Three Things that Actually Motivate Employees

Posted on May 27, 2016May 26, 2016 by TrophyCentral

Mastery, membership, and meaning are all more important than money.

Read the full article at: hbr.org

Some of us have the belief the money is a key workplace motivator. Others fall on the side of work-life balance. So you might be surprised to hear that neither of these tops the list of key motivators.

According to author Rosabeth Moss Kanter, there is strong evidence to suggest that mastery, membership, and meaning are key to driving employee motivation.

Employees need to be aligned to the company’s vision and feel that the work they are doing aggregates to a higher purpose. They need to feel as though their individuality adds to the company’s community (think about the characters in your favorite TV show). And finally, they need to feel that their talents can help shape their company’s future.

Summer Literacy: 7 Fun, Free, Easy & Semi-Hidden Ways to Keep Your Kids Reading All Summer…Don’t Put Reading on Summer Break, Too!

Posted on May 26, 2016May 26, 2016 by TrophyCentral

…growing readers one best practice at a time!

Read the full article at: www.helloliteracy.com

Reading helps all of us in countless ways, from expanding our knowledge to broadening our creativity. Best of all, reading is not simply a one-time activity, but rather one that can be enjoyed for life.

Teaching our kids to read early is important, but making it habitual and something they crave is a game-changer. Encouraging your kids to read need not be difficult.

I would encourage you to take a look at this piece from Jen Jones in “Hello Literacy” for yourself. Inside you will find 7 ways to improve your child’s literacy, and at the same time, grow their love of reading.

June is Trophy Month for Dads and Grads

Posted on May 24, 2016 by TrophyCentral

June is a difficult month for gift-givers. Between Father’s Day and graduation ceremonies plus gifts for teachers and students in need of extra praise, choosing thoughtful gifts can be a challenge.

A trophy is a great way to say “I love you” or “Congratulations” without sounding as generic as a greeting card or coffee mug.

Because a trophy has both longevity and creativity potential. You can etch in glass or metal a message the recipient will cherish forever.

Trophy Central knows, however, that crafting the perfect message is not always easy.

So we’ve made up some message “prompts” that you can fill in with your own words.

Father’s Day Trophy Suggestions

1. For excellence in teaching me how to _________, __________ and __________.

Possible ways to fill in those blanks include:

Ride a bike
Drive a car
Shave
Become a better person
Show respect for others
Become responsible
Bait a hook
Grill a burger
Finish my homework in time to watch TV
Make pancakes
Ask a girl for a date
Throw a curve ball
Order a hot dog at the ball park
Parallel park
Break curfew without mom finding out

2. The top three reasons why I love you: __________, __________, and ________.

Possible ways to fill in those blanks include:

You never make things worse when I screw up
You’re always there for me even when you’re mad at me
You took care of us even when times were tough
You were more worried about me than the car when I got into an accident
You make me laugh
You wait for me and pretend you don’t
You’re cooler than my friends’ dad

For more suggestions on how to tell your dad you love him this Father’s Day or to get helping choosing a trophy that fits your message and budget, contact Trophy Central here.

Graduation Day Trophy Suggestions

1. Congratulations! You made it! Now you can look forward to __________,
__________ and __________.

Possible ways to fill in those blanks include:

College
Work
Student Loan Repayments
High School
Driver’s License
Prom
Summer Vacation
Backpacking Through Europe
Flipping Burgers to Pay for Backpacking Trip
Doing Nothing for 12 Weeks
Joining the Family Business
Driving Your New Car (Look inside trophy for keys)

2. You did it! You make us proud because _________.

Possible ways to fill in the blank include:

You never gave up even when tough subjects and cranky teachers got you down.
You tried, you kept trying and you succeeded.
First, because you’re a great kid and, second, because you’re a great student.
You’re the first person in the family to get this far in school.
You worked to help support our family and still got good grades.
You’re following your dreams.
We never got a phone call from the principal.
We never got a phone call from the police.
Because you’re YOU!

Ready to tell the graduate – or anyone in your life – why you love them this June? Call with questions or order a trophy now.

Talking About Failure: What Parents Can Do to Motivate Kids in School

Posted on May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 by TrophyCentral

When children view their abilities as something they can change over time, they’re more apt to deal well with challenges, researchers say. And what parents say

Read the full article at: ww2.kqed.org

I am a firm believer that setting realistic expectations at home, at work and in life represents one of the most important contributors to one’s happiness. Someone who sets their sights on being president or creating the next Facebook runs a high risk of falling short in their goal and feeling a sense of failure when it doesn’t come to fruition. That’s not to suggest that we shouldn’t set “stretch” goals – these can be very helpful and what drive innovation. But we must be careful to set expectations appropriately, especially with our kids.

How we as role models react to failure can have a significant influence on a child’s perception of themselves and their future growth. Read on to learn more about the importance of communication and the impact it might have in motivating your child.

How to Become the Most Valuable Player on Your Team

Posted on May 11, 2016May 11, 2016 by TrophyCentral

All the major sports leagues celebrate their best players. But what if there were a Most Valuable Player award for your team? Would you take home the prize?

Read the full article at: michaelhyatt.com

Most of our content is centered on motivating employees, so this week’s pick may come as a bit of a surprise. It shouldn’t, though. We know that leading by example is critical to managerial success, so we wanted to share content on how you can become a role model in your organization.

The author uses a metaphor of Baseball’s MVP Award to provide concrete recommendations for improving your own performance. Click to see the 7 ideas that author Michael Hyatt has shared.

10 Inspirational Quotes From Women Business Leaders

Posted on May 3, 2016April 30, 2016 by TrophyCentral

From Sheryl Sandberg to Barbara Corcoran, here are 10 quotes from women who offer wisdom for the ages.

Read the full article at: www.entrepreneur.com

Men, women and children will all be inspired by the wonderful quotes found in this Entrepreneur.com article.

Visionaries from Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics) to Eileen Fisher (fashion designer) have contributed quotes that are sure to be memorable for years to come.

My personal favorite quote comes from Melinda Gates…

How Teachers Are Using ‘Hamilton’ the Musical in the Classroom

Posted on May 2, 2016April 30, 2016 by TrophyCentral

Hamilton the musical is igniting kids’ interest in history and teachers are finding a way to deliver its lessons to students.

Read the full article at: ww2.kqed.org

We use many methods to motivate students and children, some more conventional than others. See how teachers across the country have used “Hamilton” the Musical to teach history and to inspire students in a fun and entertaining way. It’s hard to know for sure, but my bet is that Hamilton would have been thrilled to know how truly inspiration he became.