During a professional meeting, two types of people now seem to emerge.
There are those who hold out their phone and invite us to scan the QR code which will directly download their contact to our smartphone... and those who continue to rummage in their handbag to heroically brandish some a few minutes later (under stares now slightly condescending) a small piece of cardboard: their business card.
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Is the traditional business card still up to date?
Or does it immediately fall into the brontosaurus category?
The arguments against it are entirely understandable: the preservation of the planet and the saving of paper on the one hand, the regular changes of position or coordinates - quickly making the card obsolete - on the other.
The younger generations have demonstrated this: today it is so easy to get in touch via social networks, or by directly recording someone's number in their smartphone during a meeting.
But have new technologies completely replaced the role of the paper map?
A start of a relationship
No – if we are to believe the two specialists interviewed below.
“The medium of the business card perhaps makes it old-fashioned in theory, but it remains no less practical,” says Chloé Szulzinger, independent editorial communications consultant for the agency
Avec des mots
.
First, it contains all the necessary information gathered in one place, which allows us to be identified and contacted easily.”
As for social networks: “They are indeed a good way to get in touch with someone, for example via LinkedIn, but you still need to have correctly remembered the name or email address of the person,” emphasizes. She.
It would be a shame to lose an opportunity to stay connected, because we don’t know how to spell a name correctly.”
“The exchange of business cards remains a symbolic way of materializing the beginning of a relationship between two people,” says Isabelle Sthémer, expert networking coach and founder of the networking program
Le trait d’union by Isabelle Sthémer
.
Through this gesture, we open up the possibility of being part of each other’s network.”
The card is particularly useful when attending a professional event, in which you are performing.
At trade shows, forums, conferences, cocktails or presentations, it will always be good to have a few copies in your wallet.
No need to print hundreds, a small stock will be enough.
“The goal is not to distribute your card like a leaflet.
We will rather give it to a few choice people, indicates Chloé Szulzinger, from whom we hope that they will locate us, or from whom we wish to have theirs in return.
We would prefer to give it to someone who already seems interested in our activity, because this gesture must have a use.”
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A communication tool
“It says a lot about us and our activity, even our education or our personality,” adds Isabelle Sthémer
.
The business card is a promotional tool, it is a good way to stand out from the competition.
The choice of shape, design, and colors have their place here.”
A card is also a work tool: it can be used as a memo when you want to write down some information after meeting someone.
“Writing down one or two topics of conversation that we had with our interlocutor can be useful,” says the networking expert.
When they are handed a business card, some people also have the habit of writing down significant visual information about the person.”
So many mnemonic means which allow us to resituate the person, or even to start a conversation with them, if we come across them again.
Adapt to developments
If you choose a 2.0 business card, it must still respect current communication codes, experts emphasize.
No more URL links that no one types in their search bar, and which are supposed to refer to the company's website.
We would prefer a QR code, recommend the two experts.
“It can also direct to our personal site or our social networks: it’s a good solution so that this famous electronic card is always up to date,” explains Isabelle Sthémer.
It then continues to fulfill its initial functions, while adapting to new technologies.”
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As for the graphics and color, we choose them again in accordance with our professional environment and our profession.
“Just like clothing, the card must correspond to the codes of our activity,” warns the coach.
If you want to stand out without overdoing it, it is always possible to choose good quality paper, or to write a slogan in harmony with what you represent.
Everything will ultimately depend on the environment and field in which we operate.