Q: With the soaring "necessity" of Blackberrys, PDAs, cell phones and e-mail, do we need business cards anymore? Have the traditional paper business cards become obsolete, and e-business cards become the wave of the future? Instead of taking someone's business card, we can just quickly input their professional information into one of our many handy-dandy electronic devices we carry in our pocket or briefcase.
A: While Blackberrys and any form of electronic communication may be technologically efficient at the moment, I strongly maintain that traditional paper business cards are an essential, integral part of the business world.
The business card is not just a piece of paper with contact information. In Japanese, business card, or "makke," literally translated means "my face," and represents one's "life." The business card you receive from someone speaks volumes about them and the firm they represent. When you don't initiate an exchange of business cards, consider it a missed opportunity to learn about the other person and their business.
When you are handed your next business card, think of it as containing valuable information that is impossible to obtain if you simply inputted information into a Blackberry, for example.
When picking out business cards, consider the following:
* Choose quality business card paper stock - as close to 100 percent cotton is recommended.
* Consider engraving your business cards, which speaks to the importance you place on attention to detail and quality.
* Be sure your name is prominent and not overwhelmed by other information, such as your myriad of telephone numbers and various e-mail addresses.
* Be certain the color of your card reflects your professional brand. White is most professional; ecru is rich and elegant. Bright colors and pastels should be avoided if striving for a professional look, unless your business is one that uses color, such as an artist or designer or involves children when liberal use of color and graphics would be appropriate.
* Ensure the font you choose is consistent with your business and image as well. For example, a serious financial firm probably wouldn't want to use a flowery, dainty script, but a bold, confident Arial or Times New Roman font instead. Business cards should reflect the image you strive to convey.
A: While Blackberrys and any form of electronic communication may be technologically efficient at the moment, I strongly maintain that traditional paper business cards are an essential, integral part of the business world.
The business card is not just a piece of paper with contact information. In Japanese, business card, or "makke," literally translated means "my face," and represents one's "life." The business card you receive from someone speaks volumes about them and the firm they represent. When you don't initiate an exchange of business cards, consider it a missed opportunity to learn about the other person and their business.
When you are handed your next business card, think of it as containing valuable information that is impossible to obtain if you simply inputted information into a Blackberry, for example.
When picking out business cards, consider the following:
* Choose quality business card paper stock - as close to 100 percent cotton is recommended.
* Consider engraving your business cards, which speaks to the importance you place on attention to detail and quality.
* Be sure your name is prominent and not overwhelmed by other information, such as your myriad of telephone numbers and various e-mail addresses.
* Be certain the color of your card reflects your professional brand. White is most professional; ecru is rich and elegant. Bright colors and pastels should be avoided if striving for a professional look, unless your business is one that uses color, such as an artist or designer or involves children when liberal use of color and graphics would be appropriate.
* Ensure the font you choose is consistent with your business and image as well. For example, a serious financial firm probably wouldn't want to use a flowery, dainty script, but a bold, confident Arial or Times New Roman font instead. Business cards should reflect the image you strive to convey.
* Some firms use business cards to convey an employee's rank or status by superimposing symbols, such as silver or gold, on them.
* Strongly reconsider laminating your business cards. It's tacky.
* Avoid odd-size business cards in the hopes of "standing out." They won't fit into standard business card systems and may well end up getting folded, bent or mutilated.
* Invest in a quality business card case. The vinyl cases most business cards come with should be tossed.
* Resist the urge to keep business cards in your wallet, where they tend to get bent. At networking events, carry them in front pockets for optimum accessibility and ease in exchanging.
Our Japanese friends suggest an almost ritualistic way to present and receive business cards. Present the printed side up with both hands, a thumb and forefinger carefully holding each top corner. Respectfully hand the card forward, almost with a bow-like gesture, as a show of respect. This is the most formal way to present a business card. Should you see the card coming in this manner, know to receive it in kind, with your thumb and forefinger on each bottom corner. A more casual way to present and receive a business card is with the thumb and forefinger on only one corner of the card. Either way, be careful not to conceal information on the front of the card.
When presented with a business card, acknowledge it by pausing to study it. Take the opportunity to feel the quality of the card, the paper stock and the engraving as well as the individual's name, title and rank or status symbol. Use eye contact, facial expressions or a gesture to signal you are impressed. Then, place the card someplace respectful, such as your inner breast pocket or in your folio. This has two direct benefits - it shows respect and helps you remember the person's name, which is usually a challenge for many people. Don't simply stuff a business card into your wallet or randomly drop it loosely into your briefcase or purse.
Although this almost ritualistic process originates from our Japanese friends, we are global. And, execution of business card exchange in this fashion is respected and well-received almost universally. It gives the impression that you made the effort to learn and practice proper business skills, and are someone worth doing business with.
Remember, our goal when meeting someone is to build trust and to grow the relationship. This is virtually impossible to accomplish while focusing on inputting personal data into an impersonal, inanimate object. Embrace business card exchange as an opportunity to establish a personal connection, learn valuable information and make a powerful, positive professional statement about yourself and your business of firm.
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Judy Bowman is the president of Protocol Consultants International, providing etiquette training to corporate executives. Etiquette questions may be submitted to Everyday Etiquette, c/o Essex County Newspapers, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915.
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