When is the last time you USED a business card? Today I needed to call a new client and what did I do? Did I dig past the Snickers bars, McChicken sauce packets, stamps and ratchet sockets (don't ask) in Truck Norris' center console to find the business card she gave me on our first meeting?
Nope, I immediately turned to my iphone yellow pages app. Google is usually my starting point, so I can get to the website or email address but this time I needed to call her like an adult.After I call someone the first time, I always save the contact info in my contacts but for an initial call - google it is. (*Side note - why are phone books still printed?*)
Am I alone in this? Do you keep a rolodex (or whatever card filing system you use) handy? Do you always turn to a business card first?
Do you have a system you utilize after networking events to capture business card info? I do. Ha! After the previous paragraphs you expected me to say no, didn't you? I actually have a really good system (spreadsheet) where I enter names, contact info, industry and relevant keywords so they are searchable when I need them down the road.
Alas, when I am driving (ahem...when I am not near my laptop) I still need to access this information sometimes. The Dropbox app on my iphone works great,but takes far more steps than google does.
What are your thoughts - do you really USE a business card or do you just politely collect them and then carelessly toss them into your own vehicle console or briefcase amidst candy, receipts and travel-sized deodorant?
