August
2003 ********************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome
Business Card Etiquette
News and Announcements
Contact Information
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WELCOME
Do you know when it is appropriate to exchange
business cards with someone? Do you feel it’s
rude not to ask for someone’s business card just
because you’ve had a conversation with the person?
Do you know what to do with those business cards
once you have them? This month’s newsletter
looks at business card etiquette – when to exchange
cards; what and when to write on the back of the
card; and how to follow-up with the individuals
whose cards you have.
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BUSINESS CARD ETIQUETTE
First and foremost, exchange business cards only
when a connection has been made. In other words,
there should be a reason to exchange names and
contact information. Perhaps the person is a
prospective client for you or someone you know.
Or, perhaps the person is a potential referral source,
or simply someone you want to add to your network.
Write the following on the back of the card, as
soon as reasonably possible:
The date and place you met the individual;
Indication as to whether this person is a potential
client or resource;
Rank of quality of potential client or resource
(use a 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C ranking system);
Reminders of the person (outstanding physical
characteristics or interests);
Anything you promised to do.
Do not write the above information on the card
while you are with the person. The exception to
this is the last bullet. Write anything you promised
to do on the back of the card in the presence of
the person so s/he is reassured that you will
remember to do what you promised.
Look for ways to assist the person. Perhaps you
know someone in your network whom you can
introduce to this person for their mutual benefit.
Maybe you know of a recent article that may be
of interest to the person and you can offer to send
it to them. Or, perhaps it makes sense to set up a
lunch or meeting to get to know each other better.
Follow up on anything you promised to do
immediately, certainly no later than 3 to 5 days.
Even if you didn’t come away from the
interaction with a specific action item, you can
always begin the next step in developing the
relationship by writing a note telling the person
how nice it was to meet them.
Be sure to enter the person’s information into
your contact management system, whether that
system is Outlook, a Palm Pilot, ACT!, or even
an old-fashioned Rolodex. And while you are at
it, enter the information into your company’s
master mailing list so he/she can receive any firm
mailings and announcements.
A good rule of thumb with regard to follow up
is that you should connect with all your “top”
contacts (your “1’s” if you will) at least once
a
quarter. Ways to connect include dining, attending
sports or theatre events, picking up the phone to
say hi, sending a short email or handwritten note,
and sending an article of interest.
It’s not hard to collect several business cards
whenever you attend a networking function, event
or conference. The challenge – and where most
people fail – is in the follow-up. Using the above
guidelines, create a system that will help you
master this critical next step in maximizing your
effectiveness as a networker.
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Workshop Offering! Studies show that it
takes just 30 seconds for someone meeting you
to form an opinion about your educational level,
career success, personality, level of sophistication,
sense of humor, trustworthiness and social status.
People form their impressions based almost entirely
on what they see – your clothes, hairstyle, carriage,
facial expressions and other nonverbal communications.
It’s clear that appearances do count.
My new workshop, “Dress for Success,” covers
everything you need to know in order to project
a professional image to your clients and
prospective clients. Topics covered include business
formal and business casual dress. Accessories for
men and women, such as shoes, jewelry, makeup,
and handbags/luggage are also discussed, as are
grooming, hairstyles and color nuances. If you want
to ensure that you, your professionals and employees
are projecting a positive professional image to clients
and prospects, this workshop is a must. For more
information or to schedule a workshop for your
company or organization, please contact me at
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
or 858-566-5585.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Barbara Nichols Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
If you’ve enjoyed this article and learned a valuable
business-building tip, please feel free to forward
this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.
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Copyright 2003, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction
in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
