You and your new contact are usually one meaningful conversation away from remembering each other for life.
Many young people view the business card as a relic from the past and unnecessary. Others know the value of cards but forget to carry them. Before going out, reload your wallet with as many as you can fit. Business cards are an extension of you and your business.
Consider the graphics. Logo creation is critical. That subject could be a separate article. We like to advise our SCORE startup business owners that their logo should reflect a solid and stable business. Whimsical and creative art works, if that’s the impression you intend to deliver. Don’t carry old or incorrect cards – stopping to scratch in your new email address is not good. Cards and their creation are very affordable. Buy new ones when things change.
Actively exchange cards at all meetings and public events. When back at your office, take the time to input them into your computer, more specifically, your CRM (Customer Relation Management) software. By doing this, the new contact information is further planted in your brain. When reviewing a newly acquired card at your office, you’ll probably remember action items you committed to while in putting them in your computer.
People move and their contact information changes. Cards keep you on track. Of course, one can get contact info off a signature page in an email, but will you remember to do so? Probably not. At the very least, reviewing a business card allows you to really know if you are spelling their name correctly!
Offer your card early in any professional conversation and request one back (even if the person has to walk back to their desk or car for one). It’s alarming how many people go to public business events without cards. Do they think they’ll not meet new contacts?
Much can be learned with the manner in which businesspeople in Asia handle cards. Not so much their very respectful formality of handing it to the recipient with both hands with thumbs up and head down respectfully, as that might look contrived depending on the circumstances. I am simply referring to the idea of respecting the business card as an important personal item.
When in a group, arranging multiple cards of the people across the table from you in the order they’re sitting is practical. Then look at them while conversing – in such a way so as to commit to memory who is who in the room. They’ll notice and that’s a good thing. Memorize their titles – they’ve worked hard to achieve that rank. Think about their names and where you might know them from in a previous job. I am surprised at how many young people don’t recall who they’ve met.
You and your new contact are usually one meaningful conversation away from remembering each other for life. It’s all about networking. One of the secrets of success is having a wide and deep network of contacts. This requires knowing to whom you are speaking! Business cards help this process. QCBN
By Logan Enright
Logan Enright is the chapter chair and a Certified Mentor of SCORE Northern Arizona.
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