Business Cards

[Blackhood]

I'd like so solicit some advice from those of you who run small businesses.

I'm the co-owner of a small educational business, along with a partner and three staff. The time has come where I need some business cards, but I have a dilema. What should I put as my title?

The trouble is I carry out many functions in the business; Owner, Managing Director, CEO all seem far too grand when I'm sitting talking to a customer - it makes the business look even smaller than it actually is. Salesman, Account Manager, strategy manager all seem a little dishonest - ultimately the buck stops with me and I don't want to give the impression that I'm shirking any responsibility.

I was considering just leaving off a title all together, is that a viable option? I've never noticed it [or absence as the case may be] before so maybe it is acceptable?

So to those who run small teams or who struck out on their own, what did you do?

 

[edmorel]

Under my name in my business cards it reads "HNIC".

 

[Blackhood]

Care to elaborate? I'm trying to work out if that's an SF meme that I've missed, like Edina having Failed on his cards....

 

[NAMOR]



Under my name in my business cards it reads "HNIC".

ohh laawd

 

[Joffrey]

Just be honest and say you're the owner. I don't see why a customer would care.

 

[FunLovinStyle]

What does your competition do?

 

[Douglas]

I can see why CEO might sound overly grand, but I have no problem with President, Managing Partner, Director, anything like that. Not sure why you would shy away from it. Every team needs a leader, seems silly to pretend otherwise.

BTW, I know plenty of people in small companies who title themselves as CEO. One guy I know is practically a part-time startup, with two other "employees," neither part-time, and he's the CEO.

 

[globetrotter]

my absolute favorite is "principal" - it doesn't really say anything specific, aside from that you are a key person to the business. if I had a small business that is what I would put on.

 

[terridet]

right,Just be honest and say you're the owner. I don't see why a customer would care.thanks

 

[terridet]

right,Just be honest and say you're the owner. I don't see why a customer would care.thanks

 

[VinnyMac]

If you're the owner, then put owner.

 

[landshark]

I left the title off my business card. My company name includes my last name, so the fact that I own the company is implicit when my last name is the same.

If I had to, I would put Principal, Owner, or Partner. They all seem less faux-elevated for a small business than CEO, Managing Director, President, etc.

 

[Blackhood]

Thanks gents, I appreciate the input. I guess owner doesn't sounds as self-aggrandising as I thought. I'd be tempted to use Principal except that the word gets very little usage in England, and as such is very conspicuous.

 

[i10casual]

I would use President.

 

[boypigguself]

I would put Principal, Owner, or Partner. They all seem less faux-elevated for a small business than CEO, Managing Director, President, etc.