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crazybatlady
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« on: July 21, 2006, 12:41:57 AM » |
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On campus the other day saying goodbyes, a now ex-colleague pulled a beautiful shiny business card case out of her bag and offered me a card. I was floored. When I go to conferences (the only time I really have a batch of cards with me), I usually stick them in the back of my nametag holder and pass them out from there if need be.
But I was really impressed by her classy card case.
And then I thought it reflected a lifestyle I don't yet live.
So, folks: I cannot seem to start a poll--but I can ask questions! How many of you carry your business cards in a case? What kind of case? Do you think you are unusual, or are the "nametag stuffers" unusual in your field? What kind of impression are you trying to make with your case? Does it work?
cbl
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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zharkov
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« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2006, 04:59:23 AM » |
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Zharkov the Cheap got one at Walmart for something like 3 bucks, black, fake or low quality leather. Not that impressive, but handy for keeping those cards available.
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__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
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koda_kube
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« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2006, 05:57:27 AM » |
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I'm a 'name-tag stuffer' - I've looked at holders and thought they would be useful but did not want to appear pretentious using one when those in my field are typically dressed in cargo-shorts, t-shirts and hiking boots (even at conferences)!
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Asst. Prof. Biogeochemistry
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philo
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« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2006, 06:42:52 AM » |
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I got one once when I was a visitor for two weeks at a university in Japan. Business cards are a major part of the culture there, even for academics, and you want to make sure that you have pristine cards to pass out and a place to put the ones that you receive that shows that you value them. It was another low-grade leather model, but it was something. Now I seem to have lost it, because I haven't seen it in a long time. I never thought about the name tag method... that is clever.
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bibliothecula
Academic ronin
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,907
like Bunnicula, only with books
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« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2006, 06:45:13 AM » |
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I use a black microfiber one that came with a bag I bought years ago. I keep my cards on one side to hand out, and stick other peoples' cards on the other side to enter into Outlook or whatever later. However, I do covet one of those pretty shiny ones...it would be easy to find in a bag full of programs, flyers, notes, etc. at conferences. My brother uses an antique cigarette case for his and it looks so civilized.
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I came. I saw. I cited.
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voxprincipalis
Foxaliciously Cinnamon-Scented (and Most Poetic)
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 17,442
Has potentially infinite removable wallets
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« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2006, 07:11:06 AM » |
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Yes, I always carry such a case. Mine is black plastic, not metal, though for some time I have had my eye on some of the beautiful ones that the Met gift shop carries and I mean to buy one in the near future. Because I have a performance career as well as a teaching one, however, most of the time I stuff my business card case with my personal cards, not my work ones (this is also because at my last job I would have been required to buy my own work business cards and I found that so irritating that I childishly refused to do it). My personal business cards do have my work email address on them, though.
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If you need me, I'll be hiding under a rock until mid-August. Try not to need me, unless you come bearing Chinese food.
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icurhere2
Tenured
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,160
I See You Are Here, Too
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« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2006, 07:40:45 AM » |
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I do carry a business card case - as an administrator, pristine cards are crucial and I carry cards everyday. I got mine (polished silver-like) as a gift for participating in a panel at my alma mater. It replaced a Wal-Mart model.
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"The only thing standing between you and success is talent" - Fortune Cookie
"You would make a good lawyer" - Fortune Cookie (twice)
"I can see you as a county commissioner or school principal" - first Provost
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seventhyear
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« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2006, 08:22:34 AM » |
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I have a little leather one.
I actually carry two kinds of business cards. I have my University ones, and I always have a set of "personal cards" that I have made by Vistaprint.com (free cards, $5.95 shipping)
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monkfish
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« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2006, 08:51:55 AM » |
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I used to carry one (I just lost it a few weeks ago and haven't gotten around to buying a new one). Like philo, I often travel to places where business cards are to be treated with the utmost respect and care, and stuffing them into a pocket could be seen as an insult. They are also very practical. As I didn't want to go the leather route, my old one was made out of plastic and brushed metal (it was very 'modernist') and cost less than $10.
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science_expat
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« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2006, 09:54:59 AM » |
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I'm in the crumpled brigade; I keep a few cards in my wallet and a bigger stash in whatever bag I'm carrying at the conference.
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.
Nutso is the new normal.
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aandsdean
I feel affirmed that I'm truly a 6,000+ post
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Positively impactful on stakeholder synergies
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« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2006, 09:58:37 AM » |
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I carry a leather one that I got at one of those cheesy mall Wilson's Leather stores for maybe $10 a year or so ago. Like a couple of others here, I travel fairly often to Asia on University business and as they say, it's imperative to observe the card ritual with care.
In fact, we've just appointed a rep for one of our programs there and this individual was deeply disappointed that we didn't have cards printed already, though we needed still to figure out exactly what the position title would be and how s/he preferred her name to be presented....But the cards are directly associated with credibility.
Until I started to go there, I just stuck a stack in one of the small pockets in my briefcase.
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Wearing a black armband for Lucy
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missemily
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« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2006, 11:53:40 AM » |
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I have a handsome metal case that I ordered through the company I order checks from. It looks impressive and is well worth whatever I paid for it (not much), especially since it keeps the cards clean and unspoiled.
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conjugate
Compulsive punster and insatiable reader, and
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Tends to have warped sense of humor
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« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2006, 12:16:14 PM » |
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I got 500 business cards when I came to my new position. I haven't even used half of them now, after four years. I keep a small pile in my wallet. I'm afraid that by the time I use them up, they'll reflect the wrong rank! But they're handy at conferences. I put them into boxes for raffles at the display booths, for instance, and found out that "winning" the raffle means getting the opportunity to have a salesman call and explain why I should buy some $2000 piece of software at a whopping 10% off. At least in one case. (I think two people got the software free.)
But keeping them pristine is important if you want to impress somebody. I should probably carry mine in a case. I got a free case from my father-in-law (he got it from somebody else). It's for more than business cards; it has a small (5½ x 8 inches, roughly) pad, a pen holder, and a zipper pocket.
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Unfortunately, I think conjugate gives good advice.
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untenured
On far too many committees
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« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2006, 01:36:47 PM » |
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I have two given to me as freebies from speaking engagements. I don't use them though and I'm not sure why. My cards do get rumpled too. Maybe they just look so pretty sitting inside my desk.
Untenured
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You are among the Pure and Truthful, however small their Number.
My goodness, that was an exceptionally good analysis of the forum. |
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schoolmarm
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« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2006, 03:56:31 PM » |
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I have a little leather one (I think from Staples) that I carry a couple of business cards and my credit cards/insurance cards, etc.
I have one (black fake leather) that is about 1/4 of an inch to 1/2 and inch thick for when I go to conferences. I put my business cards and the card that tells how to join our listserve on the thick side. On the thin side, I collect other people's cards.
Just went to an international conference....cards were flying like crazy!
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