How do you organize your business cards? 1

[kingnero]

As the topic title says,
do you organize them alphabetically by name, by firm, ... ?

I've come to a point where my current system (throwing them all in a cardboard box, and I know roughly who's in there) does not work anymore: when looking for someone, sorting out the box just takes too much time.

Problem with organizing them by name is that if I want to search for someone that works in a certain firm, won't go.
Problem with organizing them by firm they work for, is that, if someone jumps ship, it won't work either.

A friend of mine started an access database, so you can search for whatever keyword you want. I might get around to do this, but when looking at my shoebox 1/4 full of cards, I don't quite feel like spending some days doing nothing but inputting data...


How do you organize them?

 

[ConstantEffort]

CardMunch is a free app service that collects all the info and links you to their LinkedIn page too.

"Free" in that CardMunch gets to collect on all the vendors who spam you with business cards, who in turn probably get spammed by CardMunch.

Sounds like a win-win for me and CardMunch.

 

[ARenko]

Three ring binder with the sheets that you slide the cards into. I put them in as I get them. I may not remember the person or company name I'm looking for, but I remember when I met that person (e.g. I was near the end of my time at XYZ company) and I can find them pretty fast that way.

 

[tom1953]

Steve,
I found this:
Signing a contract or writing a person’s name in red ink is the worst thing you can do in Korea, since this indicates that the person is deceased.
-

http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cu.../South-korean-business-and-social-culture.php

tom

 

[kingnero]

Thanks for all the replies.

Another one: in some countries you should accept business cards with your both hands, as that is a sign of respect,
in other countries, you should never touch the card (or any food) with your left hand as that's the hand you (should) wipe your ass with.

Better to check beforehand where you're going, as local manners/habits might be important enough to win or lose you a contract!