subject: Business Card Practices Across Countries [print this page] Business Card Practices Across Countries Business Card Practices Across Countries
When running a global business, marketing activities are much more comprehensive and structured. The target market is not only a group of individuals within the same area sharing the same culture, but individuals with varied ethnicity. But just the same international business owners have a lot in common with local entrepreneurs: they desire to earn profits and they also have their own business card.
Global conventions and meetings are important to international businesses as they help expand their network. So, if you frequently go abroad, it is important to have your business cards with at all times, and most importantly, you should know the different business card etiquettes in different countries. Knowing and understanding these etiquettes is important as it could make or break your business if you give your card too early or too late.
As a general rule you need to bring a lot of cards with you all the time. After all, you will be attending international events where you will meet a lot of people. If the international market you'll transact business does not speak English, consider printing translation at the back of your card, and when you hand your card, present it with the foreign translation side up to show respect for to country you are visiting.
When receiving a card, be sure to read and study the card for a few seconds before putting it in your pocket. You can comment on the card a little or clarify information that you don't understand. Another important rule is to follow in handing out business cards is to give it at the beginning or ending of the meeting.
Here are some business card practices in different countries that you should know and understand. Follow them to create an impressive first impression with your international customers.
In Japan, the good practices are:
When giving and receiving business cards in Japan, you need to be very formal. Use only high quality and appealing cards and keep them in pristine condition.
Give and accept a card with respect.
Receive a card with both hands.
Be sure to display your title prominently in the card since status is very important to Japanese people.
The bad practices:
Don't put away the card you have received at once. Put it in the table in front of you and keep it only after the meeting has ended.
Middle the East, they follow the general rules practiced in anywhere in the world only that when offering your card you should always use your right hand.
In China, they use the color gold in their font because to the Chinese people this colored is considered lucky. Likewise, the year the business is established has to be placed in the business card templates as they believe that the longer the existence, the better the business is. A bad practice in China is writing something in the card while the person who gave it is still around. Wait for the person to leave before you write notes on the card.
In the US, offering and receiving business cards is not very formal. They are merely given out as a promotional tool, and they can be handed out to anyone, anytime. There may be some polite guidelines observed in business card promotion, but they are not considered ceremonial.
For more information and inquiries about the article feel free to visit: Business Cards and Business Card Templates
