We are constantly studying how much of our market is going online to search for certificate frames. Marketing strategy with key words on Google, recommendations and posts on blogs continue to increase our exposure. 2009 will launch our new 2.0 version of our website with customer feedback and new media, such as video demos. Strong data points to the young executive in buying positions who’s buying habits always include a web search. This is the future of corporate buying. We will have our niche carved out and customers will keep coming back when they discover that our cost-saving certificate frames work for them and are stylish and easy to use.
We are aiming at Gen X and Gen Y with green eco-friendly certificate frame lines in the works. I will be attending the local AIGA sustainability conference in a few weeks to further connect us with local vendors. 2009 promises to be a year of focus, reaching out to new customers and offering new selections to our long-standing customers. Shopping Fusion Frames, you are getting the best price, straight from the manufacturer. Let us prove to you our quick ship, customer service and great products will be a welcome addition to any employee recognition program.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
We Will Miss You Rick
We mourn the passing of Rick Kinney, cofounder of and former partner in Berkeley Tandem, Inc. and resource partner for Fusion Frames. Rick died November 5th after a 3 year fight with cancer. He leaves his wonderful wife Sherrie and two step sons. He was the brainchild of the shadowbox certificate construction that started Berkeley Tandem in 1995, and it is that signature construction we continue to incorporate into our products today. He was a great friend and wonderful mentor. We will remember his salesmanship, his ability to be out of the box on product design and his tenacity that kept him trying to find new ways to sell recognition frames. We'll miss you Rick.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day Theme for 2008 is Poverty.
Why would a business blog about certificate frames touch on poverty? To quote, “Bloggers are free to interpret this as they see fit. We invite bloggers to examine poverty from their own blog topics and perspectives, to look at it from the macro and micro, as a global condition and a local issue, and to bring their own ideas, views and opinions on the subject.”
Part of our business model at Fusion Frames is to discover, refine and utilize the internet as not only as a selling tool but, as a way to broaden conversations. Meaningful conversation, just like meaningful recognition can be engaging and influential. So why not blog about poverty and raise awareness? To say poverty does not touch Middle America or Fusion Frames’ employees is to turn a blind eye.
Fusion Frames is a typical specialty product company with a focus on direct selling and wholesale, business-to-business. Our retail space is the web. Our physical space is a warehouse where we store and assemble orders. Many of our employees are part-time flex, working “piece rate”. To further explain, you are paid by how many pieces you build, not how many hours you work. Piece rate potential can earn you up to $18 an hour, which is a good wage for assembly in Middle TN. For the typical part-time assembly worker at our company, flexibility is the key for them to be able to work. We find offering flex time lowers stress and builds appreciation.
Many part-time assembly workers in America are women with children. Childcare is where we see the most hardship. And it is the primary need for flexibility in hours. Other hardships include large healthcare expenses and car maintenance. The reality of poverty is that it takes every dollar you make to live. One major illness, one car accident, one large bill is not a possible to absorb in a household budget that lives month-to-month. Debt management is the long-term reality, precluding even a raise to offer debt relief.
I see debt management as a form of servitude. Being a servant to your debt creates a condition in which one lacks liberty especially to determine one's course of action or way of life. Until we change the culture of debt management and consumption in the world to a culture of resource management and conservation, this cycle of being stuck in poverty will continue to spread.
http://site.blogactionday.org/about/2008-poverty/
Part of our business model at Fusion Frames is to discover, refine and utilize the internet as not only as a selling tool but, as a way to broaden conversations. Meaningful conversation, just like meaningful recognition can be engaging and influential. So why not blog about poverty and raise awareness? To say poverty does not touch Middle America or Fusion Frames’ employees is to turn a blind eye.
Fusion Frames is a typical specialty product company with a focus on direct selling and wholesale, business-to-business. Our retail space is the web. Our physical space is a warehouse where we store and assemble orders. Many of our employees are part-time flex, working “piece rate”. To further explain, you are paid by how many pieces you build, not how many hours you work. Piece rate potential can earn you up to $18 an hour, which is a good wage for assembly in Middle TN. For the typical part-time assembly worker at our company, flexibility is the key for them to be able to work. We find offering flex time lowers stress and builds appreciation.
Many part-time assembly workers in America are women with children. Childcare is where we see the most hardship. And it is the primary need for flexibility in hours. Other hardships include large healthcare expenses and car maintenance. The reality of poverty is that it takes every dollar you make to live. One major illness, one car accident, one large bill is not a possible to absorb in a household budget that lives month-to-month. Debt management is the long-term reality, precluding even a raise to offer debt relief.
I see debt management as a form of servitude. Being a servant to your debt creates a condition in which one lacks liberty especially to determine one's course of action or way of life. Until we change the culture of debt management and consumption in the world to a culture of resource management and conservation, this cycle of being stuck in poverty will continue to spread.
http://site.blogactionday.org/about/2008-poverty/
Monday, October 06, 2008
The Sky is Not Falling
Opportunity is ripe in down economic times. Product options abound for employee and donor recognition choices over the net. As budgets tighten we are certainly seeing a move toward our lower priced product. But, recognition is even more important now in order to boost morale and say thanks for a job well done, show confidence in your workforce and display company financial health. The little things still matter.
We will all weather this economic climate. Fusion Frames feels the ecommerce side of our business is a great example of how global and national economies are strongly linked. The internet does not build a brick and mortar industry in a community, but spreads that wealth out in a ripple effect world wide. Everyone will adjust to this new economy. We are far too resourceful not to come out ahead again.
What is Fusion Frames working on? I hope you will see a re-vamp of product lines. Maybe even a bargain basement category to move inventory that we have in small quantities, allowing you to take advantage of great prices. We feel offering great value will be important in the months to come.
Here at Fusion Frames we are constantly using technology to re-invent ourselves with the goal to best serve the national and international business community with our unique award products, certificate frames and customer service. The sky is not falling. Though my 401K is.
We will all weather this economic climate. Fusion Frames feels the ecommerce side of our business is a great example of how global and national economies are strongly linked. The internet does not build a brick and mortar industry in a community, but spreads that wealth out in a ripple effect world wide. Everyone will adjust to this new economy. We are far too resourceful not to come out ahead again.
What is Fusion Frames working on? I hope you will see a re-vamp of product lines. Maybe even a bargain basement category to move inventory that we have in small quantities, allowing you to take advantage of great prices. We feel offering great value will be important in the months to come.
Here at Fusion Frames we are constantly using technology to re-invent ourselves with the goal to best serve the national and international business community with our unique award products, certificate frames and customer service. The sky is not falling. Though my 401K is.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
The Biggest Motivation-Killer
An Entrepreneur.com article explains THE motivation-killer in the workplace. Employee cynicism is the answer and the article does a good job suggesting how to shake it. One of the ways mentioned is to recognize an employee’s cause they believe in, either in or out of the workplace.
Employees are spending 1000’s of hours of their own time volunteering for causes that mean something to them. And how can recognition of that volunteerism give way to less cynicism in the workplace? We see this trend in our business through the “volunteerism phenomenon”. And, most commonly, matching donor funds are the way companies help employees give back to the community
What are other ways to draw attention to good deeds accomplished by employees? Our case study/example uses Asurion’s model for praising employee’s volunteerism. They use our certificate frames for their “Employee Wall of Fame” that recognizes employees that are volunteering in the community.
The model comes full circle when your business asks your employees how their volunteerism can directly affect your customer? How could your employees improve your customer’s lives in some way? Then the synergy comes full circle, not only affecting morale, but affecting sales as well by building relationships with customers and your employees.
See the full article.
Employees are spending 1000’s of hours of their own time volunteering for causes that mean something to them. And how can recognition of that volunteerism give way to less cynicism in the workplace? We see this trend in our business through the “volunteerism phenomenon”. And, most commonly, matching donor funds are the way companies help employees give back to the community
What are other ways to draw attention to good deeds accomplished by employees? Our case study/example uses Asurion’s model for praising employee’s volunteerism. They use our certificate frames for their “Employee Wall of Fame” that recognizes employees that are volunteering in the community.
The model comes full circle when your business asks your employees how their volunteerism can directly affect your customer? How could your employees improve your customer’s lives in some way? Then the synergy comes full circle, not only affecting morale, but affecting sales as well by building relationships with customers and your employees.
See the full article.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Recognition in the “Chaordic Age”
How can “Chaordic” relate to recognition and certificate frames? I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this book (written in 2000) and the buzzword “Chaordic” which can be briefly described as the chaos of competition and the order of cooperation coexisting though meaningful connections.
“A chaordic organization is formed by attending to six elements in the proper order: Purpose, Principles, People, Concept, Structure and Practice.” – Dee Hock Birth of the Chaordic Age
Note “purpose” is first. Everyone wants purpose. High business success correlates one-to-one with the genuine purpose of the product you sell or the service you offer. Recognition with empty, generic, purpose lacks the fundamental congruence to connect with employees to make them feel really appreciated.
So then how can we apply the chaordic to recognition directly as a methodology for new recognition products or a recognition program structure? In its MOST simple form I see the Six Chaordic Elements as the guide. The PURPOSE of recognition is to honor, and promote good work resulting in motivation to do more good work. PRINCIPLES honor competition to earn recognition. It is all about PEOPLE and recognition is personal. Rather than giving something generic, make it personal in CONCEPT, creating a memento that allows reflection on that specific moment of good. Concept brings specific content to that recognition product that creates connection. STRUCTURE guides us to define real goals for recognition. PRACTICE represents the follow-through to consistently monitor and present recognition for those goals or good deeds in a timely manner.
Congruence between all six elements applied to recognition takes an award or thank you to the next level, forming connections. A Fusion Frames case study describes a great example of this congruence in action. Poster size certificate frames created for the American Red Cross to recognize 2007 corporate donors for the California Wild Fires used actual photos from the disaster, creating a connection between the donor and recipient. The use of corporate logos on the posters also connected and marketed the corporate philanthropy, all within the recognition structure of Red Cross recognition levels. The concept and practice was applied all the way down to a simple paper certificate of thanks, achieving a real connection to the generosity provided from the largest corporate donor to the single volunteer.
Real, meaningful recognition is the hallmark of a successful recognition program. Meaning through chaordic methods can be the calling for all employees to feel good about success and all volunteers and donors to feel good about giving.
ADDENDUM: I cannot say that this blog post does justice to the complexities of Hock’s book. It is meant to be a brief glimpse of practice and food for thought in our little recognition niche.
“A chaordic organization is formed by attending to six elements in the proper order: Purpose, Principles, People, Concept, Structure and Practice.” – Dee Hock Birth of the Chaordic Age
Note “purpose” is first. Everyone wants purpose. High business success correlates one-to-one with the genuine purpose of the product you sell or the service you offer. Recognition with empty, generic, purpose lacks the fundamental congruence to connect with employees to make them feel really appreciated.
So then how can we apply the chaordic to recognition directly as a methodology for new recognition products or a recognition program structure? In its MOST simple form I see the Six Chaordic Elements as the guide. The PURPOSE of recognition is to honor, and promote good work resulting in motivation to do more good work. PRINCIPLES honor competition to earn recognition. It is all about PEOPLE and recognition is personal. Rather than giving something generic, make it personal in CONCEPT, creating a memento that allows reflection on that specific moment of good. Concept brings specific content to that recognition product that creates connection. STRUCTURE guides us to define real goals for recognition. PRACTICE represents the follow-through to consistently monitor and present recognition for those goals or good deeds in a timely manner.
Congruence between all six elements applied to recognition takes an award or thank you to the next level, forming connections. A Fusion Frames case study describes a great example of this congruence in action. Poster size certificate frames created for the American Red Cross to recognize 2007 corporate donors for the California Wild Fires used actual photos from the disaster, creating a connection between the donor and recipient. The use of corporate logos on the posters also connected and marketed the corporate philanthropy, all within the recognition structure of Red Cross recognition levels. The concept and practice was applied all the way down to a simple paper certificate of thanks, achieving a real connection to the generosity provided from the largest corporate donor to the single volunteer.
Real, meaningful recognition is the hallmark of a successful recognition program. Meaning through chaordic methods can be the calling for all employees to feel good about success and all volunteers and donors to feel good about giving.
ADDENDUM: I cannot say that this blog post does justice to the complexities of Hock’s book. It is meant to be a brief glimpse of practice and food for thought in our little recognition niche.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Cheaper, Better, Faster
How can you save money and extend your company’s brand while boosting morale with a certificate frame? In today’s price sensitive economy a certificate frame provides a great alternative to a plaque in your recognition program. Priced at more than half the cost of a wood plaque, Fusion Frames’ shadowboxed framed presentations coupled with the fast digital flexibility of certificate printing can open up all possibilities to graphically nail your companies brand without a lot of hassle. Non-profits and military love the graphic punch and dimensional, corporate presentation our frames give. There are few limits to artistically representing achievements with corporate marketing in mind when printing and foil stamping on the mat as well as the certificate. And our products are made in the USA, so in-time delivery with small, custom quantities are affordable. Our certificate frames are a win, win.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Trends in Employee Recognition
An April 2008 WorldatWork Survey shows recognition in the workplace still strong with certificate frames and plaques the top choice for recognition at 78%. The second choice award given is cash. The survey stats show 42% of award ordering is done online with 58% of businesses and organizations choosing the HR department to administer their award program.
Employers are using their total rewards toolkit to differentiate themselves as an employer of choice and/or solve for a variety of business challenges. The survey states that nearly nine in 10 responding organizations have employee recognition programs in place and only 7% are doing less recognition today than they were one year ago.
Source: WorldatWork via LinkedIn Connection
Employers are using their total rewards toolkit to differentiate themselves as an employer of choice and/or solve for a variety of business challenges. The survey states that nearly nine in 10 responding organizations have employee recognition programs in place and only 7% are doing less recognition today than they were one year ago.
Source: WorldatWork via LinkedIn Connection
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
We Have a New Certificate Frame Affiliate!
Marketing Assistants' site was created to provide an affordable source of materials and information that member hospices, across the U.S. and Canada, can utilize in their efforts to educate their communities and raise awareness of the hospice concept care and the invaluable services that are offered. 
Marketingassistant.org carries a complete menu of products and services designed to serve marketing/public relations and fund development departments of hospices nationwide. These services include certificate designs used to recognize donors, volunteers and nurses. These certificates are available for download on the Marketing Assistant site. Fusion Frames is honored to have Marketing Assistants' referral and we hope our certificate frames and awards provide a stylish presentation to honor all those who give of their time and talents to hospices.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Certificate Frames as Employee Recognition Solution
When was the last time you updated your Employee of the Month Plaque? Timing is key to great employee recognition. We'll give retailers immediate results with our system. Fusion Frames has a unique certificate frame award product that translates perfectly into a complete year-long employee recognition system. Our Shadow Star certificate frame is modified with a panel that allows the special certificate insert to be personalized with an employee photo or company logo. The EOM kit comes complete with replacement certificates. No more waiting on engraved plates. No more expensive plaques. Re-use the frame year after year for the best value yet. We'll supply the replacement certificates. Discounts apply if you order individual employee awards. Our certificate frame product is a great solution!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Back of the Frame Matters
As a framer of awards we have learned that the back of the frame matters almost as much as the front. Some customers have let cost conscious choices drive a simple cardboard back. But, in the end, what is not seen does matter when you are at an award ceremony. You are passing the frame like a plaque or trophy. To see a cheap brown cardboard back is not what the recipient wants to see. It is not attractive.
We are re-tooling the back presentation of our wood products to standardize our products. All backs will be flush black chip board or a professional craft paper dust cover similar to a custom framer. If a wood frame is used, the door back will need to cover the wood frame or the frame molding will need to be painted at the same quality as the front. Our molding manufacturers are game to make the change. And we are excited about adding another level of quality to our wood frames. Our metal and poly wrap frames already come with clean black flush backs. I'll be glad to see the hardwood frames have the same look and feel.
We are re-tooling the back presentation of our wood products to standardize our products. All backs will be flush black chip board or a professional craft paper dust cover similar to a custom framer. If a wood frame is used, the door back will need to cover the wood frame or the frame molding will need to be painted at the same quality as the front. Our molding manufacturers are game to make the change. And we are excited about adding another level of quality to our wood frames. Our metal and poly wrap frames already come with clean black flush backs. I'll be glad to see the hardwood frames have the same look and feel.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Is it the Frame or What Goes in the Frame?
Red Lobster pushed my design buttons at the end of the year and we created a great certificate for them. Same great ICON frame presented at a different level. Is it the frame or what goes in the frame that makes it look great? I've often wondered about how that works? I've had artwork of my own framed in a wonderful way and it seems to elevate the art to a new level when it is framed. The opposite seems true for our certificate frames. Yes, they are shadowboxed with unique foil details but, it is a simple mat and frame. Yet, place a certificate that fits a corporate purpose into the frame with a non-traditional certificate design approach and you have something that transcends a plain old certificate or plaque. SO... is it the frame or what goes in the frame that makes it work?
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Customization
Congratulate, Celebrate, Motivate and Appreciate
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- How does a business distinguish itself in new, meaningful ways with business gifts year after year? The key is customization.
The most successful gifting programs include plenty of personality and replicate the company's culture.
That's why the Business Solutions Specialists at pictureframes.com are using their unlimited framing, printing and engraving abilities to create new, custom-made presentations for creative employee recognition and corporate gifting.
"Gifts become unforgettable when designed as masterpieces," explains Jane Rhem, Business Solutions Specialist.
"We're able to design business gifts at almost any price point because printing capabilities range from photo to fine art giclee quality and framing options range from metal to fine hardwoods."
Ideas to fuel your next corporate gifting campaign:
For Employee Recognition
-- Acknowledge the creativity of employees with "Create Your Own Masterpiece" gift certificates.
-- Celebrate revolutionary developments with news articles framed in archival presentations to preserve the moment.
-- Appreciate employees every year with awards and certificates, optionally engraved with logos on the frames. When the certificate is replaced, exposure continues.
-- Commemorate events with framed group photos. Add a message engraved into the frame or mat.
For Key Customers, Clients, Donors & Partners
-- Appreciate key partners or donors by creating and framing a special limited edition with engraved plaques just for them.
-- Celebrate a new partnership by sending custom canvas art with imagery relevant to the relationship.
-- Create a commemorative poster and archive in "My Gallery" at pictureframes.com. By changing the mat and frame presentation style, the gift can be given to new clients over time.
-- Share in the giving season with a donation to their favorite charitable organization and then frame the document announcing the contribution.
The most successful gifting programs include plenty of personality and replicate the company's culture.
That's why the Business Solutions Specialists at pictureframes.com are using their unlimited framing, printing and engraving abilities to create new, custom-made presentations for creative employee recognition and corporate gifting.
"Gifts become unforgettable when designed as masterpieces," explains Jane Rhem, Business Solutions Specialist.
"We're able to design business gifts at almost any price point because printing capabilities range from photo to fine art giclee quality and framing options range from metal to fine hardwoods."
Ideas to fuel your next corporate gifting campaign:
For Employee Recognition
-- Acknowledge the creativity of employees with "Create Your Own Masterpiece" gift certificates.
-- Celebrate revolutionary developments with news articles framed in archival presentations to preserve the moment.
-- Appreciate employees every year with awards and certificates, optionally engraved with logos on the frames. When the certificate is replaced, exposure continues.
-- Commemorate events with framed group photos. Add a message engraved into the frame or mat.
For Key Customers, Clients, Donors & Partners
-- Appreciate key partners or donors by creating and framing a special limited edition with engraved plaques just for them.
-- Celebrate a new partnership by sending custom canvas art with imagery relevant to the relationship.
-- Create a commemorative poster and archive in "My Gallery" at pictureframes.com. By changing the mat and frame presentation style, the gift can be given to new clients over time.
-- Share in the giving season with a donation to their favorite charitable organization and then frame the document announcing the contribution.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Award Design & Framing Going Green?
I have been working on our environmental statement over the last few months. We are committed to change. We are recycling packaging at the warehouse, using recycled paper content in all of our mat board, using only wood frames from responsibly harvested wood sources. We do have a water cooler- not bottled water.
Maybe we can get ISO 9001 certified in 2008?
The trick is not passing on our desire to go green to our customer through increasing the cost to operate. Currently there is no way to avoid increasing the cost of materials to build products green. If the material is green in the awards or framing business, then it is custom or hard to find. The industry is slow to change. I hope we can be a leader in making that change.
Maybe we can get ISO 9001 certified in 2008?
The trick is not passing on our desire to go green to our customer through increasing the cost to operate. Currently there is no way to avoid increasing the cost of materials to build products green. If the material is green in the awards or framing business, then it is custom or hard to find. The industry is slow to change. I hope we can be a leader in making that change.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Increasing the Local Profile
We find ourselves giving more and more money to our children's schools, volunteering more and more time to committees, and donating to auctions, book sales and bake sales. When our son's elementary school lost a corporate sponsor we thought we would step up. One of the sponsor's responsibilities was to provide certificates for Honor Roll. Hellooo Fusion Frames. I took a little time to re-design the certificate and slugged our website in 6pt type along the bottom edge for free advertising. Why not? Louis says... not our market. True, one frame for a kid's honor roll certificate is not the business growth direction we need. We are not the local plaque shop. But, it is all about volunteering, giving to the school (which we'll do anyway). So why not try to get back something in return? And if not, well, we have great looking Honor Roll certificates. Before shown on top, after on bottom.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Online Marketing
The fact is: not even a 3rd of our business is from online sales. Why the buzz about online marketing? Are our customers online? That is a bigger question to answer. We spoke with an online marketing consultant last week. Chip was impressive. He knew his stuff. It really made me think about our growth directions. It is all connected. Yes, we are reaching customers by Google Adwords. I'm in agreement with Rick & Louis that we need to move into vertical markets. The pot of gold is not exclusively with Google. It is the fact of our market. Chip's background is gaming. That whole market is online. We have to diversify our marketing to reach customers. I think the website is more of a tool to hold onto customers and give them an easy way to buy our products. Here is a link of note that we should certainly pursue to achieve that goal of "website as tool." It is all about service and recognition... no matter how you approach it eh?
Case Study: COKE
Coca-Cola Company understands. They get the product. They understand our capabilities as designers and manufacturers. They understand the product's flexibility to customize graphics. It is hard for customers to visualize sometimes. But, I think this is a great case study that illustrates how on-target our products can become to reflect corporate identity and graphic standards. My hope is that you can see the photos showing the original Fusion Frame Quantum Medallion product and the modified Coke solution on this post.
BSA Product Research
William has his first Cub Scout meeting this weekend. We are proud and excited. The uniform needs work. It would not pass inspection. We hope to get tips on completing the uniform at this first meeting. The benefit: our son learning about being his personal best. The added benefit: product research. See our product line at: scoutstuff.org
Happy Birthday Joshua
Susan, our warehouse manager, had her baby Friday. Everyone is happy and healthy. Our best to her as she adjusts to her first baby. Our best to us as we adjust to her maternity leave.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Ugly Plaques
What is the attraction to ugly wood plaques? Is there some kind of mystique? Is it the cultural connotation to an award that people expect? It all seems so dated to me. The wood plaque is stuck in the 1970's.
It is our goal at Berkeley Tandem to further research and develop new ways to recognize achievement, creating alternatives to the ugly wooden plaque. I also feel a new generation of buyers are looking for new, fresh presentations. We'll keep pursuing good design and with hope the industry will follow. fusionframes.com
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