I know a lot of you think Age is a decent, smart, emotional bloke – but let me tell you, you’re wrong.
He’s a bastard. A cunning bastard who gets off on seeing other people ‘lose it’.
Why do I say this?
Because the bugger emailed me this in the safe knowledge it would make me ‘go off’.
To be honest, I’m not sure if the clip is real – and I’m not even sure I want it to be – because if this is the sort of person who is viewed as a ‘marketing genius’ [albeit a self appointed one] then I may as well start looking for another career pretty damn quick because I’m going to be run outta town.
Look, I appreciate the power and importance of first impressions … I know how they can influence opinion, to a disproportionate level … but to insinuate a business card can basically turn your business from zero-to-hero is a bit much.
Seriously, I’ve not heard claims like that since the Lehman Brothers tried to flog ‘subprime investments.’
The other thing I disagree with Mr Guru about is that it’s a good idea to create a card that does not fit into a rolodex,
On first impressions it might sound like a simple way to ensure you stand out from the crowd, however like the TBWA ‘disruption ads’ for Singapore Airlines, just because something is different doesn’t always mean its good.
The thing is, most people like things that fit in with their “pre-determined systems and processes” [in this case, being able to put a business cards in their rolodex] so whilst this guys card will undoubtedly ‘stand out’, I would imagine most people who receive it would chuck it out because if they can’t find a logical place to store it, they can’t find a reason to keep it.
Am I saying people will throw something away even if they like the product/service?
Yeah – I am saying that is a definite possibility.
And why the hell did it take him 25 years to design that card?
TWENTY FIVE YEARS?
For that?
Jesus, and I thought I was a procrastinator …
Saying that he does say the odd bit of sense …
I agree that the ‘title’ on a card is bullshit [except in Asia, where it is unbelievably important] … I agree that you can use a card for more than just your ‘contact details’ [see cynic’s original business card] and I believe you should talk about what you offer your clients rather than just what you do … but to claim his card can GUARANTEE to generate crowds seems abit of an overclaim … I mean, if that’s the case, he should approach Nottingham Forest’s billionaire benefactor, because the way they’re playing at the moment, he’s going to be lucky to have 5 fans turn up per match next season.
Card quality and differentiation are important, however if this guy really thinks all you need to ‘sell’ your organisation is a decent card, then he’s either [1] talking to the wrong people [2] a used car salesman or [3] someone who has mistaken American Psycho as a business documentary rather than another pretty average Hollywood remake of a decent book.
Thanks Age, you’re a bastard!