September 4, 2009
Good News Thursday, copy-writing
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Things haven’t been so hot and busy on the good news front. In fact, very little good news has come across the desks at Achieve Marketing. We could be in a silo - but all we hear at the moment is Lisbon Treaty and Nama. Good news? oh dear!
But we have one good story to report. The Drogheda Arts Festival organised by the Drogheda Borough Council Art Office has just been short-listed for a Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Award. We were instrumental in the copy-writing of the application form and are thrilled that they have gotten this far.
The Drogheda Arts Festival started 6 years ago and goes from strength to strength. When I was Marketing Officer for the Droichead Arts Centre, I was on the periphery of the organisation. It takes time, stamina and strength to organise a five day festival over the May bank holiday.
It’s one of the first arts festivals to appear on the National calendar and they certainly kick start it off in style.
The Local Government awards take place in October and from all of us at Achieve Marketing, we wish them the very best of luck.
A good news story indeed.
August 13, 2009
Good News Thursday
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Delighted to see good news coming my way over the last two weeks - it might be a small post but it’s got positive news.
1. There are jobs out there…..
Jobs News posted that over 700 new jobs were announced by 5 companies in Ireland.
Lindsay Browning of CPL, using her twittername of @marketingeire, is constantly informs Twitterland of real Marketing jobs. Contact her for more information.
From Econ-Optimist blog: Search engine consulting company FirstFound is embarking on a £600,000 investment and recruitment drive in Dublin. The company is now recruiting for its first intake of new account managers ready for when they open for business in August, having already established offices at Merrion Square, Dublin. Britain’s leading search engine consultancy currently has more than 6,000 clients and is set to turnover £4.5m this year.
2. Innovation is alive & well….
Taking advantage of the IKEA move into Dublin, Maryrose Lyons of Brightspark has set up Simple Assembly me Hole - a website dedicated to people who need help with assembling all types of furniture from IKEA. The name is ingenious and they are getting a lot of well deserved media coverage.
Host-it’s newly expanded and upgraded Online Back-up service, Backup Vault, caused a stir at a client’s office. HandyBaby was thrilled by the fast support service as one of the directors “nearly had a heart attack when she thought she lost her email.”
Award winning graphic studio Dara Creative has a fanstastic web scrappage deal. Instead of scrapping your car, scrap your website instead. They want you to scrap your old website for a brand new 2009 model and they’ll give you €3,000 worth of extras absolutely free.
3. Pensions are up….
Independent financial broker Cregan Kelly shared some great news at our BNI meeting. He said pensions are up on average 12% this year…so that is good news for all pension holders.
***Ends***
July 30, 2009
Good News Thursday
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It has been practically six weeks since I posted the last Good News Thursday. There has been very little good news reported but I know that there has to be good news among the Irish SME population. I read blogs, I read twitter and I know that people are busy so there is good news out there.
Lets start to share it again!
1. Employment is still alive and well……
Econ-Optimist is a great site for telling the world about job creation in Ireland. Fiona O’Neill is an ‘econ-optimist’ who doesn’t want to be inundated by the recession word.
Highlights from the site include:
- French owned Call Centre Teleperformance is to create 240 jobs in Newry and Dublin
- CORK health and safety firm, Olive Safety is planning to create 100 jobs
- Space rocket firm, AMPAC-ISP Group, will create 20 new R&D jobs for Dublin
Heritage Insurance Group, a Dublin-based commercial insurance has recently taken on three new staff. Heritage was set up in 2008 and has been growing and growing since. It offers real value with real insurance advice and cover that suits you and your business.
2. Innovative Ideas to Beat the Recession….
Gifts & Vouchers set up Talkshop.ie - a forum to discuss everything related to shopping. It’s a one stop, all-Ireland information and discussion place on the Internet.
Leo Fogarty of Affiliate Marketing recently launched ‘Promo Tuesday’ - a way to promote products or services that he has had the opportunity to review. A lovely way to support fellow businesses.
A new consumer products & services price comparison site has been launched. Save a few bob (saveafewbob.ie) aims to help provide Irish consumers with the chance to find bargains on everyday spending by providing research, reviews and relevant monthly promotions. The free website features independently-commissioned research on what Irish consumers are currently paying for a particular product or service and determines whether they are getting value for money.
Bru Bar Bistro in Drogheda is engaging with customers by offering them the chance to win a pair of Strutt Couture during its bank holiday ‘Bru-fest’.
3. UCD Offers Free Places to the Un-employed
My old alma-mater, UCD and its undergraduate business school announced during the week that it will provide 40 places for unemployed workers on its Bachelor of Business Studies programme as part of a Government initiative to improve the skills of those who are jobless and speed their return to work.
Unemployed workers taking up these places can continue to draw their job seekers while completing the programme, which is being funded by the Government.
***Looking forward to hearing more stories for August.***
June 12, 2009
Good News Thursday
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Well - I was going to post good news stories every two weeks but through-out my travels this week, I came across a few good news stories and thought to myself, why wait until next week?
Next week will see a return of the recruitment and innovative ideas sections but today, we’re delighted to share good news stories on this rainy Thursday.
1. Third Award in Six Months…
Paycheck Plus is no stranger to winning awards - they won the Irish Payroll Association Award for Best Outsource Provider in 2007 & 2008, Best Small Business Award at the Drogheda Chamber Excellence Awards in November 2008 and Best Service Provider and Overall Winner at the Louth County Enterprise Board Awards in March 2009.
Just last week they picked up Best Small Business Excellence Award at the Fingal Chamber Excellence Awards. Well done Anne and the team.
In addition to winning the award, Paycheck Plus also expanded their team by hiring Janice Coleman. Janice is another distinguished graduate of the Irish Payroll Association and brings significant payroll experience to Paycheck Plus from her previous experiences. Welcome to the team Janice.
2. Thriving Business in a Recession…
Another good news story came from David Quaid of Primary Position. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a must for all businesses that have a website. The oldage of ‘If you build it, they will come’ doesn’t work…you need to work hard at getting them to come. That’s exactly what David helps SMEs do - bring traffic to your website.
I hope he won’t mind me telling you but in the past four weeks, he has signed up 10 new clients - all who are export oriented and have new ideas. In addition to growing and thriving his business, he has been approached by 5 start-ups to be IT Director/CTO of their new businesses. Now, this is someone thriving in a recession.
3. Irish Company goes up against Big Guys in Corporate IT Award
MCor Technologies launched its 3D printer, the Mcor Matrix, to much applause last year. It is the only 3D printer in the world that can use A4 paper to make 3D objects. MCor won the 2008 Intertrade Ireland Seedcorn, Best Emerging International company award and recently won the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award in March 2009.
Just this past week, they were contacted by the World Technology Network and informed that they were nominated in the category of IT Hardware. Other nominees in the category include Sony, Motorola, Belkin International.
The World Technology Network is a real who’s who in the world of global technology. Congratulations to Conor and the team.
4. Tweeting for Business Success..
Claire Boyles of Management Matters continues to educate SMEs, charities and sole traders about the benefits and use of Twitter as part of the social marketing mix.
It’s a lunchtime seminar that educates and inspires people who are aware of twitter but don’t know where to start. Claire is getting great feedback from her participants.
She is planning seminars around the country and more in Dublin so when I have the list, I’ll share it with you.
It’s great to see businesses innovating during these tough economic times.
5. Some Companies are still Investing in New Technology…
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Knight of Donite Plastics during the week and it is great to see a company that is still investing in new technologies and innovative processes.
Donite is a vacuum forming company. Vacuum forming provides an inexpensive way to have your own special plastic parts moulded to order - whether they are small or large.
They’ve recently installed a large 5-axis CNC router to automatically trim their plastic mouldings. Yep, I didn’t know what that meant either so when I asked Michael what the benefit was, he explained that it will allow them to do much more accurate and more complicated trimming operations than was possible before on very large mouldings. It saves time on large and small parts.
Now, a typical new product will take only 2-3 weeks from initial concept to real production parts.
***Ends until next time***
June 8, 2009
Good News Thursday
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After a bit of a hiatus as there was no good news stories coming into me, we’re back. We’re going every two weeks now until such time as we have too much good news to share and we’ll recommence every week.
Keep those stories coming!
1. Recruitment is still alive & well…..as Ireland announces over 2,000 jobs per month
An analysis carried out by the website, Econ-Optimist, to determine the level of employment created in the economy shows that over 17,000 new jobs have been announced in Ireland running from October 2008 to the end of May 2009.
April 2009 has been the busiest month this year for job creation with over 5,300 jobs announced. This burst of employment was supported by ESB’s announcement of 3,700 to be created over the next 3 years. The month of May followed rank in job activity with over 3,600 job opportunities created. In May, Aldi announced that 1,000 jobs will be created over the next 5 years. Figures for February and March followed respectively. More announcements are continually made on a weekly basis.
2. New Theatre Company Sees Crowds Attend Opening Show
Earlier in May, I was delighted to hear about a new theatre company opening in Cork. The Roundhouse Theatre Company opened Lipstick to the public two days ago and got a large attendance. Attendance is due to remain steady for the other nights. They open Spitting Love on June 9th.
Both plays are at the Granary in Cork - so pop along to see some great theatre in action.
Lipstick explores the absurd world of Jane and Archibald, a newly wed couple, who despite both traditional and modern pressure find a way to express their love. It comically describes the situations young lovers can find themselves in when the communication cord gets tangled with an interfering mother-in-law!
Spitting Love is a dark comedy about the trauma of losing a child. The play shifts through the inner world of Harry, as he tries to make sense of his loss. It portrays the transformation that takes place between the inner thoughts of Harry and the perception of the outer world.
3. Innovative Ideas to Beat the Recession…
This section shows the the entrepreneurship of Irish businesses. I love this section and hope it will continue to grow.
MediaContact - In Praise of Positivity
MediaContact launched a ‘green shoots’ campaign and it’s aim is very simple. If you’d like to grow a green shoot of recovery for the economy, do one positive economic gesture per day. So it might be paying somebody on time, sanctioning some much-needed spending you’ve been stalling on or bringing your staff out for a ‘well done’ lunch.
Jack and the team believe that if we all did one “green shoot” act a day, the economy would begin to recover. Imagine the goodwill you’d feel by getting paid on time, or getting that order you’ve been chasing for months.
If you want to join in, email your ‘green shoot’ gestures to info@mediacontact.ie and they’ll publish them in the next edition.
I’ll be keeping an eye on it myself for Good News Thursday!
4. Berry Good News for Strawberries
As this week is National Strawberry Week (1st-7th June), it’s berry good news for strawberries. The value of strawberry sales in Ireland reached €50million in 2008, an increase of 6% since 2007.
According to Gary McCarthy, Irish Soft Fruit Growers Association, “2008 was a great year for strawberry sales and we are hoping that 2009 will be even better. The signs are for a big crop of juicy sweet strawberries.”
Yum, yum - anyone for strawberries and cream - with a little smattering of chocolate flakes on the top?
5. OpenCoffee Club in Drogheda a Success
Over 15 people attended the first OpenCoffee Club in Drogheda on the last Friday in May. Business owners who work in photography, marketing, online retail, web design, web development, offline retail and technology consulting attended and engaged with all there.
A super thanks to Made in Hollywood who made foam cups (see separate blog post with pics) so it was easy to identify us at the right spot in the d hotel.
For all Drogheda/Fingal/North Dublin/East Meath business owners, we will hold the next one on last Friday of the month in the d Hotel, Drogheda. Free parking for all.
6. Achievements/Twitter News
This week I’m afraid I’ve nothing to report here. I’ve just been busy and haven’t engaged with my twitter friends. Shame on me but I’ll be better for next week!
***Ends until next time***
May 14, 2009
Good News Thursday
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Another week older & wiser! Time is flying by and we have to grab it before it flies away completely on us. I’m glad to see that some SMEs are taking lots of action and continue to recruit and create new innovative ideas.
1. Recruitment is still alive & well in SMEs
Innovation Employment was in touch with me to tell me about 5 jobs that they are looking to fill.
- Sales Director (Full-time) in South/Central Dublin
- Senior Sales & Marketing Manager (3-6 month contract) in South/Central Dublin
- HR Administrator (Contract) in Cork
- CFO (Part-time) - Location not specified
- Business Partner (Part-time) - strategic thinking required
Contact Lynda by emailing lynda@innovationemployment.ie or call 01 495 4891.
2. New Theatre Company Launched in Cork
Having worked in the arts scene several years back, I was delighted to hear about a new theatre company opening based in Cork. Roundhouse Theatre Company launched its first summer season at the Boardwalk Bar in Cork city this week with much fanfare. The first plays - Lipstick & Spitting Love are scheduled for June.
We’ll look forward to hearing more about them in the future. Check out the Granary for more information for more information on this exciting new theatre company.
Roundhouse Theatre Company will launch its first summer season, at the Boardwalk Bar, May 12th at 7pm
3. Innovative Ideas to Beat the Recession…
This section shows the the entrepreneurship of Irish businesses. I love this section and hope it will continue to grow.
StyleFish.ie
Style Fish is a new business that I have come across. The main idea behind it is to give women an alternative to having to spend a huge amount of money on one to one consultations and personal shopping. Stylefish inspire, teach and encourage women to learn about what is right for their body shape, colours, make up etc in a fun, informal and really practical 8 week evening class.
They are holding classes all across Leinster, with one specifically for the Dublin ladies, starting Monday, 25th May. Contact Stylefish owner and Xpose regular Julie Cobb on julie@stylefish.ie or call 087 413 0336 for more information.
Irishwomeninbusiness.ie
Another organisation on the horizon for the working woman. Irish Women in Business is a professional body, representing all women working in business. The aim of the IWIB is to unite women and allow them to share resources, information and ideas.
Membership is a very reasonable €50 plus VAT. Please contact Tara Wilson Black, Founder of IWIB on info@irishwomeninbusiness.ie
4. BNI North East - Best in the World
I’m a member of the BNI Abbey in Swords. BNI is one of the most popular networking organisation for SMEs in Ireland. Mary Eastwood, Assistant Director of BNI called me earlier in the week to inform me that BNI, Ireland North East is currently No. 1 in the world of BNI because of the growth of chapters, amounts of referrals given and general growth trends.
Well done to all member of BNI, Ireland North East area.
5. Achievements/Twitter News
This week I’m afraid I’ve not much to report. I don’t think I paid enough attention this week. Will try harder for next week.
@elainerodgers - informed me of the Roundhouse Theatre opening (had to do a bigger story!)
@marycarty - organising Open Coffee in Drogheda/North Dublin for 21st May
@maryrose - shared her email marketing results for Ireland for the last 2 years: http://bit.ly/f7dUf
***Ends until next week***
May 7, 2009
General Marketing, Good News Thursday
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The celebrations of Leinster beating Munster have put a dint in my gathering of good news stories this Thursday. Or perhaps it’s the weather - we are all waiting for the winter winds to end and let the sunshine through…maybe this weekend?
So good news stories a bit thin on the ground this week & so I’ll be looking for double next week.
1. Recruitment is still alive and well with SMEs….
I’m delighted to be able to fill this section week after week since Good News Thursday (GNT) started. My good friend, colleague and client Paycheck Plus is hiring. Two new positions have been created - they are looking for a Business Development Officer and an Office Manager with Payroll Bureau Experience. In today’s economy, it’s fantastic to hear the growth story of Paycheck Plus. They have recently expanded their premises to make room for the new members of staff and the growing files of clients they continue to get.
If anyone is interested in finding out more information about the Payroll Outsource Assistant, please contact Anne Reilly on 041 98 81744, email enquiries@paycheckplus.ie and visit www.paycheckplus.ie/careers
2. Some-one listened to my marketing talk last week…
Bru, one of Drogheda’s finest eateries and best cocktail bar in town has begun a customer engagement programme. Well, that’s what they told me but I think it’s down to Colm Devine’s love of golf. They have put a temporary putting green into the restaurant (with a separate one for the kiddies) and will run a fun competition from today. (Now Colm can work and play at the same time!)
So if anyone is around Drogheda or Baltray as the Irish Open comes to town, roll up your sleeves and practice your putting while having a little drink or lunch/dinner.
3. Dublin voted Europe’s friendliest city
In a little digression from our SME good news, we’ll stay with Irish good news, thanks to Graham O’Rourke who spotted it for us. In a poll by Trip Advisor, Dublin was voted Europe’s friendliest city…so well done all you friendly Dublin residents.
London was named as the dirtiest city and the most expensive although it was number one for free attractions and public parks. (Is Dublin getting cheaper?!) Copenhagen was rated the cleanest city, while Edinburgh was named one of Europe’s most underrated destinations.
4. Achievements/Twitter News
@claireboyles - a good news story for next week me thinks but she is bringing experts together to collaborate on a new project idea.
@miriamahern - Launched DCEB LINK! Start-up Business Network Member2Member Discount Directory.
@ezinearticles - over 64 members have completed the challenge - 100 articles in 100 days
****Ends until next week. Keep those stories coming***
April 23, 2009
General Marketing
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After an Easter hiatus, we’re back! Trying to burn the calories from all those Easter eggs but nothing that a few hills in Scotland won’t sort out for me!
1. Recruitment is still alive & well with SMEs…
FX3, a long established fitted furniture company based in Artane, Dublin 5 is looking for kitchen planners and sales staff. Contact Mark Ryan on 01 848 5744 or visit www.fx3.ie for more information.
2. 12,000 Jobs Planned for County Louth
AN ‘ambitious but achievable’ target of creating 12,000 additional jobs in Louth between now and 2015 has been set by a new economic study of the county.
The study, commissioned by Louth Local Authorities from Indecon International Economic Consultants, provides a blueprint for the newly-formed Louth Economic Forum chaired by Padraic White, former managing director of IDA Ireland.
For more information, visit the Drogheda Independent.
3. A Business First for Twitter….
In a possible first for Twitter in Ireland, Giftsandvouchers.ie welcomes a new business partner in the form of PrimaryPosition.com founder - David Quaid. David and Sian met through using Twitter and David has decided to invest in the popular and growing GiftsAndVouchers.ie website. The pair met through posting on twitter and are both said to be delighted with the move announced today from Giftsandvouchers headquarters in Drogheda and PrimaryPosition in the National Technology Park, Limerick.
4. 300 Jobs for Waterford
A collaborative project between the Waterford Institute of Technology and Wales’ Aberyswyth University will create up to 300 jobs in the south east region over the next three years. The €1.7 million European-funded project will see over 30 enterprises in the south east and a similar number in Wales participate in the partnership.
5. Over 50 Attendees Network on Baggot Street
I mentioned in GNT, four weeks ago, about an innovative idea by Baggot Street based Marketing Network to bring together Baggot Street businesses to network with each other in Larry Murphy’s. A great crowd turned out, over 50 I would guess. I’ll let you know more next week about the connections made.
7. Staying Up in Down Times - A Success
Over 40 people attended the motivational & networking event - ‘Staying Up in Down Times’ organised by PA Assist and Osbourne Recruitment. Attendees were motivated by James Sweetman, Brendan Murphy of Osbourne Recruitment and Krishna De.
8. Achievements
@denisefay and @alanorourke - Did their civic duties and gave a pint of blood.
@giftsandvouchers & @primaryposition - became business partners (see above)
@krishnade brought 10 bloggers together to blog about the Osbourne Recruitment & PA Assist event (see above)
***Until next week - keep those good news stories coming***
April 3, 2009
General Marketing, Good News Thursday
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Little late today - two weeks in a row (but it takes 21 weeks to make a habit so I’m not exactly habit forming just yet!)…Got some last minute stories in so all good for good news.
1. Recruitment is still alive & well with SMEs…..
Continuing on the vein of SMEs recruitment, New Bay Company, a software company based in Pearse Street are looking for talented Javascript/Interface Developers. Check out the recruitment page for more information.
Mor Solutions in Drogheda is still looking for PHP Developers.
2. Hollywood goes to the Dogs in Ireland…
Irish company Another Avenue were commissioned by Sony Pictures to produce a 2 minute video promoting the movie Mall Cop. It was filmed on location at Shelbourne Park and the Mall Cop himself flew into Dublin especially to film it.
You have to check out the site - www.anotheravenue.com - to see it. It’s fun. (I still can’t upload movies to wordpress!)
3. Super Cool Twitter Application - using your Phone
For all you twitterers….check out agtweet.com. It allows folks to update your twitter status via an Irish mobile number. Normal text rates apply but those of you who have a ‘text bundle’ can twitter text for free. Agtweet resulted from a Sprint project - a rapid fire programme to launch a new online business in the shortest time possible. No procrastination allowed on this programme!
4. Awards & Winners
Women Mean Business magazine set the date for their fantastic conference & awards. Ladies, put 28th September into your diary. More information on the awards will be forth-coming in the June edition. I’ll be sure to share more details too.
Monaghan-based Universal Graphics won a prestigious national award for signage work on a fleet of 500 truck trailers. They print all types of large format trucks and their work for SuperValu won the award for best design on trucks. Well done.
And on a final note…….
I’d like to wish Sarah Nic Lochlainn of the fantastic Fushia House Restaurant in Ardee the best of luck on Sunday. She remonished me for being late for GNT as her GNT is that she can now run 10km with ease and is taking part in the Great Ireland Run in the Pheonix Park on Sunday.
Good Luck Sarah (and everyone else taking part).
***Until next week - keep those good news stories coming***
March 27, 2009
Drogheda, General Marketing, Good News Thursday
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Okay - so it’s Friday. But the good news is that it was mental this week so only calming myself down on this gorgeous Spring Friday. Thankfully, there are companies out there that don’t believe spending on marketing is a false economy.
Let’s get straight to some good news.
1. Recruitment is still alive & well with SMEs…..
Mor Solutions, an award winning web development agency based in Drogheda are looking for talented PHP Web Developers. Check out the recruitment page of Mor Solutions for more information.
Virgoe McInery, an award winning landscaping company (Bloom 2007 & 2008) is looking to hire experienced and qualified landscapers. Contact 01 840 7674 to learn more.
2. Baggot Street Businesses to create a ‘Cheers’ environment on street
Marketing Network, a marketing services company located on Baggot Street is hosting a Network evening in Larry Murphys Bar, at 5.45pm on 23rd April. As Roisin at Marketing Network explained “there are so many businesses on Baggot Street, so why not meet up, get to know our neighbours and maybe create business or networking opportunities with our neighbours.” Contact 01 690 9000 for more information.
3. Drogheda Chamber/Drogheda Independent launch shop local initiative
The Drogheda Chamber and Drogheda Independent launched their ‘Think Drogheda, Shop Local’ campaign. The campaign is not to tell readers of the DI or members of the Chamber where or how to spend their money - but simply asking them to Think Drogheda before they spend and consider the benefits of shopping local.
4. Strategic Alliances that are working for the benefit of SMEs…
Today more than ever, managers need to know how to lead their staff and make everyone feel part of a team. Surpass Consulting and Xtreme Ireland have teamed up to help companies build up leadership, behavioural skills and team playing abilities…outside of the boardroom.
***Ends until next week***
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