I find it a bit bewildering that every company on earth hasn’t figured out this amazingly simple and low tech sales tool. It’s especially useful for business owners and salespeople. Since you may not have considered this, I am here to share it with you.
Surprise! Like I said, it’s simple and low-tech, but extremely powerful.
Where’s Your Badge?
When salespeople or other team members are out visiting customers or networking they should be your brand ambassadors. They should be a walking advertisement for your company. You want them to display your brand proudly and be immediately identified as part of your team. The simplest, most cost-effective way to do this is to design an attractive magnetic name badge with the company logo and the employee’s name, and make sure everyone wears them.
I wear mine when I am networking or visiting clients. I also wear mine at a tradeshow or conference. I even wear it when they give you a lanyard with your credentials because I don’t want people looking at my belly button to learn my name. I find people always comment on how much they appreciate that I wear a name badge in these situations. They say things like, “I wish I had thought of that.”
No really…I’m serious! A name badge may be small, but it makes a huge impact! Wearing a name badge makes it easy for everyone to identify you, get to know you and remember your name. When networking you can avoid those stick on name tags that fall off and ruin your clothes. No one can ever read the name scribbled on them anyways. People who would like to meet you can approach you with ease. When you approach others, the name badge announces you and your company. For salespeople, this should be a no-brainer. Of course there will be situations of events where wearing a name badge would be awkward, so don’t wear it then.
[Tweet “Wearing a name badge makes it easy for everyone to identify you, get to know you and remember your name.”]
Some people make great shirts for their team members with the logo on one side and the name on the other. 
Don’t scrimp, make them nice with heavy duty magnets. Design them so they are a good size, so the company logo is proudly displayed and the person’s name can be read from 2 feet away. Then, go hog wild and buy everyone at least two badges so they can keep one in their office and one in their car and always have one handy.
I typically recommend wearing the name badge on the right side, just below the shoulder. This helps lead the person’s eyes directly to it when shaking hands. Some of you will disagree, and that’s okay, because either side works.
So get your name badges and start wearing them. You can order them locally at any custom promotions shop, or online, but I encourage you to buy local. The cost will be minimal compared to the impact. If budget is a concern, give employees the first two badges. If they lose them, you can charge them for the next one.
Proud employees will want to wear their name badge everywhere. And, what does it tell you if they don’t???
[Tweet “Proud employees will want to wear their name badge everywhere. “]
Tell me which easy cost-effective sales tools you are using in your company by leaving a comment below or tweeting me @AliceHeiman.
Alice is nationally known for her expertise in elevating sales to increase valuation for companies with a B2B complex sale that have exceptional growth potential. She’s originally, from the widely known Miller Heiman Group. Spending her time strategizing with CEOs and their leadership teams to build the strategies that find new business and grow existing accounts is her passion. Her clients love her spirit and the way she energizes their sales organization.
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