Connected May 2018

the magazine FOR EVERYONE AT

MAY 2018

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mobile The new Home of Comparison see pages 8-9

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Spring is here Baby you can drive my car Live for the moment AND MUCH MORE...

als0: Welcome to the future the biggest upcoming tech of 2018 >>> see page 5

02

Welcome TO In our new look edition, we catch-up with the latest innovations coming to stores near you over the next few months.

I

n our last issue, we were getting ready for a busy Peak which saw brand new technology from wearables to digital assistants under everyone’s Christmas trees.

But the tech industry never stands still and we’re already thinking about the next exciting development to come our way.

In this issue, we’re taking a look at the biggest upcoming tech trends, like self-driving and connected cars, to new ways to spend. Read what the future holds on page 5.

Keep your eyes peeled because we’ve got an insight into the future of streaming. If you don’t know your Black Mirror from your Mr Robot, then look no further than pages 6-7 for a rundown on the best offerings from Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV. We also take a look at how we’re helping new colleagues develop, with an insight into our retail apprenticeships on page 13, and our renewed CSR strategy on pages 18-19.

Don’t forget to make a note of the best upcoming games in 2018 on page 23, and put your Connected knowledge to the test with our quiz on page 22.

Remember to get involved by searching ‘Connected’ on Workplace – join our group, be a part of future features and get your voice heard.

GET IN TOUCH Contact us with your thoughts, stories and suggestions by visiting

dixonscarphone.facebook.com/ groups/connectedmag

want more?

Go online

Scan me >>>>>>>>

There’s a rather snazzy online version of this magazine with extra features and videos. Check it out at

MAY 2018

dixonscarphoneconnected.com Strictly private and confidential. This magazine and its contents are the property of Dixons Carphone plc and are for internal use only. No part of this magazine may be reprinted in whole or in part without the prior written permission of Dixons Carphone plc.

meet our guest editor

Marin Cioban Marin didn’t mess about when he joined the team; within three years, he became a Team Leader in our Tottenham hale store, and then quickly moved into an Assistant Manager role at our Currys PC World in Enfield.

Marin said: “I’m an optimist when it comes to tech and media, and Connected can help colleagues understand these topics better. Being a guest editor is a great new opportunity to try and I’m really looking forward to it!”

Fancy a go?

Let us know on Workplace and you could help with the next issue of Connected

the hot list The top five things you need to know about this issue...

You’re hired!

If you’re wondering what the future holds, look no further – we shine the spotlight on our retail apprenticeships on page 13.

On your marks, get set, binge

Make sure you’re sitting comfortably – we run down the best new shows from Netflix, Amazon Video and Now TV so you don’t have to on pages 6-7.

A picture speaks a thousand words

We pick our colleagues’ best snaps in ‘Picture Perfect’ on pages 20-21. Send us your best images for a chance to feature in the next issue of Connected.

Ask Assad

On pages 16-17, we speak to our Group Corporate Affairs Director, Assad Malic, who explains our share price and what it means when it fluctuates.

Your chance to win!

To have a chance of getting your hands on the latest Samsung Galaxy S9 handset, head over to page 24.

03 Stay up to date

Back to basics Before kicking off a declutter session, it’s best to get your vital data backed up somewhere safe. Depending on the device and operating system, there are lots of free cloud services available, like OneDrive or Google Drive. This is a perfect way to get the bulk of your phone memory freed up.

Updating your tech’s software and operating system will often keep your devices running smoothly.

Regularly check if you’re running the latest software from the settings section on your device.

n timizatio p o e ic v de

a r o f e m Ti ! n a e l c g n i r p s r time e t t e b o here’s n t t d n a e a boos r e e c h n s i a Spring perform nd spring h c e t to give nised a s. a g r o g e in by gett ing your devic clean

Squeaky clean Smartphones, tablets and laptops can be home to lots of potentially harmful bacteria and germs. Consider investing in a cleaning kit or a microfibre cloth to rid your tech of nasty lurgies.

App happy Media mogul Got hundreds of similar pictures stored on your devices? Do you download music rather than stream it? Inbox full of messages you don’t need?

Invest a little time sifting through the files on your phone, deleting duplicates, unused content and clearing your message logs. Also, consider using an online storage service like OneDrive. may 2018

As well as cluttering up your home screen, unused apps could be slowing down your phone and eating into valuable storage space.

Have a think about the apps you regularly use and delete the ones you don’t.

04

N E W s F L A S H

Here’s what’s been happening across the business since we leapt into 2018... #PhoneAnywhere

Wi-Fi Calling

iD Mobile became the first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in the UK to introduce Wi-Fi calling in early 2018. This means our customers without 3G or 4G connections can still make texts and calls through a Wi-Fi network.

Over 100,000 customers have devices compatible with the service, so there’ll be no more searching for signal in your own house, or struggling to send texts in a secluded coffee shop.

#Milestone

Happy birthday team iD

Our iD team has a lot to celebrate at the moment – they’ve been super busy over the past year, and this month they will be celebrating their third birthday.

Last June the team launched simplification, offering three benefits on all SIMO and PAYM plans. Now with over 800,000 customers, the iD team launched its new community last month and has lots more exciting new plans for the rest of 2018, looking to bring more brilliant benefits to our customers.

#DigitalHub

Tackling the treacle

Innovation is a growing part of what we do – and it’s gaining strength in the form of our Digital Hub. A collaborative group is tackling the treacle in our business – the stuff that gets in the way of us all doing a really brilliant job. They’re working to get rid of it with ideas and improvements to make things simpler.

This is more than a project, it’s a shift in our way of working. Several teams have already joined the Digital Hub and will make good things happen faster across Dixons Carphone including e-commerce, customer membership and loyalty.

#DixonsTravel

The new wave

After successfully launching a one-off Dixons Travel store on a cruise ship in August, we’re now expanding our sea-faring stores.

We’ll be launching these unique stores on a range of P&O and Cunard cruise ships to make sure that this unique demographic can access great advice and the latest technology wherever they go. Products from our bespoke range can even be delivered directly to the customer’s home for when they return.

#OneforAll

Three is the magic number

MAy 2018

Our Westfield White City branch has undergone an extension, and has recently launched one of our unique three-in-one stores featuring Carphone Warehouse, Currys and PC World brands.

After opening on 20 March, we’ve received great responses from colleagues and customers alike.

Our Westfield branch is based on the design of Heathrow’s Terminal Three, with a brilliant glass storefront and a huge digital display behind the tills.

The store offers an extensive range across our three brands, with a uniform look and feel throughout the branch.

05 future tech

Driving into

the future

The future is now and these examples of upcoming technology prove it. We’re still a long way from flying cars and robot butlers, but the foundations are already in place!

AR and VR headsets are becoming cheaper and cheaper, so these new realities are set to break into the mainstream.

We’ve already seen VR develop greatly in gaming, with headsets becoming must-have items for console and PC gamers, but the applications don’t stop there. VR offers a wide range of experiences outside of gaming – whether you’re using the technology casually with apps like Google Earth VR and Facebook Spaces, or gaining vital training in the medical industry, the possibilities are endless.

If those pesky cables are ruining your immersion, you’re in luck, as we’re expecting VR and AR headsets to become wireless. VR will become less like the clunky, heavy workout that it used to be, and more like the movie, Ready Player One.

Check out our top five upcoming games of 2018 on page 23.

Connected and Self-Driving Cars Thanks to a huge push in this area, we could be seeing driverless cars on UK roads as early as 2021! After years of successful testing, automated vehicles are a step closer to becoming a reality.

Motor giants Ford have even planned development of driverless police cars to free-up officers for other duties.

Keep an eye in your mirrors for driverless cars anytime soon. Connected vehicles are already here, too. Many modern cars are already connected, including features like a Wi-Fi hotspot or self-parking. It won’t be long until they’re flying at this rate!

Read more about car tech on page 12.

Digital Assistants

A Spending Revolution

If you’re terrible at organising the daily events of your life, you’ll love the recent rise of digital assistants. These new pieces of convenient technology can do everything from control your smart home, look up train times, or even resolve all those burning trivia questions you have – like, what’s Paul McCartney’s middle name? – perfect for any pub-quiz disagreements. This technology, much like mainstream biometric security, has come in largely under the radar, with these assistants being found on Google Home, Amazon Alexa, on your iPhone, on your Windows PC and everywhere in between. Some experts predict that in the very near future, these devices might even begin to know what you want before you do.

You might not notice new pieces of technology, but you’ve probably already used them. Innovations like facial recognition, fingerprint security and cryptocurrencies are already popular, but these are predicted to become the norm over the next few years.

The payment chain is set to become quicker and safer thanks to these new pieces of technology.

If you’re a fan of investing in the future keep an eye out for the next cryptocurrency craze, too.

Since its humble beginnings in 2009, the most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, peaked at over £13,000 for a single Bitcoin in late 2017! may 2018

Virtual and Augmented Reality

06 Netflix continues to reign as king of the streaming services thanks to its focus on original programming. After a strong 2017, the streaming giants have a strong reputation to live up to – but with $8 billion ready to spend on their original content, this shouldn’t be a problem.

online streaming

Maniac

The Umbrella Academy

Maniac is an adapation of a 2014 Norwegian series which focuses on two patients of a mental institution.

This anticipated dark comedy features a wealth of talent from other established TV shows, such as ‘The Leftovers’ and ‘True Detective’, and promises to captivate viewers as characters delve between fantasy and reality.

Marvel may be the biggest hitter when it comes to superheroes, but this hasn’t stopped Executive Producer Steve Blackman from bringing this 15-issue graphic novel to our screens. The series will follow a dysfunctional family of heroes who set to discover what happened to their deceased father.

With Netflix, Prime and Now TV offering new content frequently, it’s hard to stay on top of the latest releases.

To help you plan your next binge session, here’s what to look out for from the top streaming sites in 2018.

MAY 2018

Whilst offering arguably the best value streaming service on the market, Amazon haven’t slowed their efforts with Prime Video. After finding their feet with original content last year here’s what you need to watch in 2018.

Absentia

Grand Prix Driver

A long-awaited follow-up to ‘Castle’, Stana Katic’s thriller focuses on an FBI agent who returns to her life after going missing for six years, with no memory of the past. Get yourself stuck into this weird and uncanny tale, as ‘Absentia’ is on Amazon Prime now.

Although this might already be on the radar of any motorsport fans, the short season offers never before seen access into the secretive world of Formula One. Offering unprecedented access to the McLaren-Honda team, the series is essential viewing for any petrol head.

07 Sky’s service may not be known for its original content, Now TV is becoming serious competition for the key streaming services. If you’re after great American box sets, Now TV may be your best option.

In the Long Run

Big Little Lies

Sky aren’t shy at trying their hand with original content, as seen with this upcoming comedy starring Idris Elba. Loosely based on the star’s own childhood, ‘In the Long Run’ follows the Easmon family on a council estate in 1980s London.

This series promises to be a valuable addition to Sky’s comedy portfolio.

Managing to snag Hollywood royalty, this American mini-series originally appeared on HBO after being adapted from a Liane Moriarty novel of the same name. This high school drama is one of Sky’s best imports, and it’s still a piece of must-see TV.

Here’s the key differences between these three services.

Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Ozark.

The Grand Tour, The Man in the High Castle, Mr. Robot.

Game of Thrones, Westworld, Britannia.

Additional Benefits

Dedicated kids section, and the ability to download shows for 30 days.

Prime one-day delivery, Prime music, photo storage and Kindle offers.

Live TV with an Entertainment Pass and the latest shows from the US.

One Screen: £5.99 per month Two Screens: £7.99 per month Four Screens: £9.99 per month.

£7.99 per month.

Entertainment Pass: £7.99 per month Sky Cinema Pass: £9.99 per month Kids Pass: £2.99 per month Sky Sports Pass: £6.99 per month.

Price

If you’re unsure of the differences between the major streaming services, get in touch with a TEAM KNOWHOW colleague.

may 2018

Exclusive Shows

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may 2018

MARIN SAYs...

With energy bills increasing by 5.5%, around five million people will be affected.

The Multiplay proposition that Carphone Warehouse and Currys PC World offer will help customers save money on gas, electric, broadband, TV and phone bills!

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10

mobile world congress

New anD improved The 2018 Mobile World Congress took place in Barcelona earlier this year – here we take a look at some of the exciting new products that will hitting our shelves. he event featured some hot new handsets and fantastic new features that we can’t wait to get our hands on.

Some of the highlights from the event included Samsung’s Bixby smart speaker and McAfee’s new partnership with Amazon’s Alexa personal assistant – but for us, new smartphones from Nokia, Samsung and Sony were the stars of the show.

may 2018

T

New from Nokia Nokia attracted attention at the Mobile World Congress this year with four new releases: the Nokia 1, Nokia 6, Nokia 7 Plus and the Nokia 8 Sirocco. The Nokia 6 is exclusive to Carphone Warehouse.

Nokia 6 2018 Spec includes: • Dual-sight mode for capturing what’s in front of and behind the camera simultaneously • Snapdragon 630 processor for higher speed and performance • Google Photos for safe photo storage • USB-C fast charger to boost your phone power to 50% in just 30 minutes • Android One for a streamlined, easy to use interface with no bloatware • 16MP camera with Zeiss optics for impressive photos and videos • 5.5” full-HD display reaching with wide viewing angles and high contrast • Single speaker with smart amp for better sound quality.

For information on the other new Nokia handsets, visit our Nokia store. carphonewarehouse.com

11

Sony’s new smartphones With an all-new design, the new Sony Xperia XZ2 has a HDR-ready screen and a range of great specs.

XZ2 Spec upgrades: • 19MP Motion Eye camera which lets users film videos in slow motion • 4K HDR video recording for more impressive videos • 5-Force Front Surround sound for the loudest Xperia speakers ever • Snapdragon 845 processor for a fast and efficient user experience • Dynamic vibration system that brings your videos and music to life.

Huawei handsets The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus have landed, including features such as facial recognition, fingerprint sensors and AR technology.

Both versions have an Octacore processor and AKG stereo speakers.

S9 Spec:

S9+ Spec:

• 5.8” display with a smart edge-to-edge screen • Dual pixel 12MP with single lens for high-quality photos • 4 GB RAM • 64GB of built-in storage.

• 6.2” display for an extralarge screen experience • Dual Pixel 12MP with dual lens and 2x optical zoom for those close up ohotos • 6 GB RAM • 128GB of built-in storage.

Huawei also announced the new P20 family which offers three different options at an event in March.

The P20 and P20 Lite handsets come in an exclusive blue colour only available at Carphone Warehouse.

P20 Spec:

P20 Lite:

P20 Pro:

• Leica dual camera for amazing photography • 24MP selfie camera with portrait lighting effect • Huawei Kirin 970 processor for a faster experience.

• Fast charge 2.0 to power up your phone quickly and efficiently • Real-time face unlock to securely open your phone at a glance • 16MP front and dual rear camera for all your snaps and selfies.

• Lecia triple camera to capture rich, atmospheric photos night or day • 5x hybrid zoom for beautiful, detailed distance photography • IP67 water and dust resistant to protect against rain and accidental spillages.

may 2018

Samsung’s S9 stars

12

Look, no hands!

It’s never been easier to go hands-free.

Many newly-manufactured vehicles offer smartphone compatibility, from basic Bluetooth connectivity, to higher-end solutions like Apple CarPlay.

CarPlay allows you to connect your iPhone to your car and use go-to apps like Phone Maps, and Music in a safe manner through a Stay safe with large touchscreen hands-free – using in the vehicle’s your mobile whilst dashboard. CarPlay at the wheel can compatible products land you with and software start six points and a £200 fine. from around £300.

Apple CarPlay is available as an optional extra from many manufacturers

car tech

One for the road

Is in-car technology driving you up the wall? Here’s some tips and technology that will keep you safe and make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest driving regulations.

Out with the old, in with the new

may 2018

You don’t need to be an iPhone user to make use of great in-car functionality.

With Android Auto, you can control your phone’s applications through a compatible radio or dashboard screen, just like you can with CarPlay.

The app is available to download for free through the Google Play store.

Not looking for a brand-new motor?

Don’t worry, as you can control basic features of your smartphone with your voice. Android and Apple smartphones allow you to control key functions through voice dictation through their Touchless Control and Siri features, once you’ve connected to your car via Bluetooth.

If you’re not content with simply listening to the music on your mobile through your car’s speakers, there’s a wide range of aftermarket products out there, too.

If you need to bring your banger into the 21st century, here are some products that can give your car a new lease of life.

Logitech ZeroTouch

NEXTBASE 312GW Deluxe Dash Cam

Belkin Micro USB Charger

Attaching handily to an air vent, this piece of kit transforms any car into a connected vehicle, allowing you to use your phone’s voice functionality on the go.

Ask for directions, listen to a message, or play music on Spotify or Deezer, all through your voice.

More and more people are defending themselves against dangerous drivers with dash cams. This version from NEXTBASE can be mounted to your rear-view mirror, and is completely wireless, saving you form any unsightly cables.

If you simply need to top-up your mobile whilst on-the-go, look no further. This affordable adapter is sturdy and reliable, receiving any cables with a USB connections – perfect for dash cams, sat-navs and chargers.

Logitech ZeroTouch air vent with voice control – Carphone Warehouse – £9.99.

NEXTBASE 312GW Deluxe Dash Cam – Currys – £99.

Belkin Micro USB Charger – Carphone Warehouse – £19.99.

13 retail apprenticeships

Learning on the job Top marks

e’ve recently recruited for our exciting new degree apprenticeship which kicked off on 8 May. It’s a four-year programme If you’d like to be a part of our and will help 30 applicants apprenticeship programme, keep learn new skills and earn a these points in mind when applying: retail management degree.

Successful apprentices will get the • Talk about how you’ve chance to experience working in a retail store as a developed so far colleague, Assistant Manager and finally a Manager.

• Have a plan of where you want This apprenticeship isn’t only available to our the apprenticeship to take you colleagues – it’s open to external applicants too.

• Research the role and what We want to tap into as much talent as we can would be expected from you and give people that may not have had the • If you’re invited to an interview, chance to go to university a solid foundation always prepare questions to ask for a career in retail.

Jonathan Bevan, Emerging Talent • Be yourself!

Manager, says: “Not everyone wants to go to university and we want people, especially our own colleagues, to have the opportunity to progress and develop their careers. That’s why we’ve introduced this programme – the experience they will get working in store, coupled with a degree, should set them up for a successful future.”

Throughout the programme, apprentices will learn about the theory of management, gain an understanding of finance and marketing and all the relevant departments for retail.

All the apprentices are guaranteed a position at Working in such a fastMARIN SAYs...

Dixons Carphone once paced environment at the With our new the programme ends – apprenticeships, largest electrical retailer in Europe not everyone develops you could reach will provide the apprentices with managerial at the same pace, level within invaluable experience. They’ll get but they will graduate just a few years, to see how such a large company ready to take on at least learning skills operates by working across both an Assistant Manager in areas like sales, visual brands in a range of roles.” or Store Manager role.

W “If your in-car gadgets aren’t getting you anywhere, always try the following: •

“Make sure that any software you use in your car is up-to-date. This is a frequent issue for customers who are trying to connect a brand-new phone to their car

•

“Always research Read more about before you buy. how cars While most vehicles pieces of in-car will develop technology are on page 5. widely compatible, some may not work with specific versions commonly used software. An iPhone X may not pair smoothly with an aftermarket Bluetooth system in a 20-year-old motor

•

“What can your car do? If your vehicle is fairly new, you may already have everything you need – even basic Bluetooth connectivity can allow you to listen to music from your mobile through your car’s speakers.

No need for that tangled aux cable anymore!”

Top tips for applying

Like what you hear?

merchandising and retail management along the way.

Got a friend or family member that might be interested?

Visit careers.dixonscarphone.com/students/apprenticeships to find out more. may 2018

Top tips from Mark Winter, Branch Manager in our Bradford store.

Our Dixons Carphone apprenticeship programme teaches people new skills, offers formal training and gives colleagues the chance to earn a nationally recognised qualification.

14

secure keeping

r u o y r o f

n o ti a m r o inf may 2018

DPR) G ( n o i t la , n Regu ta is handled o i t c e t a ro Data P one’s d l y r a to know r e v e d e n e e e w n G o e h The hange at do w c h o W t 5 May? .

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15

D

Some key

tip s

ata is part of our daily lives – it’s the facts and figures of everything we do,” explained Graham Smith, Director for Data Management at Dixons Carphone.

“As a business, it’s really important to us because it helps us understand our customers better so we can work out what sort of products interest and excite them.

“Holding people’s addresses, contact details and other important data is a big responsibility. Our customers expect that we will keep their data safe and manage it in a professional way.

If we fail to live up to that, we let our customers down as well as breaking the law, both of which have serious consequences.”

• If a customer requests a copy of the information we hold on them, we should direct the customer to the Privacy Policy section on the Currys/PC World or Carphone Warehouse • We must ask customers for their consent to send them marketing communications • Be careful to never leave customer documents lying around.

What’s new?

To make sure we’re all sticking to the new rules, there will be eLearning training available to everyone from mid-April. Awareness campaigns will follow in the run-up to 25 May to remind colleagues of the key facts.

“GDPR is actually a great opportunity to learn more about our customers,” continued Graham.

“As a product-focused business, we can benefit from more accurate data – it allows us to understand customers better by telling us which products they buy in store or online and then market the right products to the right people.

“My main tip is to treat customer data like it was your own.

You wouldn’t want your data falling into the wrong hands and it’s important we keep those standards for our customers, too.”

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may 2018

GDPR is an improved version of the Data Protection Act that brings new rules into force for the 21st Century.

Lots has changed since the old laws were established with the emergence of the internet and technological advances changing the ways businesses and customers interact.

Lots of the rules have stayed the same, while others have been adapted to allow people to have easier access to the t u o n data companies hold Liste e r o about them. There’s also for m the n a new system of fines o details arning and more responsibility e GDPR eL ing. for organisations to get train the consent of people they collect information about.

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16 What are stocks?

When you buy stocks you become a shareholder and own shares issued by the business. This means you own a percentage of the company’s shares but you do not own the business or any of its assets.

What is the stock market?

Stock markets issue and trade stocks in companies. There is a wide variety of markets and exchanges around the world.

The London Stock Exchange is one of these.

money matters

Our share price and what it means Assad Malic, our Corporate Affairs Director, explains our share price and what it means when it fluctuates.

may 2018

“

I

joined the business late in 2017 having spent the last 17 years as an equity analyst across a number of investment banks.

Most latterly I ran the highly rated Pan-European General Retail team at Citigroup where we analysed over 25 companies and advised institutional investors on their investment decisions within the sector. Having been a key analyst on both Dixons and Carphone Warehouse over the course of my career, I am very

proud to be working for a company that I have admired for many years to which I can bring a deep understanding of our investor’s needs and public markets.

To some our share price is just a number that ebbs and flows throughout the year, to others our share price is a material indicator of how the stock market perceives our company, its delivery and financials.

In reality, the share price of a company is telling you what

the stock market thinks the business is worth based on their expectation of what that company will achieve in the future. Sometimes the share price can move in what appears to be quite mysterious ways…

Dixons Carphone is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is part of the FTSE 250 Index.

Companies initially list on exchanges with a set price for each share.

So, when Dixons and Carphone initially merged in May 2014, we listed at 320p per share, which then quickly rose to a high of 500p on 31 December 2015, valuing the business at just over £5billion.

17 Why do people invest in the stock market?

Shareholders are entitled to claim part of the businesses earnings in exchange for their investment. The stock market allows people to buy stocks and potentially benefit from annual income when a stock pays a dividend and as an investment in the longer term if the share price increases over time. Buying shares is not without risk as share prices can go up and down.

What is a dividend?

A dividend is a payment made on a regular basis by a company to its shareholders if it has made a profit.

What is the FTSE 250?

It’s a list consisting of the top 101 to 350 largest UK companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Brexit left investors in a state of nervousness with worries over UK consumer demand and a rapidly changing mobile market impacting our profits. This temporarily changed the market’s view of what the company might deliver in the future and we hit a low of 152p in November 2017, leaving us considerably undervalued in the market’s eyes.

Since then, however, our shares have recovered by 25% to around 190p.

Our shares rose 8.5% on the day we announced our first half results, driven by a good performance in our Electricals business across the group and our message of taking strong action to reposition the mobile business.

They rose a further 6.5% on the day of our Peak trading update in January, with investors reacting positively to the ‘impressive’, ‘solid’ and ‘reassuring’ update where we reported Group like-for-like sales growth of +6%, particularly when seen in the context of a tougher reporting period across the retail sector in general.

While day-to-day fluctuations in stock prices often don’t mean much to companies as this can be influenced by a number of different and external factors, a good share price performance over time signifies a certain degree of confidence that the company is moving in the right direction and is often seen as a sort of financial barometer.

Just like our business, investors want to make the right decisions to drive a return on their investment. A company which pays dividends can also be attractive to investors. Its willingness and

Overall the stock market has increasing confidence that Dixons Carphone remains incredibly strong...”

ability to pay steady dividends and ability to grow them over time send a strong message about future prospects and performance. As stated at our 1H results, we intend to maintain our total full year dividend at 11.25p for the year to April 2018. This equates to a yield of 6% compared to the average of 3.8% for the General Retail sector.

Overall the stock market has increasing confidence that Dixons Carphone remains incredibly strong and resilient thanks to its market share gains in the UK and strong performance from both Nordics and Greece.

Lastly, it also highlights the fact that we have the ability to hire the most talented people into our business as seen with the appointment of our new CEO, Alex Baldock, itself seen by the market as a smooth transition between two great and highly regarded business leaders as the Group builds on its leadership positions and moves into its next phase of transformation.

may 2018

And then Brexit happened

18

live earth neutral

Powering us into a brighter Live Earth Neutral is tomorrow our new

We all have the power to build a better future

CSR programme which will highlight key parts of our strategy and help us understand how we can deliver goals as part of our business model. It has three main focuses running through all areas of our business. They are:

Did you know?

Competitors like AO charge £2.99 to take away packaging from their deliveries – we do this for free.

may 2018

Good business is about more than providing a great customer experience, although this is really important. It’s also about looking after colleagues, customers and communities, and is often called Corporate & Social Responsibility (CSR). To make sure we always do the right thing, we’re introducing a new CSR strategy and programme – here’s what you need to know.

What is CSR? CSR is about adhering to laws and regulations and operating in a socially and ethically responsible way.

This framework is used to assess where we want to be in the future, and look at what steps we need to take to get there.

Our plan aims to minimise our environmental impact, increase our social influence and ensure we’re all happy, healthy and have a sense of purpose.

19 Did you know?

Almost 12,500 low income UK households saved a cumulative £2.3m in 12 months thanks to our 2016 ‘re-use’ initiatives.

We want to be a diverse and rewarding place to work and do business with, whilst still attracting and keeping talented colleagues to help further grow our business.

• We’ll make sure you can perform at your very best through training and development, Read more about like our new Retail our new Retail Apprenticeship Apprenticeships scheme on page 13 • Opportunities across the business will remain diverse, equal and fair.

We’re working on paying our under-21 colleagues the National Living Wage • Our wellbeing initiatives will make sure we’re energised and resilient – these include entry into Britain’s Healthiest Workplace, Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones and a new initiative called Ultimate Workplace.

Through Live Earth Neutral, we want to bring people together through our products and services and make sure our business is socially and ethically responsible. We’ve got off to a great start, with 12,500 UK households saving a combined £2.3 million thanks to our re-use initiatives.

We’ll keep cutting our carbon footprint, reducing our need for non-renewable resources and minimising waste wherever possible.

• We’ll recycle as much as possible, reducing our energy use by 30% by 2020 • We’ll use renewable sources – after completing our biggest-ever installation of solar panels at our Newark National Distribution Centre, we want to continue installing panels to help reduce our environmental impact even further.

We’re already helping our customers by saving them money on their energy bills. Find out more about how we’re becoming the Home of Comparison on pages 8-9

We want to make all aspects of our business ethically aware and sustainable, from our suppliers through to our retail stores, to make a positive impact on our local communities.

• By working with the best manufacturers, we’ll strive for ethically-sourced materials while remaining high-quality, at a competitive price to our customers • We’ll develop our local community projects to support the areas in which we operate, such as a new volunteering scheme, which will support older people • We’ll support local causes you care about.

To make sure we’re always moving forward, we’ve set-up a Live Earth Neutral Working Group, which will look at key points of interest, suggest areas for improvement and drive results from our CSR strategy. To get involved, ask your Manager about Live Earth Neutral or email CSR@dixonscarphone.com

may 2018

To find out more about Live Earth Neutral and to see what we’re doing, head over to dixonscarphone.com/our-responsibilities

20

pictureperfect

We love your savvy snaps – here’s a few of the best pics that have been sent in recently.

Amir Al-Naggar took this amazing photo of the Atlantic Ocean meeting the Caribbean Sea on his Nikon D7200.

Mark Suffield captured this stunning Kingfisher getting cold toes in the snow with a full-frame Nikon D3X with a Sigma 150mm600mm lens.

Jason Appleyard took a snap of a donkey whilst in Ahmdebad, India on his Huawei P10+.

May 2018

Jamie Palmer captured the snowy hills of Windermere in the Lake District during the recent snow on a Samsung Note 8.

Imran Butt put his iPhone 6 to use, capturing this Chinese building during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Dubai.

21

Natalie Mason’s got a beautiful black and white picture of Derwent Dam in the Peak District.

Mark Safiar took this stunning photo of a sunset reflected in the waters of the Alton Water reservoir on his iPhone 7+.

Greig Morrison took a shot of the Inverness Town Hall in the early evening on his Google Pixel 2.

Darren Brown captured this beautiful splash in slow motion on his Nikon D7200.

Think you can do better than the winner of our photo competition?

Now’s your chance!

We want to see more of your photos – whether they’re awesome or amusing, weird or wonderful – so make the most of your smartphone camera, or show off with your DSLR, and post your entries to the Connected Workplace group. Find out if you’ve won in our next issue!

Melissa Scofield got a great shot on her iPhone 7+ of sunlight pouring through the clouds over Derwent Water in Cumbria.

may 2018

Send us your photos!

22 Quiz

i’m a celeb

A technology trip down memory lane

These colleagues were seeing stars in their stores, and snapped a picture to prove it.

In the last issue of Connected, we brought you some of the most amazing technology that’s currently on the market and predicted to make a big impact.

But how much do you know about the history of technology?

Do you remember what the first ever computer looked like? Or what we did before iPhones?

Take our quick quiz and find out how far your technology knowledge goes back:

Gabriel Hamill had a star-studded few days, snapping pictures with Adrian Chiles, Christine Bleakley and Jason Donovan at our Arthur Square branch.

Colm Casey struck a pose with football star Bernard Brogan in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

01

A. Greek words

Bluetooth was named after:

A. A bird C. A king

03 Served a celeb?

may 2018

Get in touch by emailing connected@ dixonscarphone.com, or shout out on Workplace, and you could be featured in the next issue of Connected!

B. World wide web C. Online search

04

C. 1917 MARIN SAYs...

We’re in the midst of a business revolution, with new technology constantly transforming our business.

Innovations like voice control and 4K have become buzzwords in the retail world, so let’s go back in time and look at some pioneering technology.

06

What kind of company did Nintendo start out as?

A. A chess board company B. A playing card company C. A tiddly winks company

07

When was the first laptop invented?

A. 1972 B. 1979 C. 1981

What was around first?

A. Email

If you spot or serve someone famous, who was it, what were they buying and which store is their fave hangout?

B. 1902

C. Japanese words

02

When was the QWERTY keyboard invented?

A. 1868

B. Latin words

B. A medical condition

Rachel Stock went head-to-head with Sheffield boxer Kell Brook.

05

The word technology is made up of a combination of two:

Firefox launched in 2002 and its logo depicts:

answers can be found on the back page

08

Which is the only American state that can be typed using one line on a QWERTY keyboard?

A. A dog

A. Ohio

B. A red panda

B. Alaska

C. A fox

C. Texas

23

5

top

upcoming games of 2018

Worried that you won’t be able to keep on top of all the great upcoming games of the summer?

Look no further, and make sure these five titles are on your radar for 2018.

01

I want it

now!

If you can’t wait until later this year, quench your thirst with these already-released titles:

State of Decay 2 Have you been swept-up in zombie popculture over recent years?

See how you’d fare in a zombie apocalypse with co-op action that lets you build your own haphazard fortress and scavenge your way through undead hordes.

Far Cry 5 Far Cry goes stateside with its upcoming instalment.

Set in a fictional region of Hope County, Montana, Far Cry 5 promises lots of firearms as you become the county’s latest Deputy Sheriff.

Available on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Coming to Xbox One and PC.

Sea of Thieves

03

04

05

Call of Cthulhu

The Crew 2

Crackdown 3

Mega Man 11

After its predecessor raced into 2015, The Crew 2 shows no sign of slowing down.

Adding boats and planes to its arsenal of vehicles, this upcoming title will you speed around infamous American cities in a massive open world.

Pushing the limits of current-generation consoles with its huge potential for city-wide destruction, Crackdown 3 lets you destroy the city whilst saving it. Tear up the landscape with four-player co-op, and even play as Terry Crews!

If you prefer classic titles, have no fear – after many years of neglect, Mega Man is getting a new entry in the 2.5D platforming franchise, perfect for those who want an old-school arcade challenge.

Fans of H.P. Lovecraft rejoice!

A reimagining of the 2005 title Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, this first-person RPG tackles the omniscient, terrifying themes of Lovecraft’s literature and brings them to life in a game which focus on critical thinking.

Coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Coming to Xbox One and PC.

Coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC.

got a top 5 for us?

Maybe you’d like to see a rundown of the top five shooters?

Or the best loved role playing games?

Give us your ideas on Workplace.

Available on Xbox One and PC.

A Way Out Intuitive and enjoyable co-op games are hard to come by – A Way Out wants to remedy that, with a co-op only experience, which sees two convicts helping each other to break out of prison.

Available on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

may 2018

02

Co-operation is seldom seen in online multiplayer games, but this is set to change with Rare’s latest game. Make your mark on the high seas with this pirate-battling action title.

24

Answers to the tech quiz on page 22: 1. A, 2. C, 3. A, 4. B, 5. A, 6. B, 7. C, 8. B.

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Don’t forget...

You can also check out this issue, and bonus features, online at dixonscarphoneconnected.com