya’ll again in the Future. — One Happy Customer!

As you can see, customers enjoy the opportunity to fashion their own artistic creations, submit them and let Trophies2Go take care of the rest.  The end result is an original idea professionally formed, produced and multiplied as awards or gifts.  Imagine the possibilities for awards you can come up with for coworkers, friends or family.  For companies with unique distinctive logos; this is a dream come true.  Artwork for engraving custom logos can be sent in a variety of PC formats.  Place your order and attach your artwork in an e-mail to artwork@trophies2go.com, if the art doesn’t work, we will contact you and in some instances alter your artwork in- house.

So there you go… be creative, there are only a couple technical guidelines you must follow.  As far as the innovative aspect – the sky’s the limit.  Whether you own a custom motorcycle garage and want to award your mechanics for meeting their deadlines with a one of a kind tribal design; or you drew a picture of your coworker sleeping at his desk and want to embarrass him with a corporate sleeper award.  You’ll find a great outlet for your creative artwork trophy from Trophies2Go!