How to Create Effective Business Cards

Everything in businesses today has become paperless with technological advancements introducing email, internet, scanning and others. However, the one essential paper item required for businesses and entrepreneurs which continues to be utilized effectively is a business card. A business card is very important to let customers, clients and possible investors take your information with them and remember you when the time comes. Have you ever been in a situation where youve bought something from someone and then you cant remember where the store is located or what its called That business provided you a service or product which you would have wanted to use or buy again. Because you cant remember the details you will be likely go somewhere else to buy that product or service. This should not happen to you and your business and so business cards assure you that customers will remember you. If you are in a business which requires exchanging information often with clients then having a business card will be useful.

Business cards needs to be perfect for others to get the right first impression about you. It is a way to tell others what your profession is, to give them an idea of how you will be able to help them and what services you can provide. A business card should reflect that you are a professional, you do your job well and you know what youre doing. There are many different styles for business cards but it is important to choose a style and layout which is organized and appealing to the eye. The basic essentials a business card should contain are your first and last name, your title or designation in the business, the name of the business, the service you provide if it is not obvious, and the options to contact you. The contact information should at least have a landline telephone number, a cell phone number if available, email address, website of the business, and mailing address. Remember, your business card is not a brochure, so dont make it confusing by listing too many services and products. If you really must list a few services you also have the option to list them on the back of the business card so your contact information stays clear and orderly.

Most business cards follow the horizontal layout design as it is easier to read and provides enough room to effectively space out every piece of information on the business card. Your name should be the most emphasized piece of information on your business card and should be styled with a bold and large font. The layout design for your business card is also important to plan because its the difference between someone thinking your business will be useful and having your card thrown in the trash. It would also be wise to follow the ideal size of 3.5 by 2 inches which will fit in any wallet. The quality of the paper used should also be taken into consideration so it will be durable and wont easily tear. People also judge you by the paper you use for your business card. If you use good quality paper for your card they will assume you take your business seriously and are a dedicated professional. Some even take the time to laminate their business cards so they are preserved better and last longer. Unique ideas are also followed such as printing business cards on wood, metal or plastic. The latest trend is to magnetize business cards so it can have 3 purposes: people use it on their fridge as a magnet, it creates a way for people to see your information often, and so they wont lose your business card.

The type of ink used to print your business card should be long lasting and permanent so if it gets moist the ink should not run. Colours used on your business card should be thought out carefully. Depending on your profession more or less colours will be necessary. For example, if your business is a craft and arts store then you might consider using more colours and innovative fonts to produce a creative layout which exemplifies your business. However, you have to know if its going to represent your business in the ideal manner. If you are a doctor or lawyer you would tend to use less colour and fonts and depict a crisp and concise business card. The font size chosen should not be too small otherwise it will be difficult for someone to read your details and information. It should be in a font that is easy on the eyes and clear enough that details can be quickly understood. Contact information should have the most information so you provide a variety of options for people to get in touch with you.

It is definitely a good idea to invest in quality business cards. Make sure that when you do, you follow the proper guidelines so they will be used to their full potential, bringing in more business for you and your company.


About the Author

SoloPress is a company dedicated to quality printing for

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What is the Scope of the it Skills Crisis and Are we Tackling it in the Right Way?

Recent research suggests that British Business requires 150,000 new entrants into IT each year. Over the past few years the number of graduates in IT has halved to 20,000.

The figures speak for themselves. Even the most ardent sceptic cannot deny the skills deficit that we currently face. But why does this gap exist and are industry and Government adopting the right strategies to tackle it?

In my view; its all about career change - supporting individuals working in the UKs declining industries to retrain for a role in IT. But while this sounds like a practical common-sense solution to a growing problem, it is receiving little support.

Efforts are being made to promote IT to under-represented groups, such as women, but it seems that little is being achieved in terms of promoting uptake of the subject in secondary and higher education. From a relatively early age it appears that able students are led towards the sciences and IT skills are not given the same kudos.

The generation currently in secondary education has grown up with technology so their lives are dramatically different from their predecessors; access to the internet, mobile phones, sophisticated gaming consoles have all impacted their aptitude to and perception of technology. So it seems strange to me that more students arent inspired to study for the jobs which shape and mould these inventions. It could be that they take the technology for granted, or it could be the age old image problem.

The other issue influencing the perception of the IT industry, and one which I believe is having an impact on the number of students opting for IT courses, is outsourcing.

At the present rate it is estimated that over 100,000 IT jobs will have been transferred overseas by 2010. Skills shortages in the UK are creating the economic imperative for companies to outsource to or recruit from overseas.

But while low-level helpdesk skills can be outsourced effectively and in volume, the challenge comes when trying to recruit for development and programming skills required by IT departments and service providers. India, for example, is able to fill the gap because it is investing in training its population, although whether this provides an immediate answer to the problem is questionable. And other countries such as China have some way to go before they can offer a solution for British industry. So why is the Government standing by and watching when we have large numbers of poorly skilled people keen to train but simply unable to afford to do so?

If the required number of people with the right IT skills arent materialising through the British education system, or being sourced abroad, then the missing link needed to stimulate career transition into IT must be training.

In my view, this is the most practical solution which matches workforce supply and demand, giving individuals new opportunities while solving an industry skills deficit. But a lack of appropriate funding is holding up the process. The people most in need of the training, most likely to complete it and most likely to give the greatest contribution to the workplace after completion, are excluded from most funding initiatives. The current system falls short as funding for Government training schemes is channelled through employers; so training for a new career whilst working is inaccessible for the thousands of people unable to fund themselves.

The Governments development of Skills Accounts that would release funds directly to individuals provides a glimmer of hope. But there is no guarantee that the scheme will be adopted and it isn't planned to be rolled out for over two years. A more practical option would be to zero rate VAT for individuals funding their own training for a career change, but this has received little support.

To offer reassurance to industry, and a positive outlook to individuals, we must strive to provide choice and financial incentive to stimulate career change; this is the how we should tackle the skills crisis.


About the Author

Karl Parkinson, Chairman, Computeach - With over 40 years of experience in the IT Training Industry, Computeach provides innovative and truly blended learning solutions to a wide range of customers. For interviews, images or comments contact: Rosie Gallagher Marketing Communications Executive Computeach International Ltd Phone: 01384 245 308 Email: rosie.gallagher@computeach.co.uk

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