Membership, IIA Board, AGM
IIA AGM date announced
In a recent email to members we announced the date for this year’s AGM. It takes place on 17th November 2010 and all the details are in the Events sections of IIA.ie. Members are welcome to attend but must register. Myself, Joan, Darren and the Board (including two new board members!) look forward to catching up with members there.
Guest Blogger, events
Review of “8 Ways to Sell More Stuff”
Jenni Timony of Exponentially.ie attended “8 Ways to Sell More Stuff”, our recent conference for online retailers. This is her review of the event. We always welcome reviews of our events from attendees so please contact me if you would like to write a post about an event you attended. So over to Jenni!
I was looking forward to this conference and it did not disappoint.
Apart from the sales pitch from An Post, it was a relevant , insightful and engaging line up. [Ed: An Post were launching their new service www.iloveshopping.ie]
I got the most out of the Entrepreneurs – Mike Kane from Curiouswines.ie and Andrew Draper of Manpacks.
My key takeaways from Curiouswines.ie
- Interesting to note that they had NO marketing budget. All of their efforts are focussed on Social Media and email marketing.
- Mike talked about acquisition versus retention using the acronym AIDA. It’s about creating Awareness, Interest, Desire and Action. Patience clearly required !
- Mike talked about discounting and how he would not do half price. Customers will think the product was either too expensive in the first place or you are selling at a loss. 5% no good either. Recommends a meaningful time limited discount of 15% plus.
- Love this one: Curiouswines sends a little welcome/ thank you token (such as a branded corkscrew) to new customers. In the post – not on Facebook or a blog. “ Just between you and me”. Personalise it.
- Regarding Marketing efforts. “Layer it, integrate it, repeat it.”
- Mike mentioned a white paper called “ The Darwinian Gale”, which I’m reading. It’s about recession relevant customer trends to drive loyalty and retention.
- Harvest the power of crowds and networks. Something like, “This deal is 25% off provided 150 people sign up. Any less and the deal is off.”
- Mike distilled it succinctly when he said that acquisition and retention is the real acid test.
Later came the chilled and charming Andrew Draper from Manpacks. I must confess that I had a particular interest in this as I’m launching a site called Frankley.com in January also targeting the North American market. It is a similiar concept but aimed at women, men and kids!
- Manpacks was launched quickly and the model is based on iterating from real world data.
- Makes a change to the site every day to increase conversion.
- Modeled heavily on Basecamp. But its PaaS instead of SaaS. ( Product as a service versus Software as a Service.)
- Things went mad when they got featured on Springwise.com, Inc magazine and more.
- 2000 tweets about Manpacks over nine months. Nice !
- The site gets great traffic but has a low conversion rate.
- They claim to have no outreach for PR. Hmmmm…
- Manpacks push the service, not the product. They keep a small range of stock as ‘men don’t like choice’.
- Half of their customers love to modify their order, the other half don’t.
- Big focus on user experience. “Don’t make me think”. They are making the site as clean, simple and intuitive and constantly tweak to achieve this.
- Also on UX (user experience) – they ask themselves “Is it usable? Is it useful? Is it credible? Is it desirable?”
And my favourite…
- “ The most important thing we did was LAUNCH. Be awesome and good things will happen.”
Uncategorized
Ripplecom Announces €500k Broadband Infrastructure Investment
The investment will enable the launch of Ripplecom’s Next Generation Broadband across the 18 counties where Ripplecom provides services. Ripplecom is also simultaneously launching its new Voice services across its customer base.
The core elements of the infrastructure investment, includes the deployment of high speed carrier grade backhaul links and the upgrading of the core network infrastructure.
Commenting on the investment John McDonnell, Ripplecom CEO said: “This investment is the next step in our overall business plan which will produce an additional 25,000 customers over the next four years. In the last twelve months we have doubled our customer base and doubled our staff compliment.”
Mr. McDonnell explained: “There is a tremendous appetite for dependable, high speed broadband within the Irish marketplace and the upgrading will allow us to provide next generation speeds to those who to date, have fallen on the wrong side of the digital divide. ”.
Mr McDonnell noted that the upgrade will enable Ripplecom to roll out a basic broadband package of 8mb/1mb speeds, which will be the fastest widely available package in the country.
“The new infrastructure will support our new bundled internet and voice products. Customers will be able to surf at high speeds and reduce their voice and broadband monthly costs by up to 50%”, he concluded.
Headquartered in Limerick, Ripplecom began trading in 2009 following the merger of two Irish Wireless Internet Service Providers, Amocom and Callidus/Omnitel. In May 2010, the company acquired the broadband network previously operated by Ice Communications Ltd., trading as Ice Broadband.
For more on Ripplecom’s broadband coverage and pricing arrangements seewww.ripplecom.net, telephone 1890-RIPPLE or email info@ripplecom.net.
Uncategorized
eGovernment Awards now open for entries
This year we have introduced an Innovation category, and we’ll be adding a few more categories over the coming days, so keep an eye on all the categories.
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eGov Awards 2011 Launch |
Launching Ireland’s eGovernment Awards 2011 were (L to R) Ronan Kneafsey, eircom; Maeve Kneafsey, MD, Elucidate; Minister Dara Calleary TD and Alex Campbell, eircom. Pictured at the eGovernment Symposium on 12 October 2010 in eircom HSQ.
In these difficult times, Ireland’s eGovernment Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and thank those who are delivering real returns.
View the 2010 Award Winners and listen to the judges commentary on the shortlist.
The Awards ceremony will be held in February 2011 in Dublin.
Uncategorized
EuroCloud Ireland – Developing in the Cloud
Topics to be covered include Scalability, Architecture, Virtualisation/Inter-Operability, Software Builds, Monitoring and Analytics in the Cloud.
These talks will focus on the potential strengths and weaknesses of Cloud development, together with the practical experiences of the speakers. Guest speakers include Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, TradeFacilitate, Calum Technologies, Cloud Consulting and many other leading experts in this arena.
This is a free to attend event, however you must register at Eurocloud.ie.
Uncategorized
Midwest Showcase in Limerick
Over 120 companies and agencies from the Midwest have now signed up for Midwest Showcase – a combined seminar and exhibition on entrepreneurship and innovation in the region which takes place in Thomond Park, Limerick on Thursday 21st October.
This is the fourth year of the Showcase – now greatly expanded through sponsorship by AIB Bank – which is a joint collaboration of a number of regional support agencies and networks co-ordinated by the Enterprise Acceleration Centre at Limerick IT (LIT).
Among the speakers at the seminar running alongside the Showcase will be:
- Cathriona Hallahan, MD of Microsoft Europe
- Joe Purcell of Mincon whose drilling products are being used in the Chilean mine rescue
- Joan Mulvihill, CEO of the Irish Internet Association
- Bill Liao, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist and author of Stone Soup:The Secret Recipe for Making Something from Nothing
- Business mentor Pádraic Ó Máille
- John Twomey, Managing Director of high-potential software company Emutex
- Gary Fallon of Enterprise Ireland.
A wide range of start-up companies and new technologies will be on display and a number of product launches will take place. The Showcase will exhibit the 16 high potential innovative companies on the LEAP (Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform) programme based at Limerick Institute of Technology which include Cloudium Systems, specialists in access to virtual desktops; MobaNode, delivering targeted content to mobiles and Footbridge learning which develops story driven learning software.
In the last three years LEAP companies have created over 110 sustainable jobs in the region and raised more than € 2m in private funding for over 30 businesses.
John Cuddihy, Regional Director of AIB Midwest said: "AIB is committed to supporting SMEs and is delighted to be associated with the Midwest Showcase, an event which promotes and celebrates entrepreneurship in the Midwest.This is a unique opportunity for individuals with ideas, existing companies and support agencies to come together and share experiences and knowledge."
Emerging entrepreneurs, senior management, business advisors, professionals, investors and third level students are invited to attend the event which will consist of a seminar entitled Innovation in Business, Technologies and Entrepreneurship and a showcase of a wide range of enterprises in manufacturing, services, sports and tourism. More than 120 companies and support agencies will exhibit at the event showcasing the depth of talent, innovation and entrepreneurship of the Midwest.
Details of the event are at www.midwestshowcase.ie where bookings for the seminar can be made.
Graham Royce, LEAP Manager said: "The Midwest is a cohesive entrepreneurially excellent region with some incredibly innovative companies in leading edge technologies. It also has a wide range of high quality manufacturing and service subcontract companies which continue to stimulate jobs, wealth and new entrepreneurs in the region. The Midwest Showcase is a great one day, one location event where all those involved in innovation and entrepreneurship can come together and learn from each other".
The 2010 Showcase is part of Midwest Business Week. The Midwest Showcase is generously supported by AIB Bank, the Enterprise Acceleration Centre at LIT, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development, Plato Mid West, Supply Network Shannon, Atlantic Way, Shannon, Limerick and Ennis Chambers and the Enterprise Boards of the Midwest.
Membership, IIA Board
IIA Board members required: it’s up to you to nominate
Please make your nominations for the IIA Board before FRIDAY 8th October
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Nominations for the IIA Board are open but will close on Friday 8th October.
Members of the IIA are entitled to get involved in this process by either nominating or seconding an individual from a member company who they think would be a good addition to the IIA Board. As a member of this association participation in this process is very important as it ensures that the IIA continues doing the work that the members feel is necessary to connect, inform and promote business online in Ireland.
You can read about the entire process of the IIA Board Elections by clicking here.
I will be reminding voting members to vote between Monday 18th October and Wednesday November 3rd.
Only the voting member in each member company will receive this reminder. You can find out who your voting member is by logging into the IIA site. Please do check this as your voting member may have moved on or have changed roles. Email me, Roseanne, at members@iia.ie if you require any changes to be made.
To nominate or second an individual or find out more please email board2010@iia.ie
Please feel free to contact me, Roseanne Smith, Membership Manager to discuss this or any aspect of your membership.
Uncategorized
78 of Ireland’s Schools Receive High Speed Broadband
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan today announced that the €13 million Broadband to Schools Scheme has delivered 100 megabit high speed fibre and wireless broadband to 78 second level schools nationwide.
The Renewed Programme for Government sets out that the Scheme will extend to all second-level schools nationwide in the next two years. Ireland is one the first countries in the world to deliver such a programme on a national level.
Over the last year, fibre-optic and wireless networks were installed in the 78 schools – at least one in every county. These networks will allow for speeds of 100 megabits per second, speeds similar to those on offer to multinational corporations based here.
Enhanced ICT facilities, including more than 1500 wireless digital projectors and 2000 laptops, have also been distributed.
At St. Colmcille’s Community School in Dublin today, the students demonstrated the capabilities of the technology by carrying out interactive science experiments, as well as going on a ‘virtual tour’ of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Minister Ryan said:
“The jobs of the future are in the digital economy and our children need to be confident and comfortable in the use of technology. Broadband of this capacity and quality will allow them to see and learn things in school that my generation could have only dreamed of.
We are changing the day-to-day classroom experience. “Chalk and talk” models won’t work any more. Learning needs to be multi-sensory and interactive, allowing students to learn in schools in the same way they socialise and learn at home. Seeing the students today making a virtual visit to the Louvre in Paris, is remarkable – they are stepping beyond the four walls of their classroom into a new world during their school day.
With this Scheme, we are creating the digital citizens – the writers, the inventors and the businesspeople – of the future. I believe the provision of 100 megabits broadband will transform education in Ireland and place our children at the forefront of the digital revolution.
All secondary schools will soon reap the benefits.”
Schools have been selected against various criteria including geographical location, and an adequate mix of schools to ensure broad social inclusion
This project is the result of cooperation between the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Education and Science, the Higher Education Authority, HEAnet and the National Centre for Technology in Education.
HEANet has built and will maintain the network on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources. The National Centre for Technology in Education is charged with the integration of ICT within schools. They will also provide front line support for the staff of the schools. ESB Telecoms has provided backhaul from regional locations to Dublin. 23 of the schools will link in to the Government’s Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS) which are already in place
The service providers that were successful in the delivery of the fibre and wireless infrastructure include Eircom, Airspeed, Digiweb, e|Net, Imagine, BT, Complete Telecom and Telindus, while Dell Ireland has provided the laptop equipment.
The schools to receive the broadband are:
Carlow Vocational School | Carlow | ||
St. Leo’s College | Carlow | ||
Cavan Institute | Cavan | ||
St Caimin’s Community School | Clare | ||
St Flannan’s College | Clare | ||
Cork College Of Commerce | Cork | ||
Coláiste Choilm | Cork | ||
Christ King Girls’ Secondary School | Cork | ||
Carrigaline Community School | Cork | ||
Loreto Convent | Donegal | ||
Carndonagh Community School | Donegal | ||
St Eunan’s College | Donegal | ||
St Columbas College | Donegal | ||
Loreto Community School | Donegal | ||
Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola | Donegal | ||
Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada | Donegal | ||
Coláiste Phobail Cholmcille | Donegal | ||
Ballyfermot College of Further Education | Dublin | ||
Malahide Community School | Dublin | ||
Loreto Secondary School | Dublin | ||
Castleknock Community College | Dublin | ||
Scoil Phobail Chuil Mhin | Dublin | ||
Hartstown Community School | Dublin | ||
St Dominics College | Dublin | ||
Mount Temple Comprehensive School | Dublin | ||
St Josephs College | Dublin | ||
Coláiste Bríde | Dublin | ||
St Mac Dara’s Community College | Dublin | ||
St Marks Community School | Dublin | ||
St Benildus College | Dublin | ||
St Aidan’s Community School | Dublin | ||
Trinity Comprehensive School | Dublin | ||
Collinstown Park Community College | Dublin | ||
St Pauls Secondary School | Dublin | ||
Rosmini Community School | Dublin | ||
Presentation College | Dublin | ||
St. Colmcille’s Community School | Dublin | ||
St Joseph’s College | Galway | ||
Gort Community School | Galway | ||
Presentation College | Galway | ||
Calasanctius College | Galway | ||
Gairmscoil Éinne Oileain Arann | Galway | ||
Coláiste Ghobnait | Galway | ||
Mercy Secondary School | Kerry | ||
Coláiste Naomh Mhuire | Kildare | ||
Salesian College | Kildare | ||
Maynooth Post Primary School | Kildare | ||
St Kieran’s College | Kilkenny | ||
Coláiste Íosagáin | Laoighis | ||
Community School | Leitrim | ||
Castletroy College | Limerick | ||
Crescent College Comprehensive | Limerick | ||
Colaiste Chiarain | Limerick | ||
Presentation Secondary School | Limerick | ||
Mercy Secondary School | Longford | ||
St Oliver’s Community College | Louth | ||
Ó Fiaich College | Louth | ||
St Vincent’s Secondary School | Louth | ||
St Mary’s Diocesan School | Louth | ||
St Louis Community School | Mayo | ||
Davitt College | Mayo | ||
St Peter’s College | Meath | ||
Community College Dunshaughlin | Meath | ||
Beech Hill College | Monaghan | ||
Killina Presentation Secondary School | Offaly | ||
St Nathy’s College | Roscommon | ||
Summerhill College | Sligo | ||
Cashel Community School | Tipperary | ||
St Paul’s Community College | Waterford | ||
St Angela’s | Waterford | ||
St Declan’s Community College | Waterford | ||
Moate Community School | Westmeath | ||
Athlone Community College | Westmeath | ||
Our Lady’s Bower | Westmeath | ||
Good Counsel College | Wexford | ||
Mary Ward | Wexford | ||
Vocational College | Wexford | ||
Loreto Secondary School | Wicklow |