Check out this little gem of a business card (certainly would have been happier to GET one - but the photo works too.)

Yes, it's an actual business card for a Lego employee. (They don't ALL get them - so don't go get hired there in hopes of having your very own action figure.)

Certainly you can (and the jaded among you will) point to how hard it would be to carry it in your wallet, or how it's great for a toy maker but not for anyone else, or that's just a waste of money. But now that we've appeased the naysayers... let's look at the bigger picture. In fact - just consider the picture. Someone photographed this company's business card and it's circulating on the web. Is yours?

There's something to be said for being memorable. For causing people to take a second look. For making them actually use their brains to process what you've just handed them. If you were handed the two cards below... which one would resonate longer? Which would you make a connection with?



Yes, the Lego card provides a good example of one extreme. But the bottom card provides a good example of the other extreme. A rewarding middle ground exists. Explore the possibility of making more than a 'name, rank and serial number' statement with your business cards. Do something that makes a statement about your company. Do something unexpected. (Note: Be sure to keep it relevant. Don't go handing out business cards with tape on them if you're a landscaper or something.)

In fact, extend this challenge to all of your marketing materials: step boldly away from standard, status quo, stock, average, yawn-ish. Do something that makes a statement...not just generic noise.