The ART OF BUSINESS CARD DESIGNS

The art of the lasting impression begins with the printed business card.  Great Designs make you look good. Today's digital print shops can turn your idea into a reality-- at a low cost. I know, because I am working in a digital print shop, after coming from the tech world of computers. The marriage of digital printing and paper is very good. It fact it is good for journalism.
Journalism is moving away from  newspaper print and transferring itself into e-books and magazines, but communication is still bonded to the printed word ---  bonded to paper.

The zen of communication is painted on paper and packaging. It is a cultural must have. It is expected that all new things come gift wrapped.  It doesn't matter that new job candidate is a person.   The idea is that "the best of the best" come gift wrapped in a new suit, shiny shoes and a special resume. Plus, they will be remembered because they left a special calling card -- the Designer Business Card that pops out from the pile.

The Technology Edge is Here:

Software programs like Adobe Photoshop and inDesign , when matched with Professional Digital Printers has made it possible for individuals to create unique images for each business client.Today job seekers are creating unique resumes for each job posting, and tweeking their business cards for each unique business opportunity.

To make this easy, you can download business card templates from the internet. Use them as a starting point, then step back and think outside the box and think of the BIG IDEA.

Steven Whiteley, Builder, created a business card using a ruler border. It was simple, elegant, and unique. (see the picture at the top of this article.) That was his Big Idea and it works for him. You have your own ideas that work for you. Go for it.

There are so many possibilities --- yet so little design.

In the technology world it seems all of the standard icons and symbols have been taken. There is nothing new. In fact, the symbols of technology have aged and are no longer hip, such as the CD as a symbol, or the image of a desktop computer and keyboard. Everybody does it. Currently, the hip object is an image of a tablet or smart phone but that is aging too. Everything is moving from the desktop to the CLOUD - (remote services) and software as a service (Sass). It's like technology is in the ether and not physically there.

So what graphic symbols are really meaningful?  What will be hip 6 months from now?  The old flip phone with a visible antenna as a symbol looks ancient as an image on a business card.  At one time it was smart to put your skills set on the back of the card, but it would be dating yourself to put BASIC, WordPerfect, COBOL, or Windows 95. 

So the thing to do is go back to the basics. If you can't say it in words, then say in Color, Style, and Shape. Don't put your face on the business card. Your face is not ageless. Put your job title.  Remember the the engineering slogan.  It is all about FIT, FORM, and FUNCTION before design.

FIT = Who needs to see this? What industry or Service are you serving?
.
FORM = What is a business card?  Who says it has to look like a business card? What about a key chain doggle with your business card information on it? Why not a calendar poster? Why not a paper flyer? Why not a post card or magnetic sign?
This is the age of digital printers, You can print on anything.  Your choices are varied. Go for it.

FUNCTION = The purpose of a business card is to share your profile with as many people as possible. An attractive business card is the short list that your clients carry. It's a resume in your pocket. It's a link to your name, address, email, website, cell phone, and social media contact list.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK:

Show me your best business card design idea.  Tell me how it will work for you?  Share your thoughts Your ideas are welcomed.




http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/06/how-to-design-your-business-card/

Denver Tech Professionals' Holiday Networking Gala

You are invited to the Denver Technical Professionals' Holiday Gala Networking Event, sponsored by LeaderQuest Education Services.  Discuss new job leads, business, and educational opportunities.  We will provide free refreshments, tours, and music.

 Bring a White Elephant Gift Exchange ( less than $15.00).

RSVP registration@denvertechnicalprofessionals.com

Bring your business cards.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Where:6825 S. Galena Street,

 Centennial, CO 80112

View a detailed map:

http://goo.gl/maps/zDMxG

SEE OUR PRIOR EVENT PHOTOS:

http://thejobwatch.blogspot.com/2010/12/denver-technical-professionals-holiday_17.html

TEK Systems Fills a Gap in IT

Who: Sean Price, Senior Account Executive.

TEK Systems, a technical IT staffing agency.

Status: Worked 17 years with the company, mostly in the Denver Market.

Subject: Sean Price at TEK Systems talks to members of the Denver Tech Professionals regarding the need for 30 PC hardware Technicians during their weekly meeting.

Date: 20-Jan-2011

Here is the Transcript:

TEK Systems Fills a Gap in IT

I was actually the first account (sales) rep for TEK Systems to be working on our niche specializing in IT (information technology). I shouldn't say niche because we now have 35 account reps and 45 full-time recruiters, working on the front range, serving our customers needs.

Normally those needs are not necessarily a HR ( human resource) function, where you have a HR entity trying to hire on a full time basis. TEK fills the gap where there is a need for project specific work, that's technical in nature -- whether it be a couple of weeks for a hardware deployment or 12 to 16 months in regards to any type of network architecture, network stand up, application development, (or) database activity.

Technical Scope

So you could imagine all of the IT skill sets from the first couple of levels of support to the architecture on the network side, through application development, through test. Wherever there is a project need, TEK Systems has a place for technical resources.

Redeployment

Our goal, rather than let people fall off at the end of the project, we try to re-engage. We are tracking these projects 30, 60, 90 days. We align you with another recruiter. We have you lined up with another opportunity with at least a 60 day lead time.

We spend a lot of time on our end, reinventing the wheel, re-recruiting, as oppose to streamlining our bench process. We proactively prevent a gap in deployment.

We need 30 technicians

I contacted Krystal (Mires, Director of Career Services from Tech Skills), two weeks ago, because we have three customers who are in the middle of a crazy deployment schedule.

Over the last couple of years, you can imagine that there has been spending that has been skipped in refresh activity, in hardware activity, (and) network upgrades. Our customers have been passing over that in their budget cycle, so ... now that we are clearly ramping out of the big soup bowl of a recession, over the last year and a half, we are seeing our customers spend capital expenditures. And when they are spending capital expenditures they are spending on new services, hardware and refresh cycles. So we are seeing a few customers upgrading their hardware boxes and imaging them; so we need 30 technicians between two projects, right now.

Question: You need 30 PC hardware technicians. If some one had A+ experience would you hire them? Would that qualify them? How are you defining the role of PC Hardware technicians?

Reply: Ideally, it depends on the circumstances. Ideally, in this case we are looking for 2 to 3 years of hands on experience... and is capable... and has proven experience imaging machines... taking it out of the box, plugging it in, and getting it up and running.

Folks that have some knowledge but some industry "certs" (certifications) like A+, Comp TIA... absolutely, they are folks we can look at. Usually when we have a team of 10 folks, I can afford to put two or three very entry level folks, who at minimum have their certification in. Just by pure osmosis they’ll catch up pretty quickly. I’ll have some leadership from the team members who will help them keep their heads above water.

Question: What about uncertified real world job experience? For example Geek Squad. They do that stuff daily.

Reply: Yeah, if they've got the 2 to 3 years of hardware experience without the certification then its a no brainer. You bet. Plug them in.

Question: Krystal, Director of Career Services at Tech Skills:

"Is TEK systems offering a Project Management course? Our campus is offering that course. Is that an option?"

Reply: I didn't want to step on toes. TEK systems also has instructor led training. We have a class room about this size. Nothing like this massive facility (at Tech Skills). Its pretty state of the art. But we provide instructor lead training: the CISCO track, the Microsoft track. There's also a ( project management) PMI certification as well as the ITIL certification.

Question: Krystal: "... And you also work with the individual?"

Reply: Yes. if you are currently working with TEK Systems under contract and you can fit into our scheduled courses, it is offered to you at cost. So all you are paying for are books and fees. That's why you are on a W2 contract. That works out very well. That's a win for everybody. If anybody is curious about that I would be happy to send out a catalog of the schedule of classes.

Question: Do you have business cards available?

Reply: Yes I have a stack of them available for you to pick up on the way out (pointing to the nearby table).

If you are out there looking. Send me an electronic copy of your resume. If you have a hard copy, I'd like to take a it home with me right now. I'll be happy to look at them. I have 15 -16 tech recruiters in our office.

Four of them are dedicated to infrastructure skill sets. They are not the same recruiters who are interested in software development and java requirements.

Question: There is a lot of interest in business opportunities in the TECH CENTER but what about other areas, such as Fort Collins and Longmont?

Reply: We have another branch in Westminster, along the 36 corridor (HWY 36). Its near HWY 36 and Sheridan Blvd & Turnpike Dr.

(8700 Turnpike Drive, Suite 400, Westminster, CO 80030)

I've worked there for a number of years. Because we have activity in the Northern part of the State. We have a satellite office in Fort Collins. We are also doing business with Wyoming and state agencies. We have some business there serviced out of our Fort Collins office.

(Questions soon ended).

Reply: Thank You, Everybody.

Krystal: “Thank You, Sean.”

====== For more information contact:

TEK Systems

sprice@teksystems.com

Denver Technical Professionals Holiday Gala Networking Event - Photos

The Holiday Gala & White Elephant Gift Exchange Party was a fun Networking event Hosted by Krystal Mires, Director of Career Services, at TechSkills. She is the founder of the Denver Technical Professionals.

Photos: Left to right. The perfect White Elephant Gifts: 3 Giant Glasses, 6 Board Games in a tin box, and a Giant Dominoes set.

Denver Technical Professionals exchanged good cheer by playing the “white elephant” gift exchange game. The object of the game is to either pick a gift from the table of unopened items or pry the gift from the hands of your fellow game members. If you are forced to lose your gift, then you are allowed to pick another gift. Its all in fun. CAUTION: Look closely at all of the photos, you may find the same “white elephant gift” re-wrapped and silently placed under your tree. Re-gifting is a contagious side-effect.

The event was held at the “Proof NightClub-7800 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO. A complimentary buffet was provided by the Fresh Fish Company and Proof NightClub to the sounds of dance music.

==========================

The Art of the Elevator Pitch

SPEED NETWORKING TIP #1. (The Elevator pitch). Begin the networking Meeting with a short introduction (The elevator pitch). What is the “elevator pitch”? Well, imagine you are in an elevator with a Busy business executive and only have A brief amount of time to explain your idea before the door opens and the moment is lost. That’s the Art of the Elevator Pitch.

Tip # 2. Exchange business cards and share job leads and career stories.

Tip # 3. The art of speed networking has another tip. Move around the room like a bee from flower to flower. Briefly connect with each person you find interesting. Don’t be shy. Remember you have already been introduced and are welcomed. If you feel shy, at first, then listen to others talk. You can learn a lot from listening.

Tip # 4. The next step is to be helpful. Listen for projects where you can add value. Helping will lead to a job.

Tip # 5. Be open to new opportunities by expanding your skills into related areas. For example, for every technical project there are related opportunities to provide training or document the process.

Tip # 6. If you need help in other areas, seek aid from your fellow technical professionals who are subject matter experts (SME). They need a job as well.

---by Gerald A Curtis, The Job Watch.

www.thejobwatch.blogspot.com

Top 7 Tips

1. The Elevator pitch.
2. Exchange business cards And job leads.
3. Move around the room like a bee to a flower. Connect with other members.
4. Be helpful. Add value.
5. Be open to new opportunities.
6. Seek help from others.
7. Chillax. Have Fun.