The Modern Business Card that Lingers

When many of us first started our professional working careers, the first item that we were provided with that showed our unique place in the corporate ladder was our own personalised business card. This compact rectangular shaped card was gleefully handed out and exchanged with many a new and prospective business recipient when meeting them for the first time. It contained all our contact details and could be used for work, or even for some private and more secretive after hour’s purposes.

As our working careers progressed, we collected and exchanged numerous quantities of these items which had to be continually updated as our personal details changed or became superseded.

But what about the present? Alas, the days of the business card are indeed finite and the act of giving and receiving is quickly becoming an obsolete process of the past. Nowadays, we use our smart phones or computers to store a person’s name and contact details electronically, complete with a stunning photograph, or even a creative avatar.

However, for those of us who are innovative and seek to leave a lasting impression when you meet a new and potential friend for the first time, there is a calling card that allows you to mark your presence with a lingering duration, even when you have departed the room.

Yes, you can have your own special signature, one that readily identifies you in any work or social environment, and one that morphs into various olfactory forms depending on what mood or activity you are doing.  

Both women and men of yesterday used to dab and spray it on various parts of their bodies and it was commonly known as perfume, eau de toilette, cologne, aftershave, and some even called strange names such as “Brut 33” or “Old Spice”.  

When a woman, or man, wore these artfully fabricated odorous liquids and entered or passed you in a room, you immediately knew it. There was no need for the use of a business card as their presence was noticed and appreciated. With frequent interaction, the wearer quickly became recognised by their scent, and appreciation and respect followed accordingly.

So for all you seekers of progression in all that you do, the solution is simple. Go to your department store and purchase a small bottle of a fragrance that matches your personality. Splash it on with abundance, and let your smell be your business card and you will not be forgotten.  

The Panic Button

A new Button

I’d heard about this particular corporate office, but thought the rumours just couldn’t be true, afterall, nothing could be that bad! So with a certain feeling of uncertainty, I mustered up the required courage and walked with some trepidation through the entrance of the building to my scheduled appointment.

As I walked through the automatic opening and rather imposing glass doors each of which boldly portrayed the company’s famous insignia, I heard a quiet woosh sound, and sensed that a small quota of my innovation can been surreptitiously sucked out of the pores from a skin. A slight feeling of fear started to permeate through me!

I waited in the reception area for my host to arrive and noticed that the office was devoid of colour, all employees were dressed in dark ominous tones of corporate boringness and the walls were blank canvasses of white with the occasional random poster of business repetition. A drop of sweat now slowly meandered down from my forehead…this was not looking good!

After waiting about five minutes completely immersed in silence as no one appeared to laugh, smile or have any normal facial expression that had a glimmer of hope or inspiration, my host finally appeared.

My host was the CMO. He was dressed in a traditional dark suit, white shirt, rather bland yet expensive tie, black polished shoes and reeked of that rather common aftershave.

My internal innovation meter sensed impending doom and urgently started to seek an exit from this place of potential creative tyranny. I noticed a prominent button protected by thick glass on the wall that was fully coated in dust and cobwebs which read “break in case of innovation emergency!” This was indeed such a situation! I excused myself from my host, ran to the button, smashed the glass and eagerly pressed this button of hope.

What happened next….well that is a choice that all you who are reading this blog post can make! All of us have the choice to work in a corporate environment that is bleak, or one that inspires and cultivates innovation. If it is the former, then why not implement a culture of innovation change…it could be fun and quite stimulating for all concerned!

If you are in any doubt, may I suggest you place an ‘Innovation Panic Button” on your office wall and then quietly observe just how many employees try to press it? I think that you will be surprised at the number of people who desperately seek that innovation cultural change and the associated benefits that are derived from it!

Just a thought…..?

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