Other
countries, such as Japan, have stricter rules and business card traditions than
in Europe. Read how to avoid making blunders.
1. The business card is your face
The card represents its owner; therefore, it should also have a perfect
appearance. Dog-eared, dirty or stained cards or cards with details that have
been corrected by hand are simply unprofessional.
2. Where should you keep your cards?
Ideally, cards should be kept in a suitable business card case; wallets or
shirt pockets are not suitable. If you keep them there, your business cards
soon have a black border. For men, it is suitable for them to have a few cards
in the small pocket inside their coat that is designed for this purpose.
3. Who presents the card to whom?
After being welcomed and engaging in some small talk, guests present their card
to the host. However, if you join a small group, it would be deemed unsuitable
to "whip out your business card"; therefore, it is better if you wait
until saying goodbye. In Germany, for instance, the most superior person
present should be handed the business card first. If the ranking is unclear,
simply start at one side and distribute your cards one by one. If several
people are present, make sure that everyone receives a card and that no one
feels left out.
4. How do you present your card?
A business card is always something personal. And because of this, it should
always be handed over personally. You must always maintain eye contact with the
other person while you are presenting your business card. Make sure that you
present your card so that the other person can read it immediately and doesn't
have to first turn it around. Never slide or throw your business card across
the desk.
5. What do you do with the card once you
have received it?
You should treat the business card with the same level of respect as the person
who gave it to you. When you have received the card, study it closely. Place
the card on the desk in front of you so that you can see it clearly. After the
meeting, take the business cards with you together with your other documents.
6. Do not write notes on business cards
Never write notes on other people's business cards as long as the person is
still present. It's quite sensible to write down later where you met the person
and what you talked about. You can add personal information to your own
business cards at any time while the recipient of the card is present. However,
information such as this should be especially valuable and "upgrade"
the card; for example, your personal cell phone number or your home address.
7. Our additional tip
You should have private cards for your private sphere. If you use your business
card, the other person could easily think that you are trying to make an
impression.
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