Have
you ever attended a trade show or networking event and brought home a
fistful of business cards, only to find that weeks later they were still in
a pile on your desk? When you attend events where you regularly meet new
contacts whose names you may want to keep handy, do you find that you don't
know what to do with all of them?
They seem to just keep multiplying with amazing speed, and how do you find
someone's card when you need it again? And what if you can't remember the
name of the business or the person you met? In this age of Relationship
Marketing, business card overload is a very common challenge for many
business people.
Whether your card file is large or small, keep the cards categorized in a
card file or a three-ring binder with card sleeves, indexed first by
occupation, then alphabetically. Which simply means, Accountants are in the
front of the book and Zookeepers are in the back. This system mirrors the
brain.
When you need to find a contact that you met only once, several months ago,
if you don't remember the person's name, your brain thinks 'printer', 'web
designer', or whatever their business might be. Since your card filing
system is mapped on how you think, all you need to do is turn to the section
of your book marked 'Printers' (under 'P' of course) and you've found the
card you want.
The key to managing any type of information is to set up an intuitive system
and then use it consistently. Once you take the time to set up this business
card filing system, it will serve you well for years to come.
About the Author: Monica Ricci has been an
organizing specialist since 1999, and her motivational presentations teach
effective organizing and simplifying techniques for home and work. She also
offers free email tips and ideas on how to make life simpler and more
organized. Her topics include clutter control, paper management, time
management, organizing space and procrastination.Contact Monica at
770-569-2642 or Monica@CatalystOrganizing.com.
How-To-File.com