The Business Card

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Display personal roles and interests visually to make informal introductions easier throughout an event.

Use it when: At the start of a multi-hour or multi-day gathering where people will work together across different tables.

Skip it when: In very short sessions under 30 minutes, or when groups already work closely together every day.

Group arrangement: Individual drawing and writing followed by a silent or low-key gallery walk.

Timing: Relationship Makers Handbook suggests under 5 minutes; 10 minutes allows time to draw, write, and hang the cards.

Materials and tools

• One half-sheet of heavy paper (5.5 x 8.5 inches or A5) per participant
• One fine or medium felt marker per participant
• One roll of wall-safe painter's tape
• One sample card prepared by the facilitator

Before participants arrive

1. Fold or draw a dividing line down the middle of each sheet of paper.
2. Hang the facilitator example card on the wall where cards will be collected.
3. Place markers and paper sheets at each seat.

Say this to open

Take five minutes to create an oversized business card. On the left side, draw a quick self-portrait. Stick figures and abstract sketches are completely fine. On the right side, write your name, your current role, and answer this question: What is one skill or interest you have outside of work? When you finish, tape your card to the wall display.

How to run it

1. Introduce prompt and template 2 minutes

   Explain the format using the posted example. Direct attention to the two sections: portrait on the left, details on the right. State the specific background prompt clearly.

2. Create personal cards 4 minutes

   Participants work independently at their seats. They sketch their portrait on the left and write their name, role or title, and answer to the chosen prompt on the right.

3. Post to the gallery 2 minutes

   Participants bring their completed cards to the designated wall space and affix them with painter tape. Anyone who chooses not to post may keep their card on their table.

4. Review cards and debrief 2 minutes

   Participants browse the wall informally. Facilitator asks two general reflection questions to the full room. Take up to three quick comments from volunteers.

Debrief questions

• What common themes or surprising skills did you spot on the wall?
• Whose card listed something you would like to ask them about during our breaks?

Finished output: A wall gallery of personal visual profiles viewable by everyone in the room.

Remote

Use a digital whiteboard with pre-formatted rectangular frames divided into two halves. Participants use built-in drawing tools or upload a simple sketch on the left, typing their name, role, and answer on the right. Give three minutes for silent browsing in the digital gallery.

Hybrid

In-person participants tape paper cards to a physical board. Remote participants complete an identical card on a digital board. A room camera displays the physical wall, while a facilitator photographs the paper cards at the break to paste them into the shared digital space.

Access and participation choices

• Participants uncomfortable with drawing can write symbols, initials, an abstract icon, or skip the portrait entirely.
• Writing answers is optional; participants may display only name and role, or choose not to hang their card.

If the session gets stuck

Participants spend too long agonizing over drawing a perfect portrait.

Remind everyone that rough stick figures or simple cartoon faces communicate just as well as detailed art.

Wall tape damages the paint or cards fall off during the session.

Use tested low-tack painter tape and test it on a hidden wall area before the session starts.

Terms used here

• Gallery walk: An unstructured period where participants stand and walk past items displayed along the room walls.