Job Role Title

maxwell smart

I'm doing some work for a friend and he is getting some business cards done up for himself. He is the M.D but does not want to have this on his card as he sometimes deals with customers directly and, while he is a smart guy, finds that as his cards says M.D. people expect him to be able to make instant decisions.
What other title do you reckon he could go for? He already has a sales manager working for him, his role is some sales, some management of contractors and ordering, along with the overall strategy of the business. I have suggested Operations Manager.

He just wants something that gives the impression that he can make decisions, while also implying that he may have to get some authorisation for the bigger ones (really to give him time to have a think).

Cheers

Bandara

"Director"

Accountsplus

It's an unusual request but some other options might be
General Manager
Operations Manager or Director
Business Development Manager or Director

I would probably prefer a title with Director as it acknowledges the fact that he is a Director. However, as far I can see, you don't have to show who the directors are on Business Cards only on letterhead, orders and website.

The Americans might also have Chief Operations Officer or Chief Executive Officer or even VP Whatever.
I think Irish people would assume that they are titles of decision makers.

Spinnaker

In type, "Director" implies decision maker and good ability in the functions that you mentioned. Anything else e.g. managing director could be qualified in conversation on as needs basis. . .

niceirishfella

Gm as a GM has to report to a board usually.

Cheeble

If his job title is M.D. then use "Managing Director" and improve his skills at handling customers. Somebody in that position should be able to say, "I want time to think about it".

Cheeble-eers

antog86

Strategy Director
Director of Operations would be two examples. A director would still need to get authorisation from MD etc so i think it would probably be best.

Andy_Black

I copped out of this conundrum and didn't put a title down on my cards.

I didn't want people to know that the MD was actually chief bottle washer as well.

I think Director might have been good, and suitably vague.


Andy

arctictree

I have 'Director' on my business cards. Simple and sufficiently vague to cover most roles!

ghosttown

As long as there's a website, email, decent logo and contact numbers, I'd leave it blank, I find there is no need for a title, it increases your options....

chowdown

I have also kept my title blank. In a small business you want to be able to adapt your appearance to suit the audience - sometimes you're the MD, sometimes you're the stressed junior salesman.

Keeping the title off the cards also creates the impression that there are other people in the organisation, making it seem bigger than it really is.

Mr Clonfadda

Hi OP

I don't have any job titles on my Business Cards either. I would very rarely tell anybody that i was the Managing Director unless they questioned my authority to make a decision for my company.

policymaker

'Senior Executive' - Can one be just an executive or does an executive require a speciality attached.lol
good question fella!

stepbar

TBH I would go with Director as Operations Manager suggests a non sales type role (to me). As someone said, it's "suitably vague". Anyhow, half of the titles are bullsh1te titles truth be told....

maxwell smart

Thanks for the help folks. He's going with Director.

Sonnenblumen

The company of course is a limited company?

For example, a sole trader would hardly be listed on a bus card as 'Director'?

niceirishfella

Titles mean nothing, its scores on the doors at the end of the day.
If a title on a card is all he's worrying about in a recession, he's got it handy.

Sonnenblumen

Yes and no. Worth remembering that it is not wise to be misusing titles, and 'Director' is a good example. Not a good idea to be alluding to something which is not true, bad business practice. Also Directors must be registered with CRO and of course carry specific company responsibilities.

Be honest and practise good business practice from the outset. Life's hard enough.:D

kenbrady

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Also Directors must be registered with CRO and of course carry specific company responsibilities.

Not true, director is just a title anyone can use it. Yes the cro use it to refer to directors of companies for their requirements, but it's not a restricted title.