How to choose the right Corporate Awards for your business

Choosing the right awards for your event can be an overwhelming process. In this blog, we’ll try to make this easy for you and help you discover how to choose the perfect corporate awards for your business.

Awards are big business in the 21st century.  They make a clear statement about achievement.  We are the winners. We are the best. This is what we do.

Let’s step back in time for a moment...

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have desired to be recognised for their accomplishments.  By our nature we can be egocentric, self-centred and materialistic.  Evidence of this can be seen through ancient statues, columns, and arches from numerous civilisations, all recognising the victors.

Aristotles Ancient Greece - Statue

Ancient Greek troops, for instance, would make trophies from the weapons and armour of their enemies following a successful battle.  These trophies were typically crafted to depict warriors and were often dedicated to their gods. 

Olive Branch Laurel Wreath
Image Credit: FocalPoint, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Winners of the Olympic Games were honored with a wreath of olive branches, recognising their supremacy over competitors.  This practice was considered to be of great respect and was only granted to the most accomplished athletes and is a testament to the significance of victory.   It might seem simple to us today, but it was a serious sign of status back then and only reserved for the most elite athletes. 

Archeptolis - Governor of Magnesia in Ionia circa 459BCE

In ancient civilisations including Rome, the Laurel Wreath was also given to commanders to acknowledge their success in war.  In fact a lot of our trophies and medals use this powerful symbol of success.

Laurel Wreath Design Award

Everyone loves a fun fact!

What is the most prestigious award in the world? - The Nobel Prize

Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin.

© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin. 

The Nobel Prize is a set of prestigious international awards granted annually to individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics. The prize was established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, who invented dynamite and made a fortune from his invention.

According to Nobel's will, the prize is awarded to those who have made "the greatest benefit to mankind."  The Nobel Prizes are administered by the Nobel Foundation, which was established in 1900. Each prize consists of a medal, a diploma, and a cash award, the amount of which varies from year to year. The Nobel Prize is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the world, and its winners are recognized as the most influential and accomplished individuals in their respective fields.

Each winner is known as a 'laureate' which means 'wreathed with laurel as a mark of honour'.  Among the winners of the prize are Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Marie Curie, and Ernest Hemingway. In 2021, the Nobel Prize monetary award was worth £750,000!

Uh Oh! Don’t Panic

So your manager comes to you and says, "Hey, you know our corporate event next month, we need some awards for it. Can you sort that for me, please?" "Sure, no problem!", you say, but secretly you’re freaking out and don't know where to start. Sound familiar?  Well, we’ve got you covered!  By the end of this article you’ll know exactly what you want and where to find it.

Stressed Office Worker

Why have an award ceremony

Award ceremonies are a fantastic way to make people feel valued.

It’s your chance to show your gratitude and acknowledgement for each person's good job, and it makes people aware that good work will be rewarded.

Talent retention is also a critical factor in the success of a business. It can also boost your organisation's reputation, showing others, such as the general public and other staff members, that you're aware of outstanding accomplishments.

Business Awards Ceremony

Who is it for?

An important thing to consider is who will be receiving the award. This is particularly relevant if you are recognising a small number of individuals who have made unique contributions. What kind of persona does that person have?  Will they appreciate a ostentatious and stylish award or would they prefer something more subtle.  If the former, then a premium Crystal glass award would work well, and they look fantastic with logos engraved.   Or perhaps your recipient cares less for show and more for the environment. In which case, they may favour an eco-friendly bamboo award.

Sustainable Bamboo Awards - Eco-Friendly Business Awards

Thinking about the personality of your recipient can help you select the perfectly-tailored award and there are many options to cover all types.

What’s your spending cap?

Like with all things, you must spend within your budget, every business has one. That’s the next step to consider. As mentioned earlier, premium crystal is the most luxurious of our awards, however it also has a higher price tag. If you like the look of crystal, but want to get more for your money, budget glass awards are a great option.  They are perfect if you are ordering a bulk corporate awards set for multiple people.  We frequently get orders for over 100 budget glass awards and the most popular are the Oblivion Glass Award and the Warrior Glass award.  We have a range of awards available to suit your budget.  Give us a call if you need any help and we can work out the best option for you.

Trust your Instinct

By now you should have a good idea of the direction you want to take. However, if you’re still not quite sure, just go with your gut feeling.  Chances are you know the recipient of the award well enough to understand what they would like.  If all signs point to plaques, but deep down you think glass would work better, then do it.  Only you know your situation best, so go with your instincts.

Premium Crystal Awards for Employee Recognition

Corporate customers and Testimonials

We’ve had many businesses and organisations order our awards and trophies over the years. From SKY, Amazon, Virgin, BT, and Uber to the NHS, Princes Trust and Young Lives vs Cancer. One of our repeat customers, British Gas, left this recent 5-star review:

5 Star Review from British Gas

We’re here to help

If all else fails and you’re still not quite sure, then we are here to help and encourage you to get in touch. With over 40 years of combined experience, we feel confident in knowing what our customers are really looking for.


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