Challenge Coins: Better Than Certificates

No matter who we are, we all like to be appreciated for our accomplishments. Remember when you were in elementary school? Getting that star on your writing assignment felt good.

It’s a feeling that continues throughout our lives, from school to work, military deployments, volunteer tasks and more. Everyone loves recognition.

Employers know that recognizing staff members for their work achievements helps maintain high morale and reduce employee turnover. Schools celebrate test scores, college admissions, graduations and many other events.

When it comes to recognition at such events, there are several ways to do so. Certificates and plaques are all fine, and have their place.

For many such events, certificates are the most common form of recognition. They’re great for hanging on a wall, or tucked into a file. But have you ever considered there might be an even better way to honor dedicated performance?

Challenge Coins For High Achievers

It might seem unusual, but in many circumstances, custom coins can be a more meaningful keepsake than a certificate or other paper recognition.

That’s not meant to take anything away from diplomas, professional certifications and the like. In many cases in the workplace, however, the recipient(s) might value a custom challenge coin more highly.

Coins Give the Reward Weight

Custom coins are a tangible presence, with a weight and feel that a piece of paper can’t match. It gives the recognition literal substance. That heft is impossible to ignore.

A piece of paper is easy to drop into a folder or a file cabinet, where it can be easily forgotten from that point on. By virtue of its solid feel, a coin gives the impression of being more significant and meaningful on a personal level.

Even if you hang a framed certificate on the wall, it doesn’t carry the same emotional engagement as a coin you can touch and carry with you. Being able to hold the coin in your hand or carry it in a pocket reinforces the positive feeling from being recognized.

If the coin is sitting on a desk in a stand, it still offers the visual appeal of the art. And the recipient can pick it up and review it at any time, feeling that weight and presence. They can choose to carry it with them at any time. The bottom line is, a coin just *feels* more deliberate and personal than a piece of paper.

Coins Build Teams

Challenge coins area a powerful way to promote a sense of unity and build effective teams. When you present a coin to honor an individual, you’re giving them a symbol that shows they and their work are truly valued. Their positive attitude can spread to coworkers, who will strive to earn their own coins. As they do so, they form a cooperative bond as a unified team.

The fact that management recognizes achievement in a tangible way is important too. That can boost both morale and performance throughout the workplace. Studies have shown that most people who leave for other jobs don’t do so for higher pay, but because they don’t feel recognized and appreciated. That makes custom coins a solid investment for the bottom line.

Coins are Durable

Paper certificates can be damaged much more easily that a challenge coin. A spilled coffee cup can ruin a paper commendation. Those of us who have dogs can attest that Fido won’t care if what they’re chewing on is a simple piece of computer paper or your Employee of the Year certificate. Custom coins are immune to both of those troubles.

Design Options

One of the best features of challenge coins is the ability to customize them in a wide variety of ways. Unlike a paper certificate, you can create coins in a custom shape to represent your business or industry. Add a 3D effect to give your coin visible and tactile distinction. Custom edges, numbered editions and cutouts add exclusivity and a dramatic look to your design.

Presentation is Key

It’s especially important to present custom coins in a proper manner. A dignified ceremony in the presence of coworkers is the best way to go. Receiving a coin in front of one’s peers carries much more value than just having one handed out in  one-on-one office meeting.

A formal ceremony also gives management the opportunity to speak about the recipient’s achievement, and describe the specifics of the accomplishment in front of the honoree’s peers. The more you play up the award, the more you foster that sense of unity and camaraderie in the workplace.

Combinations Work Too

If you’re not quite convinced that challenge coins alone are more meaningful than paper certificates, you can always combine a certificate and a coin. Give recipients both something to hang on the wall and a coin they can display on their desk or carry with them. It will reinforce the value of the award, and add a personal touch.

We Make Ordering Easy

When it comes to ordering custom coins, ChallengeCoins4Less.com makes it fast and easy. We’ll help you craft the perfect design to create something meaningful and appreciated by your employees. With more than 20 years of experience creating coins for companies and other organizations both large and small, we know what it takes to make coins you can be proud of.

What are you waiting for? Reward your high achievers with a well-designed coin they’ll be proud to carry and to display. Custom coins can become a valuable part of your employee recognition and retention program.

If you’d like to find out more, give us a call toll-free at (855) 272-8451. Or you can email us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. If you already have a design in mind, fill out our no obligation Free Quote form, and we’ll respond with a free digital proof of your design.

Your employees’ dedication and outstanding performance deserves to be recognized in a timely and memorable manner. Custom challenge coins are a way to do just that. Let us show you how you can take your recognition and appreciation program to a higher level!