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Casual Articles - 16 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Unforgettable
How would you like to see your Service Department? As a necessary but problematic resource drain or as a resource that provides a positive and healthy ROI? We think most executives would prefer the second option. In this article, we make the case that a centrally positioned service department can act as a catalyst across many other functions to improve the efficiency of your company’s product development lifecycle, while improving your profit margin as your product moves into the marketplace.By following these six steps, we show you how you can turn your service function into a more profitable resource that achieves your corporate objectives. Although the steps can be implemented individually or as resources allow, best results can be realized when the steps are implemented simultaneously.(1) Involve Service early in the product's lifecycle to improve the product’s maintenance program. Maintainability – often called reparability – facilitates restoring "failed" units as expeditiously as possible to ensure that the product is back in your customers’ hands in a timely manner. Needless to say, maintainability also improves service, quality and customer relations, all of which helps to increase sales.It’s unfortunate that the Service Department is often the last function brought into development. This is often deliberate because service an
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumula
Free small business accounting software primarily focuses on assets. Assets may be described as valuable resources owned by a business, which were acquired at a measurable money cost. As an economic resource, they satisfy three requirements. In the first place, the resource must be valuable. A resource is valuable if it is cash/ convertible into cash; or it can provide future benefits to the operations of the firm. Secondly, the resource must be owned. Mere possession or control of a resource would not constitute an asset; it must be owned in the legal sense of the term. Finally, the resource must be acquired at a measurable money cost. In cases in which an asset is not acquired for cash or a promise to pay cash, the question is what it would have cost had cash been paid for it.The assets in the balance sheet are listed either in order of liquidity- promptness with which they are expected to be converted into cash- or in reverse order, that is, fixity or listing of the least liquid (fixed) first followed by others. All assets are grouped into categories; that is, assets with similar characteristics are put in one category. The assets included in one category are different from those in other categories. The standard classification of assets divides them into fixed assets, current assets, investments and other assets.Fixed assets are fixed in
And it was all worth it.
A business card is an entrepreneur’s best friend, his most valuable marketing tool and an essential element to becoming UNFORGETTABLE. Unfortunately, too many people have business cards that simply blend into the multitude of cookie cutter crap. And that’s a shame, because a business card is more powerful than you think.
Of course, it’s impossible to know this unless you actually have a card that’s really, really good. Therefore, this article will examine The Four Corners of Unforgettable Business Cards:
1. Stacking Up
2. Standing Out
3. Creative Enhancement
4. Implementation
CORNER #1: How Does Your Card Stack Up?
Think back to the last trade show, networking event, seminar, convention, social hour or association meeting you attended. How did people react to your business card? Did they compliment its design? Quickly shove it into their pocket? Show it to someone else? Rip it up?
Whatever the response was, your card made some type of impression. But only the most creative, unique and memorable business cards make UNFORGETTABLE impressions. And those types of cards elicit reactions like…
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of your mind as you read on. Now let’s move into the next section and find out why certain cards stand out more than others.
CORNER # 2: Standing Out
Recently I took 66 business cards I've collected over the years and spread them out on a table. I closed my eyes for 30 seconds, opened them and took note of which cards stood out the most. And here's what I noticed:
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumulat
I have to admit it. I had almost no knowledge of the country of Romania just five short years ago, when I came here for the first time. What came to my mind were images of Dracula, Frankenstein, and under-cared for orphaned children, the kind that were featured in fund-raising specials that appeared on television when I was a kid. At least I can say that I knew for sure that it existed, and so did it's province of Transylvania. That's partially contrary to what I was taught in elementary school, by the way, when our teacher assured us that Transylvania was only a storybook land and therefore we need not be frightened that the horrible creatures that inhabit it actually exist!Today, five years later, I have a radically different and much more well-informed view of Romania. The things that used to come to mind about this country, rarely do anymore. When I think back about my old preconceptions of Romania, it never ceases to take me aback the great difference between the infamous legends and surprising reality about this country.Now, instead, I am captured by many of the same things that ancient Roman emperors like Cesar and Napoleon found so alluring about this place. (Romania was a part of the Roman Empire and takes it name from the Latin word for Rome.) From incredible natural resources to majestic mountain and seaside landscapes, R
1. Stacking Up
2. Standing Out
3. Creative Enhancement
4. Implementation
CORNER #1: How Does Your Card Stack Up?
Think back to the last trade show, networking event, seminar, convention, social hour or association meeting you attended. How did people react to your business card? Did they compliment its design? Quickly shove it into their pocket? Show it to someone else? Rip it up?
Whatever the response was, your card made some type of impression. But only the most creative, unique and memorable business cards make UNFORGETTABLE impressions. And those types of cards elicit reactions like…
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of your mind as you read on. Now let’s move into the next section and find out why certain cards stand out more than others.
CORNER # 2: Standing Out
Recently I took 66 business cards I've collected over the years and spread them out on a table. I closed my eyes for 30 seconds, opened them and took note of which cards stood out the most. And here's what I noticed:
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumula
Wire binding is a common binding method. It provides a secure bind keeping the pages in place and producing a professional, neat-looking document. It is of great use for reports, books and more. This wire binding results in documents that can be turned through 360° for easy opening of laid flat, and have a high-quality appearance.This binding uses a strip of plastic or wire that passes through a series of holes to bind together a stack of paper. A sturdier alternative to the single wire spirals or the plastic comb is wire binding. The wire forms teeth or double loops that fit into rectangular holes in the paper. The loops are frizzed to hold the wire in place, and these allow the book to lay flat when open. Writing notebooks, notepads, steno pads, cookbooks, booklets, manuals, reference materials, and calendars often utilize wire binding methods.There are two types of wire binding: single loop binding and double loop binding. Single loop binding is also known as coil wire binding. It uses only one wire per hole and the wire represents a spring once it is closed. Contrary to single-loop binding, double-loop wire binding uses two wires per hole, providing a stronger alternative. This is commonly used for calendars.While choosing a wire binding machine you should look out for the following features: punch capacity - how many sheets it ca
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of your mind as you read on. Now let’s move into the next section and find out why certain cards stand out more than others.
CORNER # 2: Standing Out
Recently I took 66 business cards I've collected over the years and spread them out on a table. I closed my eyes for 30 seconds, opened them and took note of which cards stood out the most. And here's what I noticed:
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumula
In today’s world of conscious people, fashion Jewelry is playing a remarkable role in giving vivacity to one’s attitude. Starting from clothes, a woman is also quite choosy in the selection of Jewellery she wears. The more attractive the Jewellery is, the more easier it will be for her to choose them. Jewelry is not only a status symbol as many people invest their life long savings on the Jewelry, they carry a set of jewels years after years, generation after generation. Nowadays jewelry market is turning out to be profitable market for investment as well as elegant way of updating one’s attire. Starting from vintage jewelry to contemporary ones all of them are part of the jewelry market.Diamond and pearls are long lasting favorites of women. Enduring these jewels gives their personality a classy and decent look altogether. While fashions keep on changing as well as contemporary designs, new designs endorsed by celebrity people becomes the benchmark of changing fashion. Personified jewels are also in the range and many women have started enduring them. Other then the most classy ones like diamond and pearl, Fashion jewelry is all about trying out new decks that is beaded jewelry, bones jewelry, horn jewelry, costume jewelry etc.Not only woman but man also wears jewelry having the masculinity as well as urban outlook giving them a distin
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of your mind as you read on. Now let’s move into the next section and find out why certain cards stand out more than others.
CORNER # 2: Standing Out
Recently I took 66 business cards I've collected over the years and spread them out on a table. I closed my eyes for 30 seconds, opened them and took note of which cards stood out the most. And here's what I noticed:
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumula
Discover how you can revitalize your online business Online marketing companies are very profitable if you know how to set them up correctly for more traffic. Not all online marketing companies are very profitable but not set up to see their true power and benefits of internet marketing. I can help you build your online marketing company to help your online marketing company earn what it deserves?The internet is loaded with online marketing companies. Basically online marketing companies are stores that advertise online. No lines, no waiting when purchasing online, which is very convenient. The competition is so fierce that you cannot just make a website and wait for it to make money. Try to get your site as the first selection to choose from on the search engines.How do i do this? It is not hard once you receive the proper guidance. One way is called directory submission services. Exposing your company to many other sites is what directory submission services is all about. More traffic equals more profits. Your site will be unique and from other sites and will give you a higher percentage to make a sale. The higher the traffic the higher your profits will be. There is another tool you can use to help profits it is called Search Engine Optimization. Most people know it is s.e.o.. There is a lot of competition for Florida search engine o
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumulated cards from your desk and discover which ones stand out. Oh, and don't forget to put your OWN card in the pile. You’ll be amazed at what you see.
Or don't see.
CORNER #3: Creative and Unique Ways to Enhance Your Card
Now that you’ve analyzed your own card and have been exposed to a large quantity of other people cards, your mind should be swimming with new, creative ideas. This is the perfect time to brainstorm ways to enhance your card. So, grab a blank sheet of paper. Come up with as many ideas as possible. Let your creativity run wild! And to help you get started, here’s a list of 16 creative ideas to make your business card UNFORGETTABLE:
1. Size or Shape – Rectangle, schmectangle. I’ve seen squares, circles, ovals and triangles. Each shape made a connection to the brand, and each shape stood out amidst the endless regression of the same old rectangles.
2. Chocolate Business Cards (yes, these DO exist) – Several companies have online catalogues for personalized chocolate cards. Expensive? Yes. Delicious? Probably. Memorable? You better believe it.
3. Trading Cards – If your company is team oriented, get trading cards with your “players” pictures and stats. Then encourage your customers and prospects to “collect all 12!”
4. Cartoons – Get a custom cartoon commissioned for the back of your card. It’s cheap, royalty free and absolutely unique to your business.
5. Table/Chart – Include a mortgage loan interest table or some staggering statistics on the back. These are helpful reminders for the mathematically challenged and effective methods to position yourself as a resource.
6. Pop-Ups – Just like kid’s books, some business cards can be printed as folded, pop-up cards. Talk about thinking three-dimensionally!
7. Credibility – The smartest thing I ever did to my business card was add color images of my two books. Instant credibility. And, I noticed an immediate change in the reactions from the people to whom I gave cards. One lady even said, “Scott, this is the coolest business card I’ve ever seen!” Money well spent.
8. Rubber Stamps – Buy 10 different customized rubber stamps for the backs of your cards. When someone asks for one just say “Pick a card, any card!”
9. Die Cutting – My friend Lisa works for the Rock Island Fire Dept. Her business card has a charred hole burnt right through the middle of every card! It looks incredibly real. And most printers offer this feature for a nominal feel. You can also specify various shapes, bite marks or hole sizes.
10. Recipe – If you work in an industry connected to food, kitchens or homes; include one of your favorite recipes on the back!
11. Material – Use leather, blinking or brail business cards (yes, these actually exist too!)
12. Language – If your business requires international travel, consider offering multiple languages, or print the phonetic spelling of a difficult to pronounce name.
13. Motivation – If you’re the motivational type, include a famous quotation, bible verse or movie line that connects to your brand. And be sure to
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