Feature Article:
One Tool To Remove Friction From Networking
by Bill Nottingham (4 min read)
Walking into a room full of strangers at a networking event can be intimidating. You may wonder: Who do I talk to first? How do I make a memorable impression? And, perhaps most importantly, how do I make sure the connection lasts beyond the handshake?
For years, business cards have been the answer - a tangible symbol of credibilty and professionalism. If you’ve ever seen the infamous “Business Card Scene” in American Psycho (2000), you know how much weight a card can carry. It’s not just paper; it’s a statement about who you are, your status, and your brand. This scene is a bit over the top, but it does establish a point about having a good presentation.
Networking should be about people, not paper. 😉
Video Source: Youtube, “American Psycho” (2000) featuring Christian Bale
But, let’s be honest: physical business cards that you hand out one at a time come with their own challenges. How many times have you forgotten your cards at home, run out at a crucial moment, or ended up with a pile of cards that eventually get lost or tossed? Even when you do hand out a card, there is no guarantee it won’t just get buried in someone’s desk drawer, never to be seen again.
Digital contact sharing promised a solution, but it’s not perfect either. Sending your info via text or email can be clunky and slow, especially during the flow of a conversation. Sometimes your details get lost in a flood of messages, or autocorrect mangles your email address. And there’s always that nagging uncertainty: will they actually follow up, or will your info disappear into the digital abyss.
That’s why I was so intrigued, when I discovered the Digital Business Card from V1CE. It’s both a digital and physical solution and a tool that removes friction and makes networking less awkward and lot more memorable.
One Card To Rule Them All
With the V1CE Card, you can carry just one high-quality, customizable card (metal, bamboo, plastic or even 24K gold options) instead of a bulky box of paper cards. You can personalize with a logo, brand colors, and even choose sleek metal or 24K gold version that feels premium in your hand. It’s a physical card that makes a statement, but it’s also a digital gateway.
Here’s the digital magic: when you hold your V1CE Card near someone’s phone, a link instantly appears on their screen - no app needed. They tap it, and your custom page opens, complete with your photo, all your contact info, social links, an even an animated background (with the Plus version) if you want to add some flair. It’s fast, seamless, and memorable. And if someone doesn’t have NFC activated on their phone, they can scan the QR card printed on the back of your card as a backup.
What I appreciate is how easy it is for people to send their info back to me.
There’s one button for them to save your contact info in their Address Book and another button pops up for them to send their contact info back to you, which comes straight to your email. From my perspective, this is a game-changer - I get notified immediately when someone interacts with my card, giving me digital assurance that the connection was officially made. No more guessing if my info was saved or lost.
Image Source: V1CE
Flexibility For Modern Life
These days, a lot of us are juggling multiple gigs or projects. I like that I can set up different profiles in the V1CE app - one for each hat I wear. I can even set up a “weekend profile” for friends and others parents I happen meet socially or even at kids sporting events.
Before sharing your card with others, you simply toggle to the profile that fits the situation. One card, multiple identities - networking made simple and relevant. It’s a small detail, but it makes life easier.
Why It Works
Honestly, I don’t miss the old way of networking. No more digging around for a crumpled card or typing out an email on someone’s phone. The V1CE Card has made introductions smoother and follow-ups less of a guessing game.
If you’re tired of the business card shuffle and want something that just works, this is worth a look. I’m not saying that it’s magic, but it’s made my networking a lot less stressful - and a bit more fun.
Give it a try if you are curious; worst case, you’ll have a conversation starter in your pocket.
Free Your Mind: The Positive Aspect of Negative Space
Do you ever get the feeling that your to-do list is too long? It can get overwhelming, and prioritizing can be challenging, especially in a world of digital distractions. Author Daniel Pink has a philosophy, the Two Minute Rule, and he says, “If you have something that you can do in less than two minutes, don’t write it down and certainly don’t keep it in your head. Instead, do it right away. Because it extinguishes the small things in your head and frees up your brain to focus on the big things.”
But then how do we solve big and complex challenges? I’ve found that when you’ve hit a theoretical brick wall, just step away. Try going for a drive. Put on some great music or roll down the window in silence and take the scenic route.
Launching A Podcast? Here Are 13 Factors For Leaders to Consider
BUILD ON ‘MICRO GOALS’ AND ONE-WIN STRATEGIES - Ultimately, success is a marathon and not a sprint. Develop “micro goals” that add up over time, and remember that any win is always a win. For example, when going to a networking event, I try to think about my one-win strategy: Meet one client or book at least one meeting. Anything above your one win is a bonus. This always helps me relax and focus on the quality of connections.
How Well Do You Handle Professional & Personal Rejections?
BUILD ON ‘MICRO GOALS’ AND ONE-WIN STRATEGIES - Ultimately, success is a marathon and not a sprint. Develop “micro goals” that add up over time, and remember that any win is always a win. For example, when going to a networking event, I try to think about my one-win strategy: Meet one client or book at least one meeting. Anything above your one win is a bonus. This always helps me relax and focus on the quality of connections.
13 Design Trends That Benefit Companies in Today’s Marketplace
Fast Company Executive Board (Featuring Bill Nottingham) Whether it’s utilizing a bold color statement in a rebranding campaign or coming up with an innovative human-centered design that serves current and prospective clients much better, there’s a lot for companies to be excited about and engaged in the upcoming years.
Don’t Let an Uncertain Future Interfere with Innovation
The late Clayton Christensen, Harvard professor, and business thought leader, said there were three types of innovation: empowering (which makes costly products available to all), sustaining (replacing older products with newer, better models), and efficiency (which reduces the costs of making existing products). In 2012, he warned that American companies had been overly focused on efficiency for far too long.
Strategies for Overcoming Distraction & Staying Focused
After a few years of continuous use, I ditched my smartwatch and went back to an analog timepiece. There was nothing wrong with the wearable; it worked well—maybe too well. I realized that it roughly doubled the amount of distraction already provided by my phone. And too often, distraction contributes to stress, which makes us more easily distracted.
