Just couldn’t resist this one…

For what it’s worth, I predict that within 10 years or less, the handheld computer will be the de facto standard. I’ve seen 1 TB USB drives coming out this year, and Moore’s Law says that smartphones will be 1000 times more powerful than they are now in 10 years. So I think that in 2022, when you get to your office, you’ll plug your phone into a monitor and a keyboard… or it will connect wirelessly. And when you’re done, you’ll just take it with you. That’s my two cents, or 2 pesos, as the case may be.

Image courtesy of Bizzaro.com

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• cPanel, for easy control of all your features
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CB&F is currently developing iOS apps for commercial distribution, and has just published Easy Rider, the first and only crowdsourced transit information app, currently for Vancouver’s Translink Skytrain system.

In the past, CB&F staff have been involved in several significant software development projects with clients including Fortune 500 companies as well as public and private companies in the USA and Canada.

Do you have an idea for an app? Contact CB&F today, and we’ll give you an honest appraisal of your idea’s chances for success in the Apple iTunes App Store, the Android Marketplace, and/or the Windows Mobile Marketplace.

Here are some strategies I’ve used successfully:

1. Do great work; in almost 20 years of freelancing, most of my clients have come to me by “word of mouse”. Repeat clients are always more efficient than landing new ones.
2. Try pro bono work. Track your hours and submit an invoice showing the value of your donated services. Even if you can’t write it off, you’ll spread the word, and get a good feeling. I donate hosting to community groups, and they often hire me for some strategy or training or simple site setup.
3. Blog; John Chow, the Vancouver blogger, makes $40k/month just from his blog, and is in demand as a speaker, writer and consultant.
4. Learn to use LinkedIn to it’s fullest. There’s lots of hidden value lurking there. Seek out the most influential connections.
5. In Victoria, track the government contracts. (It’s a government town, after all.) It’s hard to get in, but once you’re in the loop, I’m told it’s easier to stay there.
6. Partner with established agencies; you don’t make the same rates, since they take their cut, but they can get you in where other methods fail.
7. Concentrate on your niche. It’s counterintuitive for most small operators, but essential.
8. Be patient. Closing times for new sales are about 1 month per $1k in my experience, and longer the smaller the market.
9. Ask for testimonials, recommendations, referrals, leads… and more importantly try to provide value to your contacts by providing tips, leads, testimonials, and networking introductions.

Note that none of these cost anything but time and effort, and are applicable to businesses of all sizes. Do you have tips or strategies of your own? Share them in the comments below!

Check it out at lifelongenerjoy.com, leave a comment here, or contact us to get started on designing or updating your functional, beautiful, friendly site.

A careful collaborative process has produced a refined and elegant aesthetic for the new site, reflecting the professionalism and sensitivity of founders Cristine Urquhart, MSW, RSW and Frances Jasiura, BPHE, BSW. Highlighting news, resources and events, the site is poised to become a portal into the many facets of this vibrant business.

Check out the custom logo, site structure, and custom coding at http://changetalk.ca

And watch for a new software initiative from Charles Buchwald & Friends in the New Year focused on coaches, facilitators, therapists and other helping professionals….

“The world’s greatest treasure hunt is a real million dollar treasure hunt. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go to breast cancer research…“The treasure hunt was started in memory of Gabi Helms who, when stricken with breast cancer, had to make the difficult choice between saving her own life or that of her unborn child. She chose her baby, and passed away 2 days after giving birth.

“This real million dollar treasure hunt where families, teams or individuals can treasure hunt with a purpose. It is sort of like the Amazing Race but for everyone. Buy the book, find the $1,000,000 treasure and help us raise money for breast cancer research.”

CB&F is thrilled to participate in supporting this major contest, as well as raising funds for breast cancer research. Watch this site for more announcements and links to these new products.

Stay tuned for more!

• The average paid iPhone app has sold 101,024 copies over a lifetime of 261 days
• US iPhone users download 60 apps a year
• 51% of iPhone owners have five or more games installed on their devices says Compete
• 37% of iPhone owners play games at least every day – puzzle games are most popular