Timothy Rice

“We are the rare few in our family who still send a card via the U.S. Postal Service and will continue to do this as long as we possibly can.

“In my opinion, electronic greetings are ‘just okay,’ but nothing special. Sending a paper card through the USPS sets you apart from the rest of the greetings that may come in via email. It shows you took the time and spent a little extra to convey your message.

“At the company where I worked for over 32 years, we always stressed to our salespeople the importance of creating an ‘image of difference.’ That is to set yourself apart from the other salespeople calling on your same customers and prospects. Doing something such as sending a birthday card or thank you note — handwritten and mailed with a distinctive first-class postage stamp — this simple gesture will go a long way in creating that ‘image of difference.’

“The Good Guys condolence card is probably my favorite: I’m old and a lot of friends and acquaintances are old and starting to ‘check out.’ This card carries the perfect message. You know you’re a Cardie when you set up a card file and buy cards for six months at a time. If you’re old, you don’t want to buy too far ahead … kinda like buying green bananas!”