From the First Impressions Series
Business card exchange – Founding Image
How to exchange business cards
Business cards are an extension of you and reflect upon your professionalism, attention to detail and style. To make a favourable and lasting first impression, it is important to observe these guidelines:
Cards must be in perfect condition
- Be judicious in offering business cards
- Never offer your card during a social lunch or dinner
- Allow senior executives to ask for your card
- Use business cards as business gift enclosures
- Get to know business card customs of persons from other cultures
Be prepared
Exchanging business cards can be a smooth transaction, or it could be an awkward situation, practice the art so that you are ready when someone asks for your business card.
Always have a handful with you to present to potential clients or other business associates, even on the weekends! You’ll find that many important contacts and business card exchanges can take place in the most unlikely places.
Don’t hand out torn or worn business cards
Make sure they are clean and crisp with no frayed edges or pen marks. The best method of keeping your cards in neat form is a business card case. With designs ranging from techie to artsy to formal, you are bound to find one that fits your style, personality and of course how you wish to be seen in your business environment.
Do make it a point to hand out business cards
It doesn’t take a large convention to bring customers and business owners together. Informal meetings are one of the best times to network and exchange business cards. If the person you are speaking with seems interested in your product or service you represent, offer that person a business card.
Do receive a business card properly
When accepting a business card, have a good look at it for a few seconds. In your conversation, offer a compliment about the logo, design, etc.
Don’t hand out more than one card to a new contact
Only give one business card to your new contact. Leaving two or three may give the signal that you want them to make contacts for you which is in bad taste and unprofessional. Unless of course a prior agreement is made to exchange more than one card, keep the focus on person-to-person contact.
Do exchange business cards smoothly
When you first meet someone, it’s ok to request a business card from them. However, if the person is of a higher position than yourself, you should wait for them to offer their card to you first. Remember if they want you to have a card, they will give you one!
Don’t place it in a bag, pocket or wallet
Place the card you receive in a planner, notebook or business card case. Never place the card in a wallet that will be put in your back pocket. Doing so shows disrespect and an all around lack of organisation on your part.
Added Tips
Japanese business card exchange – Founding Image
Know business card customs of persons from other cultures – case study; Japan
The exchange of business cards is an elaborate ceremony in many Asian countries, especially in Japan.
The Japanese ceremony for a card exchange is called “meishikoukan” and is an essential part of Japanese business etiquette. The business card is a representation of your status in society. Japanese consider their traditions and culture very important, proper business etiquette demands that one treats the business card with respect and honour.
In Japan, after a person has introduced him/herself; use both hands to present your card, and in turn received the others card in both hands with a slight bow.
The business card should be printed in both languages; it should be printed in your home language or English language on one side and Japanese on the other. If you receive more than one business card at once, leave them lying on the table in front of you neatly until the end of the meeting or carefully insert them into a business card holder. It is important to deal with another’s business card with care.
In a business situation, business cannot begin until the meishi exchange process is complete.
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