This is really true. Anyone who has dealt with corporate complaince (even at the smallest levels) would be able to spot a bogus use of the title ‘CEO’ or ‘President’, etc. Whenever I see an obviously one-man ‘company’ using the title CEO or President, I immediately assume two things:
1) the person is probably not incorporated/etc and is just using this title cause it sounds good
2) the person is probably inexperienced in business, or they would know that a one-man company doesn't really need or have a CEO.
When I act as signatory for my corporation, I always use the title ‘Director’ which is accurate and legally binding. On my cards/sig I use ‘managing director’ which tells people who understand corporate compliance that I am a principal in the company, and am actively managing it. I feel that it represents my actual role well.
Bottom line, if you are not really a ‘president’ or ‘director’ or (the all time worst one…) ‘CEO’ then don’t use those terms. It just shows your inexperience…
For indies and sole proprietors, I like titles like ‘Lead Designer’ or ‘Creative Directory’ or ‘Head Programmer’ or something that just describes what you do.
don’t worry about the title. your business card is a ‘wallet brochure’. it should be simple, uncluttered and immediately identifiable as yours (eg, unique) and convey WHO you are, WHAT you do and HOW to reach you.
on 2000,I sold my services in my hometown,my title is “Design Director”,I think this title is situable for me,If I named myself “CEO” OR “President”,maybe someone would laughed at me that I am the CEO of one person company
To be brutally honest with my opinion, you might as well put that business card in the spokes of your bicycle’s rear wheel. It’ll make your bicycle sound as much like a motorcycle as “CEO” will sound serious when you hand someone your card. People will find out that you’re just a guy working out of a closet with the occasional subcontractor, and it’s going to be embarrassing when they do.
This is especially important if your business is not an American S Corp or C Corp (I don’t know about foreign business legal entities). CEO is a title for the chief executive corporate officer, and without a corporation, there’s no corporate officer.
Why bother with false pretenses? Either have only your name on your card, or your name and your real title. “John Doe, Database Management Consultant”. “Jane Smith, Systems Administration Specialist”. “Somebody Else, Partner / Staff Manager”.
This isn’t directed toward anyone in particular, so don’t take it as such. I really just need to express my grief over this issue, because so many people are doing this and it’s just plain amateurish.
Anyone here has a link to a resources that helps with this issue, about title to use when one is in partnership, sole prop or corporations of all sorts?
I see that even managing director is reserved to corporation as it is said to be the member of the board who effectively manage the all operations of the company
Also, is it really neccessary to have a title? It’s quite obvious by my business card what my company does. It says it very clearly on the front of the card, and the back even has a list of services.
I don’t have a title on my cards - just my name. I’ve never had anyone ask what my role was. When you have a small firm people know who is in charge. If you have a one person firm it’s even less of a neccessity to have a title. You’re everything…
Even if you want to grow to be a large corporation one day, don’t get ahead of y ourself. How would it look if you took the BMW symbol and stuck it on the front of a Yugo?? Not that impressive, is it?
