King Pin Business Cards

From my experience, business people don’t have the best business cards, designers do. They have the luxury of being able to express themselves much more in everything they do. Some of the most outrageous designs would never work on a practical level, but as a showpiece or attention getter there are few better ways of getting attention and remaining memorable. Many designers will have several versions of their cards, all exploring a similar theme. They are often used as mini portfolios to pique the curiosity of potential clients and patrons alike.

Part of the design impact for a business card is its limited size and apparent dimensions. You would be forgiven for thinking that there is only so much you can do with a little 2×2.5” piece of card. Well that so much keeps increasing by the day.

Using a variety of colors, fonts, logos, textures and materials allows a creative mind to conjure up all sorts of shapes and sizes of business card. As the design of the card says things about them as a designer they can get away with it. A bank manager or mortgage broker could never get away with a business card in the shape of a clothes peg, but it is ideal for a designer because it not only has all his contact details on it, but it is a mini showcase for their capabilities.

A non-creative business person doesn’t have to go to such extravagances unless they want to, but everyone needs a good card. The clothes peg example would be ideal for a tailor or dry cleaner, but wouldn’t really work for a car detailer or orthodontist.

To get the best business card for you, you need to look at your field of expertise and brand if you have one. Then find a common link between them all and use an element of it in your card, and brand as a whole. If you are lucky enough to already have an established corporate identity but want a new business card then you can use this for inspiration.

The best designs use elements and influences from the overall identity of the subject company and create a visual link between the two, even if it isn’t blatant. You need your business contacts to think of you the instant they see your logo, card or any other piece of branding from your company. If you are on their mind then you will get business from them when they need you. If you are on their mind, they may even recommend you to other contacts, and as we all know, word of mouth is the best advertising you can get.

The best business cards say nice things about you, and tells your prospective clients what they want to hear about you. They are like a mini flag for your company and you should make sure you wave it as much as possible, so it gains the attention it deserves and needs to do its job.

You can easily employ a designer to create a business card for you using your existing branding or logo, or create the whole thing from scratch. If you have an existing business identity it is advisable to use this or an element of it in your card. The designer will be able to best gauge which parts of any existing brand can be used in the format needed. You may have different ideas about it, but it is wise to listen to the designer at least. A business card is a small and compact device. It has to do and say a lot about you and your business. Not all creative ideas are good ones, and what would work on your headed notepaper wouldn’t necessarily work on your card.

When creating a business card it is advisable to use a brand or logo as inspiration rather than just copying it onto the template. Using elements from an overall design in the different items of stationery, and any other surface where your brand goes is an excellent way of portraying a coherent and professional face to your customers or clients.

You don’t have to be an art lover to appreciate good design or a brand guru to appreciate a good corporate identity. We can all appreciate them in our own way, and seeing these things are more influential to our decision making than we think.

Take for example some of the biggest brands you know. Consider how you feel about them and ask yourself why you think you can trust them, because you do, initially at least. The use of symbols and images to influence us has been around for thousands of years. Many religions use it to great effect, as have kings, prophets and armies of the world.

What first pops into your head when you think of a black prancing horse on a yellow shield? Ferrari, sleek sports cars, elegant design, quality and speed. What about the Volvo logo? Sensible, safe, Scandinavian, headlights? How about the two golden arches on a red background? Even describing it vaguely you can immediately recognize that as McDonalds, but I’m not going in to the thought it provoked. The point is that a symbol or logo is intrinsically connected to the company as a whole. This is reflected in the company and their customers. Just look at Burberry!

Your images might not have matched mine exactly but I bet they weren’t far off. They are an important marketing tools, and most larger business already know that. It is one of the reasons why companies only undertake rebranding if they absolutely have to, because apart from the expense they break that bond between their brand or logo and the consumers.

When you create a brand you need to have at least an eye on the future and where you want to be in five or ten years time. If your brand or image doesn’t reflect that then it’s time to rethink. Just because you are small now doesn’t mean you will always be.

Good business card design is all about rules. Apart from the obvious ones like size and shape and containing important information there are other rules that need to be considered before you order your business cards.

An effective cards needs a unique logo. Hopefully this can be part of your company’s overall brand or an element of its public identity. Having a unique logo or design is paramount in order to set your apart and make you recognizable. You should use it in all of your communications with the outside world.

It seems every business has a mission statement or slogan nowadays. Some are cumbersome, most are cheesy but some are useful in their own way. If your company name doesn’t really relate to what you do then you need to clarify your position somewhat with a slogan. That way people will be able to immediately identify you with a specific need. For example ‘AtoZ Printing’ is pretty self explanatory, whereas ‘JSmith & Son’ isn’t. ‘JSmith & Son Printing Services’ however is instantly recognizable and identifies with a product or service straight away. This takes most of the thought and decision making away from the person who is holding your card. They will already have a good idea of what you can and cannot do before they even contact you.

The card should always carry your web and email addresses. These methods of communication are some mainstream now, and offer such quick contact that it would be seriously remiss to not have them on your card. If your business doesn’t have a website then you have more immediate problems than sorting out your business card!

The card needs to be legible. You have a lot of information you want to convey to your contacts, but have to limit it to the minimum to keep the design clean and make it readable. Potential clients are going to squint or use a magnifying glass to attempt to read small or blurry fonts just to get your phone number. The ink and printing needs to be of sufficient quality as to leave crisp lines around the text. The last thing you want is for blurry writing to mar what is otherwise a great card design.

Use quality printing and paper stock. Most budget printers will use 300pt card, which while perfectly adequate, isn’t going to rock anybody’s boat. Try using 400 or 500pt art board or similar. Add a nice silk sheen or effect to the card to make it stand out. You can feel the difference when handling the card, and it will make your contact take notice of it and you.

Use color carefully. Try to restrict the palette to one or two strong colors unless the overall brand strategy is wildly different. There is no better way of getting attention that using color in the right way. Whatever color you do use, make sure the font color accents or polarizes the background it’s on. The words must be legible and clearly readable.

There are some rules it pays to follow when starting to make a business card. Any designer or artist will follow the same rules when putting their ideas together because they make sense and ensures the success of the design.

The card is supposed to start a conversation. Making the card slightly different will help start things off. Microsoft has a Braille option for their cards. Even fully sighted people notice this and generally pick up and talk about it. This is an excellent icebreaker and a good way in. Experimenting with color, and texture is an excellent way of prompting comment, and one I use to great effect with my plastic cards.

Make sure the basic information is on the card. At least the first and last names, job title, company, company address, phone number, email address and website details. It is also advisable to add a line about what you do or offer. The vast majority of cards I have been given over time don’t say anything about what the person or company does. When I go looking through my cards I have to either Google them or rack my brains to try and remember. Unless your name shows up in the top 10 of Google then you need to offer a little line or two about what you do otherwise they just go in the bin. A business card is supposed to make things quicker and easier, not more difficult. To prevent this kind of response, put something on there, give us a clue!

Don’t make non standard sizes or shapes. They won’t always fit into wallets or purses, and certainly won’t fit in business card binders. Generally if they don’t fit one of these the card is going in the bin. There are of course exceptions if you are a designer or a particular shape illustrates your business to well to not use it. But as a rule, keep it standard. It is also a good idea to make sure you can scan your card. For the geeks out there who do everything electronically, scanning a card into a database or contact list is an easy way to store your information. This little consideration can extend your market reach quite significantly.

Be different. Stand out from the crowd. Be that by using color, material or whatever, make yourself stand out from the pile of white card rectangles. Using a neat design feature or even a photo of yourself can act as a trigger to contact you. Use every trick you can think of to get attention. If you are an international company, including a second language on the back can be a good trick. It save on production costs and can act as a conversation starter with someone who is curious about the other language.

So when it comes time to make a business card, follow these simple rules to get the most out of one of the most important marketing and promotional tools you have.

With the international prestige of the Obama administration, doing business internationally is getting much easier for American businesses. Not everyone agrees with his domestic policies, but his administration has done more for US international standing and prestige in a few months than the last fifteen years put together.

As a result of this, even countries most hostile to us like Iran are opening business links to the West, albeit very slowly. The Iranian culture is steeped in Islam and proper research should be taken to gain even a rudimentary understanding of it before any trip is undertaken. It is way beyond the scope of this article to even begin to cover the complexities and intricacies of it, so extra research is key.

Normal business dealings with Iranians are very formal affairs until a relationship is established. Dress is formal and conservative for both men and women. Ties aren’t usually required because of the climate, but a shirt and jacket is. Women must cover their hair with a scarf when out in public and expect to be ignored by Iranian men. Don’t take it personally, there are just very defined roles for men and women in Iranian society.

Before you go to Iran, ensure you buy business cards with Arabic on one side and English on the other. Present the card Arabic side up and don’t expect acknowledgement of it. Receive a business card the same way it would be anywhere else. Take time to read it, then put it in a business card wallet.

Punctuality in Iran is extremely rare, although it will be expected of you. If business is with the government, expect to be kept waiting. The state administration can seem chaotic and disorganized, but the wheels do turn eventually.

Once the formalities are completed with any meeting, there should be a small amount of pleasantries exchanged. Asking about health, families etc. This is an important part of doing business so ignore at your peril. Business and pleasure are often one here. Many companies are family run, and even government is run by departments of relations. Personal contacts are worth their weight in gold here, and many things can be done much quicker using these contacts.

The work week is Saturday to Thursday in Iran. Nothing happens on a Friday so use the time for sightseeing or something. Also avoid times like Ramadan, No-Rooz and Ashura. All business will be closed then.

Although English is an accepted business language in Iran it is still wise to take an interpreter with you to any business meeting. Not only will it ensure understanding and accurate interpretation, but they can also advise on proprieties and the like. This can elevate and preserve business relationships while doing business there.

With the doors opening ever so slowly to Iran, it is likely that many US businesses will want to do deals there. As with any international trip, research and a thick layer of respect should go a long way to making it a success.

Doing business internationally is now commonplace. It is a wise businessman who researches and prepares before the trip to ensure they get the most out of their time there. Here follow a few of the cultural differences to be taken into account when doing business in Iceland.

Iceland is a country with a lively and interesting way of life. Doing business there is much the same as with Europe. A firm handshake with friendly eye contact is the formal greeting to any business meeting. Most Icelandic meetings will also finish in exactly the same way. It is important to shake hands with all attendees to avoid slighting anyone.

Any visitor to Iceland cannot fail to notice the naming structure is different than anywhere else. There are few original surnames so using a telephone directory can be a bit of a nightmare. The directories list by first name as the surname are based on the fathers first name and “son” or “daughter”. For example, John son of Magnus would be John Magnusson, and Abigail as Abigail Magnusdóttir. People refer to each other as “Fru” which is Mrs and “Herra” which is Mr, which isn’t too dissimilar to German.

Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of business meetings without much formality. A polite read of the card before placing it into your card wallet will suffice. No great stock is placed on formality here so no need to spend good money on unique business cards. Although business attire is important, and any visitor should dress to impress, the rest of the process is pretty straightforward. So straightforward in fact that it may come as a bit of a shock.

Icelanders don’t like wasting time and say what they think. They can be direct and forthright in their dealings which can come as a surprise to some meeting them for the first time. They use the 24 hour clock or “military time” so bear this in mind when making appointments. Punctuality is prized here so arrive either exactly on time, or a little early and be ready to commence any meeting at the allotted time. Ensure any presentations are concise and succinct and most of all accurate. Don’t be surprised if price and payment is discussed in the open, this is part of the forthrightness of the Icelandic, don’t get embarrassed.

Doing business in Iceland is very straightforward. A lot of stock is put on honor and honesty, so don’t over promise or reputations will suffer. Do right by Iceland and it will do right by you.

Italy is home to one of the most illustrious and industrious civilizations in the world. They have a long and colorful history and are an enchanting and fascinating culture. Doing business in Italy takes patience and tenacity to get ahead. The Italians, like the Chinese prefer doing business with people they know, therefore a lot of an Italian businessman’s time is taken up with networking. Personal contacts are the only way to get ahead in business there.

Italians are passionate people. They gesticulate a lot and conversation can sometimes sound heated, but it generally isn’t. Arguments can erupt seemingly from nowhere, but are common and are nothing more than a clash of ideas. It won’t end up in a fight as in other countries.

Italy is the home of fashion, so dress to impress. A lot is taken from a first impression so make it a good one. Dress with style, greet people properly and observe the Italian way of doing things to succeed.

Greetings are enthusiastic but formal at first. A brisk handshake with eye contact and a smile is correct for a first time, both at the beginning and at the end of a meeting. Don’t be surprised if this graduates to air kissing both cheeks once a relationship develops. Italians are tactile people and have a different view of personal space than a lot of other Europeans. They can stand close or use a light touch to emphasize a point, it is important not to retreat from this as it can be viewed as cold or unfriendly.

As well as the traditional business card, Italians use calling cards too. These are slightly larger than a business card and includes title, contact details, and phone number. Do not make the mistake of leaving a business card in lieu of a calling card as it’s considered rude. If doing a lot of business in Italy, it may be worthwhile having proper calling cards made up.

When in a business situation, business cards are generally dispensed after the formalities of the introduction. It is important to study any cards received before putting it away in a card wallet. It is a good idea to have high quality business cards translated into Italian on one side. It will be appreciated and noted. Present the card Italian side up so it is immediately noticed. Include a job title and any honorific or letters after the name. Italy is a hierarchy and they like to know how far up the ladder everybody is.

In the north of Italy, time is money. Greetings and meetings will be direct and won’t waste much time. The south is much more laid back and may take quite a lot more time to get anywhere.

Italy is an interesting if not fascinating place to do business. Any businessman who works in and around Europe should have no problems, and will inevitably end up thoroughly enjoying themselves while there.

Ecuador is a strong South American market that does a fair amount of business with the US. It shares many of the customs and ways of doing business with the rest of the continent but there are some regional differences that a business traveler should be aware of. On the whole Ecuadorians are sociable and friendly but their business dealings are quite formal until an established relationship is formed.

Greeting an Ecuadorian can be quite a tactile affair. They have a different view of personal space than most Europeans or Americans. Greetings can be a formal shake of the hand with friendly eye contact to a hug or arm grab. These are meant to be friendly and warm, and not to surprise or annoy. Greetings are generally title and surname, with an honorific if appropriate. South America values education and put a lot of stock in academic achievement. Using an educational honorific can gain a lot of respect in Ecuador. This should be used on business cards at all times.

A business visitor may be able to get by without any Spanish as most businesspeople speak English. It shows willing if some basic language is learned before making the trip in order to show respect and appreciation for their language. Ecuadorians are the polar opposite of Asian businesses as they value the individual they are dealing with over the organization they represent. Personal relationships are important here and should be exploited to the full. Much of the communication is business meetings will be non-verbal. A basic knowledge of body language and regional variances would be useful before trying to meet, otherwise important information could get missed.

Expect to be asked a lot of questions during any meetings. Ecuadorians like as much information as possible before doing business with anyone. They won’t do business with any organization until they know about the individual. Be careful when in dialogue and they view blunt speech and plain speaking as rude. If they want someone to do something for them they will flatter them until it would appear rude to disagree.

As with many other cultures, an Ecuadorians word is his bond. There will of course be paperwork and contracts galore, but it will be the word they honor, not the paper. The business visitor needs to be aware of this so they don’t promise what they can’t deliver. It will seriously count against any businessman who doesn’t keep his promise.

After the formal greeting you may exchange business cards. Inspect the one you receive and put it away in a business card wallet. There are no special observances for them, that will probably be the last you see of the cards, so no need for glossy business cards or anything fancy. As already mentioned, if there is an educational title, ensure it has pride of place on the card. It will count for a lot when doing deals.

Doing business is Ecuador should be fairly straightforward for the internationally minded businessman. As a people they are friendly and optimistic and like doing deals. By being aware of the information above any businessman can give themselves a valuable head start when they visit.

Russia is the slow moving monolith, gradually pulling itself out of its communist past and into the twenty first century. It has a massive landmass, bigger than even the communist bureaucracy could cope with, it is governed even less now. It is nonetheless an economic powerhouse, controlling a third of the worlds stores of gas and untapped reserves of oil and precious metals.

Because if its history, it can be daunting to contemplate a visit to Russia for business or pleasure. Following these simple guidelines will grease the wheels enough for any visitor to have a fruitful and unembarrassing time in Russia. Churchill described Russia as “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”, and he wasn’t wrong. We shall however dispel some of the mysteries of this colorful continent.

Russians are completely transactional. They don’t need any kind of relationship with someone to do business with them. As long as there is money to be made, deals will be done.

The greeting is by the standard firm handshake with a time of day specific greeting, such as “dobraye utra” which is good morning, “dobryy den” which is good afternoon or “dobryy vecher” which is good evening. Although seemingly formal it is usual to only introduce yourself using surname only. If the Russian contact has a title such as Dr or Professor, it is extremely important to use it. Until invited otherwise use this title and surname or plain Mr or Mrs if there isn’t one.

Most Russian businessmen speak good English but it is good manners to have one side of your business card in Cyrillic. Hand the card to the contact Cyrillic side up so they can immediately grasp the pertinent information.

Business cards aren’t the least bit important in Russia, you could even design your own business card and it wouldn’t make any difference. Meetings are formal and slow moving, Russians hate to be rushed! They respect age and position so being aware of the hierarchy is important to get the most out of your dealings with them. The most important consideration when negotiating with a Russian is that they view proceedings as a win-lose situation. There is no such thing as win-win to them. Things are quite black and white to them and they see compromise as weakness. It takes a skilled negotiator indeed to deal effectively here.

They will also throw tantrums, appear to lose their temper, and may storm out of meetings. These are often ploys to weaken a position and encourage the visitor to back down. Never, ever tell them you have a deadline! They will do all in their power to draw concessions in order to allow you to meet it.

Russia is one of the more difficult places to do business, but is an enjoyable challenge to accomplished negotiators. Despite business cards not really being worth much, the rest of the proceedings are formal. Any businessman visiting Russia will certainly need his wits about him!

Doing business with South Korea brings with it some cultural challenges that may daunt the first time visitor. Like many Asian countries there are formalities and niceties that have to be satisfied before any business can be done. Going prepared and being aware of these formalities will stand any visitor in good stead and hopefully prevent any international incidents or embarrassments.

When attending a business meeting in South Korea, attendees greet each other with a slight bow, often then accompanied by a handshake. The Korean version of the handshake involves propping the right arm with the left hand while maintaining good, polite eye contact. Korean women also shake hands in the Western style but Western women will have to instigate the handshake if greeting Korean men. The verbal greeting is the title and surname. First names in South Korea are only used once a relationship has been established and instigated by the Korean host.

Business cards are used prolifically throughout South Korea so this must be planned for. Specifically color business cards, with lettering in gold. This is seen as auspicious in most Asian countries. As seems to be the international standard, have one side of the business card printed in Korean. Ensure any title or honorific such as Dr or Professor are mentioned. Korean society is hierarchical and this will help convey rank within the delegation. Business cards are presented and received with both hands. Here though, when receiving a business card, read it and then make a positive comment on it, the place it in a card wallet or case. Ensure that you are seen to treat the card with respect otherwise offense may be taken.

Something different in doing business in South Korea is the giving of gifts. This is an established part of Korean culture meant to secure favors and build relationships. Gifts are expected to be reciprocated, preferably with something from the home country of the visitor. The best gift a business visitor could give on a first visit is something with corporate branding on it. Not a stapler or a crate of A4, but something tasteful like a good pen, or writing set. When offered a gift it is good form to resist slightly. This is to portray a lack of greed. This is important in Korean culture as greed is frowned upon. It is also necessary to refrain from opening a gift in front of the giver.

Punctuality is important in South Korea so try not to be late. Polite excuses may be accepted, but will be frowned upon. When entering a meeting, it should be in order of hierarchy. The visitor with the highest rank should sit at the centre of the table unless shown otherwise, then guests will end up sitting opposite counterparts of similar rank and authority.

Any first meetings in South Korea will be familiarization sessions, no business will be done there. Koreans prefer to feel people out before committing anything to them, especially where money is involved.

Doing business in South Korea isn’t that difficult if time is taken to learn and observe the niceties. As business is generally conducted through a personal liking for the characters involved it is wise to create the best impression possible when first meeting.