IIA Press Releases
IIA STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO TOURISM IRELAND AWARDING CONTRACT TO LONDON BASED COMPANY
In response to the Tourism Ireland decision to spend €2.5million on the development of the new Tourism Ireland website www.Ireland.com <http://www.Ireland.com> the Irish Internet Association on behalf of its members would like to express its serious disappointment that an agency of the state have preferred to employ the services of a London web development company over an Irish one.
There are a number of points that need to be addressed. Firstly, as a country in a job crisis we should be doing everything in our powers to support jobs locally. On principle as well as in practice, this ethos should be of highest importance for government agencies leading by example. In this specific instance, IIA members were shortlisted for this tender and we know that domestic rates are far more competitive that those reportedly paid. In accepting that price is not the only factor and that technical merit was the other criteria used, it is worth noting that on the subjective yet technical issue of design and user experience, the general view is that there are already some basic user experience shortcomings with this site.
Secondly, we must look at the broader ramifications of this decision. The majority of global technology companies have elected Ireland as their European base given the high quality of talent here. Beyond the specifics of this particular case, the political message that this decision is sending out to the world is counter-productive and anti-jobs. On the one hand, we have the IDA and Government Ministers working to increase foreign direct investment with a strong focus on the technology industry. On the other hand, in this single decision, we have a state agency saying that it is not possible to secure high quality and good value web design and development services here.
Tourism Ireland is responsible for attracting visitors to Ireland. Holiday tourism is important but so too is business and education tourism. They are asking people to visit a vibrant and welcoming country but is it also one that is so insecure about itself, so lacking in faith in its own people that when given the choice they will partner with a foreign company rather than an Irish one? The argument that this spend represents less than 10% of its total budget for the year is reminiscent of boom years when pockets were deep. The measure of value in these straitened times should surely not be that they got it for a small % of a large amount but rather that they got it for the very best possible price and in doing so factored in the multiplier effect of keeping those jobs in Ireland and promoting the world class standards that exist within our country.
Uncategorized
IIA STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO TOURISM IRELAND AWARDING CONTRACT TO LONDON BASED COMPANY
There are a number of points that need to be addressed. Firstly, as a country in a job crisis we should be doing everything in our powers to support jobs locally. On principle as well as in practice, this ethos should be of highest importance for government agencies leading by example. In this specific instance, IIA members were shortlisted for this tender and we know that domestic rates are far more competitive that those reportedly paid. In accepting that price is not the only factor and that technical merit was the other criteria used, it is worth noting that on the subjective yet technical issue of design and user experience, the general view is that there are already some basic user experience shortcomings with this site.
Secondly, we must look at the broader ramifications of this decision. The majority of global technology companies have elected Ireland as their European base given the high quality of talent here. Beyond the specifics of this particular case, the political message that this decision is sending out to the world is counter-productive and anti-jobs. On the one hand, we have the IDA and Government Ministers working to increase foreign direct investment with a strong focus on the technology industry. On the other hand, in this single decision, we have a state agency saying that it is not possible to secure high quality and good value web design and development services here.
Tourism Ireland is responsible for attracting visitors to Ireland. Holiday tourism is important but so too is business and education tourism. They are asking people to visit a vibrant and welcoming country but is it also one that is so insecure about itself, so lacking in faith in its own people that when given the choice they will partner with a foreign company rather than an Irish one? The argument that this spend represents less than 10% of its total budget for the year is reminiscent of boom years when pockets were deep. The measure of value in these straitened times should surely not be that they got it for a small % of a large amount but rather that they got it for the very best possible price and in doing so factored in the multiplier effect of keeping those jobs in Ireland and promoting the world class standards that exist within our country.
ENDS
IIA Press Releases
IRISH INTERNET ASSOCIATION LAUNCH ECOMMERCE SKILLS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Today Wednesday 23rd January 2013: The Irish Internet Association (IIA) has today launched its Diploma in eCommerce Management and Internship programme. The IIA’s newly formed eCommerce Working Group comprises leading Irish eCommerce businesses; Life Style Sports, Realex Payments, Arnotts.ie and Nightline’s ParcelMotel to name but a few. Chaired by Bob Curran of Buy4Now, members of the group and IIA members have undertaken to provide a number of internships for anyone doing the 11 week course. This blended learning approach of evening course and on-the-job experience is a great opportunity for retail managers, merchandisers and marketers seeking to take up the growing number of positions in eCommerce management.
Speaking on the launch Joan Mulvihill, CEO of the IIA, highlighted the scale of the opportunity for businesses and interns alike. “With €4billion being spent online by Irish shoppers the opportunity for Irish retailers is enormous. But 75% of that is being spent with overseas retailers so much of that opportunity is being lost. The challenge is not in convincing retailers to develop an eCommerce proposition but rather in enabling them with the skills and knowledge to execute it. This course is ideal for retailer owner/managers to build that knowledge. Likewise, many retail sector workers have suffered during the downtown. This combined Diploma and Internship is a great way to adapt your retail and merchandising knowledge to fill the increasing number of eCommerce manager positions”.
Gordon Newman is the Head of Online Sales at Life Style Sports and a member of the IIA Working Group. He expressed his own difficulties in filling ecommerce positions. “One of the most challenging aspects of my role has been finding the right people with the right skills. People think they have to be web developers or social media gurus but this just isn’t the case. We really need great process and merchandising people with commercial acumen and Customer focus. A broad understanding of retail operations is just as important for an eCommerce specialist as getting to grips with the technical components. It’s why we are so supportive of this Diploma course and also why we are one of the businesses looking forward to taking an intern and with our proven record of internal progression there is a very real prospect of a job at the end of it”.
Mulvihill added “For anyone wishing to avail of the internship, we would encourage them to send us their CVs as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this course is not covered by any government programme so course fees are applicable.”
Internships will be granted by the businesses directly and subject to their respective interview procedures. On a case by case basis, depending on organisation requirements and candidate suitability, some internships may qualify for Jobbridge.
This course has been designed by the Irish Internet Association and its leading industry expert lecturers and practitioners. It is delivered in partnership with Irish Times Training.
Course enrolment is now open and all details are available on www.iia.ie/eComDip
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Joan Mulvihill, Irish Internet Association: 01 5424154 / 086 389 7552 joan@iia.ie
IIA eCommerce Working Group Members
Bob Curran……………………………………………Buy4Now
Tracy Glynn…………………………………………..Realex Payments
Graham Merriman……………………………………Carrickane Consulting
Kevin Murray…………………………………………Nightline’s ParcelMotel
Gordon Newman…………………………………….Life Style Sports
Vinny O’Brien…………………………………………Micksgarage.com
Rory O’Connor………………………………………..Scurri.com
– See more at: http://www.iia.ie/news/item/1981/irish-internet-association-launch-ecommerce-skills-and-job-opportunities/#sthash.uI0YLF5Y.dpuf
Uncategorized
IRISH INTERNET ASSOCIATION LAUNCH ECOMMERCE SKILLS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Speaking on the launch Joan Mulvihill, CEO of the IIA, highlighted the scale of the opportunity for businesses and interns alike. “With €4billion being spent online by Irish shoppers the opportunity for Irish retailers is enormous. But 75% of that is being spent with overseas retailers so much of that opportunity is being lost. The challenge is not in convincing retailers to develop an eCommerce proposition but rather in enabling them with the skills and knowledge to execute it. This course is ideal for retailer owner/managers to build that knowledge. Likewise, many retail sector workers have suffered during the downtown. This combined Diploma and Internship is a great way to adapt your retail and merchandising knowledge to fill the increasing number of eCommerce manager positions”.
Gordon Newman is the Head of Online Sales at Life Style Sports and a member of the IIA Working Group. He expressed his own difficulties in filling ecommerce positions. “One of the most challenging aspects of my role has been finding the right people with the right skills. People think they have to be web developers or social media gurus but this just isn’t the case. We really need great process and merchandising people with commercial acumen and Customer focus. A broad understanding of retail operations is just as important for an eCommerce specialist as getting to grips with the technical components. It’s why we are so supportive of this Diploma course and also why we are one of the businesses looking forward to taking an intern and with our proven record of internal progression there is a very real prospect of a job at the end of it”.
Mulvihill added “For anyone wishing to avail of the internship, we would encourage them to send us their CVs as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this course is not covered by any government programme so course fees are applicable.”
Internships will be granted by the businesses directly and subject to their respective interview procedures. On a case by case basis, depending on organisation requirements and candidate suitability, some internships may qualify for Jobbridge.
This course has been designed by the Irish Internet Association and its leading industry expert lecturers and practitioners. It is delivered in partnership with Irish Times Training.
Course enrolment is now open and all details are available on www.iia.ie/eComDip
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Joan Mulvihill, Irish Internet Association: 01 5424154 / 086 389 7552 joan@iia.ie
IIA eCommerce Working Group Members
Bob Curran……………………………………………Buy4Now
Tracy Glynn…………………………………………..Realex Payments
Graham Merriman……………………………………Carrickane Consulting
Kevin Murray…………………………………………Nightline’s ParcelMotel
Gordon Newman…………………………………….Life Style Sports
Vinny O’Brien…………………………………………Micksgarage.com
Rory O’Connor………………………………………..Scurri.com