Article contributed by Geoff Kirkwood.
This is a 2-3 minute activity that involves those at the meeting.
You will need to read it through beforehand and be prepared.
What you say out loud to the group is in larger type in bold.
Purpose: To highlight what works on a business card.
Need: – 0.
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Start by asking the members…
This morning we are going to have a look at your business card. And we are going to look at whether it really works for you.
So, everyone, please take out one copy of your current business card?
Now, give it to the person on your right – that’s right, everyone pass their card one person to the right.
Now, hold up your partner’s card at full arms length and see if you can read their name clearly. Imagine that you have never met this person before and they are wearing their business card in their BNI name cardholder.
Even though you know their name, can you make out their name clearly?
If not, then tell your partner! Turn to the person whose card you have and tell them.
Wait for the group to do this. Then say……
Robyn Henderson, the Australian Networking Guru, tells us that our business card needs firstly to be a name card. Robyn has been the Executive Officer of the National Speakers Association here in Australia for the past few years and has done a fantastic job!
And if you think about it, people do business with people. Not companies. Not Divisions of Companies. But people!
So it is vital that the easiest thing to read on your business card is your name. In many cultures they are called that – Name Cards. And they are given reverence when being passed from one person to another as though you are passing their name.
So tell me, what are the important things about the name on your business card?
Ask for responses from audience and repeat a few – then say….
From our perspective it needs to be…
1. Bold type – not everyone can read fine print at a distance.
2. At least 14-point type for the same reason.
3. In the centre.
4. Spelt as you want to be introduced – that is no full names if you use abbreviations normally.
6 comments
Thanks Geoff, – Robyn Henderson was a huge supporter of BNI when I was getting underway in New Zealand and if you are in touch with her please send her my regards.
Graham
Another good one, Geoff.
I have passed this one to the NECs and requested that they conduct this easy, simple yet effective content.
Thanks, Riyaz
Thanks Riyaz,
Did you know that we have as many visitors to the blog from Malaysia as from Australia 🙂
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You are doing a good job, sir.
We’ll meet next year! Malaysia 10 event.
BTW, shall we connect on Facebook and get to know each other, away from work?
Robyn Henderson has been a great help to many people around the world on the subject of networking.
As per the blog she has been the Executive officer of the National Speakers Association of Australia for the past few years doing a marvellous job.
She was also instrumental in assisting the original National Directors in both New Zealand and Australia when BNI was first established. Many people owe Robyn a debt of gratitude for selfless embrace of the Givers Gain philosophy.
Thanks Geoff – and how cool to see that BNI and Ivan Misner is now listed on Wikipedia 🙂
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