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Digg it UP - 16 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Unforgettable
Today’s business environment isn’t getting any easier, nor will it get easier anytime in the future. I’m not psychic but I have learned that business NEVER gets simpler. More competition, shrinking profit margins, increases in fixed and operating costs are just a few of the issues we deal with everyday. You can lament this fact or, you can take proactive measures to bullet-proof your business. Here are few strategies that can help:Clearly define your business. The most successful business people know what they are in business for. They have one or two areas of specialty or expertise and they stick to what they’re good at. They avoid the temptation to try to become everything to everybody. In many fields, specialists tend to do better than generalists and, in bookselling, it’s no different.Have you created a niche market for yourself?Is your niche viable in your location/city/town/market?Are you the best at what you do in your trading area?Do you stick to what you’re good at or do you stray from this when revenues are lean?Mounting bills, a slow month or months, pressure to generate dollars to the bottom line; it’s tempting to take on new work or do something in an area you don’t have a lot of experience. Unfortunately, this spreads our resources thin and can cause us to lose focus in our specific area of specialty
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of yo
For most companies, adhering to the strict regulations regarding document management and implementation of ISO 9000 standards can be a monotonous task. Luckily, since ISO 9000 was first developed almost 20 years ago, a variety of ISO 9000 software products are now available for purchase.ISO 9000 software is available to suit any business’ needs. Whether it is a large or small company, a software program can be selected from over 300 products to meet the specific requirements of the quality process. Prices range from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the resources needed. Even a small start-up company can afford some of the options, and ISO 9000 software solutions can make it easier to implement quality procedures.On the lower end of the price spectrum is 3C Technologies’ Rapid Start Up Kit. Prices for this program begin at around $145 and include all of the features that are currently available for ISO 9000 software. This program is only compatible with Windows operating systems. A few of the areas in which the program can manage are quality control documents, training, contract review and product identification. This is an ideal program for small or start-up businesses that need assistance in complying with ISO 9000 regulations.One example of ISO 9000 software designed for medium-sized businesses is desig
And it was all worth it.
A business card is an entrepreneur’s best friend, his most valuable marketing tool and an essential element to becoming UNFORGETTABLE. Unfortunately, too many people have business cards that simply blend into the multitude of cookie cutter crap. And that’s a shame, because a business card is more powerful than you think.
Of course, it’s impossible to know this unless you actually have a card that’s really, really good. Therefore, this article will examine The Four Corners of Unforgettable Business Cards:
1. Stacking Up
2. Standing Out
3. Creative Enhancement
4. Implementation
CORNER #1: How Does Your Card Stack Up?
Think back to the last trade show, networking event, seminar, convention, social hour or association meeting you attended. How did people react to your business card? Did they compliment its design? Quickly shove it into their pocket? Show it to someone else? Rip it up?
Whatever the response was, your card made some type of impression. But only the most creative, unique and memorable business cards make UNFORGETTABLE impressions. And those types of cards elicit reactions like…
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of you
Indiana payroll has some unique aspects and conditions. Some of the details and laws are set out in this article including information concerning: tax withholding and reporting; unemployment insurance taxes and reporting; wage and hour laws; and child support withholding.The Indiana State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is: Department of Revenue Compliance Division Indiana Govt. Center North Indianapolis, IN 46204-2253 (317) 233-4018 www.ai.org/dorIndiana requires that you use Indiana form "WH-4, Employee's Withholding Exemption and County Status Certificate" instead of a Federal W-4 Form for Indiana State Income Tax Withholding.Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Indiana cafeteria plans are: not taxable for income tax calculation; not taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are: not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.In Indiana supplemental wages are taxed at a 3.4% flat rate.You may file your Indiana State W-2s by magnetic media if you choose to.The Indiana State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:Department of Workforce D
Of course, it’s impossible to know this unless you actually have a card that’s really, really good. Therefore, this article will examine The Four Corners of Unforgettable Business Cards:
1. Stacking Up
2. Standing Out
3. Creative Enhancement
4. Implementation
CORNER #1: How Does Your Card Stack Up?
Think back to the last trade show, networking event, seminar, convention, social hour or association meeting you attended. How did people react to your business card? Did they compliment its design? Quickly shove it into their pocket? Show it to someone else? Rip it up?
Whatever the response was, your card made some type of impression. But only the most creative, unique and memorable business cards make UNFORGETTABLE impressions. And those types of cards elicit reactions like…
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of yo
Postcards are widely used around the world, even at the height of internet technology; they are still used for greeting people and sending best wishes. Along with these basic ideas, you can also use them on business purposes, but having to print them at your custom size or preference needs a little more details, time and effort to give them proper results.Sizes on postcards vary, they usually come to 4.25” x 5.5” as the smallest to 6” x 9”, there are also other formats but they are the ones commonly used. Postcards have different type of paper used with other printing needs. They usually have a gloss coating, they can be of excellent quality, and a 10 pt. coated side is the most common with postcard printing usage.There are different postcard formats. The widely used formats are 4/0, 4/1-blk, and 4/4. They represent the amount of colors to be printed on each side. Four color printing is full color, so 4/0 basically means fully printed on one side and no print on the other. Using black on the other side represents 4/1-blk. lastly the 4/4 can have both sides full printed.Postcards are also widely used within business purposes; it can be a very economical way to promote your products and services. They may be used for some of these purpose namely; real estate, mortgage marketing, business, direct marketing, and corporate postcards.<
Whatever the response was, your card made some type of impression. But only the most creative, unique and memorable business cards make UNFORGETTABLE impressions. And those types of cards elicit reactions like…
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of yo
Companies that sell reinforcing steel bars (or concrete bars - also known as Rebar) have seen a boom in recent years. Many cities have seen a surge in residential and commercial real estate projects, which in turn has increased the demand for Rebar.Companies that sell, cut and bend Rebar have profited nicely from this growth – however, they have also faced a common problem in the industry. The problem is tight cash flow. Basically, they sell the Rebar to customers (e.g. builders, contractors) at good prices. These customers usually pay their invoices in 30 to 60 days. In the meantime, the Rebar company must wait to get paid while covering all supplier, payroll and rent expenses. Many times, this is not sustainable. Either the company stops growing, or worse, it starts missing key supplier or employee payments.Going to the bank to get business financing is not always the best solution. Why? Banks seldom finance companies in the Rebar industry. And before they finance a company, they need to see a detailed business plan, three years worth of company financials and owners with good personal credit. Also, they take months to make a decision. However, there is a better solution problem – the solution is to factor your receivables.Factoring receivables provides your company with an immediate advance on the slow paying invoices. This gives yo
If you’ve ever heard a compliment along those lines before, congrats! You’re on the right track.
That reminds me of Gus. He and I sat next to each other at a sales seminar a few years ago. During the program, the facilitator asked the audience members to exchange cards and get to know each other. Gus’s card was amazing: thick, colorful, double sided, bold, shiny and best of all, simple. (That was no surprise – he was in advertising!) But it was one of the best I’d ever seen. So we introduced ourselves, exchanged cards and talked for a few minutes. And that was about it. Nice guy, I thought.
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of yo
Machiavelli emphasized on building a strong organization structure where responsibilities and accountabilities are clearly defined and offender should be dealt with no mercy. As per him an organization or kingdom can be built on the support of either the people or the nobles.“A principality is created either by the people or by the nobles, accordingly as one or other of them has the opportunity; for the nobles, seeing they cannot withstand the people, begin to cry up the reputation of one of themselves, and they make him a prince, so that under his shadow they can give vent to their ambitions. The people, finding they cannot resist the nobles, also cry up the reputation of one of themselves, and make him a prince so as to be defended by his authority. He who obtains sovereignty by the assistance of the nobles maintains himself with more difficulty than he who comes to it by the aid of the people, because the former finds himself with many around him who consider themselves his equals, and because of this he can neither rule nor manage them to his liking. But he who reaches sovereignty by popular favor finds himself alone, and has none around him, or few, who are not prepared to obey him.” ( Machiavelli, Chapter 22)Machiavelli mentioned throughout his book that the kingdom built on the goodwill and support of people have more chances of surv
Now, here’s the cool part: although Gus and I didn’t really keep in touch, I’ve never thrown his card away. I show it to everyone! In fact, I even use it as a prop in some of my networking workshops! His card was just that good.
Is yours that good? Keep that question in the back of your mind as you read on. Now let’s move into the next section and find out why certain cards stand out more than others.
CORNER # 2: Standing Out
Recently I took 66 business cards I've collected over the years and spread them out on a table. I closed my eyes for 30 seconds, opened them and took note of which cards stood out the most. And here's what I noticed:
(To view a high quality image of this game of 66 Card Pick Up, go to http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/03/does-your-business-card-stand-out.html)
This was a valuable exercise in understanding UNFORGETTABLE business cards, and I recommend it to everyone. Try it out! Gather dozens of accumulated cards from your desk and discover which ones stand out. Oh, and don't forget to put your OWN card in the pile. You’ll be amazed at what you see.
Or don't see.
CORNER #3: Creative and Unique Ways to Enhance Your Card
Now that you’ve analyzed your own card and have been exposed to a large quantity of other people cards, your mind should be swimming with new, creative ideas. This is the perfect time to brainstorm ways to enhance your card. So, grab a blank sheet of paper. Come up with as many ideas as possible. Let your creativity run wild! And to help you get started, here’s a list of 16 creative ideas to make your business card UNFORGETTABLE:
1. Size or Shape – Rectangle, schmectangle. I’ve seen squares, circles, ovals and triangles. Each shape made a connection to the brand, and each shape stood out amidst the endless regression of the same old rectangles.
2. Chocolate Business Cards (yes, these DO exist) – Several companies have online
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