What Makes a Great Trophy?

For those of you who still think that trophies are things handed out to kids at the end of football season, think again. Whilst trophies have never been out of favour when it comes to children’s sports you might be surprised to learn that they are highly prized by adults too and not just in the sports arena.
These days corporate events are being built around trophy presentations and these events are used not simply to present awards but to highlight corporate endorsements. It’s a well-known fact that companies compete to sponsor large scale, well-publicised events such as the Brownlow medal, but it is becoming increasingly common for even small businesses to get involved in their local communities by sponsoring local events, and what better way to do this then with the presentation of a trophy?
There is no doubt that corporate sponsorship is a very effective method of reaching a target audience or, on a broader scale, establishing a brand name.
While many companies simply dream about having their business or product name become a household phrase, many do not realise that this may not be as difficult as it seems. When you think about it, every well-known trophy in the land had to start somewhere and although well-known sporting personalities have tended to dominate, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a local business could establish itself as a household name simply by sponsoring a popular local event.
This need not be limited to local sporting clubs but can stretch much further afield into things like cultural events, locality awards for community service, or hosting a park event were trophies can be presented for achievements in a wide variety of fields. Great trophies have emerged out of great sporting performances but there is no reason why this cannot be repeated at a local, community level.
We all know the value of trophies when we witness the reactions of our children when they are fortunate enough to win something. Just about every business in the land also rewards their best performing staff with a trophy or some form of perpetual recognition. This stems from the long held belief that all human beings cherish the recognition of their peers and will seek this by delivering a performance that is needed to achieve the esteemed result.
Smaller businesses would do well to emulate the actions of large corporations in this respect especially when you consider that if they have a good name in their local community, their business success is similarly assured. No amount of media advertising can equal the free publicity that stems from being associated with their local communities in a positive way.
It is far cheaper and far more rewarding to endorse a number of trophies which can be awarded to local heroes or champions in any field, not just sport. Schools are a prime example especially when you consider that children are rewarded not only for their sporting achievements but also for community service and …

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Online Games – What Makes Them Best For You and Your Kid?

Online games are a new trend in the gaming world which has opened new avenues for the kids of all ages. Although some parents are not in favor of letting their children play online as the media has done some exaggerated reporting about exposure to the cyber world. However, if you would check out the online games on your own you would know the facts and unveil their endless benefits. They are actually full of several advantages for you and your child and for this reason they have emerged as the best mode of entertainment in the present times.
Here are some of the most amazing benefits of online games.
1. Firstly, most online games are free of cost which means you will be able to save a lot of which you used to spend on getting new game cds or other toys for your child. There is no need to buy costly gaming consoles or other expensive toys on special occasions as the free online games is the best present you can give your kid which costs you NOTHING.
2. As the online games are available in endless choices, you will be able to entertain your kid just the way he or she desires. Since different children enjoy different things these games provide you with enough options to find the kind of activity which your child enjoys the most. For example, if you little one loves Barbie dolls, you can allow her to play online Barbie games. Likewise, little boys who love sports can play lots of sports games online.
3. They are also very safe for the mental development of the children as they are designed keeping in view the vulnerability and psyche of the young minds. It is rather a misconception that these games may not be safe for kids as they are certainly the healthiest mode of entertainment which you can supervise on your own.
4. Last but not the least, the online games are very useful for kids as they serve as a great learning tools. Many of these games help to improve the IQ and the analytical skills of your children. It means that other than having fun you constantly improve the mental capabilities of your child by allowing them to play these games. Puzzle games, card games, strategy games, coloring games and other games educate your kid in multiple ways thus ensuring the best and most positive kind of entertainment for young ones.…

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3 Ways Your Sports Fundraiser Makes Your Team Look Bad

A fundraiser is an extension of your sports program – anything you are selling or sending out to potential donors reflects on what people think about your organization. With this in mind, you want to make sure your fundraiser makes your team look like a professional and winning organization. People like to support a winner anyways. Below are three things you should watch for to ensure your sports program looks good while fundraising.
1. Branding – Branding is the marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products. In relation to your team fundraiser, this means the logos and colors that people identify with your program. Anything that is being put out in front of donors for your fundraiser should fully represent the logos and colors of your team. Furthermore, make sure every part of your fundraiser looks the same. Your direct mail piece should look like your online landing page so people are sure they are in the right place. The picture to the right shows a a fundraiser done by a team that utilized direct mail and a website. Both the website and direct mail piece look similar while the team’s branding is in check. Overall the fundraiser looks professional, reflecting well on the team.
2. Cheap Products: Is your team selling candy, discount cards, magazines, or candles? Most of this is crap people really do not want. They purchase them because they feel guilty and then these products just sit around their house going unused. I personally have some magazine subscriptions that go unread and pile up in the house. Having the players on your team sell products that people do not want reflects badly on your team. Make sure the products you are selling are quality and something people want. Or you can utilize fundraisers that do not involve selling at all.
3. Commercialized Fundraiser: If any part of your fundraiser involves something being given or sent to potential donors, make sure that it is not over-commercialized. Over-commercialized means that the fundraiser is filled with advertisements, special offers or sponsors. I once received a fundraising letter that was filled with different offers from credit card companies and discounts for local businesses. It had so much of this fluff, that I can’t remember who the team was and what they were raising money for. Make sure your fundraiser sticks to what is important – your team, what your fundraising for and how it will make your program more successful.
In short, before starting your fundraiser, make sure that every part of it reflects well on your team. There are too many fundraisers that involve cheap products and poor design that will make your program look bad. Choose wisely.…

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