In the grand scheme of business affairs, lanyards may seem insignificant. And let’s face it: we often slip these functional accessories over our necks without so much as a second thought. Nevertheless, these tools—which are customiseable to your business requirements, by the way—average three feet (or roughly 91.5cm) in length and still manage to keep your security essentials close to your chest (literally). Such essentials—typically keys or ID badges—are secured via an attachment (be it a clip, hook, or loop). Thanks to their wearable nature, lanyards are nifty hands-free accessories that are not easily lost. Read on to learn three reasons why you need lanyards in your workplace.
Identification
One of the most common uses for lanyards is displaying identification cards. Whether you’re an employee, CEO, or visitor at an organisation, lanyards are an easy way to display identification information—without damaging clothing, as is the way with pins and clips. The degree of identification displayed is in your (or the organisation’s) hands. You can provide your name, photo, and organisation, or just indicate that you’re a guest. Whatever you’re displaying, it will provide easily accessible context to business liaisons both internal and external. It’s especially handy if you’re representing your business at a public event.
Security
With identification cards comes implied security. Having your name, photo, and/or organisation displayed on a lanyard legitimises your involvement with an organisation. This is similar to wearing a lanyard to display a guest pass. Sure, a guest may not be part of the organisation, but a ‘guest’ lanyard immediately tells us that they are an approved visitor. Lanyards are hard to miss and, at a glance, they allow us to distinguish between welcomed guests and intruders.
In an office environment, lanyards can also carry RFID cards used for restricted area access, or that activate printers, scanners, or other electronic devices. The lanyard is ideal for not only keeping these secure items in one place, but also for protecting them from the elements.
Business image
If your business often liaises with third parties or external clients, customised lanyards are a great way to instill professionalism as well as brand visibility. Similar to a custom business signature at the bottom of an email, custom lanyards legitimise your business image to external patrons. This is of particular benefit if your business regularly appears at public events. A promotional lanyard is like a wearable label, and it will allow third parties to easily identify your business.
If you’re opting for customised lanyards, you will need to start with some smart business decisions. For example, which provider will you select, and will they be able to do justice to your design? Choose your business colours, consider sending an accompanying sketch of your design, and choose your materials wisely. Do you want your lanyards to be the default three-foot size, or do you want to change up the lengths? If your staff are factory workers, for instance, you may want to shorten the lengths in the name of safety. Moreover, which material will you go with? Nylon and polyester are the most popular options. Cotton, although heavier on the budget, can also be a worthwhile choice if you want a natural and more environmentally friendly choice.
Lanyard it up
Lanyards double as promotional business material as well as security solutions in fact most businesses in Australia uses Lanyards for their employees. They are professional, convenient, and they typically aren’t expensive. (Even if they are, you can think of them as a worthwhile investment in your business image.) To summarise, they are large, wearable keyrings that keep your small, secure items at bay—and, due to their wearable nature, they are often difficult to lose. When making a purchase, remember to make considerations of design, purpose, and cost-effectiveness. Sometimes, the difference between a tacky and a professional lanyard is in the customisation.