Month: December 2010

Business Cards Still Part of Doing Business

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?

Time to Renew NFPW Membership

Why should you renew your membership in NFPW?

For most of our members, they don’t even ask themselves that question because they have experienced the benefits.

But if you’re asking yourself that question, ask yourself another one first: Am I doing what I can to benefit from membership? In other words, are you networking? Asking for guidance? Did you attend the conference in Chicago? Or are you planning to go to the national conference in Iowa and Nebraska in 2011?

I just finished talking with my VP about NFPW and was sharing with her all the benefits that I’ve received. Early in my career, I volunteered to help with activities through my state affiliate. It was my first exposure to event planning. I would go on to host state conferences and a national conference. I also put on major awards banquets and graduation programs when I worked for a police department. The event planning skills I developed through Virginia Press Women and National Federation of Press Women allowed me to be successful professionally.

In my current job, I needed to secure venues in locations throughout the country. Thanks to Mary Jane Skala (who is now in Arizona) and her connections, my organization was able to hold an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Ann Lockhart of Colorado connected me with the Denver Press Club.

During the national conference in Idaho I met Laura Hermann of the Potomac Communications Group. Her presentation on the digital world was informative and helped steer me as I considered Web and social media strategies. Laura is now a member of NFPW, too.

The awards I’ve received validate the work that I’m doing but they also just make me feel good.

My point is that none of the above would have happened if I had not reached out to members, attended conferences or entered the contests.

Membership is reasonably priced, so I don’t mind paying. Yes, I pay for it, not my employer. It’s a few less lattes a year, but it’s a strong investment in my career.

Still need some more reasons? The NFPW website lists the top 10 reasons why you should renew your membership or join NFPW. There also is a video on the home page in which past presidents talk about why they are members. Check it out.

Timeshifting TV Habits Continue to Grow

Only a year ago I learned a new word, “timeshifting.” It’s the practice of watching a television show at a different time from its actual air time. This is done by recording it, watching it through “on demand” or going to a website to view it.

I quickly realized that much of what I watch is timeshifted. I like watching shows through On Demand because there are almost no commercials. In essence, I buy myself 20 minutes of time. I also watch at other times because it’s more convenient to my schedule. I’m completely addicted to NCIS and NICS: LA but the night the shows air, I’m often not available to watch. So I catch them later.

I love the convenience and I’m not alone. According to a new study from The Nielsen Company, almost 100 million of us are watching timeshifted television. That number is up more than 18 percent from a year ago. 

TV Usage Trends (Monthly Reach of Overall Users 2+ in 000s)
   Q2 2010 Q1 2010 Q2 2009 % Diff Yr to Yr
Watching TV in the Home 286,648 286,225 284,306 +0.82%
Watching Timeshifted TV 97,914 94,599 82,677 +18.43%
Source: The Nielsen Company, November 2010

The research also indicated that the average person watched more than 143 hours of television per month. Fortunately, I can say that my viewing is much less than that. If I watched that much television I don’t know how I would find times for books or blogging (or fitness).

In fact, I’m seriously considering giving up cable. Not only will I save money, but I’ll regain time. And I can still catch my favorite shows – only I’ll watch them timeshifted.

Are You Due for a Tune-Up?

I spent a good part of my Thanksgiving holiday napping. And it wasn’t because I ate too much turkey.

My body said, “Enough!”

At first I was frustrated. I wasn’t going to have time to bake a pumpkin cheesecake. And the holiday decorations wouldn’t be up when I wanted them up. I wouldn’t catch the extra movie I wanted to see.

And then I realized, it didn’t matter. All of these were self-imposed “shoulds” and not “have-tos.”

As I awoke from my naps, I realized that I was working longer hours again. I wasn’t making time for grocery shopping and cooking, let alone going to the gym.

It was time for a tune-up. Usually my tune-ups occur in January (New Year’s resolutions), June (start of summer) and September (back to school time always refocuses me).  Clearly, though, I needed an extra tune-up this year.

I made a list of everything I thought I had to get done in my life. I crossed out those things that weren’t necessary, but simply “would have been nice to do” items. Yep, no holiday party hosted by me this year. I’ll do better to have a quiet weekend at home reading.

I scheduled the items that needed to be done, even scheduling directly after work to keep me from working those long hours.

Suddenly the month of December looks a lot more peaceful and relaxing.

I may still take a nap but now it will be because I have “visions of sugar plums dancing.”