Baudville

High Five for Friday: Enjoy It!

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Kendra) — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Now that the weather is nice here in Michigan, we finally get to make it outside and we're definitely high fiving for that! Check out the top five things were giving High 5s for this week!

1. RecogNation.
Our newest issue of RecogNation is hot off the press and full of tips and ideas for creating pride in your organization. We are giving you some of our own secrets as well as industry's best practices for creating company pride. Plus, we have an extra-special interview with Pete Winemiller, SVP of Guest Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Pete chatted with us about his successful "CLICK!™ with your Guests" program. Check out this free online issue now!

2. National Bike to Work Day/Month.
Let's face it; we all need to get to work somehow. So why not bike? Biking to work is a great way to incorporate daily exercise needs into your schedule. Challenge yourself and your team members to bike to work this month. Download these free Bike to Work Day Posters!

3. Fun in the Sun
Now that the weather is becoming nicer, get outside and enjoy it! Have impromptu meetings outside in the grass or on picnic tables. Changes in scenery can really help boost creative energy and spark great ideas! If you can't have a meeting outside, make sure you take a few minutes to get outside and breathe some fresh air. You'll go back to work rejuvenated and ready to face the rest of your day!

4. Free Downloads
We have compiled a ton of free downloads for you, located in our Recognition Resource Center. Print out our Print and Posts and post them throughout your office. Need some ideas for what to do with your team this summer? We have a free ebook for that. Or, get great Peer-to-Peer recognition ideas with our free white paper.

5. The Weekend.
Go out, have some fun, and relax this weekend. You've earned it!
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Kendra is Baudville's Product Coordinator. Using her awesome powers of organization and research, she brings new and innovative products to our customers. She is a recent graduate and is ready to help with your recognition wants and needs. Watch out, because this young professional just touched down at Baudville!

10 Ways to Thank a Police Officer during National Police Week

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (cori) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Do you know this week is National Police Week? According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund:

"In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others."

The men and women of our police force often receive little or no recognition for their daily efforts, yet each day they put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. With Armed Forces Day coming up May 18 and Memorial Day taking place May 27, this is a good week to begin saying "thank you" to officers. Together with your school, office, neighborhood, or community organization, express thanks for your local police department with one of these ideas to thank a police officer.
1. Write a letter to your local newspaper thanking the police officers for their dedication to the community. 2. Put together a plate of cookies or buy a dozen doughnuts from a local bakery and take them to your local police department. Include a thank you card to be displayed by the treat. 3. If you see a police officer while you're out for lunch or picking up coffee, pay for their order. 4. Personally deliver a thank you card to your local police department. Invite other departments to sign your card or deliver their own. 5. Make a donation to a local organization that assists injured police officers or a police officer memorial. 6. Create and frame a certificate of appreciation for your police department. Ask everyone in your office to sign it.
7. Purchase a planter of spring flowers to brighten up the office or entrance to your local police station. Include a sign in the planter that thanks police officers. 8. Brighten up your police department's break room this week! Create decorations that say "thanks for all you do" and put together a basket of snacks they can enjoy all week. 9. Thank a police officer by filling a need of their station or department. Call your local police station and inquire if they have any needs, such as office supplies or landscaping work, and fill the need in honor of National Police Week. 10. Coordinate a potluck lunch for your police department this week. Together with a group of coworkers, make a meal and volunteer during your lunch hour to serve the officers. This is not only a great way to thank a police officer, but it's a valuable opportunity to volunteer with your team, too! Recognition holidays like National Police Week are taking place every month. Don't miss an opportunity to thank a nurse, nursing home staff member, or EMS! Visit our Recognition Event Calendar to find your recognition holiday and ideas for celebrations.

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Cori is Baudville's in-house Recognitionista (she's officially a Certified Recognition Professional, too) and a member of the Millennial generation. Get her employee recognition tips and special discounts by liking Baudville on Facebook.

High 5 for Friday! May 10, 2013

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Falon) — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

It's Friday! The sun is shining here in Michigan and the temperatures are rising. It's been a great week here; I hope you've experienced a wonderful week this week, too! As I look back on the week and look ahead to the weekend, these are my top 5 HIGHlights:

1. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I had so much fun selecting and giving my kids' teachers a little something to let them know how much I appreciate their dedication, patience, and wisdom. I chose gifts from our Thanks for Making the Difference theme(and of course I included a personal handwritten note). The green tote was a perfect spring way to package the gift, too! So cute!

2. We're ramping up baseball season at my house which means quick dinners, lots of laundry, and many nights spent at the ball fields. It's so fun to watch those little guys out there – especially when one's bent over backwards picking weeds in the outfield during an exciting double play. Across the nation many moms and dads volunteer their time to coach these little fellas (and girlies, too!) Perhaps a mid-season thank you would be appropriate – or an all-team gift at the end of the season… I better get planning!

3. This weekend is Mother's Weekend (notice I did not say DAY). Don't forget to pamper your moms with the rest and relaxation they deserve. Moms are awesome. They do a lot. Say thank you.

4. We're celebrating Tulip Time here in West Michigan. I am not proud to say that I've lived here all my life and I have never been to the Tulip Time festivities. The city is covered with vibrant blooming tulips, Dutch dancers perform nightly, and there's carnival food. Need I say more? This year I will go. I promise.

5. And last, but not least, we're also celebrating National Nurses Week this week! Nurses rock. They give, and give, and give, and give. They help, and comfort, and care for us in times of uncertainty, fear, and discomfort. These people are some of the ultimate givers in life. Have you thanked a nurse lately? If not, there's still time. Do it now.

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As a team member since 2005, Falon has worn just about every hat the 'ville has to offer. She's seen both sides of working life — as an employee and as a manager — so if it sounds like she knows what she's talking about, we're pretty sure that's why. When she's not juggling between the IDville and Baudville brands, she's been known to whip up a mean diorama - just like that!

Four Expert Tips for Making Workplace Wellness Work for You!

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Allison) — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:02:00 -0400

Workplace wellness initiatives have become top of mind for many businesses these days—and with good reason!

For companies, healthier employees mean reduced healthcare costs, less absenteeism, and higher productivity. For employees, being healthier not only feels good, it can improve morale and self-esteem, plus reduce their own healthcare costs as well.

If you don't have a workplace wellness plan in place already, follow these steps to start yours today!

1. Get Buy-In. You'll have the most success with your program if your company's leadership is supportive of your effort—after all, you will need dedicated time and both physical and financial resources to make it successful. Just remember: what you put into it can pay off substantially in the long run.

2. Form a Wellness Team. You probably have a few wellness champions in your midst (you know the ones: the sneaker sporting, veggie noshing, lunch break calisthenics folks). If you can recruit them to help out, you'll not only tap into their enthusiasm, you'll also benefit from their fitness and nutritional knowledge.

3. Start Simply. At Baudville, we started with a 10-week fitness challenge. We've been perfecting that for three years, now, and every year we learn more. Plus, now that we know what we're doing, we've added a holiday weight maintenance contest to the end of the year and plan for more year-round efforts in the future.

4. Imagine, Believe, Achieve! A little encouragement can create a lotta results, so we've discovered. Promote your program and stimulate some healthy habits with wellness-inspired giveaways.

  • Drinkware gifts are a great way to help your employees increase their water intake. The recommended amount is 48 oz. per day—and that's unsweetened (including artificial sweeteners!) and un-caffeinated. You know, just good ol' water! Our water bottles feature great messages to inspire your team, plus they're reusable, so they help reduce waste.

  • Cooler Bags are a terrific gift that can inspire healthier eating. Meals prepared at home with fresh ingredients are leaps and bounds more healthy than processed or fast foods. Homemade meals are also typically less expensive, which makes them a win-win!

  • Team Shirts™ are ideal for shouting your wellness program loud and proud! Your team members can wear them to runs or walks, at the gym, on casual days, or just out and about. Encourage them to wear their shirts for your next all staff meeting or work event and you'll create a sense of belonging and unity around a common goal.

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Allison is a self-proclaimed Copywriting Diva and has the certificate to prove it! She's been writing for Baudville for four years and has worked in a variety of business settings for more than 19 years. Before becoming a professional writer 12 years ago, Allison worked as a department manager where she used Baudville products to motivate her team. She's what we call a true believer!

High Five for Friday

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (cori) — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

We're bringing back the High Five for Friday blog posts from last year to share some of our favorite tips, activities, and ideas to make work more engaging. Our bloggers will take turns giving high fives to their favorite things, so you'll get a wide variety of information from week to week.

Let's get it started!

Spring has sprung here in Michigan! While you may have enjoyed warm rays of sunshine for weeks now depending on where you live, here in West Michigan we are only now beginning to thaw from a long and cold winter. In honor of Mr. Sun, it seemed only right that our first High Five for Friday blog post of 2013 would be dedicated to the warmth of spring.

1. Eating Lunch Outside
The weather is finally getting nice in Michigan, so I'm giving a big high five to sitting outside at lunch. Not only do we have a great outdoor picnic area at Baudville, but eating lunch outside has several health benefits, too. Getting away from your desk for your lunch break can prove to be a serious stress reliever, and soaking up the sunshine can protect your heart.

2. T-shirt Weather
I have an expansive t-shirt collection which has been neglected for the last six months in favor of sweaters and sweatshirts. The day has finally come to bust my t-shirts out of their dark drawer and show them the light of day! You can bet that I'll be proudly sporting my new Smart Saying t-shirt that I received from the Baudville Operations department. We recently got team t-shirts, and now that the weather is nicer, I know we'll be wearing them more often!

3. Health and Wellness Fitness Challenge
The warmer weather encourages me to get outside and run, bike, walk, garden, or do any number of outdoor activities. Since we're in the middle of our health and wellness fitness challenge, doing my favorite activities earns points for my team. What spring activity are you most excited about?

4. Outdoor Games
I love playing outdoor yard games. I have quite a collection at home, and I'm always looking for a new game to add to the mix. Plus, I love how easily you can bring a yard game to work and change attitude and morale for the day. Email your team first thing in the morning to get challenge them to a game and have the play happen during lunch. This simple activity can brighten your team's day and foster valuable team morale. If you don't have your own yard games, create your own with our team activity eBooks.

5. Company Picnics
The spring weather means one of my favorite Baudville company events is right around the corner. Each summer, Baudville treats its employees and their families to a company picnic. The Baudville picnic is a great opportunity for camaraderie and fun in a more relaxed setting than the office. We often host our picnic at the local ballpark, zoo, or park, and there are lots of activities and giveaways for all attendees.

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Five Favorite Outdoor Activities for Appreciating your Staff!

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Allison) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Here in Michigan, we've had a bit of a rough start to spring. Last week it actually snowed—with accumulation. Even our most devoted winter enthusiasts were not impressed!

This slow transformation has us all gazing out our windows in anticipation: a sprig of green here; a flash of sunshine there… signs of hope! And inspiration for planning some ideas for getting outside when the weather does finally show its fairer side.

While we wait (patiently!) here are our five favorite activities for appreciating your team while enjoying the great outdoors!

Let Loose at the Zoo. If you have a local zoo, it can be a great place to spend some leisure time with your team. Most zoos have walking trails and plenty of space to move around in groups. Plus cool things to see and fun activities to do. On our last zoo outing, we were given gift cards to use at the food vendors, and the picnic area was perfect for all of us to gather at the end of our adventure.	Put Some Agri in Your Culture. A few years back, we took our group to a nearby farm. They hosted a variety of events, including volleyball, face painting, and a sack race—and we even got to tour the grounds and learn about the livestock and crops. They also fed us a wonderful barbecue lunch.
Take the Ball and Run with It. Hands down, our favorite outdoor activity is to go to a baseball game. We rent the pavilion, have a meal catered, and enjoy watching some minor league athletics. The stadium staff are always good sports when we visit and put on an extra special show, with fireworks and family activities that everyone loves.	Recreate with a Tailgate. You don't need to travel far—in fact, sometimes the most fun is right in your own backyard! Have a grill-out in your parking lot, or, better yet, rent a food truck. A couple times a year, a local food truck parks in our lot and employees can go up to the window and order whatever they want. It's a rave-worthy celebration every time, plus an excellent way to get everyone together, while enjoying the convenience of staying close by.
Make it an Inside Job. OK, I know this is supposed to be about outdoor activities, but with unpredictable weather, sometimes plans can change with one raindrop (or snowflake!). Time to bring the outdoors inside! Why not have a beach-themed cubicle decorating contest?	Or a limbo competition? Maybe a Peeps® themed potluck?

Whatever you do, don't forget the giveaways!

•  Tote bags are ideal for carrying around all the treats and finds your team members pick up along the way.

•  Drinkware is great for staying hydrated if you're out in the sun, and a terrific take-away they'll continue to use at work or at home.

•  Team Shirts are the best way to brand your activity. Check out our event shirts that you can customize with your personalized text and logo. We provide the artwork; you add your one-of-a-kind flavor!

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Allison is a self-proclaimed Copywriting Diva and has the certificate to prove it! She’s been writing for Baudville for four years and has worked in a variety of business settings for more than 19 years. Before becoming a professional writer 12 years ago, Allison worked as a department manager where she used Baudville products to motivate her team. She’s what we call a true believer!

5 Low Cost Gift Ideas for National Nurses Week

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Kendra) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:30:00 -0400

National Nurses Week is just around the corner and we're here to help you get prepared! We've put together a few low cost / DIY gift ideas to help you recognize the special nurses in your life. When is National Nurses Week 2013 you ask? With just a week and a half to go, National Nurses Week is May 6 – 12, 2013.

	Multi – Color Syringe Pens These new pens are just $1.99ea! Pens are sold in packs of 5. Each pen contains a colorful liquid inside making this a fun and unique gift to give to your nurses. How to Give: For an inexpensive gift, give a Multi-Color Syringe Pen with a free National Nurses Week Print and Post. Make sure to write a note on the back for an added personal touch!
	Create Your Own Thank You Gift! We got this great idea off the blog Craftiness is not Optional. Fill a plastic cello bag with small items that your nurses will use and love. Items you can use to fill your Nurses goody bags are candy, pens, Twist Top Tumblers, Chapstick, and hand sanitizer. How to Give: Add the finishing touches to your nurses' goody bags with a ribbon and a personal note, making this goody bag an easy-to-give National Nurses Week Gift!
	A Note a Day Pill Box This awesome idea comes from a great nursing blog called Nursetopia. They talk about giving this gift to school nurses, but we think it is perfect for any nurse or healthcare professional. Nursetopia suggests filling the little compartments with small pieces of candy such as Starbursts, Dove Chocolate, and Tootsie Rolls and including little notes of encouragement for each day. Check out Baudville's free Print and Posts to include as notes of encouragement! How to Give: Hand out the Note a Day Pill Box to the special nurses in your life at that beginning of National Nurses Week. This way, every day they have a small gift to remind them how special they are!
	We Appreciate You – Stethoscope Tote Bag Our best-selling tote bags are a great gift for your nurses during National Nurses Week. Practical poly-canvas tote bags are sturdy and have a lot of room to carry everything your nurses need. How to Give: Give the healthcare themed tote bag just by itself. Or, create an extra special gift for your nurses by including some of their favorite things in the tote bag.

Steth-o-Charms – Priced at just $8.95 this cute and practical gift already comes nicely packaged and ready-to-give! Baudville has an array of Steth-o-Charms geared toward nurses. One of my personal favorites it the Nurses Rock Steth-o-Charm. Steth-o-Charms add the perfect amount of bling to your nurses' stethoscopes and are easy to attach with the elastic strap backing that securely holds the Steth-o-Charm in place. How to Give: Give Steth-o-Charms to your amazing nurses with a card appreciating their dedication!
Even though these nurses gifts are all great low cost gifts, make sure you spend time making the presentation of the gift thoughtful. Personally give them the gift and verbally express you appreciation and gratitude towards their hard work.

It's time to thank our teachers. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10, 2013.

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Falon) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:05:00 -0400

Aside from my job at Baudville, I also work 24/7 as a mother of three little boys. My oldest is in kindergarten, my middle is in preschool, and my little one is just a year old. The oldest started school just last year so it was my first go-round with teachers from a parent's perspective.

Can I say just one thing? Teachers amaze me. Their patience, their planning, their ability to get excited about story problems, fractions, nouns, verbs, and sedimentary rocks...When they get excited, the students get excited. And when the students get excited, they learn!

As a mom, there is nothing cooler than seeing the work your kids bring home from school and watching them beam from ear-to-ear at their newfound knowledge and achievement. Teachers do that. It's the teachers that make that happen.

While our assembly of educators deserves recognition and appreciation for the work they do every day, there just so happens to be one week out of the year dedicated to them! May 6-10, 2013 is Teacher Appreciation Week.

You may or may not be on the PTA at your children's school, but don't let that stop you from appreciating your child's teacher come May 6th! Go out of your way to let Jack's teacher know how much you appreciate her. And be sure to tell Max's music teacher that he rocks! Has Mrs. Hendrickson been spending some extra time with Alaina to help her with her Algebra? Tell her she's making a difference! I guarantee your kind words and tokens of appreciation will be cherished.

Want to totally lead the charge? Talk to your school's administration and ask them what they have planned for Teacher Appreciation Week. Bring some ideas to the table!

Give everyone a Teacher's Make the Difference Travel Mug with a $5 gift card to your local coffee shop.

Have t-shirts made with our fun education-specific Smart Sayings or Themes and add your school name!

A Teachers Rock insulated cooler bag would make a great gift with a personal hand-written note inside!

Silver Gift Pens make an elegant gift and come packaged in a silver foil-stamped, black gift box (for under $10 each!)

Check out all of our Teacher Gifts!

I used to think that teaching was an easy gig – spring break, summers off, in-service days...man, what a life! And then I had kids...and I only have my own three kids! I can't imagine spending 6 hours a day with 30 of someone else's kids! Teachers, I salute you. You're helping to shape the future of this country. You don't get recognized enough. THANK YOU!

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As a team member since 2005, Falon has worn just about every hat the 'ville has to offer. She's seen both sides of working life — as an employee and as a manager — so if it sounds like she knows what she's talking about, we're pretty sure that's why. When she's not juggling between the IDville and Baudville brands, she's been known to whip up a mean diorama - just like that!

Top Five Ways to Celebrate National High Five Day April 18 2013

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (cori) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Every year, the third Thursday in April marks National High Five Day. We love this holiday! It serves as an important reminder of the power of a high five. This simple gesture can express so much! It’s an incredibly fun and effective way to encourage a coworker, recognize a teammate, or simply say “hey, glad you’re here!”

We hope you’ll join us on April 18 to partake in some National High Five Day festivities. Here are five ways you can celebrate next week:

1. High Five EVERYONE!
We mean it. Strangers on the street, the barista serving your coffee, the mail carrier, and your teammates. Hand out high fives like it’s nobody’s business on National High Five Day. We guarantee you’ll spread some smiles in the process!

2. Learn more about Baudville’s new hi5 Service Awards
Baudville now offers service awards, which means you can turn to your friendly Baudville Recognition Specialists for all your recognition programs! Our Service Awards are part of our new brand, hi5 Recognition, so National High Five Day is a great time to learn more!

3. Hold a High Five Competition
Challenge your teammates to come up with the most elaborate, creative, and exciting high five your organization has ever seen! Have the participating teams perform in front of the entire team. Select a panel of judges to choose the winner. Give all the teams a high five gift for participating. Don’t forget to take pictures!

4. Decorate High Five Cookies
Bake sugar cookies in the shape of a hand, and bring in all the toppings: frosting, sprinkles, candy, even marshmallows, for a cookie decorating bar. Your team will have a blast decorating the cookies and enjoying a tasty high five. We made these high five cookies to celebrate our new service awards! They were delicious!

5. Create a Cultural Phenomenon
Did you notice a difference in your team’s attitude when you were passing out high fives? Make high fives a lasting part of your culture! Create team t-shirts that proudly proclaim “I brake for high fives.” You can implement a day-to-day recognition program using high five lapel pins or Team Tokens.

Want more ideas for National High Five Day? Check out these blog posts from previous years!

Ten Ways to Give a High Five on National High Five Day

National High Five Day: Time for a Little Hoopla

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Four Simple Steps that Make Giving Award Certificates a Breeze!

recognition.nospam@nospam.baudville.com (Allison) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:12:00 -0400

Award season is upon us, and if you’re feeling the weight of it—take a deep breath! We’re here to remove the pressure with our expert tips for giving award certificates. Just follow these steps!

Choose a Certificate Paper and Coordinating Folder. What’s the occasion? If your award ceremony or celebration is centered around a special achievement, event, or milestone, our foil-stamped certificate papers are a convenient option. Many styles come pre-printed with the most popular award titles—just choose the one that suits your occasion and you’re on your way. Pair it with a matching foil-stamped folder for a polished presentation; or, for ultimate ease and affordability, try our certificate bundles.

Looking for a more traditional presentation? Our scallop certificate paper is our absolute best-seller, so you can rest assured that you’re giving an award certificate that your recipients will be proud to display.
Make It Look Like a Million Kudos. You’ve ordered a certificate paper and presentation option that you love…now what? Your next step for making a flawless delivery is to make sure they look professional. Our free certificate templates are available for every paper we sell and ensure an easy and precise result. Templates are arranged by the paper design, and some come in both portrait and landscape options. Click here to see them all!
Match the Message with the Moment. Whether you’ve selected a certificate paper with a pre-printed title or not, you’ll want the sentiment on the award certificate to be consistent with the reason for giving it. Need some inspiration? We have just the free downloads you need to send a message that sings. Try our sample Award Certificate Titles and Employee Recognition Messages, or check out the popular verses we use for our award trophies.
Present it with Panache. RecogNation, our free resource center, is filled with articles that share tips and ideas from preparing your award presentations through giving them. Our two favorites are: Five Tips for Recognizing with Award Certificates and Memorable and Effective Award Presentation Tips. Read up and you’ll be a pro in no time! Plus, your awardees will feel truly honored—and that’s what matters most!