Mastering the Business Card Exchange

Networking is not complete without receiving or giving a business card. The business card is a way for you to follow up on the people you have met. Likewise, it is a way for them to contact you for further meetings. More than that, your business card is a way to brand yourself. 

Professional-looking business cards send the message that you’re professional. With the right information included, such as your company motto or tagline, or a list of services or products, you card becomes a promotion tool.  

Here are 4 Tips to Master the Business Card Exchange:

1. Never be without your business cards!  Keep a stack at your office, in your wallet, and in your car.  You never know when you'll have an opportunity to share it.
2. Time the presentation of your card.  Don’t just hand over your business card at any random moment. Handing a business card in the middle of a discussion can be an interruption, as parties would need to take a moment to give it a look. The best moment to hand a card is when you’re asked for one, when you’re asked to repeat your name, or when someone offers to send you something.
3. Follow the protocol on hierarchy. Cards should not be given to senior executives that you meet, unless they ask for one. When you hand another person your card, give a brief "action recommendation." This can increase the likelihood of them contacting you again. For instance you may say: “I think I can help with your PR concerns, Mr. Johnston. Here is my card.”  You may also ask for referrals. Invite the other person to send your contact details to anyone they know who can use your services or products.
4. When receiving a business card, show the other person that you value their card. Look at the business card for a few seconds. Comment about the card. Let them see that you take care in storing their card as well, instead of just jamming it in your pocket. 

Related Articles:
Do You Have Good Business Etiquette?
Networking for Success:  Making the Introduction
Great First Impressions Without Nervousness

Great First Impressions Without Nervousness!

Our goal is successful business networking.

Using our best Business Etiquette, we want to create a lasting and profitable business relationship with a potential customer, partner or investor.  Another area to master is creating a great first impression.

When you meet someone for the first time, you should project the 3 Cs.

Confidence

• Have a straight and relaxed posture.  Hold your head high and steady.  Never slouch or slump.
• Maintain eye contact with the person or people you are talking to.
• Move naturally and not robotic

Competence

• Exhibit knowledge of your craft.  
• Answer questions in a clear and professional manner.  Avoid the use of slang or technical jargon.
• If you're leading a meeting, know your way around your agenda.  Be prepared for the meeting and bring supportive materials to emphasize your points.
• Ask relevant questions

Credibility

• Arrive on time.
• Be presentable (well groomed and mindful of dress codes).
• Stay true to your word.

Minimizing Nervousness

Meeting people can be anxiety-provoking.  The need to impress another person can be a lot of pressure.  

Here are 5 ways to minimize nervousness while in a social situation:

1. Be informed.  When you can, take time to research the people you're going to meet:  their work, values, and preferences.  Knowing what is expected from you can prepare you adequately.  Nervousness is amplified by going into a situation blind.
2. Practice! Practice! Practice!  Networking is a skill, which means you can develop it with practice.  Practice your Introduction in front of a mirror and note what you need to improve.  Get feedback from others about the impression you give. Try to meet as many people as you can.  The more you do it, the easier it gets.
3. Learn relaxation techniques.  There are many activities that can help you relax your nerves.

• Meditation
• Self-Talk
• Visualization
• Breathing Exercises
• Listening to music
4. Identify your triggers.  If nervousness is a real problem for you, it is recommended that you identify what triggers your nervousness.  Is it lack of confidence?  Is it fear of authoritative people?  Awareness can help you catch yourself in time and respond accordingly.
5. Believe in what you have to offer.  It's easy to get intimidated by the success or fame of the other person.  Remember, they are people...just like you!   They would be willing to listen to someone who can offer them something that they want or need. 

Have faith in your business.  Have faith in your personal worth.  Adopt the mindset that you are doing others a service, and it's your duty to not let them miss the opportunity of meeting you!

Related Articles:
Do You Have Good Business Etiquette?

Networking for Success:  Making the Introduction

Mastering the Business Card Exchange

Networking for Success: Making the Introduction

When you're networking, it is important to make the most of the first meeting.  In this brief encounter, you want to make sure that you get it right.  In this "Networking for Success" series, I'll share pointers to help you succeed.

Let's start with your Introduction.

Here are 3 steps to effective introductions:

1. Project confidence and warmth.  Man people size you up even before you open your mouth, which is why it's important to mind your body language.  When you introduce yourself, stand up straight, relax and establish eye contact.
2. State your first name and your last name.  If you're first to speak, give both.  If the other party speaks first and only shares their first name, do the same.  Depending upon the situation, you may also state your company name and/or position.
3. Repeat the other party's name in acknowledgement.  This ensure that you heard correctly and/or pronounce it correctly.  It also helps in memorizing the name.

Networking is not just about presenting yourself.  You may also find yourself introducing two strangers to one another.  Here are 3 steps to introducing others:

1. Take note of the pecking order.  In business, introductions are made based on a person's seniority in a company.  This is regardless of age and gender.  When you make an introduction, present a person with lesser status to the person with the higher status.  Mention the name of the person with the high status first.  "President Obama, I would like you to meet Sharon Myers.  She's the Executive Director of Moovin4ward Presentations.  Sharon, this is President Obama."
2. Introduce strangers first.  If you are introducing two persons of equal rank to one another, start with the person that you don't know.  This way you can use the introduction to make the newcomer feel welcome.
3. Mind titles.  Unless invited otherwise, stick to using formal address, such as "Mr. Wiggins" or "President Bush".

Related Articles:
Do You Have Good Business Etiquette?

Great First Impressions Without Nervousness

Mastering the Business Card Exchange

Recommended Reading:

• Business Etiquette 
• Don't Take the Last Donut: New Rules of Business Etiquette 
• When the Little Things Count . . . and They Always Count: 601 Essential Things That Everyone In Business Needs to Know

Do You Have Good Business Etiquette?

Sit up straight.  Don't slouch.  Don't chew with your mouth open.  Don't use your salad fork for your entree.  Use your napkin properly.  

When we think of etiquette, we think of manners.  "Etiquette" in basic terms describes the customs or rules that govern acceptable behavior in social settings to include self-presentation, communication, courtesy, and hospitality.  

So how does this apply to your business?

Success in any industry relies on relationships, whether with co-workers, clients, suppliers, or investors.  when you're well-mannered and considerate in dealing with others, you create engaging, productive, and long term business relationships.  As such, it is important to learn, not just the technical side of business, but how to conduct one's self in the company of others.  

Business Etiquette can help you improve your business in the following areas:

• Branding:  Everything you do will reflect on  your company and your products.  Your professionalism will send the message that your business is credible and trustworthy.  Personalized care may very well be your edge against your competition.
• Customer Care:  The best way to show customers that their patronage is valued is to treat them with respect and consideration.  This in turn can inspire customer loyalty and positive feedback.
• Employee Engagement:  Good manners will help improve morale and confidence between employees and team members.
• Team Synergy:  Good manners will help establish smooth working relationships within a team, which contributes to greater productivity.

In the next few articles, you will learn the guidelines for the practice of business etiquette across different situations.

Related Articles:

Networking for Success:  Making the Introduction
Great First Impressions Without Nervousness
Mastering the Business Card Exchange

Recommended Reading:

• Emily Post's The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success, Second Edition 
• Business Etiquette For Dummies 
• The book of business etiquette 
• Business Etiquette, Third Edition: 101 Ways to Conduct Business with Charm and Savvy