When is it appropriate to ask someone for his or her business card?

When is it appropriate to ask someone for his or her business card?

Phyllis Davis (Business Etiquette Consultant) gives expert video advice on: What are the most important and least important items on a business card?; When is it appropriate to ask someone for his or her business card?; How can I graciously ask someone for his or her business card? and more...

It's difficult and inappropriate to ask someone that's a senior executive for their business card in any company, if you're not a peer of them in another company. CEOs have no problem handing out their cards to each other. But if you're a vendor trying to sell something to a company, it's inappropriate to ask the CEO or the President of a company for their business card. Now, if you create a clear reason for that business card, then you're safe and it's appropriate to ask for it. For example, I have the privilege of having had a popular book, and when I meet someone, I'll say, Id love to send you a hand-signed copy of my book, but if you don't have a book, you need to send them something to get their card. For example, if they're talking about golfing in Northern Ireland, you overhear that conversation, you could say, You know I just read a great article about golfing in Northern Ireland. If you'll give me your business card I'll email it to you. See, you have to create a relationship with people before you ask for their business card. You have to have a strategy in mind. Thus the appropriate time to ask for a business card is again based on hierarchy. The most important person in the room asks the least important person for their business card.