Hand on heart: How many of the business cards you have received in the course of your professional life have you actually kept? Almost none? You are not alone! Every year, around 140 billion business cards are printed worldwide – and almost all of them are discarded after a very short time. This is despite the fact that the classic business card is still popular for the personal exchange of contact information. The future of the business card is therefore digital – and VTG is no exception.
Request from the employees
“The introduction of digital business cards at VTG is in line with the wishes of many colleagues,” explains Michael Fürhake, AAC-F, who is in charge of implementing the switch to digital cards. Unlike a classic paper business card, these can be used to pass on not only contact information, but also links and files. According to Michael, this is not only practical, but also shows (potential) customers that VTG keeps pace with the latest technologies.
According to statistics, around 90% of printed business cards end up directly in the trash.
At the same time, the switch to digital business cards means another step towards sustainability and resource efficiency. “The use of digital business cards allows us to drastically reduce the need for printed cards,” Michael tells us. In this way, VTG can also minimise negative environmental impacts at this point, because the switch to digital leads to significant savings in resources such as paper and energy.
On the mobile phone, in teams and in the email signature
VTG has teamed up with the Stuttgart-based provider Lemontaps to implement the digital business cards. Their platform enables a digital business card to be set up quickly and then easily shared via QR code. The code can be used on the lock screen of the mobile phone, in the Apple Wallet, the team background or in the email signature. The recipient does not need an extra app, as the contact data profile of the business partner or colleague can simply be opened in the browser and saved from there.
How can I set up my digital business card?
How exactly to set up your digital business cards is explained on VIBES. On the corresponding VIBES page you will find the link (single sign-on) and further information on setting up and using digital business cards:
Please use the following path on VIBES: AAC > Lemontaps
(Note: For technical reasons, we cannot set a direct link to VIBES from here)
Moreover, Lemontaps not only provides the platform, but also makes it possible to manage and update contacts. “The platform also increases efficiency in communication and networking,” Michael explains. For example, it is possible to track with whom and when one has shared one’s digital business card – an enormous advantage especially in sales work.
Digital business cards offer you an efficient, sustainable and contemporary networking opportunity. You are not convinced yet? We spoke to three colleagues who are already using the business cards of the future:
Björn Schwarten, Head of Finance: “Small things too contribute to sustainability!”
“I received the link from Michael to activate my profile so I wouldn’t have to order new paper cards for the roadshow. The digital business card was super easy to set up and put on the background of my iPhone as a code together with the green VTG Purpose wallpaper. Small things too contribute to sustainability – and, as in this case, are very well received!“
Jan Bruhn, Strategic Buyer Wagon Equipment: “All the things a business card has to be able to do are easier and faster with the digital form.”
“All the things a business card has to be able to do are easier and faster with the digital form. Via the QR code, all the necessary information is automatically saved in the contacts of my counterpart at one go. In addition, I can attach further files to my QR code. For example, a salesperson can also give a potential customer a PowerPoint about VTG’s service portfolio. This is a cost-saving and sustainable way to go and you can adapt the information on the business card at any time – which is particularly practical if, for example, internal designations change frequently.”
Michel Goss, Chief of Staff: „All in all, the digital business cards are an easy step into the future.”
“As my paper business cards were outdated in terms of content, I liked the possibility to update the content without printing it again 100 times for the next five years. Setting up the digital business card worked intuitively, with a visually appealing result, in Apple Wallet and in the virtual team background. Especially the possibility to store more information behind the QR code than would fit on a business card (e.g. presentations) certainly offers versatile possibilities for many VTG roles. All in all, the digital business cards are an easy step into the future – take heart colleagues!”
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