At Laser Crystal, we’re big believers in the fact that great, effective employee recognition gets you great, engaged employees. Companies which commit to recognising and rewarding their hard workers enjoy much better employee retention rates, increased efficiency, and a positive work culture. So, what does effective employee recognition look like, and how can it be done?
In this blog, we’ll be focusing on employee awards, and why you should consider custom engravings to maximise their impact.
Generic’s Out – Personalisation Is In
While generic, mass-produced awards with zero personalisation might tick the box of acknowledgment, they can feel impersonal and even insincere. Employees can quickly ‘see through’ bulk-ordered trophies that don’t even have the company’s logo, and not just because they’re made of optical quality crystal… and they’d probably prefer something else, like an Amazon voucher or extra day of annual leave.
Personalisation isn’t just a trend anymore – remember when everyone was having their friends and family’s names engraved on keychains and notebooks to give as gifts? – it’s often just expected. If you’re going to the trouble of ordering crystal awards for your employees or even holding a celebratory awards ceremony, it’s worth doing it right.
First of all, get each award designed to match your branding, complete with your company name and logo. With Laser Crystal, you can then easily let us know what you want engraved for each individual award, whether it’s the recipient’s name, their title, a specific achievement, a short message of appreciation or all of the above. This personal touch makes the award that much more significant.
Boost Team Morale – And Individual Confidence
Personalised awards are far more effective in recognising the individual achievements of employees, and because of this, you’ll see a much more significant boost in morale and confidence. Someone may have been working particularly hard on a demanding project, or they might have shown particular resilience or drive to improve. They might be super reliable – something that isn’t always recognised or celebrated, because you begin to just expect it from that person.
Either way, employees feel valued when their hard work is acknowledged thoughtfully. This boosts morale and instills confidence, making them eager to take on new challenges. Whatever the award is for, the specificity of the recognition reinforces the behaviours and accomplishments you want to encourage. Having a set list of awards also shows what the company values in their employees, encouraging other individuals to aim for them.
Increase Loyalty and Retention
Employees who feel genuinely appreciated are far less likely to seek employment elsewhere. A customised award communicates that you not only value their work but also their role within the team and company vision. This sense of appreciation fosters loyalty, ensuring that your top performers remain committed to your organisation for the long term.
When employees feel unappreciated, it doesn’t take long for them to disengage from their job and the company as a whole. And when you lose that loyalty, it’s very hard to get it back – so make sure your employees feel recognised and valued from the beginning.
Create Lasting Memories
Unlike generic awards, high-quality, personalised crystal trophies are designed to last a lifetime. They’re made to be displayed proudly, not to be hidden and forgotten about at the back of a drawer. Such trophies become treasured keepsakes, reminding recipients of their hard work and the recognition they earned. When engraved with a beautiful design, the recipient’s name and a message or title to be proud of, employees will display them as they deserve.
Build a Positive Company Culture
Custom awards provide a platform to celebrate shared successes while acknowledging individual contributions. They create a sense of camaraderie among employees, building a culture of recognition and mutual respect. For example, when multiple team members receive personalised awards for different achievements, it strengthens team bonds and reinforces the idea that everyone’s efforts contribute to the company’s success.
When employees know that awards like this are up for grabs, they may also be encouraged to nominate their colleagues, either officially or by taking steps to recognise them themselves. This further builds that important team spirit, making recognition part of the every day.
Build your Brand!
Custom awards don’t just benefit the recipients! A generic award doesn’t do anything to link the hard work and achievements of your employees to your company. Custom awards featuring a beautiful design and your logo can be powerful tools for brand building – as these awards are displayed in offices or homes, they serve as subtle advertisements for your company’s culture of appreciation and excellence. They also create great social media content – as does a big award ceremony where you celebrate and reward your employees.
They Don’t Actually Break the Bank
It’s a common misconception that custom engraved crystal awards are far too expensive for small companies or budgets. But if you’re spending money on generic awards anyway, they’re well worth the extra cost to get them engraved – especially as they can be as expensive or as budget-friendly as you need. At Laser Crystal, we offer flexibility in design and cost, allowing you to create meaningful recognition while staying within your budget. You can design unique awards that fit your needs and reflect your company’s commitment to quality and care without breaking the bank!
Ready to Order your Own Laser Crystal Custom Awards?
At Laser Crystal, we create bespoke 3D custom crystal awards for the most memorable of ceremonies. As the UK’s leading 3D engravers, each crystal art creation is made from flawless optical quality crystal, forming awards and gifts that you are proud to present. From employee recognition awards and long service awards to sports awards and achievement awards, every order can be fully customised to suit your needs.
Browse our full range or let us know your requirements and we can recommend a selection of shapes and designs.