The demise of the traditional business identification method
In 2021, the era of business cards was seemingly passing as tech-savvy individuals embraced digital alternatives. The once-common stacks of embossed cards on desks, gathered dust in offices across San Francisco. Face-to-face meetings now often involve exchanging digital contact details via smartphones, or using QR codes and conference apps at events.
According to a poll conducted in February 2020, fewer than one in four adults in the UK have given out a physical business card. As the digital world continues to advance, an outdated feel may accompany those who still cling to traditional methods of networking.
Devora Zack, chief executive of Only Connect Consulting and author of Networking for People Who Hate Networking, acknowledged that the exchange of printed contact details has a negative connotation if someone still insists on using them. LinkedIn's chief product officer, Tomer Cohen, asserted, "business cards lost their relevance a long time ago." With the tech giant making online connections more streamlined, awkward face-to-face encounters can be avoided.
But what happens when a faster method for exchanging details emerges? California-based startup, Chipped, has daringly innovated a solution: microchip acrylic nails. Embedding tiny microchips into manicures allows users to create a pop-up link with their contact information when their nails are tapped against a phone. The idea was birthed by Leah Winberg, a tech professional who sought to reclaim her "femininity" in a male-dominated industry. Chipped's revenue is mostly generated from corporate events, where they apply the manicures that sell online for around $60.
Though physical business cards persist in certain situations, Winberg emphasized that most cards are simply handed out without genuine thought or connection. To test the effectiveness of microchip manicures, I ordered a set online and had them applied by a local nail technician. However, they encountered technical issues after initial taps, with their sharp edges peeling off. More permanent versions of the technology already exist, but dialing back on extreme innovations seems necessary to prevent unnecessary complications in our interactions.
In the future, AI technology promises to streamline connection building even further, by looking for profiles based on half-remembered names or companies. While this feature seems promising, it's hard to say whether it will replace more immediate solutions like microchip acrylic nails.
- In the realm of innovative networking solutions, the upcoming AI technology may challenge the popularity of microchip acrylic nails, as both aim to simplify the process of exchanging contact details.
- The business landscape is increasingly leaning towards adopting technology, with wearables like microchip acrylic nails and QR codes replacing traditional gadgets such as business cards.
