Business cards are changing, but they still play a role in business.

One of my laments is that I take all of the information from a card and enter it into my contacts. But I don’t have a visual of the card, and often, months – and sometimes years – later it’s the look of the card I remember. In the “old days” I had a giant Rolodex and I would flip the wheel scanning until I found the image I remembered from the card. At that point, I was able to recall the person and have all of the data at my fingertips.

I haven’t done that for years, and sometimes it’s frustrating. Today, though, you scan cards, add QR codes or bump. Technology is changing business cards, but not eliminating them.  

I’ve heard some people say they don’t even bother with business cards because they can search and find the person through LinkedIn, Facebook or other digital means. I’d still prefer to collect your card. When I meet a person, I associate the name and face with the card. I always write a note on the back of the card telling me how I met the person or if they requested something of me. That way when I get back to the office I can follow-up. This is especially useful at conferences where I may collect dozens of cards.

The other week I ran into Kevin Flores of The Flores Shop, a branding, marketing and design firm with which I had worked. His business card definitely stood out and I had to ask him about it (09037_TFS_B Card FLO front).

“The thought behind our business card design (and the ones we design for our clients) is to provide only the essential information about each individual while portraying the brand essence or cultural personality of the company,” Kevin says. “Our company culture is innovative, creative and playful. You see, we’re a boutique design shop who works with big name clients when they need some über-creative mojo. And, even if someone ONLY saw our business cards, they would get some sense of that brand persona.”

He still sees business cards as valuable. “There is a sense of professionalism that comes with presenting your business card,” he says. “It legitimizes your company and/or position to the person receiving it.”

Kevin prefers to hand a contact two business cards. “This has paid dividends in the past as my networking contacts have passed along one of the cards they had to other associates who were seeking services that we offer.”  

When it gets right down to it, Kevin says the business card is the way to seal the deal. If you’ve met the big client at a networking event, you want the client to remember your card. And that’s why his firm’s cards are so memorable.

What does your business card say about you and your company?