Provincial Winners of Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award Announced

Ulster’s top achieving companies were crowned this morning at a prestigious event in the Ulster Museum, Belfast.

Eight impressive firms were named category winners of the Ulster section of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards, from a record list of entries. Run in partnership with Invest NI, InterTradeIreland, the Belfast Telegraph and SmallBusinessCan.com, the awards seek to celebrate the achievements of local companies across a wide range of sectors.

This year’s winners, selected by a high-level panel of judges, were:

  • Business Start Up: Environmental Street Furniture Ltd (Newtownabbey)
  • Small Business: AJ Power Limited (Craigavon)
  • Established SME: Novosco Ltd (Belfast)
  • International Business: Market Resource Partners (Belfast)
  • Social Enterprise: Bryson Charitable Group (Belfast)
  • Food & Drink: Lynn’s Country Foods Limited (Downpatrick)
  • Agri Business: Hannan Meats / The  Meat Merchant (Moira)
  • Women Led Business: Amelio (Belfast)

Each of the Ulster winners will now go forward to compete against provincial winners from Connaught, Leinster and Munster in the all-island stage of the competition. The overall Business Achiever and all-island category winners will be announced at a gala evening in Dublin in December.

“Cream of a very impressive crop”

Congratulating the Ulster winners, Richard Donnan, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland, said: “With over 200 entries from Ulster to the awards this year, the winners and shortlisted companies today can be sure that they are the cream of a very impressive crop. The standard was truly exceptional and I am extremely confident that the eight category winners will do Ulster proud in the all-island final”.

“The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards is a flagship programme for us, helping us communicate our support for businesses – sitting alongside other initiatives such as our overall sponsorship of the Balmoral Show and our Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery that will open in Belfast early next year. The Awards recognise and reward entrepreneurship, one of the most important components of any economy. The businesses here today have differentiated themselves from their peers and demonstrated exactly what’s needed to grow and succeed in the demanding conditions of today’s markets,” he adds.

Judges for the Ulster stage of the awards included Nigel Walsh, Ulster Bank; Janet Toal, InterTradeIreland; Sarah Little, Belfast Telegraph; Ian Murphy, Invest NI and Sean Mahon, Janse Consulting.

To impress the panel, companies were required to demonstrate strong financial performance and a flair for innovation, indicate company milestones and achievements and outline strategies for future business development.

Great benefits for winners

In recognition of their provincial success, category winners each receive an award trophy and significant marketing opportunities including a specially commissioned company video, a prominent profile page on the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards website and entry to the all-island stage of the awards.

The overall winner will walk away with a comprehensive prize package comprising a €50,000 (just under £40,000) publishing bursary with the Belfast Telegraph, expert business mentoring from Enterprise Ireland, a full-service communications workshop and significant media exposure.

You can keep up to date with all of the action form the 2015 awards using #businessachievers on twitter.

More information is available at www.businessachieversaward.com

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This post was originally published here - http://www.smallbusinesscan.com/provincial-winners-of-ulster-bank-business-achievers-award-announced/ on thinkbusiness

Common Business Expenses That Are Tax Deductible

A tax deductible expense is any necessary, reasonable and ordinary expense that is associated with earning business income. As you can imagine, this definition is highly volatile. It is really important that you know about all the business expenses that are tax deductible. This would help you to save a lot of money on taxes. In this post we outline common business expenses that are tax deductible.

Unfortunately, most business managers do not know what expenses can be considered as being tax deductible. That is why we will go through those that many do not know much about.

Administrative And General Expenses

Basically all of the expenses that are necessary for business operations are tax deductible. This includes what you would expect: salaries, supplies, equipment, office rent, utility costs, accounting services, business publications subscriptions and professional dues. Such expenses are usually covered but there are so many others that are associated with administrative or general expenditures. For instance, you can actually deduct content writing tools and investments done in setting up a business office.

Make sure that you talk with your tax accountant. Mention the different expenses that will appear and see if they are going to be deductible or not. You will quickly figure out that even miscellaneous expenses like repairs, charitable contributions or education expenses can be deducted.

Keep in mind that home office deductions can be quite substantial. You gain many different advantages when you run an office from your home so do consider the opportunity as one that can help you to save a lot of money.

Automobile Expenses

When doing business, you can easily have situations in which you drive a car. The business related mileage can be tax deductible, unless the automobile was used to commute from and to work. In the event that the travel was made with a business purpose that can be proven, tax deductions are available. Besides mileage, you can also deduct part of the expenses associated with car operating costs.

Travel And Entertainment Deductions

Reasonable entertainment and travel costs can be tax deductible when:

  • They are directly connected with business
  • They are associated with business

Due to the personal element that appears, only around 50% of the entertainment expenses and meals will be deductible.

Depreciation Deductions

Based on Internal Revenue Code, the small business owner can write off up to $18,000 of purchased equipment during one year period. It is a tax break that you do want to take advantage of as soon as possible, especially in the event that you often find yourself buying office related equipment.

Employee Benefit Deductions

These are highly valuable for business operations. Offering employees fringe benefits is actually tax deductible, which is many that do not know about. Many of such benefits are not seen as employee income. Tax breaks are thus available. The only problem is that there are many different deductions that appear and disappear. Tax laws change constantly so you need to be ahead of the curve.

We should also add that retirement plans chosen can also lead towards various tax advantages. Employer contributions are normally tax deductible and such money can be tax-deferred till retirement age is reached.

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8 Professional Qualities That Can Help All Budding Entrepreneurs

Running a business successfully takes more than just making plans. It takes careful execution of the said plans and the readiness to face the outcome, whatever it may be. While no one can guarantee that your plans will lead you to success, you can be certain of the fact that every experience you gain will bring with it a lesson, irrespective of whether you succeed or not.

As a budding entrepreneur, you’re bound to feel overwhelmed at times. Rest assured, you aren’t alone in this. Running a business successfully is no mean task, especially for an amateur. It is important, however, to stay positive and continually challenge yourself to perform better.

Wondering what it takes for up-and-coming entrepreneurs to make it big in the business world? You’ve come to the right place.

Entrepreneurs Remember the Why

Break up the word ENTRE-PRE-NEUR to understand the fundamental rule of building a flourishing empire. Entrepreneurs need to figure out why they need to “ENTER” a space in the first place. Is it just the money? Or is it passion? Being passionate about your work is a skill. Have you seen anyone succeed because of plain luck and no passion? You can’t stay in business if you don’t have the will to sustain it. Entrepreneurs find out what their strengths are and work on their weaknesses. They also make sure they recruit passionate people who can egg each other on along the journey.

Entrepreneurs Do the Ground Work

“PRE” signifies “before” or “prior to.” The thumb rules are to pre-plan and pre-estimate. Entrepreneurs never work with assumptions (which lead to apprehensions). They get the facts and stats on everything that matters. They are information-oriented. They think like no one else does, which takes practise. They filter out the negatives. They serve a purpose; fill a hidden gap. Details beat presumptions every single time.

Entrepreneurs are Enterprising 24×7

Entrepreneurship is a craft and entrepreneurs are masters of this craft. They are updated about everything in their business (and that of others). They maintain a 360-degree view of the world and current trends. They seek internal and external feedback, and even hear out criticism. At the end of the day, they review their actions and priorities. Their mind is constantly fertile with words like “new,” “innovation,” and “growth.”

Ideating comes naturally to them. There’s a popular adage that talks about winners not doing too many different things, but doing regular things differently. This is what sets them apart. Entrepreneurs need to think on these lines in order to become winners. As they move from one project to another, they need to challenge existing notions and raise the bar.

Just like “NEUR,” a combining word form that means related to nerves, business acumen surely needs to run in an entrepreneur’s nerves!

Entrepreneurs are Go-Getters

Entrepreneurs trust their instincts, of course, after they have gauged the rational and calculated elements. Instincts are the feathers and perseverance the wings. They are perceptive and work with foresight. They never lose focus on why they got into it, where they stand now, and what tomorrow holds.

They compete more with improvement and excellence than with rivals. They never settle for mediocrity. They are not satisfied with temporary solutions. They ask questions, and find (or create) answers. They reinvent and rediscover.

Successful entrepreneurs don’t wait for things to happen; they make things happen. They want to learn as much as they can and use that knowledge to get things done and achieve their objectives.

Entrepreneurs Value People-Power

Progressive entrepreneurs invest as much in their team as they do in assets, technology, and the other overall business areas. They get the right people to do things right. They care for their team and encourage them to excel. They don’t build a business; they build people – with whom they can in turn build a business together. They connect with all their stakeholders: clients, customers, and critics.

Entrepreneurs Manage Time

Taking accurate and time-bound decisions is vital to any business. The speed of the “boss” determines the speed of the team. Checks and balances are key words. When time tests them, they adjust. They return with a bang.

Entrepreneurs are Conscious

Successful businessmen do not hold themselves back from setting lofty goals and take on challenges that are seemingly unachievable.
Entrepreneurs know that they do not “run” but “lead,” or even “guide” a business. They safeguard it and its people. They are always ready for the best and prepared for the worst. They spearhead transformations when required. They say Yes or No prudently. In short, they know the implications of their words and actions, and are always aware of what they’re doing or saying.

Entrepreneurs are Always Cheerful

The ability to stay positive and cheerful, in the good times and the bad, is the hallmark of a successful entrepreneur. The entrepreneur is the face of his business, and its reputation depends greatly on the way he presents himself in public. Entrepreneurs establish cheer in their own and their team’s hearts. They don’t mull over losses. They are amazingly positive. They know there’s more to achieve and the world is their oyster.

Over to You

Are you a founder or a leader of a company? How many of the above traits do you share with other immensely successful entrepreneurs? Do a self-check and share your experiences with us in the comments.

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5 Lessons A Small Business Can Learn From Pixar

It’s no secret that the Pixar company has a long history of successes. Today’s businesses, both big and small, can learn a thing or two from looking at the ways Pixar has succeeded and even failed. The hard-earned experience of Pixar can be turned into lessons and techniques for enterprises to learn from and adapt to suit their purpose. Below are five adoptable lessons from Pixar.

1. Make sure you’re hiring the right people

If you have a mediocre team, they won’t be able to turn a basic idea into something great. However, if you have a great team working for you, they’ll be able to take the very beginning of an idea and turn it into something amazing. One rule of thumb from Pixar is to hire people who are smarter or more talented than you are. When everyone’s working for the same company and toward the same goals, you’re not hiring a threat, you’re hiring talent that can take the company to the next level. Everybody has unique experiences that they can teach everyone else.

2. Be open to all types of inspiration, from all different places

Everyone at your company should feel free to suggest ideas, whether it’s about how to make administrative activities more streamlined to your app’s enterprise gamification updates. When people aren’t comfortable enough to give you their ideas, you end up missing out on a lot of inspiration that you won’t get from anywhere else. Sometimes the most unexpected sources have the best suggestions; be open to them all. If people are having a hard time being candid, try to figure out why and then fix the problem.

3. Don’t run away from problems

When you carefully craft messaging to downplay issues, you end up looking like a liar or someone who doesn’t care about the company or other people. As a leader, share problems with your team, face them head on, be honest about them and try to come up with good solutions. Talk to your employees about the issues the company is facing. You never know who’s going to have a great idea. The people who deal with the ins and outs of the business often have ways to fix problem areas.

4. Show trust in employees

Tell your employees that you trust them, especially when it comes to moving forward with new ideas. Clarify that by trusting them, you don’t expect them to always succeed. Instead, tell them that you trust them to use their best judgement and do their best. Explain that sometimes failure is inevitable, but that sometimes failing leads to even better, smarter risks in the future. Your employees should know that they have the reigns when it comes to certain projects, but they shouldn’t be afraid of what’s going to happen if they fail.

5. Share the process with the rest of your team, not just the final result

Things can take a long time to come to fruition. Share each step of the way with your employees. It’s important for people to see how ideas go from thoughts to implementation. It’s also good for your employees to see how management handles setbacks. If something isn’t going as planned, you can shift your tactics mid-process to get it onto a better track.

Most of all, Pixar loves taking chances.

Never be afraid to take a risk. If you fail, you’ve at least learned a few lessons that you can apply to your next venture. If you succeed, than the risk was more than worth it.

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thinkbusiness

[Event] An Post’s Grow My Business 2015 – Dublin & Cork!

An Post’s Grow My Business 2015 event is taking place again this year in both Dublin and Cork, tickets are reduced to €30 until the 31st of October, after that date they are €39.

Why Attend An Post’s Grow My Business 2015 #GrowMyBusiness

With the commemorations of 1916 just a few short months away, we’re reminded of how surviving and thriving are part of our DNA. And nowhere is it more evident than with businesses, just like yours, who’ve fought their way through the recession and come out the other side.That’s why, as the global economy recovers, this year’s Grow My Business conference from An Post is an unmissable event, bursting with invaluable advice and practical ideas for your business as it enters into a new chapter of opportunity. With four of Ireland’s top business and marketing experts lined up to divulge their most innovative techniques that guarantee to capitalise on every facet of your business, you’ll be geared up for sustainable, strategic and smart growth right into 2016 and beyond.

Dublin

WHEN: Tuesday, 10th Nov 2015
TIME: 7.30AM – 12.30PM
WHERE: Croke Park, Dublin 3

Cork

WHEN: Thursday, 12th Nov 2015
TIME: 7.30AM-12.30PM
WHERE:  Radisson Blu, Cork

Tickets: €39* Each OR 2 for €60 (**Includes breakfast, refreshments and free parking)

Learn from the experts, who’ll help your business grow:

GARY BROWN:

Chairman of ad agency Target McConnell’s, Gary is one of the country’s top marketing experts. With his unique ability to understand the challenges faced by Irish business owners, Gary will offer practical tips and new perspectives on how to grow customer numbers.

ENDA MCNULTY:

Motivational Speaker to the 2015 Ireland Rugby Team, Enda will be coming fresh from the Ireland rugby team camp where he was tasked with keeping the minds focused of the Irish 2015 RWC squad. He’ll be providing the skills needed to keep you motivated when it comes to tackling the opportunities of 2016.

JOHN CONCANNON:

Head of Ireland 2016 – John will reveal the plans for Ireland in the coming year, and explain how the increase in tourism will impact Irish business owners, in particular by identifying the locations and likely spending habits of visitors next year.

ELVERYS SPORTS:

Elverys will give an insight into shopper behaviour. Looking in particular at spend, they will discuss their views on whether, after years of value brand domination, is there is a return to premium? They will also look into online shopping trends on elverys.ie and discuss the best approach to selling online.

COLLETTE FITZPATRICK:

As news anchor and presenter on TV3, Colette is no stranger to taking the lead. The Tipperary native will be doing just that at Grow My Business 2015 as she acts as your MC for the day for the second year in a row.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:

01 – 7057494
post.media@anpost.ie
@PostMedia_Irl
www.anpost.ie/growmybusiness

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3 Tips to Drawing up a Business Plan for your Startup

Starting up a business maybe exciting but it isn’t a piece of cake! You are bound to come across obstacles and problems, and that’s why a drawing up a business plan for your startup is useful, but missing even a few important points could turn it into a confusing puzzle.

Drawing up a Business Plan for your Startup

Big and small businesses need business plans to attract potential investors and keep their team updated. Don’t even think about venturing into the market without a business plan, if you can’t make one then ask a consultant to do so. Stay active and on top of the market game and under no circumstances let yourself slack off.

If you forget to include these key points, then you risk losing investors and turn your business plan into a puzzle with missing pieces. Nobody likes putting together an incomplete puzzle.

Let’s talk about the few things you miss when drawing up a business plan for your startup!

1. “What If” situations

Prepare for the worst and expect for the best. I think it’s obligatory that you draw up some hypothetical “what if” scenarios in the business plan. They should include anticipated problems and possible solutions; this approach will come handy especially when your company hits big money in profits. Here are some standard scenarios:

  1. “What if” one of the co-founder wants to leave? Is he allowed to sell his part of the business to anyone or current partners will be a priority.
  2. “What if” one of the partners dies?
  3. “What if” business needs another round of funding?

You could allow your devilish mind to conjure up hundreds of unfortunate situations. The more solutions you have, the higher the chance of survival for your business. This will make your business tougher and teach your team to be thick skinned.

2. Mind your Language

It’s funny how people forget the vital role language plays in our lives. I’ve seen too many people look past this and sadly they suffered its consequences. You might not think that it plays a huge role in the beginning of your startup, but trust me somewhere down this road you’ll thank me! Once your business starts flowing and you monitor results of capital investment in marketing, you will see why this actually matters.

Write whatever you speak. This means that use the language you use on a daily basis (in your business execution and interactions) on paper and in documents too.

For instance, let’s assume you handle digital marketing and PR separately. If your business plan is titled as “Marketing Plans”, this could be problematic especially when you try to gauge which channel is giving you more returns and which one needs better marketing budget.

So make life easier for yourself and be particular about wording and language. Make things simple and write in the same manner of speaking. Avoid using jargons or terminology that is out of your speaking routine.

Goals other than profits
Another missing piece to this business puzzle is additional goals to the ‘plan’. I’ve seen too many business plans ignore the inclusion of goals. Of course investors love to see sales growth patterns and revenues, but there’s more than just numbers and profitability.

3. What are some of these goals?

  1. Why are you in the market?
  2. How your product will change the way people think?
  3. How your product is making your customers life easier?

These goals will help your team stay focused and diligent. It will serve as a constant reminder to strive for betterment and this vision ensures quality control and talent within the market.

If you add three of these missing pieces to the puzzle, your business plan is complete. Now you’re ready to entertain investment and experience noticeable success in your business.

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Are You Doomed to Fail?

On the 5th of November Alan Jordan and Ron Immink will go on stage and deliver the log awaited Bookbuzz MBA in a day.

You can still book here.

The Network Always Wins

At Bookbuzz we are huge fans of Peter Hinssen. “The new normal” was one of our anchor books for quite a while.

We have been looking forward to his second book and it does not disappoint. It will become another anchor books in our stable when we work with clients.

VUCA

It touches on a 3 core topics that our clients are struggling with; VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity), innovation and organisational structures.

Are you doomed to fail?

We can safely say that some of the largest corporations are totally clueless about where to go next, suffer from horrible internal politics and inert boardroom cultures, and have given up the hope of transforming their bureaucracies. Companies are no longer smart enough, fast enough, or innovative enough to survive on their own.

New Normal

In “New Normal”, Hinssen talked about how digital will transform everything. That ship has now sailed. The consequence of digital is that everything gets connected. Which means that everything is networked. Once everything is networked, a lot of things happen. Everything goes faster and network dynamics come into play. Which brings you into the realm of complex adaptive systems.

Networks make things complex (and faster)

Information, intelligence and innovation flow fast through networks.The dynamics in the era of networks seem to be very close to the world of complex adaptive systems structures and organisms found in nature. The key to understanding complex adaptive networks is to focus on understanding the nature of the connections, the strength of the relationships, and the intensity of the information flow in a network.

  • Complex systems don’t have a master plan—they evolve, they emerge
  • Complex systems are built on connectivity.
  • Complexity arises from the interrelationship, interaction, and interconnectivity of all the elements within a system and between a system and its environment.R
  • Complex systems evolve in coevolution.
  • A complex system exists within an environment, but it is part of that environment.
  • Complex systems are not perfect. They are suboptimal.
  • A complex adaptive system does not have to be perfect in order to thrive within its environment.
  • Complex systems are not designed for optimal efficiency, but are based on the concept of perfect enough.
  • Complex systems favour variety and diversity. The greater the amount of variety and diversity within the system, the stronger that system can become.
  • Complex systems are self-organising. There is no hierarchy of command and control in a complex adaptive system.
  • Complex systems evolve on the edge of chaos.

Culture is too slow

A while ago we wrote a post, talking about culture being too slow and that organisational structure is the key to success. Hinssen brings it a lot further then that. You need to become fluid. Fluid strategy, fluid people, fluid organisation. Using network dynamics, the theory of relativity, adaptive and complex system theory, biology, cities, religion (Shiva), Schumpeter (creative destruction), silicon valley, start ups, Taleb (anti-fragile) and entropy.

Become fluid

The key message; the static structures of today will have to be reinvented for the age of fluidity. To deal with VUCA we will have to learn the aerodynamics of the era of networks, and understand how to build organisations that can thrive in a world that speeds up. Companies will have to get in touch with their inner innovation networks, understand how to turn them into fluidity, and avoid becoming rigid corporate structures. If your market is a network, you need to become a network. A fluid, networked, flat, agile organisation.

Anchor book

The reason it will become a Bookbuzz anchor book in our sessions with clients, is because it touched on so many books we have covered:

Generation N

He classifies the millennial not as generation Einstein, Y, E, Z or G (=gaming, those for whom the world is too slow), but generation N. The networked generation.

So what do you need to do?

Network

If your markets are turning into networks, your organisation needs to turn into a network. The hierarchical network is the least important network. In a world of six degrees of separation, nobody care about your title, they care about what you do.

Vacine

You need to apply VACINE

  • velocity
  • agility
  • creativity
  • innovation
  • network
  • experimentation

You need to fail forward

Failure is a manifestation of learning and exploration. If you aren’t experiencing failure, then you are making a far worse mistake: you are being driven by the desire to avoid it. And, for leaders especially, this strategy—trying to avoid failure by outthinking it—dooms you to fail. It makes you rigid and that is business suicide.

You need to stay at the edge of chaos

For example, Netflix deliberately and “unexpectedly” sabotages its own systems with the Chaos Monkey algorithm, which kills processes randomly. It haphazardly disables production instances to make sure that they can survive common types of failure without any customer impact. So, by being constantly under fire, its processes grow stronger. And the more frequently failure occurs, the more the organisation learns.

You need to know the the clock speed of your company

The phrase “Here today, gone tomorrow” has been replaced by “ Here today, gone today. There is an accelerating external clock. So he asks the key question. “What is the internal clock speed of your company?” How fast does it cope with change? Inside your organisation, how quickly does an idea evolve from a brainstorm into a marketable service or product? Internal clock speed itself is irrelevant nowadays. All that matters is whether you’re moving faster than your market: Is your internal clock outpacing the external clock?

You have to find your hidden innovation network

The first thing most large companies will have to do is to rediscover their hidden innovation network and unlock its potential. Industrial Age structures, mechanisms, and strategies aren’t helping them win the hearts and minds of networked workers and customers.

You need to unfreeze your own thinking first

For anyone in a large corporation, in an Industrial Age construct, we wish you all the best in unfreezing your company, your structures, and, perhaps most important, your own thinking. Bookbuzz can help you do that.

Bookbuzz MBA in day

We will be covering this book at the upcoming Bookbuzz MBA in a day. Your opportunity to get a full overview of the latest business thinking from hundreds of the latest business books. Book here.

The post Are You Doomed to Fail? appeared first on Small Business Can.

Personal and Professional Insights from Business Women Leaders

As part of our “Inspiring your Success” series of events, the Business Women Can Dublin Ambassadors held a very successful morning event in association with Mason Hayes & Curran, Solicitors at their offices on Barrow Street. It was an early start for all but we were rewarded by the view of the beautiful sunrise which was in full view from the meeting area where there was much networking going on among the c.100 guests in attendance.

The event was organised by Tracy o’Sullivan, Maria Norris & Claire Kennedy, all Ulster Bank Business Women Can Ambassadors who worked closely with representatives from Mason Hayes & Curran co-hosts of the event.

The Speakers

There was a panel discussion facilitated by Jennifer Hughes, Head of Commercial Planning & Service Delivery in Corporate Banking and a BWC Ambassador also. There was a panel discussion made up of 3 speakers who gave their insights on the topic, “Transitioning through Change”, from their own experiences in their respective careers.

Frances Kavanagh, Board Member of the Irish Sports Council and Senior Director of Sport with Special Olympics Ireland and also served as Director of Sport and Competition for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Frances started out her career as a teacher and coach and in later years progressed to her current position where she has seen many changes over the years in the organisation.

Their business like many in recent years had to make some tough decisions and implemented a restructure of their business resulting in job losses and reorganisation of divisions. Their focus at all times was delivering best results for the Athletes who are at the forefront of what they do.

Maeve McMahon was recently appointed as Ulster Bank’s first Director of Customer Experience and Products. She is tasked with developing customer focussed products as well as the underpinning customer strategy and insight , marketing and customer interaction programmes. Maeve sits on the CEO’s Executive Committee of Ulster Bank.

Maeve is no stranger to change having lived and worked in 6 different countries. She also worked with 11 different line managers in an 8 year period in former roles.

Emer Gilvarry is Chairperson of Mason Hayes & Curran and a partner in their Litigation Team. Her practice primarily involves dispute resolution. Emer specialises in project management and acts as a legal advisor to corporates and boards with a particular emphasis on governance issues as well as providing corporate compliance and due diligence support where needed.

Emer was promoted to Managing Partner in the firm on the 1st April 2008, and was thrown in very quickly to a role very involved in managing change in the firm and making tough decisions.

Key Quotes

Some important Nuggets and quotes from the speakers :-

Frances Kavanagh
“ highlighted the importance of making people feel valued , effective communication to allay fears, transparency and being open and honest with people when delivering hard messages. Good team working is paramount and the Athletes are at the core of what they want to achieve.”

Maeve McMahon
“Try new things. Maeve’s motto is “If you don’t try new things you won’t know the outcome and you may have missed out on something great”.

“The bank that gets to the bottom of what the customer needs and delivers on this will be the Bank that succeeds “.

“Communication, Vision and immobilising people for success is important.”

Emer Gilvarry
“importance of Ethical Intelligence in the workplace, reputation and trust – important attributes for any organisation.”

“How you make people feel through your interaction with them is very important”

“Leadership is about hiring people that are much better than you”

Quoted WB Yates
“Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.”

After the discussions there was time for Q&A and more time or networking. There was a great energy in the room afterwards and from the feedback from guests this was a very enjoyable and thought provoking event.

So if you would like to receive information on future Business Women Can events such as this one, please drop an email with your details to businesswomencan@ulsterbank.com and we would love to hear from you. We would also welcome ideas on topics you would like us to cover for future events.

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thinkbusiness

5 Reasons Cloud Communication Is Vital For Business Prosperity

There is more to running a successful business than just having a good niche in the supply and demand market. Keeping customers satisfied and maintaining a high level of quality customer service is the key factor in how many customers come back. But what allows a good business to meet these demands in a highly competitive and global market? In today’s market economy, technology is the make or break point. Having up to date technology that is easy to use will keep your business running smoothly and more optimal. Today’s up to date technology is cloud based communication systems.

What Are Cloud Based Communication Systems?

Communication systems that utilize the internet as opposed to a computer’s hard drive for accessing programs and data are known as cloud based communication systems. These cloud based systems basically do all their work in the ‘cloud’. This process is known as cloud computing. Cloud computing can take place over various systems; some can be accessed through applications from purchased subscriptions such as Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365 etc. Further, you can smoothly integrate Office 365 with cloud based phone system to enhance your peer-to-peer and clientele communications. Others can take place from a custom created application designed and implemented by the company for everyone within the network to access.

A few of the more commonly used business cloud computing technologies are:

  • Software as a Service (SaaS): these are purchased subscriptions
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): these are the custom made ones
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): these can be rented out from much larger corporations such as Google or Microsoft.

Cloud communication systems are a huge business in and of themselves, generating billions of dollars a year. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider looking into a unified cloud communication system for your business like many others already have.

Advanced Features are More Affordable

Advanced features are often the most sought after in the industry as these features integrate your business’ technological capability. By providing easy access to integrated capacities such as conferencing, presence, phone, messaging, and even mobility, you are putting your business at a greater advantage over others in your market area. Buyers do need to know up front that some cloud based systems utilize storage of some data in the devices there on-site so some mobility issues may need some working through. However, the best unified communications systems are those that are 100% cloud-based with no on-site data storage. This means no on-site IT maintenance.

All Communications Can Be Managed Online

Unified cloud communications system is the term used to incorporate all aspects of technology used in running your business. Unified cloud communications systems allow online portals for easier access from off-site IT specialists to address any troubleshooting needs. Online portals allow greater productivity and help to keep costs low because IT functions are able to be delegated and streamlined in a much more simple and efficient manner. Employees are also empowered to have a greater level of control, maintaining their devices and making communication for all involved much less complicated.

The User Holds the Power

Users covet the ability to have flexible access and more control when it comes to the tools they need to maintain a high level of professionalism with their colleagues and their clients. Being able to have the same resources in and away from the office increases dexterity of the business as a whole and productivity levels of all involved. Not all cloud based systems are able to offer this level of flexibility. Only the 100% cloud based telephone system are designed with the user in mind and not the devices.This also allows technicians to troubleshoot most problems “in the air” rather than on the actual device.

Minimize Downtime Risks

The coined phrase, “time is money and money is time,” rings true for every business. Utilizing a unified cloud communications system reduces lost time from downed systems that may otherwise be experienced from on-site repair needs, power outages, severe weather or other emergency related downtime. This strategic type of entrepreneurial foresight puts the business with a unified cloud communication system at a major advantage over the competition; not only in time saved, but also the costs to address these on-site risks.

On-site Systems Are Cost Burdensome and Complicated

On-site systems require the use of on-site IT staff for maintenance and repair work. These added operational costs decrease a profit margin. The increased risk of communication errors and the technology to become obsolete quicker make choosing a cloud based system over an on-site system the simple and economical choice.

The benefits of utilizing a cloud communications system is a game changer. Increased productivity, decreased overhead costs, higher customer service as a result of more effective technology all help to give your business the competitive edge.

Businesses have changed over the years from when our parents and grandparents were in the market world. The use of rapidly evolving tech is what continues to propel businesses into the future. How far do you want your business to go?

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3 Questions to Ask Your Inner Leader

Business, in today’s world, is more about bringing people together than ever before. With such global interconnectedness, advanced technologies and high-speed communications, leaders have been relinquished of some of the leg-work that has vanished with the past. Similarly, our world has shifted away from mainstream culture toward niche markets and tight-knit communities.

Combine the two, and leaders now face a new objective: to support team players in their endeavours whilst keeping an eye on the prize. What’s the prize?: infiltrating the niche markets that now have more access to your company’s product than ever before.

As a leader upholding your business’s vision, you play a central role in connecting the many ways that innovative employees might contribute to building networks of support to your company’s overarching goals.

With this shifting role of the leader, it might be time to reassess your inner leader to see if he is up to the challenge. Here are 7 questions to ask yourself, to keep your inner leader on-track for the 21st century:

1) Are you investing in the relationships between you and those you lead?

Every day, the lines between the personal and professional, the virtual and the actual, get blurrier. Online social networks like LinkedIn and Google+ provide virtual platforms for our professional lives; e-mail inboxes are meccas for both casual conversation and official exchanges. As the boundaries of workplace culture transform, you don’t want to be stuck behind hard lines of what we once thought of as professionalism. Now more than ever, good relationships between co-workers make for good business.

2) Are you open to learning and listening?

As small networks and communities come into focus as targets for business, it is crucial to remain open-minded and open-eared. Business leaders are no longer working for the masses: Our visions, goals and products are now intended to reach specific groups of people with unique and tailored concerns, visions and goals of their own.

Not only do business leaders need to listen to their audiences, but likewise to their team members. In today’s world, perspective is everything. Where there is a consumer who wants a triple-shot non-dairy cappuccino with fair trade nutmeg served in a mason jar, there is someone who knows just how to give it to them. You cannot be everything, so use the resources you have by staying open-minded and listening to those you lead.

3. Are you taking risks?

While these fast-changing technologies and sub-cultures are daunting at times, they also provide us with some wiggle room for taking chances. Today, it’s the innovative who succeed big, because they are willing to risk a certain amount of failure. Think about your comfort zone, and the willingness of those you lead to take risks, to see if you’re taking advantage of the trial-and-error mentality of this technological age.

Most importantly, don’t let your inner leader get bored or complacent. Ask yourself questions that make you think about your decision-making strategies, your motivational skills and your ability to conjure up support for your own business endeavours and those of your team members. Ask your inner leader to consider new ideas and perspectives that will bring people together to succeed.

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