A corporate award reflects your company’s values and image. So, you don’t want to choose an award production partner that delivers low-quality products. You also would not want to choose one who is not good at delivering the trophies within the deadline.
So, how do you choose the right award production partner? You ask questions that matter. In this discussion, we will talk about a few questions that you must ask before you choose an award production partner.
Key Takeaways
- Ask the trophy manufacturer about quality management, turnaround time, and customisation options
- Ask for a prototype to inspect the quality and finish
1. Do You Have Experience in Offering Custom-designed Trophies?
Before choosing the trophy manufacturers for the award ceremony, ask the manufacturer if they offer custom-designed trophies. Custom designed trophies bring a unique charm and exhibit the vision of your company. If the manufacturer is capable of delivering trophies with a custom shape and design, it becomes more satisfying.
Imagine you want to include the brand logo in the trophy, but with a creative touch. You explain your vision and expectations to the trophy manufacturer and make sure that the manufacturer understands your expectations.
However, if the manufacturer does not offer custom-designed trophies, it’s better to look for other options. Without customization, your trophies are just another ready-made piece, with no value attached to them.
2. Can You Manufacture a Prototype Before Complete Production?
Besides asking if they deliver custom-designed trophies, ask them if they can manufacture a prototype. It will be easier for you to decide if you want to give them the bulk order for the award ceremony.
If you can get a look at the prototype of your ordered trophy, you will know what product you are getting for the money you pay. You can inspect the look, finish, and material quality after inspecting the prototype.
If you are a large multinational company based in Dubai, your trophies should speak for the class of companies you belong to. You would not want to give out trophies at the annual meet that are poorly manufactured or of low quality.
Ask the trophy manufacturers if they can show you trophies that they manufactured for other clients. It will also give an idea of their work and commitment to customer satisfaction.
3. How Do You Ensure Quality Control?
Quality control of the trophies becomes a critical thing when you order in bulk. Starting from the manufacturing stage, till the product delivery – ensuring quality control shows the professionalism of the manufacturer.
Ask whether the trophy manufacturers use sustainable materials like wood, glass, or metal to manufacture sustainable trophies, and check their quality from the start. Checking material quality through inspection after production and ensuring the final finish of the trophies are all part of their quality control measures.
Additionally, if the manufacturer uses sustainable materials to manufacture the trophies, it will look good for your brand. Make sure they are manufactured with proper quality control.
4. Do You Offer Individual Drop-shipping to Remote Award Winners?
Modern businesses hire employees from across the world to support their growth from remote locations. At the time of the annual award ceremony, they might not be present physically in the meeting. If the trophy manufacturers directly ship the trophies to the award winners, you, as an award organiser, feel less stressed.
The manufacturers might charge an extra fee for the service, but you can save time and resources by packing and individually shipping the trophies to the winners.
The service is very suitable for brands that are operating on hybrid mode or have business operations in different locations in the world. However, you should also check if the trophy manufacturers ensure that the product reaches the award winners intact.
You can include a personalised letter of excellence within the package to make it more valuable to the receiver.
5. What is Your Turnaround Time? Do You Accept Orders With Tight Deadlines?
Delays from the manufacturers’ end for trophy delivery mean a disaster. You don’t want to embarrass the senior officials of your brand by going short on trophies during the award ceremony.
Better ask the trophy manufacturer what their turnaround time is. Then calculate if they can deliver the number of trophies you want within the time. If the manufacturer is professional and understands your needs, they might agree to your demand.
At the same time, ask if they can handle orders with tight deadlines. If they can, you know who to call in case of a revised list of award winners.
Ask Questions to Avoid Confusion Later!
Better ask questions before you give the manufacturer the bulk order for trophies. Ask what their turnaround time their quality management approach is, and ask them if they can dropship to individual award winners.
Finally, make sure that you do not have any confusion in your mind when you make the deal.