“Do you have a card?” is still one of the questions that comes up after the first initial business encounter. What that means has changed over time…virtual, a scan, something else that goes easy to my phone. There are plenty of eays to easily share information in the cloud. However the tangible part of holding, finding, reflecting, remembering someone…still has tremendous value, and frankly shows in many instances just a little more time and effort out forth to make sure one can proivde their keepsake info. in whatever form the receiver would like, no matter what the age or background.
I was reminded of the value not just of business cards…more about that in a seciond…but about hand written notes and cards…again this week, as we collected and looked through many of the holiday cards we received in he mail…yes through the good old U.S. Postal Service. there is a great bit by the comedian Paul Reiser from his standup days in the 1980’s talking about the value of cards, and the ingenuity of putting a stamp on something and suddenly it flies across the country for pennies…that still holds meaning today. But back to cards and letters.
In many cultures, business cards remain a rite of passage and a traditional business exercise; however in our digital native first and time challenged environment of today, the simple act of printing and having business cards seems to be slipping away, and that’s not a good thing, especially in an environment where you only have a short period of time to differentiate yourself from the competition and leave an impression that will have you top of mind not just in business opportunities today, but in personal relationships that last a lifetime.
In our dealings with younger people entering the workforce, or with their parents, or even with slightly older folks who are doing a career change, I always ask about the business card, and more and more I get the slight snicker or the little eye roll, as business cards can be so “old school.” It always surprises me when I get that reaction, especially from people who are trying desperately to create their own narrative and show the world what they can do.
Sure you can send someone a text with all your information; one of our young mentees suggested that he uses his Instagram account as his business card, as everything about his life is listed and played out there. Well that’s all great if someone is willing to take a look or share a phone number, but there are people who won’t or believe it or not, aren’t on Instagram (PS, this year, after meeting a senior executive at a media company, our very smart mentee printed business cards and has them on hand now as the exec also told him they were a necessity if he wanted to be taken seriously).
We are so focused on making the user experience easy and seamless, so being able to exchange information however is easiest is the smartest, simplest way to consider. For some it’s LinkedIn and Twitter, for others maybe it’s Facebook, but the value of a small leave behind in the form of a card is still a great way to leave an impression, literally.
Business cards are also a great form of tangible self-expression. For those without the skills, design and delivery platforms are both cheap…less that $29 on a site like VistaPrint…and fast. We had our students make their own cards in again this semester, and they were able to link up with executives they met as the class was unfolding. That type of professionalism is welcomed and leaves a positive impression, and we are all about impressions.
So there’s the little sidebar that has been puttering around; the value of business cards. Everyone after a long trip will clean out their pockets, wallets and bags, especially us older folks. That little reminder of who and how, if it is stored electronically or kept in a drawer for down the line, will have great recall, and one never knows when the simple act of passing along a small piece of cardboard will lead to something bigger.
The same, I believe, holds true for holiday cards. This year I went to several card and stationary stores, including some custom stores in lower Manhattan, just to see what was out there. For the creative and the inqusitive, and the difference maker, there was lots. These stores were also not filled with Sixtysomething white dudes. They were filled with young people looking to help describe, capture and emote self experession. From notepads to journaling to pen selection, it was amazing to see how busy some of the stores were.
Also one other thing…maybe do your own in January…or whenver you choose…to set yourself apart. There is no need to say “I didn’t have enough time”…time is the only thing we can control.
As far as the holiday cards went…this year I sent more hand written notes than I have in several years…and ironically we received less cards this year than ever. Its probably a sign of families getting older or the time challenged world we live in. However each and every one we received in the good old fashioned mailbox was more than appreciated, and they hang on our door with care. Each contained its own memory box, and gave us a second to pause and remember the value of those who took the time to send…just like those who take the time to share their information on a card. It matters.
So there you go for the midweek between holidays. Cards and letters and notes. Pen to paper is still important, as is the leave behind.
Success, can be literally in your hands…
Institutional Value At ESPN, “Tommy Cutlets” And Italian Stereotypes, And Eight Years Of Pods…