When is it appropriate to request business cards for a professional conference?

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Is it appropriate for a junior employee to request business cards prior to attending a conference? Is there some "industry standard" level or title that justifies business cards?
business-cards
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up vote
19
down vote
favorite
Is it appropriate for a junior employee to request business cards prior to attending a conference? Is there some "industry standard" level or title that justifies business cards?
business-cards
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
favorite
up vote
19
down vote
favorite
Is it appropriate for a junior employee to request business cards prior to attending a conference? Is there some "industry standard" level or title that justifies business cards?
business-cards
Is it appropriate for a junior employee to request business cards prior to attending a conference? Is there some "industry standard" level or title that justifies business cards?
business-cards
edited Aug 6 '12 at 14:38
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.9k1398188
43.9k1398188
asked Aug 4 '12 at 21:03
C. Ross
196119
196119
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
This really shouldn't have anything to do with how "junior" the employee is or this person's pecking order in the organizational hierarchy.
Instead, the question that needs to be asked is: Does this person actually need business cards? For a junior employee who doesn't meet with clients, who doesn't meet with vendors, and whose job role doesn't typically involve leaving the confines of the office, having a business card may not be a good investment in time and/or money, since there is no need.
However, if the person is attending a conference, this presents a huge opportunity to do some networking with potential clients and potential vendors. This junior employee may meet a potentially valuable client, someone who is interested in the services that the junior employee's employer provides. In this case, it would be in the company's best interests to provide the employee with the tools he or she needs to represent the business and provide a good first impression.
It would seem awkward if the junior employee says to his contact, "Hold on! I'll get my boss's business card. Don't leave!", as he runs to find his boss and retrieve her business card.
6
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
3
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
If you want business cards, just ask, whether you're going to a conference or not. (I like having them just to give to friends and family, or even to use as bookmarks.) They don't cost much, and the worst your employer can do is say no.
(Well, that's not the worst they can do, but if there are negative consequences for just asking for business cards, you've got other problems.)
2
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
1
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
1
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
2
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
1
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
 |Â
show 5 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
This really shouldn't have anything to do with how "junior" the employee is or this person's pecking order in the organizational hierarchy.
Instead, the question that needs to be asked is: Does this person actually need business cards? For a junior employee who doesn't meet with clients, who doesn't meet with vendors, and whose job role doesn't typically involve leaving the confines of the office, having a business card may not be a good investment in time and/or money, since there is no need.
However, if the person is attending a conference, this presents a huge opportunity to do some networking with potential clients and potential vendors. This junior employee may meet a potentially valuable client, someone who is interested in the services that the junior employee's employer provides. In this case, it would be in the company's best interests to provide the employee with the tools he or she needs to represent the business and provide a good first impression.
It would seem awkward if the junior employee says to his contact, "Hold on! I'll get my boss's business card. Don't leave!", as he runs to find his boss and retrieve her business card.
6
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
3
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
This really shouldn't have anything to do with how "junior" the employee is or this person's pecking order in the organizational hierarchy.
Instead, the question that needs to be asked is: Does this person actually need business cards? For a junior employee who doesn't meet with clients, who doesn't meet with vendors, and whose job role doesn't typically involve leaving the confines of the office, having a business card may not be a good investment in time and/or money, since there is no need.
However, if the person is attending a conference, this presents a huge opportunity to do some networking with potential clients and potential vendors. This junior employee may meet a potentially valuable client, someone who is interested in the services that the junior employee's employer provides. In this case, it would be in the company's best interests to provide the employee with the tools he or she needs to represent the business and provide a good first impression.
It would seem awkward if the junior employee says to his contact, "Hold on! I'll get my boss's business card. Don't leave!", as he runs to find his boss and retrieve her business card.
6
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
3
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
up vote
28
down vote
accepted
This really shouldn't have anything to do with how "junior" the employee is or this person's pecking order in the organizational hierarchy.
Instead, the question that needs to be asked is: Does this person actually need business cards? For a junior employee who doesn't meet with clients, who doesn't meet with vendors, and whose job role doesn't typically involve leaving the confines of the office, having a business card may not be a good investment in time and/or money, since there is no need.
However, if the person is attending a conference, this presents a huge opportunity to do some networking with potential clients and potential vendors. This junior employee may meet a potentially valuable client, someone who is interested in the services that the junior employee's employer provides. In this case, it would be in the company's best interests to provide the employee with the tools he or she needs to represent the business and provide a good first impression.
It would seem awkward if the junior employee says to his contact, "Hold on! I'll get my boss's business card. Don't leave!", as he runs to find his boss and retrieve her business card.
This really shouldn't have anything to do with how "junior" the employee is or this person's pecking order in the organizational hierarchy.
Instead, the question that needs to be asked is: Does this person actually need business cards? For a junior employee who doesn't meet with clients, who doesn't meet with vendors, and whose job role doesn't typically involve leaving the confines of the office, having a business card may not be a good investment in time and/or money, since there is no need.
However, if the person is attending a conference, this presents a huge opportunity to do some networking with potential clients and potential vendors. This junior employee may meet a potentially valuable client, someone who is interested in the services that the junior employee's employer provides. In this case, it would be in the company's best interests to provide the employee with the tools he or she needs to represent the business and provide a good first impression.
It would seem awkward if the junior employee says to his contact, "Hold on! I'll get my boss's business card. Don't leave!", as he runs to find his boss and retrieve her business card.
edited Aug 4 '12 at 21:59
answered Aug 4 '12 at 21:54
jmort253â¦
10.4k54376
10.4k54376
6
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
3
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
add a comment |Â
6
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
3
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
6
6
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
I was typing as you answered, so I stopped and upvoted yours -- was going to say pretty much the same thing! With a caveat that at the end of the day the answer really depends on your own company's policies (if they even have one), it is not inappropriate for an employee of any level to request business cards if they are going to be representing the company in some way at an external event.
â jcmeloni
Aug 4 '12 at 21:56
3
3
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
Business cards are so cheap that it would seem crazy to waste time even talking about it. An employee going to a conference needs cards, period.
â Jim In Texas
Aug 6 '12 at 16:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
If you want business cards, just ask, whether you're going to a conference or not. (I like having them just to give to friends and family, or even to use as bookmarks.) They don't cost much, and the worst your employer can do is say no.
(Well, that's not the worst they can do, but if there are negative consequences for just asking for business cards, you've got other problems.)
2
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
1
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
1
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
2
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
1
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
7
down vote
If you want business cards, just ask, whether you're going to a conference or not. (I like having them just to give to friends and family, or even to use as bookmarks.) They don't cost much, and the worst your employer can do is say no.
(Well, that's not the worst they can do, but if there are negative consequences for just asking for business cards, you've got other problems.)
2
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
1
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
1
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
2
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
1
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
If you want business cards, just ask, whether you're going to a conference or not. (I like having them just to give to friends and family, or even to use as bookmarks.) They don't cost much, and the worst your employer can do is say no.
(Well, that's not the worst they can do, but if there are negative consequences for just asking for business cards, you've got other problems.)
If you want business cards, just ask, whether you're going to a conference or not. (I like having them just to give to friends and family, or even to use as bookmarks.) They don't cost much, and the worst your employer can do is say no.
(Well, that's not the worst they can do, but if there are negative consequences for just asking for business cards, you've got other problems.)
answered Aug 5 '12 at 3:59
Keith Thompson
1,496918
1,496918
2
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
1
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
1
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
2
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
1
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
 |Â
show 5 more comments
2
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
1
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
1
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
2
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
1
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
2
2
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
There is no business value using business cards as bookmarks or just to give to friends and family. If you happen to have some, great, hand some out, but these aren't valid reasons to submit to an employer.
â jmort253â¦
Aug 5 '12 at 4:49
1
1
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
@jmort253: From the employee's point of view, business cards are nice to have (at least I think so). If an employer is willing to provide them just for that reason, as a trivial fringe benefit that might even have some business value in the future, I don't see a problem. On the other hand, if the employer has a stated policy that business cards are provided only for specific business-related reasons, I probably wouldn't bother to ask. And the question was whether the employee should ask, not whether the employer should say yes.
â Keith Thompson
Aug 5 '12 at 5:50
1
1
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
There is no need for the OP to fret about asking for business cards. You never know when a card might be useful to have even if there is no immediate need at the moment. From the employer perspective, however, there are consequences for denying a request for business cards. It might be seen as an insult or a de-valuation.
â Angelo
Aug 5 '12 at 15:00
2
2
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
Since it's possible for the business to provide minimal numbers of cards (twice I was given only about a dozen cards) and the cost of a standard box of 250 can be as little as $12, I can't imagine a company completely denying an employee cards. I created business cards for myself on Vistaprint (I'm a historian when I'm not developing software) with a logo and photo on the back for that minimal charge. In my current position, they gave me 100 instead of 250 and I think that will be just fine.
â David Navarre
Aug 6 '12 at 15:59
1
1
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
Love the answer (especially the "... you've got bigger problems"! :) ), one possible addition - the person to ask is your boss, not the admin. And give a double check on format. Especially for junior employees, there may well be a very formal format for them so that they look consistent and no one gets terrifyingly creative.
â bethlakshmi
Aug 7 '12 at 13:00
 |Â
show 5 more comments
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