Corporate Recognition Awards That Inspire Your Team
Why Recognition Matters More Than Ever
In today’s workplace, motivation isn’t driven by ping-pong tables, unlimited snacks, or even salary alone. What employees want most is to feel seen. And right now, that need is more urgent than ever.
Recent Gallup research shows that 51% of employees are actively watching for a new job, and 42% of those who left in the past year say their employer could have done more to keep them. Among the younger generations shaping the modern workforce, the desire for meaningful recognition is even stronger: employees born after 1989 are 72% more likely to want recognition at least a few times a month.
Recognition, when done well, becomes a stabilizing force in the midst of burnout, uncertainty, and high turnover intent. It reinforces belonging. It builds trust. It shapes morale.
And when recognition is expressed through a physical award designed with intention and artistry, that moment becomes unforgettable — a milestone that lives on a desk or shelf for years, quietly reaffirming value, pride, and identity.
At Bennett Awards, we’ve spent over 50 years helping organizations turn meaningful moments into lasting symbols. From whimsical gold Yetis to solemn bronze plaques acknowledging landmark victories, we’ve seen firsthand how recognition can transform performance, culture, and connection.
The Power of Recognition in Building Strong Teams
Recognition isn’t decorative. It’s strategic.
Teams outperform when they feel valued, appreciated, and connected to a larger mission. Studies show that employees who receive consistent recognition are 4× more likely to be engaged and report higher levels of wellbeing, loyalty, and discretionary effort. Recognition also elevates team cohesion, strengthening the social bonds that help groups achieve shared goals.
This cultural impact comes to life most powerfully through stories.
Curative’s Golden Yeti: A Symbol of Resilience
When Curative, a division of Doximity, sought a recognition piece for their healthcare staffing team, they wanted something that embodied humor, grit, and identity. They selected the Yeti — a symbol of resilience in demanding clinical environments. We sculpted a 9-inch, gold-finished Yeti with a confident stance and museum-worthy presence.
When employees received their Yetis, something shifted: curiosity sparked. Conversations opened. Pride bloomed. The sculptures became daily reminders of perseverance and culture — working as brand ambassadors on desks across the country.
Fritz & Bianculli’s Bronze Plaques: Honoring a Landmark Victory
Following a $20.6 million settlement for a young factory worker, the law firm Fritz & Bianculli asked us to create awards that captured the gravity of the moment. We designed custom bronze plaques with smooth, polished faces contrasted against rough, unfinished edges — symbolizing both triumph and the difficult path to get there.
These awards now serve as permanent tokens of gratitude for the legal team, strengthening unity and honoring the emotional weight behind the work.
Stories like these demonstrate a deeper truth:
Recognition is not simply about rewarding achievement — it’s about reinforcing identity, purpose, and shared meaning.
When organizations celebrate excellence with intention, teams rise to meet the story they’re part of.
What Makes a Great Corporate Recognition Award
A great corporate award is more than a trophy. It’s a piece of functional art — a symbol that encapsulates values, brand identity, and emotional resonance.
The most effective awards share three attributes:
1. Craftsmanship That Communicates Value
Employees instantly understand the importance of an achievement through the quality of the object that represents it. Weight, material, finish — these are the silent storytellers.
Bennett Awards draws on a sculpture studio heritage, working across:
With capabilities including 5-axis milling, hybrid digital-handcrafted workflows, and photorealistic renders, we create awards that feel substantial, elevated, and built to last.
2. Personalization & Symbolism
The most memorable awards reflect something essential about the company: its mission, culture, or product.
Instead of generic trophies, our clients often choose:
Sculptures of mascots or brand symbols
Material references (e.g., steel for construction, bronze for heritage)
Awards shaped around a logo or statement icon
Color-coded tiers to represent performance levels
This symbolic alignment turns recognition into storytelling.
3. Strategic Fit Within the Brand
Recognition is increasingly part of integrated branding strategy.
Custom awards become:
Permanent brand touchpoints
Cultural artifacts
Conversation starters
Reinforcements of values and identity
A well-designed award carries the company forward long after the applause fades.
Award Ideas for Inspiring Employee Performance
Corporate awards are most powerful when they’re thoughtfully aligned to the behaviors and achievements an organization wants to cultivate. Here are the categories companies use most often, along with real Bennett examples that bring them to life.
Performance-Based Awards
Celebrate employees who exceed measurable goals.
Top Performer
Sales Achievement
High Achiever
Project Excellence
Example: Nucor’s I-Beam Awards
For one of the world’s most respected steel companies, we created powder-coated aluminum I-beam awards, each color-coded and sized according to achievement level. With precision-machined details and engraved personalization, they symbolize strength, productivity, and progress.
Service & Tenure Awards
Acknowledge loyalty and long-term contribution.
Years of Service
Continuous Service
Retirement Awards
Culture & Values Awards
Recognize employees who embody what the company stands for.
Leadership
Integrity
Customer Excellence
Diversity & Inclusion Champion
Innovation & Creativity Awards
Designed for bold thinkers and problem solvers.
Innovation Award
Product Breakthrough
Continuous Improvement
Example: Ferrara’s Golden Gummy Bears
To honor their Black Forest Gummy Bear team, Ferrara commissioned 6-inch gold bear sculptures 3D-printed in ballistic nylon and mounted on black marble. Each award name — “Leadership Bear,” “Positivity Bear” — made recognition feel personal, fun, and motivating.
Team & Project Awards
Reinforce collaboration, milestone completion, and shared success.
Project Completion
Department of the Year
Cross-Functional Achievement
Wellness & Safety Awards
Support environments of care and responsibility.
Wellness Champions
Quality Awards
Fun or Morale Awards
Boost morale and build camaraderie through playful recognition. Examples include peer-nominated awards or culture-themed trophies — often internal favorites.
The takeaway?
When awards align with strategy, they shape performance, belonging, and engagement at scale.
How Recognition Reinforces Company Culture
Recognition doesn’t just reward individuals — it strengthens the entire cultural ecosystem.
Gallup and Workhuman’s two-year longitudinal study shows that employees who receive high-quality recognition are 45% less likely to leave their jobs, and significantly more likely to feel connected to their teams.
Custom awards become cultural anchors because they are:
1. Tangible Symbols of Organizational Identity
Whether it’s Intel’s iconic Bunny Suit Awards or Kaiser Permanente’s whimsical Mr. Pill sculptures, custom pieces embody a company’s mission, humor, or heritage.
2. Daily Reminders of Belonging
A physical award in someone’s workspace communicates: “You matter here.”
That reinforcement accumulates over time, nurturing loyalty and engagement.
3. Ceremonial Moments That Build Social Bonds
Award ceremonies aren’t trivial — they are cultural storytelling rituals.
Leaders model what excellence looks like.
Teams celebrate shared values.
Employees witness recognition in real time, strengthening alignment and trust.
Bennett Awards’ Role in Culture Building
Our design process is highly consultative — uncovering symbolism, selecting materials that reinforce values, and shaping awards to reflect culture visually and emotionally.
From playful mascots to architectural forms and heritage metals, we create recognition pieces that companies integrate into the heart of their identity.
Create an Award That Inspires Your Team
A meaningful moment deserves a meaningful symbol.
If you’re ready to strengthen culture, inspire your team, and celebrate achievement with a piece worthy of the moment, Bennett Awards is here to help.
Explore our Custom Awards & Trophies to see what’s possible — or partner with our design team to create something entirely your own.
Recognize achievement with awards that reflect your company’s values.
Recognize excellence with Bennett.