39 Comments Add your own

• 1. Amanda Podesta  |  December 19th, 2010 at 7:44 pm

  If you needed something translated into characters, until you’re sure any quote is 100% legitimate definitely supplement any service by asking the opinion of as many native speakers as you can… there is a whole blog called Hanzi Smatter (http://hanzismatter.blogspot.com/) chronicling tattoos that have gotten “lost in translation.”
  Visit and squirm for these poor, poor people— if the characters turn out to be gibberish, they’ve gotten off lightly as they are now in a world where “strong=rice,” “metamorphosis=I am a pervert,” “dragon soul=prepaid transportation card,” and “I preserve=I am a slow foreigner.”

• 2. David Hart  |  January 11th, 2011 at 5:59 pm

  I like the quote at the end of the WSJ article about how some 20-somethings don’t use business cards–”but 20-somethings won’t give you a job.” This was a good article about business cards. I had never thought of the idea to fill the back space of the card with information such as accomplishments. The article had some good ideas.

• 3. Katie Moeller  |  January 11th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

  Last year I came to Cal Poly to sit in on class and I met with a few students about the MBA program. One of the students gave me his business card. I was kind of surprised to get one since he was a student. I guess it makes sense since he was in his second year and about to enter the job market (and maybe he had read this blog). On the back of the card, his information was listed in Chinese. I was impressed. I have not started thinking about business cards but I will need to get this done.

• 4. Chris Bruns  |  January 12th, 2011 at 6:54 pm

  I have had business cards in the past and I believe that they are a crucial part of how to do business well. I would often go into a new office or business and meet so many people that there is no way to remember all of their names and specific titles. With all of the necessary contact information (office, extension, cell, e-mail) that needs to be exchanged the ideal way is still the tried-and-true business card. I have also noticed the trend that more and more people prefer to receive an email rather then dialing into their office or calling their cell when it is a small question or concern. Since all of my prior business cards have old job titles, I know that I need to spend the time to brand myself as I prepare to enter the job market.

• 5. Dan N  |  January 16th, 2011 at 2:08 pm

  Hey everyone… don’t make the mistake that I just made. I was invited to an awesome networking opportunity over Christmas break at the last minute. I had been procrastinating getting my personal business cards designed and printed. With only 48 hours to get something done, I rushed to come up with design and content that reflected in time to get get the cards printed. $50 later, I have a box full of business cards that really kind of suck. I don’t like the weight of the paper I chose nor do I like like some of the bullet points that I put on the back of the card. If I had just taken my time and thought through each detail of the card instead of waiting until the last minute then I wouldn’t have wasted the money or the opportunity. Oh well, I guess we live and we learn…

• 6. Jessie Wilkie  |  January 17th, 2011 at 8:50 pm

  First, I’d like to express my extreme liking of American Psycho and Christian Bale! Awesome clip choice for business cards. Except I hope that we don’t get as competitive over our business cards…

  Second, the WSJ article was interesting. I thought it was a cool idea to use the reverse side for the purpose of creating a mini CV. At a leadership conference that I attended, however, they said that to collect business cards to network and to use the reverse side of the cards that you collected to write down a few key facts or discussion points that you found or had with the person who gave you the card. Then the next thing to do is to email them within 24 hours with a short, sweet email that brings up one or more of those points that you wrote down. This is just an idea that I’d like to pass along to my classmates for when they collect business cards in general.

  Finally, I agree with David that the last line is funny. 20 somethings definitely don’t give you jobs. There is definitely a generation gap that is still current between employers and employees. Not all those hiring are as tech savvy as our generation.

• 7. Cassie Bettencourt  |  January 28th, 2011 at 6:15 pm

  I really appreciated the practicality of this blog post. The WSJ article was very interesting, and I feel it gave some really good advice regarding business cards. Viewing business cards as a personal marketing tool make the things seem far less useless. Prior to working in a real job, I definitely believed they were pointless. However, I have come to realize that business cards are part of business culture and they are a formality that cannot be over looked. My employer required us to have them for client meetings and it makes a lot of sense why—people have something to remember you by and it looks sloppy not to have one to give back when you receive one.

  The visual CV mentioned in the article sounds like a really cool idea that I would like to look into further. Also, the part about being creative within limits reminded me of the movie Legally Blonde when Elle Woods sends a pink and scented resume to Havard Law School. I would say that is pushing the limits, although for her, it was an effective marketing tool that definitely made a memorable first impression.

• 8. Brady Haug  |  February 2nd, 2011 at 10:33 pm

  First of all, I find American Psycho to be a hilarious film. It is certainly dark but there are some moments of sheer comedic genius. I have always thought this scene was hilarious in context. Whether or not anyone actually inspects a business card to this degree, I don’t know, but it clearly shows that every little detail of you can be analyzed. After reading the Wall Street Journal article, I have a few conflicting ideas. Even though the article mentioned that a bland card leaves you feeling empty, I could see it from both sides. I was thinking that a simple card can also give off a feeling of bluntness, that what you see in me is what you get. I think a simple card should play on points from the American Psycho clip, such as the paper weight in order to give a subtle element of differentiation. I had never even thought of possibly writing on the back of a business card. I think it could be a good idea to add a case study, but could the person potentially want to make a note for themselves on the back? This article certainly gave me some ideas to play around with for when I purchase my cards.

• 9. Robbin Forsyth  |  February 10th, 2011 at 9:41 pm

  Good topic. Super important for asia. The first time I travelled in Asia for business I was BLOWN away how important business cards are. Working in the surf industry the formality of business cards was shunned. I got them from vendors, but never handed them out domestically. Anybody going on this trip MUST have cards.
  Good points from the WSJ article:
  - Title is critical. Its great to give out cards, but the person receiving the card needs some context to remember you. Some kind of a title will help with this.
  - Two sided cards are a great way to include more info, but don’t completely fill both sides! It looks cheap and desperate. A few important ideas will be better communicated if they are sitting on uncluttered open space.
  - Different cards for different scenarios are good. You may be a student in one situation and an entrepreneur in another.
  - Cards, resumes an any other marketing tools must match. Same fonts, colors and overall look.
  As far as translations go… I would not have this done unless you have a trusted friend that can proof read the translation BEFORE you pay for the cards.

• 10. Tim Easton  |  February 14th, 2011 at 7:07 pm

  Great clip from American Psycho! I know that business cards are important, but I don’t think I will ever take them that seriously. I currently do not have a business card but am in the process of designing one. As Dan said, I want to be happy with my business card before I use it to market myself. If I am not satisfied with the card I will be thinking about its flaws every time I hand one out. The WSJ article was pretty interesting and had some good ideas for things to put on the back of your card. I have not personally seen a business card with anything other than a translation on the back, so this would be a great way for me to differentiate myself.

• 11. Jason Jay Sharma  |  February 15th, 2011 at 11:07 pm

  I have pretty mixed feelings about business cards. As part of the accounting program, we were always told business cards came off as pretentious when meeting with potential employers. Looking back, I think business cards for undergraduate students are unnecessary–aside from your contact information, it would only convey that you are an inexperienced student at Cal Poly. When Prof. Carr mentioned brining business cards with us to China, I still thought it would come off as pretentious for a student. However, in the past few months and after reading the above post, I’ve realized something is very different for MBA students. First, for most of us, we have experience working in the real world and now have definite skills to convey. Second, for the type of trip we are going undertaking, it’s very important to share contact information (and basic background information) with the Chinese businessmen and women we will be meeting. Potential employers back home also have copies of our resume, but the individuals in China do not.

  On the other side, I enjoy designing business cards for fun in my spare time. The difference, however, is that those cards are more design oriented, while the cards we are discussing here are much more professional in the traditional sense. Basically, it comes down to bright and bold colors versus black and white. To still differentiate successfully, there are still certain elements that can be altered to give you an edge. Points already mentioned include paper weight, raised ink (a personal favorite), and font or typeface. Additional differentiating factors should be researched, possibly by looking up what traditional Chinese or Asian business cards look like or what they include. For our younger internet generation, LinkedIn profile links seem vital these days, as do personalized URL links, and even mini-resumes on the reverse side are gaining popularity. That brings up a good point the WSJ article made–”Perhaps business cards are passé among 20-somethings, Ms. Darling says, ‘but 20-somethings won’t give you a job.’”

  In the end, business cards are vital. I plan to take extra time adjusting mine to look as best as possible before we leave for China (and for when we get back).

• 12. Randy Camat  |  February 17th, 2011 at 9:18 pm

  I never thought about making/having my own business cards prior to the MBA program. In my past construction internship, I was given a box of business cards, but I took it as a joke because I was just an intern and who would want my card anyway. I also carried over that mentality into being a student and not having much to show for as far as what title to put on the business card. However, I later found out that having a business card, especially at the job fair(s), made me stand out and looked more professional and serious about getting a job. The article helped reassure the importance of having an effective business card especially in this competitive market.

• 13. Sarah Weinzapfel  |  February 18th, 2011 at 6:53 pm

  I liked the clip from American Psycho. I have never seen the movie, but didn’t expect something like to be in it. I have business cards. There are a couple things I would like to change before we head out to China. While I appreciate how practical this topic is and thought the article had some good points, I didn’t really agree with most of what the article had to say. My business cards have a title and all the necessary information with a subtle design on the front. I am definitely a less is more kind of person. I think putting bullet points on the back of a business card would make it look crowded and messy. I don’t like business cards with anything on the back. I think the point of them is to be able to look quickly and be able to see all the necessary contact information at once. I don’t think the purpose of a business card is to act like a mini resume. I think they’re extremely important, but I think they need to stay simple.

• 14. Matt Streiter  |  February 18th, 2011 at 6:55 pm

  American Psycho…Amazing! I felt that the article was quite contradicting to what you said in your addendum. You (Chris Carr) say “less is more” when the article states that maybe you should put some bullet points of qualifications or a clever saying that will help someone remember you. I tend to think that “less is more” is also a good rule of thumb. If someone handed me a business card with a bunch of text on it I may give an awkward glance. That being said, having a business card is important because you may come off as not being serious or dedicated without one. There were a few good tidbits in the article though: have the resume and card font match and pay attention to paper weight and paper gloss for example. Referring back to the movie clip, I need to brush up on my paper and font lingo.

• 15. Will Moeller  |  February 19th, 2011 at 6:11 am

  According to the WSJ article, these American Psycho business cards would fail the test as too simple. Personally, I’m a fan of simple, austere cards. I have a lot to learn if I’m going to use business cards on the job search.

  Robbin and Dr. Carr both indicate that having business cards in Asia is a no-brainer. It’s part of the custom. I don’t want to miss out on that opportunity/business culture practice. The trouble will be finding and making a card that can function for both the job search and the China trip. Of course, as the WSJ article indicates, I could make several.

  From a professional perspective, I have a bit of a different take. Unless you’ve done something to warrant carrying around a personal business card, I’m not sure it’s necessary in the finance world. I’ve been in hundreds of professional meetings with finance professionals way more important than I was - none of them used the back side of their card to tout their skills. In fact, I’ve never received a personal business card while in the finance world. I can see Jason’s point about business cards coming off as pretentious - particularly for those who aren’t at the top level of their profession.

• 16. Jessica Shayler  |  February 19th, 2011 at 1:32 pm

  The first time I made business cards was last January for my tailoring business. I used them as a way to remind clients of appointments and they in turn asked for a few extra to distribute to their friends. In that context it was more important for the cards to match the look and feel of my website than my resume, so the point of having multiple business cards for various scenarios stood out the most to me. Now, my card looks more like my resume, but I will admit I was too cheap to put anything on the back…. I have already been in several situations where exchanging business cards was expected (some I had them with me, others I dropped the ball), so the comment about business cards being an archaic custom should be taken with a (two?) grain(s) of salt. They don’t have to be an expensive investment and could pay off in a huge manner in the right environment. Might as well make the investment.

• 17. Kristine Spencer  |  February 23rd, 2011 at 5:04 pm

  I have been looking into buying business cards recently, so this post is very helpful. But from what I have read, there are many opinions on what is acceptable, what isn’t, what is trendy, and what is trendy that is unprofessional, whether to use a pop of color, and the list goes on. This article suggests using the back of a business card, but I read somewhere else that this shouldn’t be done because this space should be reserved for writing notes. This all has confused me and has hindered me from getting any printed. Soon I will have to choose what I think is best and make the plunge. I know I will be tempted to overdesign, but I know that is not what it is about and it should be clean and professional. I liked the suggestion of having the same front for both a business card and resume.

• 18. Ashley Ogden  |  February 26th, 2011 at 2:52 pm

  I loved the video clip from American Psycho! “It even has a watermark.” Who knew that such little details matter so much? I also liked the last line of the WSJ article:”Perhaps business cards are passé among 20-somethings, Ms. Darling says, ‘but 20-somethings won’t give you a job.’”.

  I took a second look at my business card after reading the article. It is definitely important to make a good impression when meeting someone new, especially a potential employer. They meet so many new people each day that when you leave, the one thing they have to remember you by is that little piece of paper. I am not sure about the advice to fill the back of the card with qualifications. I had never thought or heard of this before. It seems a little tacky, but I guess if it will help me make a good impression, it is worth a try.

• 19. j hurley  |  February 26th, 2011 at 5:36 pm

  This was an interesting read. I have been provided business cards by all of the companies I have worked for in the past, but have never made one from scratch. I guess its about time to make one that I feel represents myself.
  Is it common to put bullet point facts on the back. I have never done this and don’t think that I have received a card that does. My first take is that it is a little cheesy, like handing out a mini resume. However, I can see the value in it if introductions are limited

• 20. Tyler Sereno  |  February 28th, 2011 at 9:22 pm

  The video clip from American Psycho was great. I plan to bring business cards on our trip to China, especially since they are big in Asia. The WSJ article provided lots of useful tips to making a successful business card. These tips included using the reverse side of the card to place professional achievements. I never would have thought to have information on the back of my card. I liked the quote, “Business cards represent who you are and remind people why they should hire you.” They are another way to make a good name for yourself when job searching.

• 21. Tara Millard  |  March 1st, 2011 at 6:23 pm

  First off, that video tidbit is hilarious. Why I haven’t seen that movie, I do not know.

  As for business cards themselves, I find them a necessary aspect in getting hired, doing business, social networking and on and on. I have struggled at the fact that a business card is a way to brand myself. The pressure of branding me has made hitting the send button for my business cards a huge issue. I struggle with simplicity, but I am thinking that may be the best direction to go.

  Furthermore, I really enjoyed the statement in the article about our generation not using business cards. I cannot think of the last interview of business gathering I went to that was run by someone in their twenties. The reality is, the generation above us is the ones who will be hiring and if they believe in business cards, we better as well.

• 22. Anthony Kallioinen  |  March 8th, 2011 at 9:47 am

  Business cards are an important part of this trip and an important part of distinguishing myself from my competition. I made my business card last September before the fall career fair because most undergrads do not have business cards and it was a nice way to separate myself as an MBA. I made the card at Vistaprint (online - if anyone is curious and I got a great price. For 500 cards of the design of my choosing, the thickest cardstock, recycled paper, with a metal case, the price was only $17 shipped.) I chose to match the colors, font and style after my resume so that the two work together. At the very least it would look different than the ones in the video.

  What I really need to do is to revamp the card to include some changes. I need to spend some time on the ‘title’ portion of the card seeing how important it is, to change the color to match my new resume and website, and also to have the card include the address of the personal website I just made. I don’t agree with Mr. Donlin, that the back side is underdeveloped real estate. I’ve heard most people use this space to jot down notes about how they met someone – where, when, what stuck out. I liked the last line of this article: “Perhaps business cards are passé among 20-somethings, Ms. Darling says, ‘but 20-somethings won’t give you a job.’” This really deflates any youth-driven argument against business cards. It also leads to a whole other topic about how important it is to impress the demographic that is hiring. I’ve heard that many older architecture principals will not approve of tattoos, earrings or other youthful signs of future problems with conservative clients; this is probably a specific case however.

  My business card currently is something I am using to search for architecture positions. Should I make a new card with the cal poly logo, my title as a Cal Poly MBA Candidate with the mandarin translation on the back for this trip? I suppose I would only need 100 or so.

• 23. Ben Raymond  |  March 9th, 2011 at 9:48 pm

  I have always assumed that I wouldn’t need a business card until I had a job. However it appears that a business card is looked upon very highly in China, even for a student. I really haven’t put much thought into business cards but it seems that now is the time.

  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a business card with info on the back but I could see how that would be useful. If I were to add content to the back I think it would just be bulleted core competencies or something of the sort. I thought matching the font and style of your resume was a good tip. It’s a bummer we can’t use the Cal Poly logo because I think that would add a nice touch.

• 24. Kyle R.  |  March 12th, 2011 at 10:07 am

  Bullet points on the back of business cards? I’ve never seen or heard of somebody doing that before. I guess it makes sense in some situations, but I know managers and business owners who are “traditional” and would just laugh at bullet points on the back. Like Jens said, if you don’t really have time to adequately converse with a person you just gave your card to, it may prove beneficial. My current business card is very simple and just provides the necessary background/contact information about myself and the company I work for. I think in the future we will see a transition from a basic business card to a double-sided version, but not anytime soon.

• 25. J Vail  |  March 14th, 2011 at 12:29 pm

  I’m sure some people have seen this before but it was one of the best billboards I have ever seen: http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/AmericanPsycho-BillboardCro.jpg

  It was excellent to somehow integrate this scene into our blogs, but this post was pretty self-explanatory. The info on how to present business cards was important and good to know if you actually intend to distribute business cards. I also liked the comment from the WSJ article that “design should match your resume”.

• 26. Chris F.  |  March 17th, 2011 at 10:59 pm

  Funny video clip from American Psycho - those guys meant serious business (with their business cards). I am one of those people who currently does not have a business card because I never felt I was worthy to have one (i.e. I am just about to leave the academic world and have no prior employment other than “intern”). But the WSJ article did offer some tips that I found helpful - putting key skills and qualifications on back. I think that is a differentiating factor among the sea of business cards out there. We shall see what I will put on a business card as the time to leave for China gets closer and I consider the business card issue more carefully.

• 27. JP Salazar  |  March 17th, 2011 at 11:58 pm

  American Psycho. I love this scene. It really shows the incredible importance that some people put into having a good business card. Oh, and how crazy Patrick Bateman, the main character, is. Great movie. Even better book.
  But it brings up a good point. Your business card is often tied to a person’s first impression of you. When you present your business card, you are presenting a part of yourself. It also is often the only thing that a contact has to identify you. Having a card that differentiates you from the crowd in a tasteful manner is important.
  I currently do not have a business card, but I plan on purchasing some before the China trip. The WSJ article raises a couple of good points regarding the design of your card that I will definitely take into consideration when I go through this process.
  The thing that I am most interested in is getting a first hand look at the formality associated with presenting your business card while we are in China. From the talks we’ve had in class it seems like a very ceremonial exchange. It will be very interesting to see how different the process is from the very informal American culture.

• 28. Omar Pradhan  |  March 18th, 2011 at 2:36 pm

  My thoughts on business cards are in flux but the point at the end of the article sums up the reality of why we all need one: “Perhaps business cards are passé among 20-somethings…but 20-somethings won’t give you a job.” As to the point you make about marketing oneself, this has been an area where I’ve had to do a whole lot of growing lately. 13+ years of military conditioning has resulted in my NOT having skills to “differentiate” my brand. Specifically, the first thing that happens to a recruit in basic training is you get your hair clipped (one of the strongest parts of our identity) and next, everyone gets to wear the same uniform. Standing out, we are trained, may get us killed. It also has the potential to undermine unit cohesion, where the goal is that everyone with similar specialized training should be interchangeable… I could go on, but the point is - for former military folks, self-promotion is a foreign concept and I’m working to rehabilitate myself…especially when it comes to job interviews and finding ways to not shy away from taking credit when I made a difference. Anyhow, so I’ve spent a lot of time in crafting my business card and, hopefully, when I toss it down on the table I’ll be okay (i.e. not break out into a sweat) when others have better cards;)

• 29. Kevin K.  |  February 6th, 2012 at 9:09 pm

  That article has some great ideas. I especially liked the thought of using the commonly left blank space on the back of business cards as a canvas to list achievements. Your business card is really an extension of yourself, it might be the only chance you have to make an impression on someone, so might as well make it one that impresses.

  I have some older business cards, less business-like, but purchasing some new ones before leaving to China is a must. Now I just have to decide on an off-white color and a pitch black for the text. A nice black on ivory, or eggshell perhaps…

• 30. Georgia  |  February 16th, 2012 at 3:23 pm

  I love business cards that look like Christian Bale’s in American Psycho, simple and to the point. But after reading the WJS article all I can think of is the forgotten second half, craving fulfillment. I don’t think I will take advantage of this tip yet, because I don’t believe that I have any professional achievements I want to brag about. But it is a good tool to stick in my pocket when I am deeper in my career and have strong examples.
  I definitely wouldn’t say that business cards are outdated. In the fast paced business world it is always good to leave a reminder of yourself. Hopefully they will have written on it from your encounter, or you have listed traits on the back to jog their memory. I don’t see the point in not trying to capitalize on this cheap self-promoting tactic, and it always makes you look more prepared. I T.A. for a Business Leadership class and my professor handed out her business cards to the entire class. Out of 160 students one came down and handed her his card. She was beyond impressed and he was offered a leadership position due to that encounter.

• 31. Vladimir  |  February 18th, 2012 at 2:39 pm

  I had business cards at companies I worked for, but I can’t remember ever presenting one. I might have dropped one in a jar for a raffle. I didn’t think business cards were important for my position. There were times when others handed me their business cards and I sometimes thought the situation didn’t warrant a business card exchange.

  I might create multiple personal business cards – one with a Chinese translation on the back and the other with several professional achievements or areas of expertise. Using the translated cards in the US could differentiate me from others. I’m not sure if I want to include a link to my LinkedIn profile on my personal business card / networking card. If I do, I’ll probably hide the details of my public profile and just have a professional bio or limited information publicly viewable. I can’t target my personal business card or LinkedIn profile like a resume. During a job search phase, I think the costs of the additional step required for sending my new contact my resume don’t outweigh the benefits of avoiding their clicking on a generic resume.

• 32. Charles Dornbush  |  February 21st, 2012 at 12:38 pm

  This post has some insightful comments on what to put on your business card. Until now I had thought that only name, title, and contact info should exist on your card. It now seems that everything benefits from a little self-promotion, including your card. Using the backside as a mini-resume never occurred to me, but it is a way to differentiate yourself.

  One question I had from our course packet was “Do I put MBA on my business card?” I think this is something we should talk about spring quarter. While it might across as pompous to some, the world is seeming to becoming more receptive to self-promotion, and maybe this would be a good idea.

• 33. Grant  |  March 2nd, 2012 at 2:36 pm

  The posts were good and mostly informative, but one question I have is if it is appropriate to put “MBA” after our name on a card that we would use on the trip, since we are technically not MBA’s until the trip is over, although we have already graduated. Not sure how that works.

  Also, for those of us who have our own business, it it appropriate to use that card on the China Trip, even though the business itself has zero Int’l component, or is it better to make a card for the specific purpose of the trip.

• 34. Jeffrey Brown  |  March 12th, 2012 at 12:43 am

  This post reminded me of a video I saw a while ago, “Your Business Card is Crap” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk DISCLAIMER: I do not actually agree with this video nor do I condone following its advice, but it is still something to think about nonetheless. While cards do not have to be as extravagant as the one in that video, it is important to have something that makes it stand out amongst others. Something that might help with that (and bring business cards into the 21st century) is a concept known as QR codes.

  Interesting article on QR codes:
  http://www.wildfiremarketinggroup.com/qr-code-business-cards/

  Thoughts?

• 35. Fred S.  |  March 13th, 2012 at 12:21 pm

  I have made a few business cards for locally marketing myself here in SLO. I have used Vista Print http://www.vistaprint.com/
  They are fairly cheap and easy to make. Using the backside cost a little extra, but you can get a gloss finish, which thickens up the card, for free. Just make sure you proofread the card carefully. I made that mistake once and had to reorder.

  I like the idea of the translation on the backside. I would just be worried that it didn’t translate over to what I really mean. Sometimes those computer translations can be iffy. I wonder if it is acceptable to put MBA or MS after your name. I once had EIT (Engineer-In-Training) certificate after my name and my boss suggested I take it off because it just made me look like a douche.

• 36. Ashley Tyra  |  March 15th, 2012 at 10:33 pm

  As the WSJ article says, “A professionally prepared card shows you mean business.” Who is going to take you seriously if you scribble your information on a napkin? With our society’s attention span getting shorter and shorter, having a business card that is effective can ensure that a person you network with can remember your information. A business card can be an opportunity to better your reputation and make a connection stronger. Although I am still designing a business card at the moment, I plan on having them before we travel to China.

  A great alternative to Vista Print that is still fairly priced and high quality: http://us.moo.com/

• 37. Keith Cody  |  March 16th, 2012 at 3:23 am

  My current business card is more like an old fashioned calling card. It just says “Keith Cody - God Damn Business Man”. I love it.

  My God Damn Business Man (GDBM) card was made by Vista Print. They often run great specials. 250 cards for under $5. Can’t beat that. They take about 3 weeks, so if you want cards for China, you better order before May 1st.

  If you are a little bit more well-heeled, Moo has nicer quality cards than Vista Print, but they’re are more expensive.

  Even though I think QR codes are a crappy solution to problem, I like Jeff’s suggestion of putting them on cards. The reception of your card may not understand English and well as you think, the QR code can direct them to the material you want them to see. A new start-up Banmake is helping to spread QR codes in China.

  The fact that we cannot use the schools logo on our cards is BS. We pay to go here, more than we paid last year, it’s our school, we should be able to use the logo. When we pay 100% of our student fees, (2016 maybe), there will be no sane argument against it.

  Faculty of the COB have said that the education at Oraflea is comparable to Harvard Business School. HBS gives their students business cards with the schools logo on it. So does Stanford, Wharton, Marshall, Haas and most others. In this respect, COB is clearly not following the standard set by HBS and the other top business school.

  HBS: http://sa.hbs.edu/store/categories/stationery

  Stanford: http://blog.ulfw.com/2008/04/stanford-gsb-is-now-1/

  Wharton: http://engage.wharton.upenn.edu/MBA/forums/t/3171.aspx

  Kellogg: http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/PTMBA_Intranet/student_services.aspx

  Marshall (USC): http://scmbsg.org/bcards

  On a lighter note, Fred’s mustache makes him look like a douche, not the words “Engineer-In-Training.”

• 38. Keith Cody  |  March 16th, 2012 at 3:28 am

  Haas, the Berkeley School of Business even goes so far as to put this quote on their page:

  Business Cards are a necessity when networking and interviewing. Business cards are available with the Haas logo. Orders can be placed online through the Online Copy Central Storefront. Click here to order.
  http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/careercenter/mba.html

• 39. Daniel Fleek  |  March 16th, 2012 at 12:03 pm

  I haven’t made business cards yet, but after reading the article, I agree that “a business card represents who you are, reminding people why they should hire you.” Therefore, when I make them, I will try to do this by thinking back to my marketing class as recommended and also to use the tips presented on here which were some great ideas. This includes putting a light personal pitch on the back of the card, but within limits so that the information isn’t confusing. Hopefully, I’m able to differentiate my cards more than the guys in the American Psycho business card scene.

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