Have you ever attended a networking event and found yourself hesitating before handing over a business card?
Over the years, I have frequently found myself wearing multiple hats. During my time as Head of Marketing for two distinct divisions, overseeing multiple sub-brands, and serving as Marketing Manager for various mainframe rehosting, database, and middleware brands, events always presented a unique logistical challenge. Depending on who I was speaking to, my relevant title, company focus, and contact details would change completely.
Carrying multiple sets of business cards was cumbersome, and explaining which email address to use for which query was always a bit awkward. I realised that modern professionals need a much more fluid way to share their details.
That is why I have been developing a new concept app called BEAM.
What is BEAM?
BEAM is a standalone mobile utility app designed to replace static digital business cards with dynamic, contextual QR routing. It is currently in its Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development stage.
The core idea is simple. Instead of relying on a single rigid profile, BEAM allows you to create multiple personas. When you are speaking with someone, you simply select the profile that matches the context of your conversation, and the app instantly generates a custom QR code on the fly.
Because BEAM generates the QR code natively on your device, it is entirely offline. We all know how unreliable the Wi-Fi can be in large conference centres, so BEAM ensures you are never left waiting for a signal to load a profile page. You can simply hold up your phone for the other person to scan immediately, or you can send the generated image directly via WhatsApp.
Who is it For?
BEAM is designed from the ground up for people who juggle multiple professional identities. This includes:
Serial Entrepreneurs: Founders who are running several companies simultaneously and need to share the right business details based on their current pitch.
Portfolio Professionals: Individuals acting as angel investors, startup advisors, or members of a think tank who need to separate their various consultancy roles.
Public Servants and Community Leaders: Local councillors who also run private businesses and need a clear boundary between their civic duties and commercial enterprises.
Real-World Use Cases
To give you a better idea of how BEAM works in practice, here are a few scenarios where dynamic sharing makes all the difference.
The Industry Conference
Imagine you are at a large tech expo. In the morning, you meet a potential client who is interested in your primary consulting business. You toggle your BEAM app to your “Consultant” preset, and they scan your QR code to get your professional email, LinkedIn, and booking link. Later that afternoon, you run into a potential partner for a new joint venture. With one tap, you switch to your “Founder” persona, generating a completely new QR code that shares a different email address and a link to your investor pitch deck.
The Quick Hand-Off
Sometimes you meet someone in passing while grabbing a coffee between meetings. Instead of fumbling for a card, you select the appropriate persona and tap the share button. BEAM allows you to drop the QR artifact directly into a WhatsApp message, ensuring they have your details saved securely on their phone before you have even finished your conversation.
I Would Love Your Feedback
Right now, BEAM is a working concept. I have written the core code to test the mechanics on my own hardware, and the offline generation works beautifully.
However, a concept is only as good as the community that shapes it. Because I am building this to solve a genuine problem I have faced throughout my career, I want to hear from others who navigate similar challenges. If you frequently juggle multiple professional roles, how do you currently manage your contact details?
I am not selling anything here. I am simply inviting interest, thoughts, and constructive feedback as I continue to refine the application. If the idea resonates with you, or if you have suggestions for features that would make your networking easier, please do get in touch and let me know.