24 billion apps in the App Store?

It’s actually 650,000 as of last month. But which do you REALLY need to help you run your business…and impress your friends a bit?

Let’s take a quick look at three that will make you look like a genius when meeting others, traveling and making money.

 

 

 

1. CardMunch | cardmunch.com | Free

You’ve read Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Alone, making real connections at every waking moment. But Keith didn’t mention what to do with that small, post-processed forest of business cards that you’re carrying around in your bag, did he? Should you buy a business card scanner? Do you hire a family member you don’t really like, but love, to enter them into your contacts? Toss them all in a box and hope for the best? NO! Grab CardMunch, now owned by the LinkedIn fiefdom and let some faceless robot do the work for you.

What CardMunch Does For You

The application uploads the photo where a human transcribes the data and also matches information with LinkedIn. Once the card has been processed, the application will have the name of the person and likely a photo ready for you to save in your contacts. Did you make a really great connection at that mixer? Ask that person to be a LinkedIn contact, too!

How CardMunch Works

Simply fire up the app, shoot a steady photo of the business card (after the caffeine shakes have worn off) and hit upload.

 

2. Tripit | tripit.com | Free

So you’ve got your gazillion business contacts in your phone and it’s time to hop on a jet plane for a face-to-face. Good news, you’re covered. Grab a Tripit account gratis or spend $50/year for the extra magic of Tripit Pro.

What Tripit Does For You

Tripit will build the entire itinerary with air/hotel/ground transportation and even event information. Tripit is smart, so as the dates correspond, it groups trips together. As a bonus, you can even submit EventBrite confirmations to Tripit! If you’re a real road warrior, or you just hate getting the C49 seat on a Southwest flight because you forget to check in, grab Tripit Pro. You’ll get an email reminding you to check in 5 minutes before the 24 hour mark. Pro will also keep track of flight changes, gate changes and frequent flyer miles.

How Tripit Works

Just forward your reservation email to plans@tripit.com and you will get a response letting you know that your trip has been built.

 

GoPayment by Intuit | gopayment.com | Free

Using Quickbooks to keep your accounting straight for your business? Good work, you aren’t alone. If you’re a small business not in retail, you may not have set up a credit card gateway system for your company. Luckily, Intuit, the makers of Quickbooks love you enough to help you.

 

What GoPayment Does For You

GoPayment processed credit card payments AND it mingles beautifully with Quickbooks.

How GoPayment Works

Once yo’ve downloaded the app, GoPayment will process credit card payments via your iPhone or iPad. The decision you’ll need to make? Whether to go for the free option or the monthly fee option. If you’re going to collect more than $1300 per month via credit card, go for the monthly option, you’ll save on processing fees.

 

There you have it – you’re a genius for keeping track of people, traveling and making money. Interested in continuing the conversation? Find me on twitter or just about anywhere else the internet can be found – http://about.me/nan