One of the things I do, is teach entrepreneurs about visual communication (and many other things when I digress) and they are always so surprised when I tell them to forget about distributing business cards like Pez candies. Forget about those “networking events” where everyone is there for themselves, and trying to get business off each other, like starved creatures hoping to gain a feast from another starved creature.

I tell them that if they must exchange business cards, to collect business cards instead, but only of those people that they really clicked with. Then take them out for coffee and make a real genuine connection. Forget about whether your respective businesses can do business together. Forget about selling your product or service. Instead BE of service, help them, connect them to other people, other businesses.

Myself, I have stopped printing and giving business cards, and found that when people really want to find me, they do. And when we do business, it works!

Instead if trying to get a bigger piece of the pie, grow the pie, and everyone has more.