Creative Name Badges and Name Tags,

Wearing a creative name badge or name tag can make all the difference when you're at work. Now you're memorable, and the little rectangle with your name ends up telling your customers something about you.

There are oodles of choices when it comes to name tags, from the cheap plastic holders with a printed paper square stuck inside (used mostly at conventions) to expensive looking metal plates with names engraved.

What are you trying to accomplish with name badges in your business? Their purpose could be to:

o Identify fellow employees

o Make sure customers and clients know who you are

o Give your business an upscale appearance

o Insert a little lightheartedness into the workplace (more on this later)

I think all four of these points are valid. Medical, veterinary and dental clinics, for instance, have a vested interest in helping their clients relax and feel at home. Not only do name tags eliminate the patient's embarrassment when they've forgotten a name, but they make them feel more at ease as you, the practitioner or office worker, now have a way to be identified. I know a lot of you wish the patients could wear name badges too! (I'm not the best at remembering names but luckily at the conventions where I exhibit people do wear name badges!)

How about making things even more fun? I mean, why just have a name engraved on your name badge? My motto is to push the envelope a little and see what can happen.

For instance, a few businesses have their logo engraved on the name badge. Not bad, that's a start. At least it draws the eye more than just an engraved name does.

But what about wearing a name tag with your favorite pet on it, something your clients (particularly in a vet clinic) can really identify with? "Oh, do you own a pug?" I can hear it now. Or "I love your name badge, where did you get it?"

See what I mean? The name badge may be one of the first things your patient or client may notice about you. Why not make them smile, dissipate a little of that nervousness, or get them to be a little curious. "Why do you wear a heart shape with a paw on your name tag?" You'll get all sorts of questions and comments when you wear a creative name badge.

The whole point of wearing name tags is to attract the notice of your customers, so they'll see your name and hopefully associate you with it in the future. Well, my advice is to do something with that name tag that really draws their eye there. At the same time, it can be a conversation starter and an ice breaker. And you, the wearer, will love putting it on every morning!