How to manage your business cards

Excited about your growing network of business propositions but pulling your hair out about the stack of business cards you've collected? A simple solution to manage your business cards is to prioritize, organise and follow-up. Be consistent and up-to-date and aim to strengthen the effectiveness of your network.

PRIORITIZE: Your first priority is to sort your contacts according to their potential importance to your network. Make three lists. List A will contain your regular contacts like prospective clients. List B will be for possible reference. You may send them an occasional newsletter. List C is everybody else.

ORGANISE: Organise you're A-list database by alphabetising your cards, grouping them by region or industry or profession or cross-referencing them.  You could manually file the cards or use a computer database.

FOLLOW-UP: Be intentional about making and keeping contacts. Make a schedule and set aside time to call or write to people. Don't discount someone you meet for the first time or forget someone you've met before. Constantly build on your relationships.

In building your network, start with the business card. Give yours away freely knowing that something will come of it down the line. Get  cards from others believing that you will be of benefit to each person who becomes a part of your network. 

Niiraj R Shah, National Director, BNI India is a professional networking coach and international speaker.

Issue BG75 June07