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Is the Business Card Dead?
theodp writes "Attending SXSW, HBR's Susy Jackson was dismayed to find her beloved business cards no longer carried the cachet they did back in the day. Writes Jackson: 'I had a lovely conversation with two young entrepreneurs from New York and when it was time to part ways, I used that old line: 'Here, let me give you my card.' They both paused, looking unsure about whether or not I was serious. Then I saw the understanding wash over them. I was speaking a forgotten language. A business card. How precious.' And while Jackson appreciates the convenience of exchanging e-business cards, Twitter handles, and phone numbers (texting), she's still a softie for a good business card: 'Some cards are plain; others speak to their holders' personalities through odd trim sizes, quirky color schemes, or clever word play. Each will tell me something more about the person who gave it to me than I could have known from their contact info alone.' So, how telling are The Business Cards of Tech Giants?"
They may not carry much importance, but yes they still get passed around in meetings.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk
No way. I even had my own personal 'business' card made ($9 for 500 is good, right?) and they get me free lunches from places like Perkins and Dennys all the time.
That $9 has saved me at least $50 so far, and I get to carry card that says "Back off, man. I'm a scientist."
There's a spot in User Info for World of Warcraft account names? Really?
Business cards give you a quick and easy way to exchange all those bits of contact info. It's either that or we both sit and stare at our phones for a while typing in names and numbers etc.. making sure spelling is correct, etc.. With a business card, I hand it over and the actual details can be handled later. Obviously, if there was some standard way to hit a single button on phones and tap them together to exchange information, that would be easier - but at this point even everything like that just takes too much fiddling.
And while Jackson appreciates the convenience of exchanging e-business cards, Twitter handles, and phone numbers (texting),
And how exactly does a normal person hand someone new an 'e-business card' without spelling out your email address to them...?
The whole point of a business card is that I don't have to spell out my name, phone number, and email address to people in person.
They probably paused and look at each other because they dont have a business card and they feel embarrassed.
In particular in East Asia, the exchange of business cards is more important. It is not something you just grab and stuff into your pocket. It is part of the formal introduction. You give and receive the card with both hands. You read it over, and comment on it. You store the card carefully. It is a matter of respect. Showing up to a meeting in Korea without business cards is like showing up without pants.
The exchange of formal credentials, whether letters of recommendation, letters of passage, ambassadorial appointments, charters, etc., has a long and distinguished history, in which business cards are one small part. It is understandable that this might disappear in the US at some time. Of course, in the US it apparently is not necessary for businessmen to wear socks either.
I remember the first time business cards were supposed to die. I was in a meeting at a trade show when someone offered to "beam" their virtual business card to me from their Palm Pilot PDA (remember those?). This must have been like 10, maybe 11, years ago. Has anyone beamed a business card to you recently in a meeting? I suspect not, unless you spend time with people who like using classic PDAs.
Look at that subtle off white coloringâ¦the tasteful thickness of itâ¦oh my godâ¦it even has a watermark.
Back in the 60's they correctly predicted we'd all be using fusion reactors to power our future, we'd be eating our meals in pills, and we'd fly around on jetpacks or use hovercars.
That was when I knew the business card was dead, just like the fission reactor.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a crabfeed to attend to on the Moon.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
In other words, naiive hipsters who don't really know much about business yet think business cards are dead. Judging what's going on in the real world by what you encounter at SXSW is a losing game.
Read the EFF's Fair Use FAQ
Sounds more like two dot com bozos to me.
If someone is passing you on the right, you are an asshole for driving in the wrong lane.
If those new entrepreneurs were clueless about them, they won't stay in business long because they won't have any contacts.
politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
Those "two young entrepreneurs from New York" were just embarrassed that they had forgotten to bring (or make) any cards.
I bet their business plan is full of holes. Forget small things, forget big things...