Business Cards

[jdoggg12]

What's the point? Unless you're in sales, what's the point of a business card?

We just got ours... every employee gets a set of like 300. Anyone that i work with knows how to contact me or easily search the directory. And for anyone i'd give it to for personal reasons, I'd not be giving my business contact info...

 

[Engraver]

Just give one to everyone you meet.

 

[Safeway]

Trade shows, conferences, and meetings aren't just for sales people. Retirement (401(k)) plan administration seminars are a great place to hook new clients, and giving them a business card is easy. You should always personalize the card, though, by jotting down a different email or phone number on it.

In fact, at a company I worked for, the plan administrators received hefty bonuses if they netted new clients at national conferences. They aren't sales people, but sometimes the best way to meet new clients is via the casual conversation over lunch after a seminar.

 

[jdoggg12]

I'm an analyst though... I don't go to trade shows

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

It would depend on the job. Really, if you ever do anything work related outside of your own building, you should have then.

 

[Skeeedunt]

1. Scratch out job title and write in "Attorney at Law"
2. Leave at bus stops
3. ???
4. Profit

 

[daniel1113]

When you are meeting with new people every day, they make it much easier to share contact information. It's not about showing off, it's about making connections.

 

[Chronoshock]

Drop all 300 into the big jar at a restaurant = free lunch??

 

[jdoggg12]

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Drop all 300 into the big jar at a restaurant = free lunch??

Winnar!!! :laugh:

 

[sdifox]

It's good for entering vendor draws when you go to trade shows... I got 2 boxes...no idea how many in a box, maybe 200.

 

[Casawi]

Yes I agree. Although there were times when I wish I had BC on me. I can't remember my fax number for example.
I only take some with me if I am going to a seminar or somewhere I know I will be meeting people.
But seriously I used maybe 5 so far, and 2 of which were for my dad and uncle (for whatever reason they wanted one).

 

[moshquerade]

awww c'mon, you feel important having a business card.

 

[purbeast0]

i'm a software engineer and we got a box of like 500.

i've gone to a few trade shows though since i'm one of the few engineers who's not scared to talk to people

i've actually been to some pretty big ones in the landscape designer/architect field.

i personally think it's great for engineers to get out and talk to customers and see how people actually view the software that you write.

oh yah, and at these trade shows is where i've used some of my business cards and actually given them to people. i've also done some demos to other firms who have come in house for demos of new features i've worked on. i've given away some at these too

EDIT:

oh yah i've also won like 3 free lunches to chipotle putting my business card in the fishbowl

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Drop all 300 into the big jar at a restaurant = free lunch??

Winnar!!! :laugh:

Yep. That's all I use mine for.

 

[Danman]

We have vendors that come in that I usually give them to, people I've never met before. As everyone else said, trade shows, meeting people in public places, etc. are where the others go.

 

[whylaff]

Originally posted by: Chronoshock
Drop all 300 into the big jar at a restaurant = free lunch??

Only reason I do! It's like having your own pre-filled sweepstakes entry forms!

 

[pyonir]

big jar's at resturants and vendors. Those are the only people i gave them to when i had them.

 

[BrownTown]

Working as an intern at an engineering company they definitely used business cards alot even doing nothing but straight up engineering work. All the stuff being designed has components from probably 20 different companies plus other contractors, so its nice to actually have the contact information of all the vendors and subcontractors so that you can call them up if you need a question answered. So, even if you aren't selling anything you still need them if you are BUYING anything, or doing work with multiple contractors or consultants. I'm sure your company has tons of people who use them, so they just print them out for everyone and you can choose what to do with them based on your own needs.

 

[DrPizza]

If you never leave the office and never talk to anyone outside the office (about business), then they're useless. But if you have contact with people outside your immediately office, it's very convenient to jot a quick note on a business card and give it to someone.

i.e. Suppose you're looking to buy widgets in bulk from a salesman. You inquire with him about what he can do for you. He's going to look into it. Simply write "widgets" on the back of your business card and hand it to him. Quicker, and more professional of an exchange than having him manually write down all your information if he has to get back to you about something.


Use #2: Free lunch drawings!

 

[OUCaptain]

Required if you make a trip to Japan.

Remember proper etiquette

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Well, I'm a recruiter, not technically sales, but I do try to get my name, and my company's name, out to as many professionals as possible so we have a larger pool to select from. A larger pool equals more, and a greater chance of, qualified candidates. The better qualified, the more the company benefits. I'd rather have a top-notch engineer come work for us than some other company, and how is he going to hear about our opportunities without knowing we are looking or even exist.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
What's the point? Unless you're in sales, what's the point of a business card?

We just got ours... every employee gets a set of like 300. Anyone that i work with knows how to contact me or easily search the directory. And for anyone i'd give it to for personal reasons, I'd not be giving my business contact info...

You only get 300! I got 2500 in my drawer. I an EE and probably used around 5 in 3 years.

 

[Cobalt]

I go through a few hundred a month. I'm in sales though.

 

[GeekDrew]

I'm not in sales... I'm an in-house IT support guy (usually). Administration decided that I didn't deserve to have business cards... so I had my own printed. I frequently go to meetings around the state, and found that I use them all the time.

 

[IronWing]

We have to print our own. The template is for a printer we no longer own. The printing is therefore not aligned with the cardstock. The prescribed template is protected. Professionalism walks the high road.