Maybe next year...

Maybe next year...
The economy will be going gangbusters
Your knowledge will reach critical mass
Your boss will give you the go ahead (and agree to take the heat if things don't work out)
Your family situation will be stable
The competition will stop innovating
Someone else will drive the carpool, freeing up a few hours a week
There won't be any computer viruses to deal with, and
Your neighbour will return the lawnmower.

Then...
You can ship, you can launch your project, you can make the impact you've been planning on.
Of course, all of these things won't happen. Why not ship anyway?

[While others were hiding last year, new products were launched, new subscriptions were sold and new companies came into being. While they were laying low, websites got new traffic, organizations grew, and contracts were signed. While they were stuck, money was being lent, star employees were hired and trust was built.

Most of all, art got created.

That's okay, though, because it's all going to happen again in 2011. It's not too late, just later than it was.]

My last blog entry for 2010 courtesy of Seth Godin.
2011 is going to be a landmark year at Costless Express - Seth.....we promise to "ship" this year and not wait!

Cheers,
Calvin

Tech's Biggest Surprise of 2010: The Rise of Groupon

So, did you get a Groupon for Christmas? A spa visit or a dinner for two at the Pan Pacific?

It sure would feel great to have a gift like that under the tree and the best part is knowing your gift giver didn't pay full retail.

Not a Grouponian just yet? Let me fill you in:

In April, Groupon was worth $1 billion. By November, it was worth $6 billion. In other words, the group-buying website's average value is growing by more than $20 million in value per day. That makes it the fastest growing company in history.

Chew on that one.

Groupon now has more than 3,000 employees selling brands on the daily deal business model. And business is booming. Now the company is shooting for greatness after turning down Google's $6 billion offer. The eventual Groupon IPO will be the most anticipated public offering since Google (unless Facebook beats them to the punch).

Nobody could have predicted that Groupon and the group buying business model would explode like it did in 2010, not even Groupon's founders. Local business and advertising has been changed forever by the flood of daily deals that now permeate the web. And remember this: We have yet to see the limits of the Groupon phenomenon.

Cheers,
Calvin

Gingerbread Buddies!


Today was the first day for 2 more call center staff we just hired - Jen and Brynn.


Our winner - Sharon!

What better way to have them start at Costless Express than with a Gingerbread Man Decorating Contest? The Girls walked around Costless HQ and gathered staff to come to the break room to decorate the yummy little cookies.

Have a look at the MAD artwork and creativity. Vote on your favorite. Can you guess the cookie I decorated? 

Special Thanks to KERRS CANDIES for donating their awesome gift basket to the winner as voted by our staff.

Cheers
Calvin

Our Christmas Family

Today we packed up a truckload of gifts and food to take over and surprise a family we are helping this Christmas. Special thanks to Cindy in our office for introducing this family.

After reading Cindy's email (below) about this family, we rallied our staff and vendors to gather donations to make their Christmas a special one. Have a look at my skills as a movie maker. We aired the video in the offices and people were a bit choked up and a few tears flowed. It was so warming to the heart to see pure joy in a child's face.

As you all may know we are sponsoring my friend and her 3 small kids this year for Christmas.

I have known my friend Chantille for 25 years and she has had some pretty bad luck. From her house being caught on fire and she lost a lot of personal items to moving to Newfoundland and having to sell everything she owned. When she moved back here to BC, the only thing she had to her name was her kitchen table and chairs, 2 suitcases and a smaller suitcase for her 3 year old daughter Summer, which had very few clothes inside. I have taken her to yard sales and thrift stores to get a few things to make her place somewhat livable. She had a used couch given to her and a 19" tv from my mother in law. She is on Welfare at this time, and had a struggle finding a job. She found a part time job the other day, but because it is a new store, they are uncertain when opening day is. So she sits and waits until she gets that phone call. I have helped her get food in her house, had her and kids over for dinners, but there’s only so much I can do as I have to support myself as well. With your help we can provide a very Merry Christmas for them.

Well Cindy - we did our best to help. So proud of you and all our staff!

Cheers and Merry Christmas
Calvin

The Vancouver girl who silenced the world for five minutes

Take 5 minutes to watch a powerful video from a 12 year girl from Vancouver who presented before the UN Council Earth Summit. She received a standing ovation at the end.



Here is the transcript from her speech.

It was 1992 when she made that speech. Who is she and where is she now?

Her last name might give it away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_Cullis-Suzuki

Cheers,
Calvin

This will make you laugh today...

Girl Goes Crazy Over Webcam Special Effects


And here's the undistorted version, if you're curious!