Business Cards—A Testimony to the Evolution of Technology
Have printed business cards become a thing of the past? Not really. A small-business owner in the US hands out an average of forty business cards each month.
Several decades ago, business cards had a different connotation altogether. They were a status symbol used by the elite and were referred to as “visiting cards”—indicating their true meaning. A person who visited another person would hand over the card at the door step and wait for approval to get in. It carries an interesting history, but that culture is certainly a thing of the past.
If we trace these now called “business cards” over the last forty to fifty years, we see that the information included on these cards reflects the changes we have witnessed in the technology industry. From just having a person’s name and physical address, the details have evolved to include not only phone and physical address but also an extensive list of the individual’s social media presence.
At conferences, organizations scan their visitors' business card information into a recognized format to include in their databases. Looking at the growth of scanning devices and the fact that many organizations have a QR code on their business cards, an ongoing question the industry faces is whether we have outgrown the physical business card. The usage we continue to see is testimony that we are not anywhere close to this, even in some of the most technology-powered conferences and shows.
It is important for an organization to have a focused approach, to periodically analyze the changes that need to be made to its business cards, and to revisit how they align with other external-facing company information. These cards are largely an ambassador for the organization, even after the in-person meeting is over.
A lot of useful resources are available to understand how to leverage the true power of these small cards, including when they need updates, how to use them in conjunction with digital business cards, and what kinds of updates are needed to help an organization differentiate itself in the marketplace.
A small but significant detail on my company’s business cards is the braille embossing. At least eight out of ten people to whom I hand my cards mention this right away and appreciate the accessibility consideration we have built into our cards.
Several forums that discuss the life of a business card concur that the value in using them is still high—if the real estate on the card is used well. Business cards are a testimony to the changes in the technology industry, and it will be interesting to see them evolve in the coming years.
