Pick A Card

Chances are you'll be handed a business card when meeting someone for the first time. Whether in a social or business setting, this appears to be the normal way of introducing yourself and making sure the person gets your name correctly. It’s lawyers, doctors, and salesman, but just about every profession now insures that you will have a business card. Just how do you carry these cards, and how can you make the best impression? The card should not be bent, dirty or wrinkled. You cannot just pull a card out of your pocket and expect it to look crisp and legible. To insure that your cards look good you will need to carry them in a card case. There are many different types of card cases available. There are some card cases that are designed especially for women while others are unisex. There's no excuse not to carry a card case on a business trip. These cases easily fit into your lightweight luggage and are as important as your briefcase when making a good impression.

Leather card cases are elegant and lightweight to carry. They are available in fashion and traditional colors for women. They are also available in soft nappa leathers, hand-stained Italian leathers and exotic leathers such as ostrich and crocodile. Some card cases are just two pockets and are extremely slim. Others have multiple pockets or a window for your company identification card. Still others have many multiple pockets where you can add a credit card or carry the cards you receive from others. There's also a popular envelope style where you can slide cards in and out with ease. They range from the simplest styles to versions with many pockets. These leather cases are also available with a magnetic closure on a slighter stiffer box shape. These will not bend your cards even if you sit on the case. Many of these leather cases can be monogrammed or embossed with your initials for a personal touch. Card cases are very popular as corporate gifts since they can have a logo or be personalized with a company name along with your own monogram or name.

Metal business card cases have been around forever. They look like an old-fashioned cigarette case and come in many colors, finishes and styles. They are usually engraved with your name or initials and can also have your title or business name also engraved. These cases are very distinguished looking and leave a very good impression. Silver is the most popular look today, but there are also cases in black finishes. Some of these are done in a shiny or matte finish. Gold is traditional and silver and gold combinations are now being seen as fashionable. Women have choices with many enamel colors as well as with embedded crystals and other designs. A very popular model has sunglasses, purses, and high-heeled or flip-flop shoes as a raised design. There are others with hearts and flower designs done in multi-colored crystals. These are very whimsical looking and will not work in every profession. This type of case can also carry a few credit cards and is small and handy to take when you travel. It can easily fit in with your other travel accessories and takes up little space.

For those of you who collect a lot of other people's business cards, there is a card organizer. These are available in different leathers and can be kept in a briefcase or on a desk. They hold upwards of 100 cards in plastic mylar pages for easy access. Cards can be alphabetized or kept by category. They insure that you will always have the spelling of the name and title correct. These leather cases make ideal gifts and can be personalized with initials or a company logo also. There’s no longer a reason for anyone to forget your name, company affiliation or title. Any way that you look it, when you pick a card it should reflect on the person and left a positive, lasting and good impression.

Maxine Greco has been in the luggage and travel business for over 37 years. She currently works at Village Luggage & Gifts.