"Behind every successful man, there is a woman" as the saying goes. However, has anyone given a deep thought to the fact that behind every successful man and woman there are trophies and mementos? Yes it indeed is true if one thinks practically. From time immemorial, man has known to be awarded with a trophy for his exclusive work and now it has become a tradition for him to receive an award as an appreciation for the work done by him. Also, gone are the days when women used to sulk at home and they too are not to be left far behind now. Since the past two decades, women have made rapid strides and in fact have gone ahead of their male counterparts in certain streams. There is no better way to reward such men and women who dare to achieve then by honoring them with trophies and mementos. Although, people strive to achieve primarily for fame, recognition and money but trophies and mementos are also one of the key motivating factors behind every sweat & toil that man puts into his work. Different Types Of Trophies To Lighten Up Your Spirit
These day's trophies are available in innumerable different styles, sizes and shapes as the quality of designing talent available coupled with the desired demand of the corporates are on the positive side. Trophies are made up of material such as crystal, glass, metal, acrylic, wood, fibre, resin, granite, gemstone and silver. Most trophies are made of a combination of metal and plastic parts. Generally, the cup is made up of metal, the customized trophies having symbols and figures are either made of metal or plastic. Some trophies are made using complete metal and some others are made up of plastic material. The base of the trophy is encased with gypsum and metal studs are carved into the trophies to give them strength.
Crystal trophies are truly the most elegant. They shine beautifully under light and are absolutely breath taking. Therefore, many corporations are quite keen on offering crystal trophies these days. However, crystal items are sold at high prices. The latest trend in crystal trophies is that of laser engraving. These trophies look more beautiful when they are engraved with laser. Crystal trophies are suitable for both corporate gifting as well as for promoting your product inthe minds of your customer. In Asian Countries, many manufacturers use crystalline acrylic instead of crystal. Crystalline Acrylic is the best substitute for crystal and holds it's beauty, but is less expensive and is easy to be engraved on and therefore is used extensively in the Asian market.
Carved Wooden trophies are also popular in India. These trophies have a very traditional feel to them and are not too expensive as well. Hence, they are cherished by most. Then there is a different category of Sports trophies, which are also very popular. Generally, sports trophies are coloured gold or made up of gold (depending on the importance of the event). They are symbolized with some form of miniature statue. 
The Aesthetic Brilliance Of Mementos
A memento as one knows is a way of remembrance kept by the receiver and along with trophies, they too play a crucial role. They are equally treasured like a trophy as they give fond memories. It can be given away in an event or could be given as a mark of accomplishment. It is sure to attract the receiver's mind and so should be crafted with thought and consideration. Different product categories in mementos include promotional mementos, engraved mementos and acrylic mementos. Therefore, companies do have variety to choose from for corporate gifting. They are mostly needed for dealer conferences, in-house employee conferences, new product launches, trade fairs and sales promotions.
Quality - An Important Factor
Almost every manufacturer these days provides quality assurance while producing trophies and mementos and some of them provide goods made up of recycled material and in this way are protecting our mother earth. Crystal and metal trophies are made with the most superior quality, the finishing given to those trophies is top class, and that makes them the most saleable products amongst all trophies. Mostly in metal, metal alloy and brass is seemed to be used commonly amongst trophies. Durability and sturdiness are the most important factors that are required in a trophy and hence metal alloy is the most preferred material, which improves the overall quality of the trophy. The basic quality, which seems to satisfy the customer, is it's durability, and sturdiness and last but not the least the whole look of the trophy.
Trophies should be designed in a manner that can catch the viewer's attention and create an impact on his/her mind while at the same time the client's taste and needs should also be vital parameters. Manufacturers hence need to be as innovative as possible while making trophies & mementos because corporates these days are on the look out for the most innovative, beautiful and exquisitely designed trophies for corporate gifting.
Mementos are generally made up of wood and plastic moulds or a combination of wood and brass. The ones that are made up of plastic moulds are easier to manufacture as the logos and the messages of the companies or the customers can be easily printed and pasted on them while in the case of brass or stainless steel mementos, the work is more bulky. The required figure is moulded on a dice or they are etched on metal sheets using chemical process. Mementos can be made in the form of spheres, touchstones, and custom objects.
Pricing Structure
The price of trophies start from as low as Rs.100/- to as high as Rs.40,000/- depending on the quality, design, shape, material, the logo required, moulds, labour put into it etc. Acrylic trophies are carrying a low price tag starting from approximately Rs.100/- whereas crystal trophies cost more than Rs.1000/-. The price of mementos too starts from an approximate range of Rs.100/-. The sales of trophies & mementos significantly picks up during occasions like Independence Day, Republic Day, Teacher's Day or during sporting events like The Afro Asian Games or the National Games and even on the occasion of a political meeting. The demands for these seem high throughout the year except between the period of May and June.
The Need For Trophies & Mementos For Corporate Gifting
Since the past two decades or so companies have realized the importance of professionalism, and conducting regular performance appraisals of the employees is a proof of the fact that the company is highly professional. Hence, companies regularly conduct performance appraisals of their respective employees. Therefore, companies look out for unique & creative trophies and mementos so that they can honor or appraise their employees in a befitting method. This encourages and motivates the employees to do good work. He/she therefore puts in that much more hard work and the company in turn are the beneficiaries as their sales charts are boosted. Therefore, companies should be aware of the fact that a trophy presented can be directly proportional to increase in their sales. Corporates from various sectors such as oil, finance, insurance, travel, entertainment, education industries as well as advertising agencies, pharmaceutical companies and event management companies are demanding trophies and mementos. 
Customization - The way to go for Effective Promotions & Employee Satisfaction
Trophies & Mementos can also be customized or personalized and the company's logo or even images can beprinted over them. Employees in this case then tend to preserve it even more. It helps in multiplying loyalty. The company by gifting or honoring their employees with trophies or mementos is also indirectly promoting itself, as people who see the logo on the trophy or the memento are then aware about the company. Customization, in this way is indeed a vital tool for effective promotion & employee satisfaction. Mementos can also be presented to felicitate any chief guest or a judge at any event. In this way, he/she feels valued and that then strengthens the company's association with that particular chief guest or judge and creates a long lasting good impression in his/her mind about the company.
Survival Of The Fittest
Since, there is an ever-growing demand for trophies & mementos, the number of manufacturers and suppliers have also increased by the day and they are competing with each other to provide the best of the quality to the various companies who place orders. There are more than a hundred companies, which are into manufacturing, supplying, exporting and importing trophies and mementos. Majority of the companies are located in the North in New Delhi and in nearby cities of Agra and Patna as well as in the South in Bangalore and Chennai. Manufacturers generally import machinery like laser engraving and metal casting machines for making trophies from Taiwan, China and Italy. The major international brands of trophies are Prism from USA and Mario Cioni & Agarthi from Italy. These brands come with very expensive price tags.
In addition, the Chinese market has introduced products which are very resonably priced and hence customers are attracted towards their products but at the same time the quality of the trophies of some Chinese manufacturers & suppliers is not upto the mark and that is where the European market excels. Moreover, some Chinese manufacturers & suppliers also fails when it comes to customization, the Europeans are experts in customization, but then it becomes a costly affair altogether. This is where the local manufacturers and suppliers come into picture as they can make customized products suiting different budgets. But the market has become very competitive and one needs to be on his heels for survival and on top of it to add to the misery of the Indian manufacturers, government's introduction of 12.5% VAT (Value Added Tax) proves to be a further blow to their sales. With the advent of VAT the prices seem to be increasing which is lowering the demand further and genuine manufacturers and suppliers who were already working on thinner profit margins are forced to further reduce their margins.
All these reasons are making it very difficult for the Indian manufacturers to survive and sustain in the market. Hence, the future is not looking too bright for the Indian manufacturers of trophies & mementos.
Under these trying circumstances, only tool these manufacturers have is to be well organised is what is felt by Mr.Prashant Kalbag of Creative Awards & Rewards Pvt.Ltd., a renowned company manufacturing and importing trophies and mementos. As per him, they have a much-organized setup and a vast collection of trophies and mementos as they have to cater to the huge demands of Indian corporates, Educational Institutions, Entertainment industry etc. Apart from that, they also customize as per the client's preference and specifications.
The market though seems to be in the cloud of doom, with proper organization and innovation as its basic tool can be grown once more as no matter, how long the list of corporate gifts extends, trophies & mementos will always remain a priority for the corporate sector as it facilitates strengthening of relationships, effective promotion and employee satisfaction all resulting into overall benefit for the company.
