Making Connections
Don't be: The Collector
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This is an indiscreet character who grabs for cards as if they were collector's item baseball cards. They pick up cards everywhere they go and are sometimes very obvious about how their filing system works. Left jacket pocket- Keepers, right pants pocket-Discards, inside pocket- Use for scrap paper or toothpicks. You should treat business cards as though they were small gifts that were given to you. Typically it's not good manners to pass cards and the information on them along to others unless you have permission to do so.
You should offer your card if you are involved in a conversation and the other party has expressed interest in you or what you do. If there is more than one person in a meeting always give a card to everyone present. If you are a subordinate, you should wait until a superior offers you a card. Do not ask for business cards in social situations and only give business cards when business is involved. For example, it would not be appropriate to attach a business card when you send flowers to a co-worker or client who has had a death in the family. Nor would it be appropriate to attach a business card to a gift sent to someone when they've just had a baby. An easy rule to remember is that if there is emotion involved- don't send a business card. In theory, our emotions should not be mixed up with our business right!
Don't be: The Blackjack Dealer
This is a person who doles out cards like it's a poker game. People will have a tendency to think the card is less valuable if everyone has one. It's a strange phenomenon, sort of like people will wait longer to get into a busy nightclub if there's already a line forming when they arrive. The harder things are to get, the more people want them.
Reader asks:
Are there "rules" for what should be printed on a business card? I've just started a business and I want to do it right.
Etiquette ladies say:
There are not really "rules" but some specific industries do have guidelines, for example, most government cards are written in two languages. You should maybe collect a few cards from businesses in your industry and include the same type of information.
Reader asks:
Most of the people in my office automatically produce a business card as soon as they are introduced to someone. I was always told to wait until someone asked for one. Which is the proper way?
Etiquette ladies say:
The most appropriate thing to do is wait until you are offered one and exchange then or wait until someone asks for yours before producing it. If your coworkers are in the habit of "quick draws", you may have to follow suit when in their company to make them comfortable, but be more discreet when in the company of others.
What’s your office decor like?