Business Card Networking with CardMunch

Just like my laundry, I use the pile technique with business cards.  They stay in a giant pile until they become meaningless because I can’t find anyone or figure out how I ever met them.  So as part of the New Year resolution to be more efficient, I have been looking for a way to manage all of those contacts.

My favorite new app is CardMunch by Linkedin (http://www.cardmunch.com/).  What I like about CardMunch:

1.  Data entry – Getting info into CardMunch is easy.  You just take a picture of the business card with your iPhone.  The data is extrapolated into CardMunch
2. Accuracy – With the exception of a few errors, the accuracy was exceptional.  The app extrapolated addresses, websites, phone numbers and any other contact info.  Vertical cards posed no difficulty.
3. Interface – Card data is presented quite well.  If the person is on LinkedIn, then that information also becomes extroplated into the card information.  Individual’s photo and contact information is presented similar to iPhone contacts.  The actual picture of the card is saved at the top of the record if one needs a reminder or to verify information.  Most importantly, other info from Linkedin is attached which usually provides enough data to know how you met them
4. Connect – The app allows one to easily connect with individuals on LinkedIn with a simple Connect button.  Given the number of business cards I receive, I don’t advocate doing this with all contacts as some people may be better off as facebook friends rather than true business contacts.  But it simplifies the process of building  your business network
5. Integration – One can also integrate contact information with iPhone contacts as a default or one can do this manually.  I prefer to keep most contacts within CardMunch so it does not fill up my iPhone contacts with tons of names that I may not need or recall.
6. Search – The search feature makes it easy to find individuals and contact information.So next time you’re at a function collecting business cards, I would recommend pulling out your iPhone, snapping a picture and spend more time networking with beer.