Nontraditional recognition: Unique awards for employees and customers

Consider your team’s recent accomplishments. Did a staff member close a major deal? Has a top-tier client referred a partner? Or did a group of employees accomplish a difficult task? Employee recognition can build trust among colleagues, improve work quality opens in new window and reinforce purpose and meaning. But employees aren’t the only ones deserving of gratitude. Clients want to be recognized too. What’s more, customers who feel appreciated are more likely to do repeat business opens in new window with your organization.

Awards are the perfect way to show recognition and appreciation. Stepping outside the box and selecting unique awards for employees and customers can make that recognition all the more memorable. Use these ideas the next time you want to leave a lasting impression.

Team recognition gifts

Outstanding customer service teams deserve a round of applause. Plan a surprise recognition event during the next team meeting. Recognize star performers by giving them a picnic basket loaded with snacks and chocolate. Include a cheese set, bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice plus a wine bottle stand with corkscrew. Don’t forget a personalized note acknowledging specific instances where the team member’s service made a difference.

Are you prepping for your organization’s annual retreat? Organize a series of team-building activities, like problem-solving challenges, relay races or creative tasks, to drum up friendly competition. For the final event, hold a cornhole or giant tumble tower tournament. Winning team members receive one of the games or a travel-sized cornhole set or 4-in-a-row game. Imprint the event’s date on each award as a lasting reminder of the bonds built with team members.

Employee thank-you gifts

Recognize your employees of the month with a themed cooler gift basket. Fill it with their favorite snacks and beverages, and slip in a ticket to an upcoming sporting event or concert. Or load up a backpack cooler with vacation essentials, like sunglasses, a beach towel and sunblock. Include a few day-trip ideas, and give them an extra day off to enjoy themselves.

An engraved coffee mug or thermal tumbler is a unique recognition award to honor team members’ work anniversaries. Include their years of service along with a heartfelt thank-you message. Inside, tuck a gift card to their preferred coffee shop or café.

Goal achievement awards

Award your top salesperson with a sophisticated blazer or jacket embroidered with a prestigious message. Stylish and functional, a gift like this can become a coveted status symbol, incentivizing everyone to do their best.

Need a unique award for employees who have shown significant progress or achieved a major milestone? Gift an indoor garden kit or self-watering planter as a symbol of their growth. Include a handwritten card from management.

Rewards that incentivize

If you’re looking to draw a crowd to your career fair booth or trade show exhibit, a fun quiz or game can entice passersby to stop and chat. Ask trivia questions about your organization or industry. Or offer a spin-to-win game. Winners receive a useful and practical award, like an imprinted laptop sleeve. Slip in an exclusive discount or promo code along with an invitation to chat one-on-one.

Has someone met a companywide innovation challenge? Reward them with a unique recognition award, like ear pods in an attractive ear pod case. Or gift them a light-up outdoor Bluetooth^® speaker imprinted with a special message acknowledging their contribution.

Customer loyalty gifts

Boost your customer loyalty program with extra-special incentives. When a customer reaches a high-loyalty tier, reward them with a personalized shopping day. Include dedicated access to a team member, exclusive freebies and a special “one day only” offer. Place their purchases in a premium tote bag imprinted with a special members-only message.

After a large purchase, give clients VIP status and thank them with a weekend getaway. Tuck travel vouchers in a leather ID wallet imprinted with a special message. Include a handwritten note thanking them for their loyalty.

Create a “Top Follower” award to give thanks to social media followers who regularly engage with your brand. A laptop tote, set of felt coasters, stylish scarf or lip moisturizer makes for a useful and stylish accessory they’ll be proud to display.

Skip the traditional look

From packing a cooler full of surprises to imprinting a gift with a one-of-a-kind message, unique awards for employees and customers stand out. Recipients will love their nontraditional award and recall your brand with fondness every time they see it.

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