As we network in our professional lives, often issues come up surrounding business cards come up. Yesterday the representatives of EveryMeeting.com had the chance to attend two very high profile events, and noted some positive and negative business card transactions.

1. Never go out without your business card. Every single person in a company is that company’s sales person outside the office as well as inside. The virtual reality of business today has blurred the lines between office hours and personal time. So you should always have business cards available whether on the clock or off socializing. At the events we attended yesterday, there were two people who’s services were of an urgent need – neither had a card available. TIP: If you put on pants to go out for the day, be sure to put business cards in your pocket or your wallet. (Ladies who were skirts, you get the message I am sure.)
2. Accept a card with grace. I like the tips from GreatFXBusinessCards.com (we have never used their services, so this is not a direct endorsement of their products) but they write, “Act as though you have received a gift.” Upon accepting a card, you have the opportunity to repeat the name and be corrected on pronunciation–to be corrected on pronunciation after this is a bit more of a gaff. You should also ask any questions that the card itself may bring to mind and comment on the design if practical. The idea is to show interest in any contact’s card, which will make them more likely to be interested in yours. At yesterday’s event a young lady who had asked for a card from a colleague later threw it on the table where we saw it in a plate of discarded food. The young lady was not someone that colleague will not call in the future as he extended her every courtesy, and that gesture was just the tip of her business mannerism portfolio. TIP: When someone hands you a business card “Act as though you have received a gift.”
3. Be sure your card is up to date an accurate. A business card is a quick way for people to contact you and you don’t want to be looking for a pen to write a new phone number on a card when you should be engaging in a valuable conversation with a potential client. Cards can be done now in just a few days, and sometimes within 24 hours, so there is no reason not to change your card when you phone number, address or email change. Be sure the card is readable, and made of a stock that is not too flimsy. Folded, and odd shaped cards might get attention, but tend not to fit in a rolodex or the plastic card files many people use, so what you get in ingenuity, you might loose in the card being saved for future use. TIP: Carry accurate cards with clear information.
4. Understand business card culture. In Japan when you receive a card it is considered rude if you write on it or put it in your back pocket. In India be sure to put your university degrees and honors on your card, and always hand it to someone so they can read it with your right hand. In France, and even Canada today, having your business card translated into French on the backside is a must. In the US it is permissible now to have a business card even if you are looking for a job, in fact it can help you land an important contact, however this is not so in Germany or many other countries. So you can see that there are many cultural issues that the simple business card must adhere to if you are trying to make a good impression and get that business relationship off on the right foot. TIP: Know the culture and business card practices.
We hope these tips help you at the next networking event and be sure to stop back to learn more about making the most of your professional meetings and events at EveryMeeting.com.

Sources for this article:
http://www.greatfxbusinesscards.com/business-card-etiquette.htm
www.kwintessential.co.uk/…etiquette/france-country-profile.html
www.worldwide-tax.com/india/indpractice.asp