Every hand raised.

The lessons learned…

Whenever you make an offer you absolutely have to make sure you tell whomever you want to buy into whatever your offer is conveying what's involved on their part. I'm talking about what will they loose out on if they pass up this opportunity. It could be a tank of gas or even lunch with a friend. It doesn't always need to be something big and bold.

Another lesson learned was that in first audience, majority of people raising their hands were women. This demonstrated that women are more likely to jump on an offer than a man. This also says to me that women are more willing to take a gamble than a man. Hmmm, that's fuel for thought next time you make an offer, isn't it?

What else does this exercise tell you? How would you present your offers differently? Here's your assignment. Think on this for a few moments and look at one of your offers and then ask questions that keep your audience's hands down and make sure you are addressing each one of them.

(c) Copyright 2005, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

Other than this general etiquettes of business card exchange, there are certain etiquettes that are specific to certain countries. Two of most remarkable instances are found in China and Japan.

In China, it is general etiquette to hold business card in both hands while offering it to somebody and you should never write on someone’s card unless you are told to do so. It is customary in China, to mention your title in business card and it is preferred if you have one side of business card printed in Chinese with golden fonts as gold is considered to be an auspicious color.

In Japan, accepted rules of business card exchange are somewhat opposite to China. Here business cards are always received in two hands but can be offered in one hand. Business cards are treated with same respect as that of actual person. Business cards should mention title of person as much emphasis is given to status and hierarchy in Japan.

Business cards are one of most powerful marketing tools for your company. If you know how to use cards to their best advantage you can be sure that they will give you multiples of what you have invested to get those business cards done.