How to give out your business card without seeming like a jerk

I launched a new company in November of last year, and we still don’t have business cards. At one time that would have been heresy, but none of the executives my partners and I have met with have asked for a card.

Does that means business cards have gone extinct? No. They still exist—and they still have a role. But there are new protocols to follow, and if you slip up, you may come across as out of touch—or worse.

Before your next networking happy hour, brush up on these tips so you can avoid being that person:

1. Don’t use them to impress

It used to be that business cards were important to show your rank and title. I recall a time when the first thing I looked at when handed a card was the person’s title. I’d catch myself saying “Wow, VP.”

As organizations have flattened and titles are no longer our passport to respect, showing your card can be a bit pretentious—because doing so calls attention to things like rank. Hand your card out and suddenly you cease to be a person of interest at a networking event, and you become a title, a company person. You may be a president or a vice president, but no one will be impressed by that title unless you project those leadership qualities.

Never pass out a card to “pull rank.” It’s so much better to project stature in person, rather than to have a business card speak for you.

2. Don’t rush to give your Card out

When carrying business cards you may be tempted to foist one on someone you’ve just met. All of us have been subject to “Hi, I’m Harry, here’s my card.”

While your intentions may be honorable, that rush to give out your card can send a message that you are insecure or overly anxious to connect. If you’re at a conference or networking event and someone you’ve just met pulls out a business card the moment you two begin speaking, it will feel like you’re being sold by someone who is desperate to sell. Not a great look.

In the same vein, it’s not going to win you any points if you pull out your card too soon when you’re actually trying to sell someone a product or service. Do that, and it will appear that you’re closing on a customer too soon.

3. Choose the right situation

So when should you pull out a card and give it to a new acquaintance? When you have a reason to believe the other person needs or wants the information that’s on your card.

Suppose you’ve been chatting with a prospective client at a networking event, and you both have talked about a business opportunity. There’s a shared agreement about the need to talk further. In such cases, there is no reason to hold back on card giving. It’s the professional thing to do. Say, “Here’s my card, I look forward to the prospect of working with you and your team.”

As you give your card, ask for the other person’s business card. This suggests the beginning of a relationship and means that you have the power to follow up, rather than waiting on that person. Just because they have your card doesn’t mean they’ll take the lead in building the relationship. If it’s in your interest to close a sale or further connect, take the initiative to reach out to that individual.

4. Make sure it’s presentable

Your card represents you, so it should make a good impression. Keep it in a card holder, so when you pull it out it is not dirty or creased. You don’t want to be the person who has to say, “Sorry, this card is a bit of a mess, but it’s the last one I have and it got caught in the debris of my purse.” That’s no better an impression than wearing a shirt with a stain on it, or a rumpled dress.

5. Think about what the card says

The final step in using your business card is to look squarely at it and say to yourself, “What does this say about me?” This is your opportunity for self-reflection.

Ask yourself, “Am I proud of what this card says about me? Do I like my title? My company? The quality (or lack thereof) of the card itself?” Your business card says a lot about your identity, and a close look at it will tell you whether you are in the right job or company. Looking at it should make you proud.

Step 1 To Find a Better Career In Business

Tough times can shake people’s faith in their ability to make a career change to something better. In the midst of a sluggish economy many people are staying in unsatisfying jobs where they are unhappy and under-employed. To pull free of the wrong job fit or find a rewarding career after a job loss, it’s time to rethink your approach. Here is one important step to take to begin the process of finding a better career.
1. Discover YOU—your strengths and passions.
Often individuals who thrive consistently have high self-awareness about their strengths and passions. Many successful people including Oprah and Richard Branson, Virgin Air have said a condition for great achievement is passion. When your strengths and passions are applied in your work, your potential and enthusiasm are limitless. People who use their strengths and talents are more than three times as likely to report an overall excellent quality of life.
Once you clarify your authentic strengths and interests, you’ll be a powerful force when interviewing and striving toward your career goals. Do not look for a new job before you identify your strengths because you are likely to become underemployed and mismatched in the wrong position.
So how do you determine strengths to select a path that is right for you? Begin by brainstorming what triggers your enthusiasm and what motivates you. Sit down in a quiet place to list 20 things you like to do. Then look for patterns. Do you prefer working with data, people, things or ideas. You may discover, for example it’s more important than you realized to be physically active and your work should not be behind a desk all day. Or you want to be around busy and loud environments, which might rule out a secluded one-person office. You’ll know a particular career is right when you are curious and enthusiastic about getting started.
Get clear about yourself by answering the following questions:
- What is one skill or strength you do well that you would like to use in your work?
- Which of your previous work results are you proud of—and what were you doing?
- What tasks and topics get your heart racing?
- If you could do one thing in your professional life that would have the most positive impact, what would it be?
After completing the questions, it helps to talk through your answers with someone. Talking about yourself with a peer helps to uncover patterns and shines a brighter light on your skills and interests. It is critical not to isolate during a career move—it’s the kiss of death. Sometimes what you need most is a person who believes in you. It’s interesting that other people often can see for us what we may not see for ourselves. Other people can push us through walls that block us, sometimes just by having a new set of eyes on the problem. Often creative ideas are born during discussions with a different perspective. Many times, all it takes is an encouraging word or new idea from a friend to move forward. But a career change is not easy and next time we will cover the next step to help you handle change.

Business Etiquette For Business Cards

There are certain countries that have a set norm about receiving and giving business cards however, the general etiquettes of business card exchange that is followed all over the world can be summarized in the following points.

a)Always get your business cards printed in very high quality paper and get the designs done by professionals. A business card is not just a piece of paper carrying your contact information but it's a branding tool for your company.

b)Business cards an internationally accepted means of providing the necessary personal details to your business acquaintance. When you are going for a business meeting or a social gathering make sure you have good number of business cards with you.

c)Try to exchange your business cards either at the beginning or at the end of the meeting.

d)Whenever you receive a business card, make it a habit to study the business card and comment on it. If you have any doubts always clarify the doubt before putting it away. This shows that you are paying proper importance to the person who hands over the card to you.

e)If you are traveling to some foreign country where English is not the primary business language, it is advisable that you get the backside of your business card printed in the local language. It is also expected, that while handing over the business card to some one you keep the side with the foreign language version on top.

f)Do not try to thrust your business card at anyone with whom you are hardly acquainted. Business cards are exchanged only after both the parties express their interest to be in contact with each other.

g)It is good to add a tag line or mention the USP of your business on your business card, but make sure that in the process, you do not turn it to a mini billboard.

Other than this general etiquettes of business card exchange, there are certain etiquettes that are specific to certain countries. Two of the most remarkable instances are found in China and Japan.

In China, it is the general etiquette to hold the business card in both hands while offering it to somebody and you should never write on someone's card unless you are told to do so. It is customary in China, to mention your title in the business card and it is preferred if you have one side of the business card printed in Chinese with golden fonts as gold is considered to be an auspicious color.

In Japan, the accepted rules of business card exchange are somewhat opposite to China. Here business cards are always received in two hands but can be offered in one hand. Business cards are treated with the same respect as that of the actual person. Business cards should mention the title of the person as much emphasis is given to status and hierarchy in Japan.