Sometimes, despite our best intentions, a project doesn't take. Sadly that's turned out to be the case with Correspondence Notes. I still love written communication, adore stationery, cards and paper products and wait for the mailman each day with anticipation but I don't have the time or strong commitment to writing about those things as much as I thought I was going to. This is acutally a good thing for me personally because my work life is going well and I'm spending a lot of time on interesting project. I hate when websites just linger and linger with no information on if or when it's ever going to be updated again. I wanted to be more forthright than that so I tell you that I'll probably not write here again. On my personal blog I will of course still write about issues of correspondence but only occasionally and only fueled by passion, not because I need to fill up space in a project. Thanks for reading and watching this brief project.

Let's continue our business communication and business identity theme shall we?

Creative Review tells us that former that the identity package for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's new consulting venture was won Wallpaper magazine's Best Stationery prize.

I'm not saying your stationery, business cards or business identity package need to win awards. What I am saying is that these are important elements in your business communication. They make a difference in how your message is received and what people think of both you and your business. Spend some time and some money making sure that your business communication materials are sending the messages you want to send.

Most of the time Correspondence Notes focuses on personal communication. However the importance of good communication in business can't be overestimated and most of us spend as much, if not more, time building and cultivating business relationships as we do personal ones. So I think it's a good idea to spend a bit more time around here talking about business communication.

I love business cards. That those small packages can contain such useful information and be canvases for unlimited creativity is endlessly fascinating to me. So for our first serious dip into the waters of business communication I've asked brilliant designer Eric Kass a few questions about business cards and business identity packages. I became familiar with his work through Daily Poetics Collection of business cards. When I first found that collection I noticed straight away that most of my favorites were designed by Eric Kass. When I decided to discuss business cards and business identity packages here on Correspondence Notes it only made sense to ask for his expertise. He was kind enough to participate.

1. How do you define business identity/business identity package? Or are those terms irrelevant to you? If so what do you describe as the collection of collateral materials your clients need for their businesses?
I develop holistic brand experiences that engage and envelop customers at every point of contact creating an emotional connection, as well as, communicating basic business information and marketing messages. This helps to create a strong, valuable, sustainable brand that establishes long term relationships with customers and increased short term sales.

2. Why is having a complete business identity package important even for small businesses?
I believe it's crucial for every start-up or small business to have a strong brand foundation in order to compete in increasingly crowded marketplaces and immediately connect new customers to their products or services. Externally it creates distinction and retention among customers while internally making a small business owner's dreams and desires tangible providing added confidence and sense of purpose. Standing out in the crowd with a unique position, expressed in a custom tailored brand, will provide the greatest opportunity for success.

3. If a small business has a very limited budget what do you think is the best use of those funds in terms of business identity? A very well designed logo? Good business cards (eg high quality printing instead of glossy, thin stock cards)? A whole package with perhaps less than brilliant design?
With new patrons I perform brand triage considering the big picture and future needs but beginning work on the most crucial components needed for them. The brand foundation, a unique position expressed in the name, logo and tag line, is the best place to start with more pieces implemented as business and budgets increase. Doing anything that is "less than brilliant" is in fact, less than brilliant. Your brand will only be as strong as its weakest point. A well conceived and executed brand experience will create trust, faith and loyalty in your business which can all be undermined by even the most seemingly minute misstep. It's important when setting up a new venture to create a budget for branding and marketing the same way that you would for rent, inventory, legal/accounting fees, technology etc. Initially it may seem like a substantial expense but if you consider its impact on your business over the many years of its use you will quickly realize it's one of the best investments you can make in your business. A strong, professionally developed brand foundation isn't a luxury it's a necessity when starting a new business or bringing a new product to market.

4. What are a few characteristics of a good business card?
Every detail matters and can have an effect on how your brand is communicated and perceived through material, weight, texture, scent, color, typography, shape, size, and printing method. I specialize in crafting uncommon calling and business cards that provide a tactile, physical connection forming the foundation for authentic, personal relationships. Such unique cards not only create a memorable first impression but spark lively honest discussions and provoke exploration of online offerings as well. The humanity found in distinctive, finely-crafted, personal stationery is a crucial component in developing holistic, increasingly individualized, relevant, brand experiences in todays sometimes cold technological world.

5. Is a memorable business card the same as an effective business card?
No. An effective business card is always memorable but a memorable business card is not always effective. A poorly conceived and executed business card could be considered very memorable because of its inappropriate nature or poor quality. It's important to remember that a professionally created brand can provide a strong competitive advantage and increased chance for success but a unprofessional or under developed brand can have the opposite effect destroying even the best intentions, products or services. It's trite but true, perception is reality.

Another year, another great line of cards form Amy Smyth.

The 2008 line uses plenty of Smyth's characteristic humor, a larger color palette, larger card sizes and more recycled materials.

CNN.com has an article regarding children writing thank you notes after the holidays. It includes a few tips for helping your children get their thank you notes written this holiday season.

Want to make your friend with the really dark, dry sense of humor laugh? Want to let someone know exactly how much of a jerk they are? Want to not so subtly let the groom know you don't think this marriage is going to work? Harsh Reality Greeting Cards are the way to go.

Some text selections from the cards:

"In celebration of your first marriage. Best of luck."

"Thinking of you...and the money you owe me"

"Although you'll never be rich-n-famous or successful, you've got to believe in yourself."

"Just a note to say, I'm not expecting an apology. Even though you behaved the way you did, and then kept going on and on about it, I realize that's just how you are."

Oh, that last one cracks me up. I've got someone in mind for that one right now. But I try to be nicer in life so I personally won't buy it but you totally should.

As always, no mail days are sad days. Prepare yourself for these 2008 postal holidays in the U.S.

Tuesday, January 1 New Year's Day
Monday, January 21 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Observed
Monday, February 18 Washington's Birthday Observed
Monday, May 26 Memorial Day
Friday, July 4 Independence Day
Monday, September 1 Labor Day
Monday, October 13 Columbus Day
Tuesday, November 11 Veterans Day
Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day

Great news for you procrastinators. Posh Peacock is offering a holiday special just for you.

Dear Friends/Clients of Posh Peacock,

If you're like me, you just started sorting out your holiday shopping list this week (and finishing holiday cards still seems a ways away).

To this effect, I wanted to extend a 10% shopping discount to you this week to help you take care of your holiday needs. Just place an order by Friday, Dec. 14 for a 10% refund. Check out the main site for great gift ideas (including new stationery designs!), and I still have some of the beautiful blank holiday foldover cards in stock, many of which are suitable to send in the New Year. Also, if you haven't purchased stationery in a while, please note that stationery now is printed on a lovely, heavyweight 110 lb white stock (instead of the 80 lb ecru used previously).

If you wish to purchase calling cards or have any other questions about products and designs, please email me at info@poshpeacock.com before placing an order. Calling cards require extra turnaround time so we'd need to discuss expedited shipping options in order to get the cards to you by Christmas.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and thanks so much for supporting my independent business,

Christine Koh
Designer, Posh Peacock

I tell you all the time how great, and how important, writing notes is but who am I? I'm just a writer on the internet. Bob Iger is the CEO of Disney. Perhaps his words will carry a bit more weight. From an article in Fortune Magazine titled "How I work" Mr. Iger lists writing notes as a very important tool in his business toolbox.

It's rare that I will spend time with our talent. But I try to let them know if I've appreciated something they've done, like when Katherine Heigl from Grey's Anatomy - whom I've never met - won an Emmy. That's when I'll take my fountain pen and use my trusty Disney stationery, and write a nice, simple note. I think that goes a long way with people.

via Gina

Paper Crave dropped the link to some very cool, totally free wrapping paper, tags and stickers to download and print from Matthew Mead. The designs will add a stylish DIY element to your gift giving.