YOUR EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Articles from some of Northern Ireland’s most influential business leaders that will inform, challenge and inspire your thinking.
Michael Doherty MediateNI page 14
Linda Brown Institute of Directors page 18
Eleanor McGillie MGMPR page 20
Dr Nicola Millard BT Global Services page 22
Maybeth Shaw BDO page 24
Roseann Kelly Women in Business Northern Ireland page 25
Wilfred Mitchell FSB page 29
Tina McKenzie Staffline Ireland page 30
Liz McCrory UK Export Finance page 32
Dawn Johnston Chartered Accountants Ulster Society page 40
Sinead Heaney ASM Chartered Accountants page 41
Shweta Jhajharia London Coaching Group page 43
In our Digital Issue you can click on any picture to be taken directly to the article. Download it from businessfirstonline.co.uk
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LETTER
FROM THE
EDITOR n the last issue of Business First I invited you to take part in our Annual Reader’s Survey and share your thoughts on how the magazine met your requirements and expectations. We’ve been receiving your responses all summer and now have a fairly good picture of how you think we’re doing, how we can improve your reading experience, and what additional products and services we can offer you.
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Here’s what you told us We asked Please tell us which version of Business First you prefer to read: hard copy or digital.
We asked
We asked
Could you please tell us your preferred size for Business First Magazine.
We plan a number of events during the year. Could you please tell us which ones would be of interest to you
You said Present size is spot‐on: 48% Make it 64 pages with good editorial: 26% Make it 56 pages with good editorial: 24% Make it bigger: 2%
We asked Here are some ideas we have for improving our editorial in the future. Which ones would you like to see
You said
We asked
Sales & Marketing advice & case studies: 83% Digital Marketing & Social Media advice & case studies: 87% Business Book Reviews: 52% Lifestyle Articles: 61% In depth export market analysis: 45% Interviews with business people outside Northern Ireland: 75% Academic articles on the theory and practice of management: 58%
How would you rate yourself as a reader of Business First
We asked
You said
There are regular features in each magazine. Please tell us which ones you read
You said Well this was interesting. Forty per cent of you said you read the hard copy of the magazine: 40 per cent said you read the digital copy, and 20 per cent said you referred to both.
I read it cover to cover: 8% I read most of it: 66% I only read or articles in each issue: 26%
We asked Please rate your overall impression of Business First.
You said Excellent: 46% Good: 52% Average: 0.00% Poor: 2%
We asked Please tell us what you think of Business First Design
You said HR Advice: 84% Thought Leadership articles: 95% Best Practice articles: 93% Articles from Northern Ireland Business organisations including CBI, IoD, etc: 93% Management & Leadership: 91% People on the Move: 97% Car Reviews: 66% Company Profiles: 96% News Items: 100% Advertorials: 82% Interviews with successful local business people: 100% Hotel and Restaurant reviews: 91%
You said Business Speaker Series: 79% Digital Marketing/Social Media Training: 49% HR Workshops: 14% Round Table Discussions: 35% Networking Dinners: 51% Participating in relevant Award Events: 44%
We asked How often do you visit the Business First Online website?
You said Every day: 0.00% A couple of times a week: 8% A couple of times a month: 40% When I see an online post of interest: 34% When I see an ezine post of interest: 24% Never: 12%
Answers have been rounded up or down to nearest whole number. We understand that the success of our magazine is a combination of three actors: readers, contributors and advertisers. We believe each is as important as the other and so we really appreciate your taking time to complete the survey. You will begin to see much of what you have requested implemented over the coming issues of your Business First Magazine. Every respondent was entered into our thank you draw, and our winner is Mr Stephen Cullen from Connswater Homes.
You said Looks great ‐ don't change a thing: 74% Looks a bit dated ‐ needs some work: 24% You need to start from scratch: 2%
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Angela McGown announced as new Director for CBI Northern Ireland he CBI has announced that Angela McGowan has been appointed as its new Northern Ireland Director, and will succeed the retiring Director, Nigel Smyth, after 26 years of service. Angela will head up the CBI’s Northern Ireland office and represent the UK’s largest business organisation’s Northern Ireland members with government, policy makers and other key stakeholders including the social partners and other business bodies ‐ such as Ibec where we have a strategic relationship through the Joint Business Council. Angela joins the CBI from Danske Bank UK where she has been the Chief Economist since 2008. She provides analysis, commentary and insights into Northern Ireland, UK and global economic trends, and provides a range of reports and media commentary on issues impacting on the local economy. Angela previously worked as the senior economist at the Economic Research Institute NI (2004‐7) and the Northern Ireland Economic Council (2001‐04), and has a strong background in public policy research and analysis. She will be joining the CBI on 1 October. Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director‐General, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Angela to the role of Northern Ireland Director. Her business experience, and wealth of economic
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knowledge, will help the CBI create the best possible conditions for its members in Northern Ireland. “Following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, Angela joins us at an important moment for Northern Ireland’s economy, when businesses will be looking for political stability and certainty. I look forward to working closely with her to achieve this.” David Gavaghan, CBI Northern Ireland Chair, said: “On behalf of CBI Northern Ireland Council and our wider membership we are really delighted to welcome Angela to her new role. At this critical time, Angela’s strong grasp of public policy issues and a deep understanding of the regional economy will be very important. The CBI is recognised as the voice of business and, as we all face a new set of challenges, Angela is ideally placed to lead the local team and engage widely in representing the interests of the business community in Northern Ireland.” Stephen Matchett, Chief Financial Officer at Danske Bank, said: “We would like to express our thanks to Angela for her contribution at Danske Bank over the past eight years. Danske Bank has built a strong position in the Northern Ireland marketplace and Angela has played an important part in bolstering our reputation
through her public‐facing role as Chief Economist. She has also made a significant contribution in helping to inform and encourage wider economic debate in our society. “As long‐time CBI members we wish her well in her forthcoming new role, as we continue to work alongside CBI and other stakeholders to help ensure continued growth in the local economy.”
Arthur Cox urges employers of EU nationals to carry out workforce audit ahead of brexit Arthur Cox has hosted a major, multi‐ session seminar in conjunction with Legal‐Island to provide HR directors from some of Northern Ireland’s largest businesses with advice on the impacts of Brexit on local employment and immigration laws. Speaking at the seminar, Emma‐Jane Flannery, Employment Law Partner at the firm’s Belfast practice strongly urged local employers with large contingents of EU national workers to carry out a workforce audit as soon as possible to ensure they are fully prepared for any possible post‐Brexit changes affecting EU workers. Delegates heard that there will be no immediate changes to employment legislation following the UK’s vote to leave the EU last month, and that it could be at least another two years before any Brexit‐inspired amendments can be imposed. Emma‐Jane said: “While a lot of our employment law is likely to be cushioned from Brexit shocks, there is significant potential for employers with a large number of EU national workers to be impacted – and they must fully prepare for that.
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“Depending on the structure of the post‐ Brexit trade arrangement agreed by the UK, EU national workers could face restrictions on working in Northern Ireland if they haven’t lived in the UK for the required five years in order to obtain permanent residency certification. “It’s important that such employers carry out an audit of their workforce to ascertain how many could be vulnerable to post‐Brexit restrictions and potentially become illegal workers. At the same time, employers should also communicate regularly with their employees to assure them that there will be no changes in the short‐term, as this will help maintain staff morale. “Such an audit would help employers identify skills gaps which are likely to emerge and gauge whether the local jobs market can meet any shortfall. HR managers should also monitor any recruitment or redundancy campaigns to ensure that EU nationals are not being discriminated against as employers look ahead to the UK’s exit from the EU.” Commenting on the event, Scott Alexander, Head of Learning and Development at Legal‐
Emma-Jane Flannery, Partner at Arthur Cox, Scott Alexander, Legal-Island and Fiona Wills, Legal-Island
Island, said: “There has been a lot of commentary about the potential impact of Brexit on employment law since the EU vote. These seminars provided the perfect opportunity, a month on, for delegates to receive considered, expert advice from Arthur Cox and we thank Emma‐Jane for her professional insights.”
The Northern Ireland Competitiveness Scorecard n August the Economic Advisory Group published the first Northern Ireland (NI) Competitiveness Report. The EAG provides independent advice to the Minister for the Economy aimed at challenging and developing public policy and strategic thinking on the NI and UK economies. Central to this role is understanding where NI’s competitive strengths and weaknesses lie. The group commissioned UUEPC to develop an NI Competitiveness Scorecard to benchmark the region’s international performance across more than 150 indicators against UK, EU and OECD comparators. This assessment brings together traditional economic competitiveness measures such as productivity, business performance and skills with areas such as quality of life and environmental sustainability. The Group’s Chair, Ms Ellvena Graham writes in her foreword: “The Economic Advisory Group (EAG) publishes the first NI (NI) Competitiveness Report at an important point in the region’s economic development. “The Fresh Start Agreement has been launched, the delivery of a new Programme for Government and refocused Economic Strategy is imminent, and the countdown to the lowering of Corporation Tax has begun. “Another countdown has also commenced
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and in due course Northern Ireland will be competing across the world from an as yet undefined position outside of the EU. A strategic review of NI’s competitive strengths and weaknesses has never been more relevant and timely.” This Competitiveness Scorecard provides a baseline position with which to measure the future progress of the new Programme for Government and the refocused Economic Strategy, and will allow for regular monitoring of NI’s international competitiveness going forward. Ms Graham concludes: “I look forward to continued engagement between the Minister for the Economy, the officials in the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the EAG and to providing ongoing challenge and support as we strive together to grow a more successful economy.”
Commenting on the report Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA said: “My number one aim as Minister for the Economy is to transform Northern Ireland into a globally competitive economy. “I want us to develop an economy we are proud of and is the envy of others. I welcome the publication of the Competitiveness Scorecard, which demonstrates improvements including in areas such as business performance and quality of life. “However, there are clearly still challenges ahead if we are to become as competitive as the leading international economies, and the forthcoming refocus of the Economic Strategy will further develop our vision as to how we achieve this. One of my first actions as Minister was to task officials with examining how we can develop a high level overview of Northern Ireland’s competitiveness against a tailored group of small, advanced economies like Singapore, New Zealand, Finland, Ireland and Estonia as part of my ongoing work on refreshing the Economic Strategy. “I want to ensure we not only measure up to other similar economies but can also compete as an innovative, competitive economy and a good place to live and do business. This work is expected to be published in the coming months.”
Skills is the economic lever of which we have best control entinus has welcomed the announcement that 300 new technology jobs are to be created in Belfast, but warned that if we are to continue to attract such jobs in the future we need to invest more in encouraging young people to develop their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills. Jim Stewart CBE, Chair of Sentinus, a leading educational charity which delivers STEM engagement in schools across Northern Ireland said: “We welcome the recent news that financial services company Tullett Prebon is to create 300 new IT jobs in Belfast, contributing £10m in salaries to the local economy. These new jobs will provide excellent opportunities for graduates, experienced IT professionals and school leavers. It is important to note however that the main reason that Belfast was chosen for these jobs was due to the availability of a highly educated and skilled workforce, alongside an attractive business environment and strong infrastructure. “This type of investment goes to prove just how crucial it is that we continue to address the growing skills gap and highlight the critical importance of STEM subjects to the future of the Northern Ireland economy, particularly in the current post‐Brexit climate. We already know that whatever
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economic advantage might have been gained from a reduction in Corporation Tax has been greatly diluted by the planned cut across the rest of the UK. Skills by comparison remain the constant area of potential competitive advantage and an economic lever entirely within our own control. “With STEM subjects such as Mathematics and Computer Science currently underprovided, it is important that we
maintain investment in these subjects in order to support the growth of the sector in the future, while also remembering that it is skills like these that will attract further investment. STEM needs to be actively encouraged and put further up the agenda moving forward, to ensure our young people continue to grow and meet the demands of the current and future knowledge economy.
IN THE HEADLINES
HMS Caroline awarded five-star rating MS Caroline, the recently restored last floating survivor of the 1916 Battle of Jutland, has been awarded a five‐star visitor attraction rating, signifying that the attraction is operating to an ‘outstanding’ level, John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism Northern Ireland has announced. The five‐star accreditation was awarded under the Tourism Northern Ireland Visitor Attraction Experience Quality Grading scheme designed to provide visitors with quality grading information on Northern Ireland’s tourist attractions. To achieve a star‐rating, attractions are subject to unannounced Tourism Northern Ireland Quality Advisor checks from a mystery visitor and are assessed in up to six categories. Congratulating the staff on their achievement, John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism Northern Ireland said: “HMS Caroline is an outstanding visitor attraction with historical significance, proudly providing visitors with the opportunity to take in the sights, sounds and smells and become fully immersed in life on‐board the vessel. “All aspects of the HMS Caroline visitor attraction and experience scored highly, from the website to the interactive exhibitions and displays to the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the café facilities. “This is an attraction with something for everyone, the level of information available is superb, while the Tom Cat’s Trail will ensure even the younger visitors are engaged and occupied.” HMS Caroline is now the second visitor
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John McGrillen, Chief Executive Tourism Northern Ireland, Jamie Wilson, General Manager HMS Caroline and Nicola McKeown, Visitor Experience Team HMS Caroline
attraction to receive a five‐star rating in the Titanic Quarter, further enhancing the rich maritime history offering for visitors to Belfast. As the focus of the centenary commemorations of the Battle of Jutland, HMS Caroline opened its doors on 1 June 2016 and has since welcomed over 10,000 visitors. The restoration of the vessel, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and supported by the Department for the Economy, was led by National Museum of the Royal Navy Chief of Staff Captain John Rees OBE who accepted the
Family businesses to celebrate success @The Big Family Business Breakfast n Wednesday 21st September, Family Businesses across the country are being urged to come together and celebrate all that is great about the sector on National Family Business Day. The Northern Ireland Family Business Forum will be organising a unique celebration event which will serve up a true “family business breakfast” where the key ingredients on the plate will have been produced or supplied by a family business. The forum was created by local Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, Harbinson Mulholland as a hub for family firms to connect with each other, share experiences, exchange ideas and learn in a friendly and sociable setting. With regular events exclusively for
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family owned businesses, the Forum’s Autumn Winter Programme will also be launched at the breakfast event on 21st Sept, which will be hosted once again in partnership with Ulster University SME Centre. As with all Forum events’, places are reserved exclusively for Family Businesses. If you would like to attend the breakfast event please email Treena Clarke – tclarke@harbinsonmulholland.com or call on 9044 5100 For more information on the work of the NI Family Business Forum please visit www.nifamilybusinessforum.com
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five‐star rating certificate at a ceremony on board the ship this week. “It is a great honour for HMS Caroline to receive the Tourism Northern Ireland five‐ star quality grading. HMS Caroline is a world class heritage asset and restoration work has brought the ship back to life as a museum commemorating the 10,000 Irishmen who participated in naval activities during World War 1,” says Captain Rees. “The HMS Caroline visitor experience is particularly enhanced by a marvellous team of on board staff and guides.”
Catherine Toolan appointed MD for Waterfront and Ulster Hall
elfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd announced the appointment of Catherine Toolan as Managing Director. The new appointment comes at an opportune time with the recent opening of Belfast Waterfront’s new 7,000m2 conference facility in April 2016. The £29.5 million investment from Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund, through the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, is designed to help position Belfast as a destination of choice for business tourism. In her new role, Catherine Toolan will lead a team of over 300 with a key focus on establishing Belfast Waterfront as a world‐class conference and entertainment facility. Building upon the team’s success to date,
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Origin Digital reports turnover increase and growth in workforce
Catherine is responsible for driving growth, profitability and strategy for both venues with a target of generating £100m for the city over the next five years. From Sligo, Catherine is no stranger to taking on mammoth tasks or achieving ambitious targets. Her specialties include overseeing the design and build, supply chain, logistics, manpower planning and operational execution of large scale complex projects and it doesn’t get any bigger than overseeing catering for the Olympic Games. She brings a breadth of worldwide experience to her new role with over ten years working on global sports projects for Aramark in Beijing, Guangzhou, London and most recently in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympic Games. Catherine is a graduate of Galway Institute of Technology, University College Dublin, and Tsinghua University, Beijing. Her outstanding contribution to the international business community was recognised in 2010 when she was awarded the Business and Finance Asia Pacific/Ireland International Business Person of the Year Award in Hong Kong. Commenting on her appointment, Catherine Toolan said: “I’m delighted to be joining such a talented team and I look forward to leading and supporting them on the next stage of our exciting journey. The venue is riding on a crest of a wave – it is already recognised in many quarters as a world–class facility but now it has the capacity and technological capabilities, together with the city’s exciting offering to successfully attract more large‐scale international conferences.”
rigin Digital, have announced a 50 per cent increase in turnover over the 2015‐2016 financial year. The announcement was made as the award‐winning company marks its tenth anniversary in providing innovative digital strategy and marketing services to businesses in Northern Ireland and beyond. And this is only the beginning for Origin Digital, based in Holywood, as company turnover is expected to grow an additional 38 per cent by mid‐2017, with plans to recruit more staff. Jerry Staple, Technical Director, Origin Digital, said: “We are thrilled to be celebrating ten years in business by announcing record growth and further plans for expansion. “To accommodate our success we have already employed two new members of staff this year and will recruit a further three people over the next six to nine months. “We take immense pride in what we do and continue to evolve our digital offering to suit our clients’ needs. Their success is at the heart of our operation and if they see results, then so do we.” Origin Digital specialise in delivering valuable digital experiences and strategies for clients in a wide range of sectors, on web and mobile platforms. Earlier this year it was revealed that they had partnered with Belfast‐based advertising and marketing agency, ASG & Partners, to offer clients a comprehensive marketing service, both on‐ and off‐line.
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Malone Lodge Hotel marks 25 years with expansion he award winning, Malone Lodge Hotel in Belfast celebrated its 25th anniversary this weekend, and unveiled major new expansion plans to the Eglantine Avenue hotel. Hotel owner Gareth Macklin revealed the expansion plans during a 25th anniversary party in the hotel at the weekend. The project will see an addition of 27 new bedrooms and an extension of the popular ‘Knife and Fork’ restaurant in the hotel. More than 20 new jobs will be created when the new rooms anticipated to open for business in 2017. Gareth Macklin said, “The hotel has marked a milestone anniversary this month, we have been trading successfully for a quarter of a century. Three years ago we extended the hotel and added the new ‘Knife and Fork’ restaurant which has proven extremely popular with hotel guests and local diners along with our 240 seater Deramore suite. We have been on the lookout for an opportunity to add to the number of rooms we have and with the
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acquisition of two adjoining properties, we have the opportunity to develop an additional 27 rooms, bringing our total portfolio up to 138. “It does amount to a significant investment but we are very confident that as tourism numbers Belfast and Northern Ireland increase, so too will the level of business customers, which is already a strong feature of our customer profile. “In this era of hotel chains and brand name there is undoubtedly a place for the independent family owned hotel, and that is what has marked out the Malone Lodge since 1991. “We are very confident about the future of the business and indeed for the future of Belfast as a business and tourism driven city.” The centrepiece of the 25th anniversary celebrations was a family fun day where three holidays were given away as prizes in partnership with Q Radio.
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IN THE HEADLINES
Business leaders invited to turn the page with new BDO Book Review group DO Northern Ireland and corporate speaker and trainer, David Meade, today teamed up to unveil a ‘novel’ initiative aimed at boosting business learning and leadership. The bi‐monthly Belfast Book Review provides an informal setting for professionals to explore the latest in business thinking and share insights that can help shape practical innovations within enterprise. The free to join initiative is understood to be the first book club in Northern Ireland to engage exclusively with industry leaders and organisers said plans were underway to secure high profile business authors to address the series which starts in October. Laura Jackson, Partner at DBO Northern Ireland, said:“From speaking with CEOs at many of Northern Ireland’s best performing companies, we know that most leaders happen to be avid readers and are keen to talk about what’s on their nightstands. There is a shared passion for provocative new ideas and a willingness to share their views with likeminded folk. The Belfast Book Review is about tapping into that interest and creating a fun space for good conversations and informal professional development. “We want to encourage leaders to engage on new and relevant topics and have the chance to learn from others who may think differently from them. Reading and discussing the latest business books can be good for the mind, good for leadership, and ultimately good for business. The Belfast Book Review is open to anyone who wants to
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David Meade and Laura Jackson; Partner at BDO Northern Ireland pictured at the launch of the Belfast Book Review
grow personally and professionally.” Researcher and corporate trainer, David Meade, will chair the series and said: “You don’t need to be a mind reader to know that corporate leaders value critical thinking and enjoy being challenged by new ideas and opportunities. This initiative encourages professionals to read more broadly and deeply – two habits that can help sharpen intelligence, improve communication skills and improve emotional intelligence. It’s about expanding the way we think and how we relate to different views.
“Discussing relevant content in a safe space that is outside normal professional environment is also a great way to improve confidence, contacts and critical thinking. No matter where you are in your professional career, the Belfast Book Review can help broaden your horizons.” The inaugural Business Book Club meeting will discuss “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth. To join the club or find out more visit www.bdoni.com.
Belfast City Airport en ‘routes’ to worldwide marketing gong eorge Best Belfast City Airport has been shortlisted for one of the most prestigious aviation marketing awards in the world. Leading aviation organisation, Routes, which manages the World Marketing Awards, has announced Belfast City Airport as one of five shortlisted contenders in the ‘Under 4million Passenger’ award category, which is chosen by airlines. Belfast City is one of only two UK airports to make a World Routes Marketing Awards shortlist, and the only UK airport selected in its category. The nomination follows what has been another very successful period for the airport, which was named sixth most convenient airport in the world, and most convenient airport in the UK and Ireland, in a recent study conducted by The Daily Telegraph. Katy Best, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Belfast City Airport, commented: “We are delighted that we have been
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nominated by airlines for the highly‐ acclaimed World Routes Marketing Awards, which are recognised across the globe as one of the industry’s most prestigious awards. “Our aim as a business is to work in close partnership with our airlines to maintain and develop mutually beneficial partnerships, so it is fantastic that our partners have recognised our aviation marketing as truly world‐class.” Belfast City Airport was also ranked as one of the top 10 airports in the UK for supporting passengers with a disability or reduced mobility in a recent Civil Aviation Authority report. Katy continued: “We offer our customers and airlines a best‐in‐class product. Our recent achievements in our access facilities, convenience to passengers and now our marketing excellence prove this. “We would like to thank our partner airlines for their nomination, and we will maintain our commitment to delivering beyond what is expected.”
The winners will be announced during a ceremony at the World Routes Networking Evening on 26th September 2016 at the New Century Global Center in Chengdu. Belfast is set to host the Routes Europe Conference in April 2017, an event which forms part of the wider Routes programme.
Staffline Ireland acquires third company in last year ina McKenzie, Group Managing Director for Staffline Ireland, with Hugh J. O’Boyle’s Francis Tumely. Staffline Ireland’s subsidiary, PeoplePlus NI, acquired the business of Hugh J. O’Boyle in August, the third acquisition for Staffline Ireland in Northern Ireland in the last year. Staffline Ireland, parent Group for Northern Ireland’s leading public services company PeoplePlus NI, has announced the Group’s third acquisition in Northern Ireland in the last year. PeoplePlus NI has acquired the business of training company Hugh J O’Boyle Training Limited, based in Downpatrick. Following PeoplePlus NI’s acquisition of Paragon Training Ltd. in February and Staffline’s acquisition of Diamond Recruitment Group in October 2015, this is the third company acquired by Staffline Ireland in the last year. Tina McKenzie, commented:“We are pleased to welcome the Hugh J. O’Boyle Training business to the Skills division of PeoplePlus NI. Complementing our existing Skills division in East and West Belfast and our Employability division in the North Coast and North West, this investment in the Downpatrick area represents PeoplePlus NI’s
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dedication to providing all regions in Northern Ireland with high‐quality skills training and employment support. “I would like to extend a warm welcome to our talented new members of staff to the Staffline Group in Ireland. They are a fantastic team with over 25 years’ experience in delivering high quality skills training so we are looking forward to building on this success. Having started with three employees
in 2013, I am delighted to see Staffline Ireland now boasts over 200 corporate staff and a total of 5000 employees, making us the second largest employer in Northern Ireland. “We are excited for the opportunities ahead with PeoplePlus NI and Hugh J O’Boyle Training working together to empower the people of Northern Ireland on transforming their lives through employability support, justice services, and employment training.”
Ivan McMinn is in the pink in support of Cancer Focus van McMinn, Head of Business Acquisition for Danske Bank, is supporting Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s new In Pink campaign to raise funds for its vital breast cancer research at Queen’s University Belfast. Ivan is urging businesses to ‘Dress in Pink’ – or to take part in a host of other fun fundraising events with your colleagues during October, breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women in Northern Ireland. Over 1,200 are diagnosed and around 300 die every year from the disease. Around three local women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. £200 will fund half a day’s work by researchers at QUB whose aim it is to make a huge difference to the future of women who carry the mutated BRCA1 gene ‐ women who have an 85 per cent chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Even the smallest donation will help explore better ways to prevent the disease and find alternative treatments for women who previously had to have preventive breast removal to reduce their risk of developing cancer. In Pink is in partnership with MediCare Pharmacy Group. If you would be interested in hosting a ‘Pink’ fundraising event or if you’d like more information, call Rosie Forsythe on 028 9068 0759 or email rosieforsythe@cancerfocusni.org. Thank you for supporting Cancer Focus NI.
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THE BRAND JOURNALISM REVOLUTION: why your company should think like the media Eleanor McGillie is the director of MGMPR Ltd – Northern Ireland’s PR agency which adopts a brand journalism approach to Public Relations. Eleanor explains why companies and organisations, public and private sector, should join the brand journalism revolution. rand journalism is the most obvious solution in the world of communications. It’s happening in America and it’s happening right here in Northern Ireland. You want your story told so you need to start thinking like a journalist. Journalists know how to find a story, write the story, pitch the story and get traction which will mean something to your readers and engage new audiences. This is why smart companies are joining the brand journalism revolution for their internal and external communications. They are becoming their own publishers. Why? Because the world of communications is changing and businesses are getting smarter about how they communicate. It’s like a tale of two planets – the work planet and the planet we live in outside of work. In work, most people are subject to documents full of jargon – internally and externally. Websites are too often swamped in jargon, internal and external newsletters are full of jargon, ‘press releases’ are too often full of jargon and guess what? Everyone’s bored and suddenly websites are graveyards for press releases. Then of course there’s the planet outside of work! What do you enjoy reading when you’re at home? Business Insider? Mashable? Buzzfeed? Of course you do – these are examples of cutting edge publishing platforms with compelling content, covering large events and mashups. If you own a company you should start thinking about how your company should become its own publisher. Your company has numerous stories to tell and that story needs to be audience centric. Speak to existing customers. Speak to new customers. Use content to convert. Use content to engage. Great content mixed in with great audience engagement equals great success. Businesses are becoming smarter by changing the style and tone of their content. Company websites are becoming less like press release graveyards and becoming more content led. We are starting to see real stories being told.
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So what is brand journalism? Brand journalism is a powerful communication tool which combines real reporting, using brand journalists, to write engaging storytelling for your brand using your experts and your experiences. Global
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companies have been using this powerful tool since 2004 as a fresh approach to telling their stories. Companies like Red Bull, McDonald’s, Coca‐ Cola, IBM, HSBC, Dell, Adobe and Intel all practice brand journalism. Companies are switching their attention to having an editorially‐led approach. Here in Northern Ireland, it’s fantastic to see companies adopting a brand journalism approach to their public relations. CEOs and business owners want something fresh, effective and meaningful. They see the value of storytelling as a powerful way to connect, build brands and manage reputations. In 2012, when MGMPR Ltd introduced brand journalism to Northern Ireland, we read with great interest as the Coca‐Cola Journey began to unfold in the New York Times. Coca‐Cola unveiled its own brand journalism website – the ‘Coca‐Cola Journey’ and set its own deadline for when ‘Press Releases’ would no longer exist in its organisation. The New York Times covered the ‘Coca‐Cola Journey’ debut. The paper focused on the company’s shift to brand journalism by highlighting its significance in the world of marketing and PR. It focused on how the company was switching its attention to an editorially‐led approach to engage in the fast growing digital space. So, hats off to Coca‐Cola for its successful
Coca‐Cola Journey. American Express has an audience of over one million on its ‘Open Forum’ site where news is published and written in a way which is directed at small business people. And why should you spend money to do this for your customers? Brand loyalty of course! When your organisation adopts a brand journalism approach then the rest will fall into place. By using journalistic techniques you are recognising the importance of your audience coming first. Brand journalism allows companies to explore real stories which will appeal to their audience, and, by using a variety of techniques, you will see the benefits of engaging with your audience through subtle storytelling, blogging, case‐studies, photography, video and infographics on multiple publishing platforms. On the external side do traditional media relations but don’t expect journalists in the media to do your job for you. All too often PR companies send in ‘press releases’ which actually then requires a journalist to re‐write it, check facts, do further research which, quite frankly, under resourced newsrooms do not have the time to do this. If you want the media to publish a story it’s important to give them a story ‐ an actual news story, a business story, a feature, an interesting interview opportunity alongside multi‐media packages which not only benefits you but also the media’s publishing platforms. Brand journalism is an exciting, credible and smart way for businesses to communicate. In September, I will be discussing how businesses in Northern Ireland are adopting a brand journalism approach to PR. I have been invited as a guest on an American podcast show with a former TV journalist, now turned brand journalist, who hosts The Brand Journalism Advantage Podcast. She was recently named as one of the Top 50 Podcasters to Follow for PR, Marketing and Social Media by Cision. We will be discussing brand journalism, marketing, storytelling, business, PR and entrepreneurship. Company bosses are re‐ thinking how they communicate. If you would like to find out how your business could adopt a brand journalism approach to communications, we would be delighted to hear from you. Numerous examples are on www.mgmpr.co.uk.
How to succeed by developing MENTAL TOUGHNESS
Our Keynote Speaker at the Inspiring Women lunch is Dorothy McKee who delivers ILM Level 7 training to some of Northern Ireland’s leading companies. Dorothy is a qualified Occupational Psychologist with an MA in Change Management. She is an Associate Senior Lecturer with the Ulster Business School and is the course Director for the MSc. in Executive Leadership. ecent television coverage of the Olympics in Rio, and the documentary on the extraordinary Mo Farah, led me to reflect on the importance of Mental Toughness to success in the sporting world and on the lessons for business. Watching the athletes compete, like me, you may find yourself asking “how can anyone subject themselves to such pain and go through such extremes?” The answer is the athletes have been coached to develop a mindset that enables them to face challenge successfully and to achieve superior levels of performance. It is the psychology in sport more often than not that provides competitive advantage. The same attributes that apply in sport such as mental preparation, maintaining a positive attitude and coping with stress are now adding value in the business world As the business environment becomes increasingly challenging we can expect to see a negative impact on performance. This is something that I am already witnessing where some of my clients are implementing major programmes of transformational change and witnessing higher levels of stress and sickness absence. No matter what sector, employees now have to adapt to a greater number of career changes, uncertainty in terms of job security, new pressures from fast paced changes in IT, and the globalisation of business. There has never been a more challenging time to lead and to motivate the workforce and the bad news is the pace of change is likely to escalate. One of the attributes that can help managers and employees deal successfully with the pressures at work is Mental Toughness and the good news is that it can be developed. Through my recent involvement in leadership development programmes and Executive Coaching I have become increasingly interested in the support required to enable managers and employees to enhance their resilience and understand how they can become more mentally tough. Those who have been introduced to mental toughness on my programmes can relate to the concept and acknowledge the impact it can have in reducing stress, enhancing well‐ being and improving their overall performance. There have certainly been occasions throughout my career where I could have benefitted from the opportunity to assess my level of mental toughness and to learn how to develop this attribute.
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So how can you assess your level of mental toughness and learn how it can be enhanced? A reliable and valid approach to the measurement of mental toughness has been developed by Dr. Peter Clough of the University of Hull. Clough (2015) defines mental toughness as “The personality trait which determines in large part how people deal effectively with challenge, stressors and pressures irrespective of circumstances” . The researchers identify four pillars of mental toughness that be measured through an MTQ48 questionnaire. Challenge: seeing challenge as an opportunity Confidence: having high levels of self‐belief Commitment: being able to stick at tasks Control: believing that you control your destiny Through a series of Institute of Leadership and Management courses over the last six months I have been facilitating participants to complete the MTQ48 and then coaching them individually on how to use the profiles from three reports to identity potential areas for development and to agree plans for their personal development with their managers. The insight the participants gain from participating in this exercise creates a valuable foundation for personal development planning. Having identified the areas where you need to develop your mental toughness how do you do so? One approach is to learn to reflect effectively on your experiences. If you have just delivered a presentation reflect on if you could have done it better.
Seek feedback from others and learn to become more resilient to constructive comment. Make a conscious effort to take yourself out of your comfort zone through taking on new challenges. Developing the confidence to take on new projects and tasks helps in building our resilience. Finally identify someone who can act as your mentor or coach. Identify someone you can trust who can help support you in your development. It is always helpful to have someone who can provide fresh insights, constructive feedback and encouragement on your development and in reviewing progress in relation to the goals you have set yourself If you are still not convinced and see Mental Toughness as yet another management fad, it is worth returning to the important link between mental toughness and peak performance. It is widely acknowledged that our levels of performance can vary. Sometimes we are very effective and at other times the opposite is true. What if we could then identify the attributes that affect our levels of performance? Researchers have discovered that it is our state of mind that accounts for at least 50 per cent of the variation in our level of performance. References Cartwright, J. Ten Management Lessons from Sport in Training Journal. Sep2010 Clough, P. & Strycharczyk, D. (2015) Developing Mental Toughness: Coaching strategies to improve performance, resilience and wellbeing 2nd edition, (London: Kogan Page). Sarkus, D. J. Mental Toughness in Industrial Safety & Hygiene News. Sep2013
COVER STORY: CONNECT TELECOM
CONNECT TELECOM APPROACHES A DECADE IN BUSINESS As Connect Telecom enters its 10th year in business, Directors Matthew Brown and Scott Ritchie discuss the significantly changing technological landscape of the last decade, and how customers have remained at the heart of everything they do through a maintained focus on customer service.
ndeed it was this focus on customers that encouraged Scott Ritchie to invest in the business last November. “Every business talks about its customers but it was evident from the very beginning that Connect was doing this better than most. We provide Vodafone customers with a single point of contact here in Northern Ireland which not even the network itself can offer,” said Scott. “All of our customers are looked after here in Northern Ireland with our dedicated service desk, supported by a strong account management function. At Connect Telecom, customers aren’t connected with call centres which I think is brilliant for our customers and a real differentiator.” Since Scott’s investment in the business, there have been a lot of changes which have enabled Connect to progress and grow by over 50 per cent since last November making the company the biggest unified communications provider in Northern Ireland. However, both Scott and Matthew
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are keen to re‐iterate that even ten years on, the team’s unrivalled commitment to the customer remains the primary focus. Prior to Scott’s investment, the management team was led by Matthew Brown, founder of Connect Telecom, who established a strong customer base and built the foundations for what is now one of the leading business telecoms solutions providers in the UK. Almost ten years on, the company, which is assured by a Gold Standard in Customer Service Excellence from the European Foundation in Quality Management, has more than 4000 business customers across the UK and Ireland. Employing 40 staff, the company has plans to double headcount next year.
Back to Black-Berry “A decade ago, Blackberry and Nokia dominated the mobile market,” said Matthew. “All we knew of the iPhone at that stage was Steve Jobs’ promise of a ‘magical device
that would revolutionise the industry’. Ten years on and with more than one billion devices sold across the world, mission accomplished. “The launch of the iPhone 3G in 2007 shook up the industry and took the mobile communications game to an entirely new level. “The device triggered a shift in not only user expectations and demand, but it integrated our personal and business lives laying the foundations for the collaboration in mobility which we are all so used to today. “Establishing a telecoms business in the same year as the iPhone was launched was extremely exciting but not without challenges. “Very quickly, smartphones became prevalent inside and outside of work. Being able to surf the internet, view multiple email accounts, make calls, send texts and listen to music all from one device was ground breaking, but this was just the start. “The subsequent boom in apps drove
productivity and as users became more adept, the cost of online software and business tools started to plummet and a real revolution was upon us. “We were now in an age of 24/7 connectivity which has changed the way we work. “Our working day is no longer confined to the hours spent at a desk in an office. Now we can send and respond to emails at night, weekends and even on holiday… “But, we are more efficient, better connected and can make better use of our time rather than being hampered by slow and sluggish networked IT. “From the outset at Connect Telecom we knew that understanding the customer and having flexibility in our services was key to our offering to business customers.”
Better together Whilst the initial core offering at Connect Telecom was fixed phone lines and mobiles, this has now expanded to incorporate broadband, email, data storage and other IT solutions. Matthew explained this democratisation of IT and telecoms is now a reality in the industry globally. “Within the workplace, files and emails have historically been managed by IT departments. But with an ever increasing desire to access files, emails, content and data ‘remotely’, internet connectivity is required which then falls to telecoms partners. “In previous years, employees have been reasonably content with simply accessing work files from home but with more and more time being spent online each year, there is a flexibility issue to be able to create and edit such files from mobile devices. “This ties in with a greater demand for cloud services and storage so businesses can provide remote employee access to any of the files they need.”
Unified Communications As Northern Ireland’s sole Vodafone Platinum Partner, Connect Telecom works in partnership with Vodafone to ensure the delivery of effective products and services to SMEs across Northern Ireland and the UK, as well as larger corporate customers including Randox Laboratories, Hastings Hotels and AES Ballylumford. “Our customer base is made up of businesses of all sizes from a variety of industries and whilst the detail of their telecoms and IT requirements will differ, they all have a desire for simple, unified communications solutions that allow them to work anywhere” continued Matthew. “Unified communications is a concept by
which all software is integrated supporting synchronous and asynchronous communication so the end user has easy access to all tools from any device. “Advances in technology have driven unified communications, as previously without smartphones, tablets or even fibre broadband or WiFi, it would not have been practical. “To deliver unified communications on behalf of our customers throughout the UK and Ireland, we provide the best technology solutions from leading providers such as Vodafone, Microsoft and Cisco which we know will benefit our customers and facilitate growth for their business. “Last year we purchased a 49 per cent stake in a Belfast based cloud solutions company and collectively we are in beta testing for a cloud based portal integrating Microsoft Office solutions for our customers which will further enhance the delivery of unified communications.”
Customer success “Approaching the company’s ten‐year anniversary in 2017, it is fitting that we have just celebrated our 10,000th unified communications connection with AJ Hurst, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of electrical, lighting, communication and power system equipment. “The Belfast based company was the first customer to avail of our new Implementation services awarded by Vodafone this summer. “This means that in addition to simply delivering Vodafone solutions such as One Net Business and One Net Express we are now authorised to install the technology, providing a one‐stop shop for customers and significantly speeding up the process of install. As one of only two Vodafone partners in the UK with Vodafone Implementation Partner status this is testament to the success of the business. “We are very keen to progress in line with Vodafone’s plans to be more than just a mobile network, but a complete unified communications platform that is the sole provider of all communications requirements for our customers.”
50per cent growth With a strong client portfolio and the recent addition of Axon Power, AJ Hurst and having been recognised by an array of industry awards and plaudits, the company was built upon the strong foundations of customer service and innovation, and this continues to offer value for more and more customers here and in UK. Commenting on the acquisition of the business by Scott last year, Matthew
continued: “I had known Scott for some time and we decided that with his wealth of IT and telecoms experience, it would be a great time for him to oversee the next chapter for Connect Telecom.” Scott Ritchie, who was an executive director at the company for 18 months prior to the acquisition, said: “Innovation in business communications has always been at the core of Connect Telecom and we will continue to work closely with our partners to introduce a number of pioneering new services. “In the last year we have witnessed more than 50 per cent growth in terms of both customers and connections, and we have plans to double our workforce within the year as we further expand in Northern Ireland and Scottish markets. “Too many telecoms companies and providers rely on global centres to be the first point of contact for customers. At Connect we have dedicated Account Managers and Customer Service Agents who are based locally. “It is our dedication and personal approach to customer service that has carved a niche and allowed us to become one of the leading telecoms solutions providers in the UK market, and plans are well underway to extend this provision to a local 24/7 support service for customers.”
Future Plans Telecoms will without doubt continue to change exponentially. Both Scott and Matthew are keen to stress that in order to survive, the industry must adapt and not only successfully facilitate unified communications, but even greater levels of customer service. Scott continued: “The industry has changed so much in the last decade and throughout all of that, Connect Telecom has been there providing customers with the best solutions and expert advice. “The experience and enthusiasm of the team coupled with the ability to deliver exemplary customer care has seen the company lead the way over the past 10 years, despite the sea of technological changes. “We have very ambitious growth plans and are actively acquiring other businesses to expand our base. We are investing in new products and services to offer our customers more and we are investing in our people to ensure that our customers get an excellent experience every time they contact us. “Moving forward our customers can expect continued customer service excellence for the delivery of their telecoms & IT environments enabling them to focus on their own business needs and their own customers in turn.”
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Turbo Powered Lexus T
he New Lexus IS200 (IS) comes with a spanking new two‐litre 241 Bhp petrol engine: and it’s a good one. This sees Lexus offering their new IS 200 model into a hot bed of performance saloons such as the BMW 3 series, the Jaguar XE and even the Mercedes C Class. In the IS the 2.0‐litre unit will deliver 241bhp (180kW) and maximum torque of 350Nm. It promises rapid acceleration up to a top speed of 143mph, driving the rear wheels through an eight‐speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission that was originally developed for the RC F high‐performance coupe. Zero to 62mph acceleration can be achieved in seven seconds, while average fuel consumption is from 40.4mpg. The engine benefits from a raft of innovations and technologies that secure, fast throttle response, instantaneous torque, minimal turbo lag and strong fuel economy. Key elements include D‐4ST fuel injection and a water‐cooled cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold and twin‐scroll turbocharger. This all adds to a responsive and super smooth power delivery The chassis and suspension have had a lot of work done on them on the new IS 200t. The car is pin sharp on turn‐in and feels engaging to drive. And yet the IS200 has lost none of the comfort and ease of driving that Lexus has always been assisted with. The IS 200 has also had a makeover on the inside and it is less cluttered and certainly
more up to date than the previous model. The heating controls new. To make adjustments up or down to the cabin temperature you simply touch the electrostatic switches, as an alternative to sliding them up and down. Simple and works very well. The seats are supportive sports seats for the driver and passenger and there is plenty of room for three three rear passengers. A good‐sized boot is also a bonus. In the IS 200t the turbo engine is matched to an eight‐speed Sport Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifts – a unit originally developed for the RC F high‐ performance coupe.
The rear‐wheel drive IS 200t is the first Lexus saloon to vary gear shifting in line with G‐forces. The transmission automatically downshifts under hard braking on the approach to a corner, then holds a lower gear through the bend for best control, and then selects the most suitable gear on exit to give the driver greater throttle response. The new Lexus IS200t is a well‐balanced, well built and a stunning looking car that attracted admiring glances every time I drove it. It is a massive step forward for Lexus from the previous IS200, is great to drive and I could certainly live with one.
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Belfast to host first WordCamp in Northern Ireland – WordCamp Belfast his October sees the first WordCamp (WordPress Conference) in Belfast. Bringing together bloggers, designers, developers and enthusiasts from across the UK and further afield to celebrate and talk about all things WordPress related in this inaugural non‐profit event. WordPress is an online, open source website creation tool used by millions across the world. It is one of the easiest to use blogging platforms, while also being one of the most powerful website content management systems available. WordPress currently powers over 26 per cent of all websites on the internet. WordCamp events are run world‐wide by the WordPress Community and for the community where they take place. The non‐ profit events are heavily supported by companies of all types and sizes. The sponsorship from both local and global organisations and businesses subsidises the cost of the events, helping to keep ticket prices low and affordable to all who attend. The majority of WordCamps use up all their sponsor and ticket money in planning the event. But if there is a surplus, it is used to benefit the community. It is not treated as profit to be pocketed by the organisers. Surplus money is used for things like: funding an ongoing WordPress meetup group’s get‐togethers, seed money for next year’s WordCamp expenses, sponsoring a local developer to work on a contribution to WordPress.org. WordPress‐based conferences organised as money‐making opportunities are not approved to use the WordCamp name. WordCamp Belfast 2016 is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. And the two‐day conference will be held in the newly renovated Peter Froggatt Centre, Queens University Belfast. And will host a variety of speakers and sponsors showcasing the very latest in the digital industry. During the day of the main talks (Sat. 1st Oct), attendees are free to switch rooms (referred to as ‘tracks’) between talks. Just some of the topics to be included in the 16+ talks include; content creation, site security, SEO (search engine optimisation), privacy and data protection, social media, building apps with WordPress, the REST API
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and plugin development. A real mix that’s sure to be beneficial to all who attend. The conference will also include a charity hack‐a‐thon, panel discussions, contributor areas and also a help‐desk for any WordPress related questions. Plus, there will be plenty of networking opportunities across the weekend.
Not just for the Geeks WordCamp Belfast has selected talks and other events to benefit everyone that uses WordPress, it’s not all about what code to use where. There are talks for everyone. So if you are a business owner that has (or is thinking about having) a site powered by WordPress, then come along – you will get to speak to the people that know the system inside‐out. If you are blogger, you will pick up tips on finding new content to write about, or how to write content to please the search‐engines. And yes, if you are a designer or developer we have talks and topics to help you also expand your knowledge.
Mark’s Guide to WordCamps WordCamp Belfast’s lead organizer gives these tips for attending WordCamps: • Talk to as many people as possible, it’s a great way to get to know the WordPress community, who is doing what and more importantly how. • During the breaks and at lunch, sit with people you don’t know – strike up a conversation. I have seen people & agencies get projects this way. • Bring plenty of business cards – an obvious one for any networking opportunity, but can sometimes be forgotten. • Attend talks you may not normally go to: If you are a developer, go to a design talk, if you are a designer go to a developer talk, if you are a blogger, take in a design talk or two. It’s a great way to expand your knowledge. • Don’t feel you have to attend every talk. Use the time when the hallways and sponsor booths are quiet to be able to talk to, and learn from others and network. • Take notes: By the time you get home you will not be able to remember everything, so bring a notepad and pen.
• Make sure your phone is charged, you may want to tweet about the talk you just attended. And snapping a photo of a slide during a talk is an easy way to record what is on screen – be that a URL, or a sample piece of code. • Most important of all, have fun! The WordCamp Belfast Conference runs 1st – 2nd October 2016. Tickets are priced at just £27.50 this includes entrance for both days, WordPress swag (goodies) and lunch both days. Tickets are available from the WordCamp website ‐ https://2016.belfast.wordcamp.org For details on the local WordPress N.I. Meetup group, see https://www.meetup.com/NorthernIreland-WordPress-Meetup/ For more information, please contact the #WCBelfast team via: https://2016.belfast.wordcamp.org/ https://www.facebook.com/WCBelfast/�h ttps://twitter.com/WCBelfast Email the team on wordcampbelfast@gmail.com Tel: 028 9581 2895
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