Quick-Draw Your Business Card
By Dave Balch, "The Stay-at-Home CEO(tm)"
I just returned from a three-day conference for business
professionals. There were about 500 in attendance and, as I'm sure
you would expect, there was an awful lot of networking going on.
In fact, the networking opportunities were one of
the stated benefits of this particular event, because in this particular
group of people almost everyone was in a position to help everyone
else in one way or another.
As I "worked the conference" I exchanged
business cards with at least 50 different people. I was absolutely
astounded at the fact that, with very few exceptions, each of them
had to hunt for their business cards: they looked first in one pocket,
then another, or searched through their purse or conference bag.
Since people were usually carrying something, they
often had to put them down on the floor or on a table as they searched.
Then, they would find the cards in a little business card pouch or
container, which they then had to open and try to grab a card. It
was almost comical. Some didn't even have any cards with them; they
had left them at home, left them in their hotel room, or run out.
What's wrong with this picture?
Why even have a business card if you can't produce
it when someone wants it, especially at an event where networking
is one of the principal reasons you go in the first place?
I hate to pull this very tired expression on you,
but it's true: you only have one chance to create a good first impression.
How impressive is it when you can't produce a business card for someone
who may want to do business with you?
Or, perhaps worse, to fumble around, searching your
person or belongings to find one, creating a mini-disaster area as
you set things down (or drop them) while looking? I know what my impression
is: this person isn't very organized. Do you want to leave that impression?
When I leave my hotel room or arrive at any event
where I expect to exchange business cards, I put a stack of cards
in my shirt pocket positioned just so: when I reach in and grab one
then present it, it is readable to the person to whom I'm giving it
before they even take it from me.
It takes a few seconds of experimentation to get it
just right, but it is very impressive when someone asks for your card
and, before their words have died in the room, you not only produce
one, but it is front-side up, right-side up, and readable. POW! I
just made a good first impression.
I also make a point to always put business cards from
other people in a different pocket. That way I don't accidentally
pull out someone else's card instead of my own.
Women can use pockets or compartments in their purses
or conference bags. The objective: produce your card within 2 seconds
using only one hand, and present it so it's readable.
Think of yourself as a gunfighter; when someone wants
your card, you should be "the quickest draw in the west"
and whip that baby out! The look on their faces is usually priceless,
and you will have made a great first impression.
Don't forget the partners! http://www.CancerForTwo.com
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RIGHTS RESERVED.
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