Louis Tetu is a brilliant man. Conceives, builds and sells companies, and then looks for the next challenge. And knows how to deliver Pow!, too.
At a recent tech entrepreneur dinner put on by Charles Sirois (no slouch either in the brains or success departments), Louis caused quite a stir by passing out his business card, seen below. The five extra words below his official title spawned waves of conversation.
Without any splash of color or die-cut gimmickry (and not that there's anything wrong with that), Louis's card was the talk of the night. Of his understated six point "sub-title," he explained that it serves not only as statement to who he is as an individual (i.e. NOT just a businessman), but manages to act as a "connector" to those he meets, establishing points in common to build relationships, not just business.
What's more, he insists that every last one of his 700-or-so employees do the same and list four personal attributes on their cards.
It's not fancy nor earth-shattering, but as repeated here ad nauseam, little things can have massive Surprise effect. You just don't expect to see anything "personal" on "business" cards, never mind four or five words that provide an insight to your psyche. Thanks to Google, anyone who wants to find your address or phone number can do so instantly. Rather than just be an adjunct to Rolodex (ask your parents), bizcards today should have a greater purpose, to establish a bond.
So...the million dollar Surprise Central question: