Bruce Fox Blog

Estimated Read Time: 3 Minutes

When you think of a trophy, a cup like one of these likely pops into your mind. That’s because people have come to expect trophies like these – they are common.

From sports to company competitions, using a metal cup (aka loving cup) as a trophy is a fun but typical way to recognize someone.

Estimated Read Time: 2.5 Minutes

The industry is changing - from the industry evolving with modern times to the latest supply chain disruption; everyone in the industry can agree that what worked fifty, ten, or even two years ago doesn’t work today.

The industry is changing and the last thing you – or anyone in the business – wants is to be left behind.

Estimated Read Time: 3 Minutes

Awards are made to inspire and recognize those who deserve it. However, few awards actually do inspire passion, excitement, and pride from their recipients or those around them. Especially since awards are regressing from unique and high-quality to cheap and easy to get.

Nowadays, awards are ordered from a catalog – filled to the brim with glass, acrylic, or trophy cup pieces varying in size, color, and price. Clients place orders and forget about them until the day of the event. The awards are given away, and then the cycle starts over again.

What does it matter what the recipients do with their awards? They can show it off or throw it away – who cares – as long as they keep doing what you want, you’ll keep giving them these awards.

Ouch.

Unfortunately, that’s become a common mindset of many corporate companies - just keep buying the same-old stuff because it works.

Today is Employee Appreciation Day!

Although today is a little late for anything big, you may have time to pick up a cake on the way into work. And to some, those who are appreciation-starved and absolutely deprived, that might be enough. But I doubt it.

According to Achievers, up to 64% of employees may leave their jobs in 2020. And 82% of employees wish they received more recognition for their work.

Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes

We all know of the importance of doing a regular SWOT analysis.

When I worked in the marketing world, we would regularly do self-reflection and look for areas of improvement. Maybe that’s because our industry was constantly evolving or because our company wanted to live on the cusp of innovation – either way, it was deeply ingrained in me.

However, when you ask many owners or professionals in the promotional products industry, when was the last time that they stopped to think about their business beyond a fleeting thought, much less a SWOT analysis, there are few who can answer.

Do you remember what it was like when you believed in the Tooth Fairy? You likely would excitedly place your tooth under your pillow, then force yourself to go to sleep.

When you’d wake, you would immediately check under your pillow to see what the tooth fairy left for you.

Those emotions of excitement and surprise were a unique experience. But you don’t have to leave those early school days and childhood beliefs – no, you can bring those emotions to life for your hard-working employees.

Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes

Until relatively recently, the concept of 3D printing was limited to the confines of a vivid imagination. 

But what was science fiction is now science-reality, and it is revolutionizing much of what we do at Bruce Fox on a daily basis.

Rapidly-advancing 3D printing capabilities have opened the door to several advancements in the award space—advancements you can utilize to gain a competitive advantage and offer unprecedented solutions to your clients.

Estimated Read Time: 2.5 Minutes

Like most baseball fans, I’m pretty pissed off at the sign-stealing saga that has unfolded over the last 30 or so days. I won’t delve into the abyss of what’s going on and won’t interject my own views on the matter, but suffice it to say there are a lot of people to be angry with—the players, the team, the ownership, the union, the commissioner. Essentially anyone involved in the scheme and its aftermath.

I’m keeping score here at home, and I’m designating it an “E-Everybody.”

Estimated Read Time: 1.5 Minutes

One of the most common forms of recognition is a certificate. Whether for school, business, or a non-profit, people love being recognized.

Despite the need for certificates, they tend to get damaged, bent, or crumpled. It’s all too easy for certificates to look unprofessional, which will hurt the whole point of presenting the certificate.

Estimated Read Time: 2 Minutes

Employees are the true lifeblood of all companies. They are what keeps your company running, even when you are away.

And when your employees are happy, you can’t help but notice the difference. From happier customers to increased efficiency, there are countless ways that employee engagement and employee happiness affects businesses.