Pure Play

Taking Control: Things you may need to refer to sometime

When working your way through the stuff that clogs up your inbox each day it is really helpful to have a well organised and accessible place to put reference materials.

For physical stuff that place should be to hand - making the filing away really quick and easy.

For digital stuff it can be tricky depending on what devices you use and what the policies are whereever you work.

Whatever you use should fulfil the following, or as many of them as possible:

• Capable of taking information orginating in multiple formats (ie html for webpages, pdf's etc)
• Be instantly searchable across both titles and content for all parts of it
• Be usable on as many devices as is practical

There are an increasing number of services which allow for the above - my working one is Evernote. This is around since June 2008 and has been developed and improved constantly since then.

For me it allows me to take either a whole document or a clip of one (a copy and paste) really easily - and it preserves the formatting when you do so.

Sorting can be done on a number of levels - Notebooks, Places or tags and you also have a kickass search function.

Sync is instant - so as I drop information into it on my main computer it is copied into "the cloud" and then instantly available on my other computer, my laptop and my iPad.

It does not matter what you use - it just needs to do the job for you. What is your favorite tool for digital reference holding?

keith

Thanks to MrBill for the photo

Taking Control: Tackling an email backlog after holidays

The theory of a zero inbox (briefly this says that you need to process your email and get it the hell out of your inbox to a system somewhere else - resulting in a strong mental boost to see it at zero) can go by the wayside for good after a break of a week or two.

The cumulative backlog may need some more brutal hacking through to regain control - otherwise it will suck the will to live from you!

A great post on this was done by Gina Trapani in her Work Smart series. You can see the full post here - it is entitled How to Power Through a Mountain of Email and the key messages are:

• You may well need to work in bulk - imposing straightforward deletions based on criteria like sender or lenght of time since received.
• Give yourself permission for short responses - clearing your decks in a much more concise way than normal.

The sooner you do this the sooner you will regain control and lessen your stress. Check out the full post.

keith

 

iGAP2 - applications open (for 2 weeks only). Get yourself kickstarted

iGAP - a joint production of Enterprise Ireland and a bunch load of very experienced and successful entrepreneurs - has opened applications for the second program.

I did a post recently on Web2Ireland with details.

Andyou can get more information and apply for iGAP here.

Any questions just ask.

keith

Taking Control. Sorting out an office working area

We had friends around at the weekend and at one point the conversation turned to his office and how he was frustrated with it.

That frustration was initially expressed as a lack of daylight (he works with his back to the window).

We pulled up Abobe Ideas on the iPad and sketched out his currently layout, identified a much larger list of issues and then made the following change suggestions:

Physical Layout

His desk was modelled on the traditional idea of facing the door. Which is great, except that it put his primary work surface (and a chunk of wood)between him and his guests in room.

Personally I prefer not to do this, when I meet people I turn around and we work face to face with nothing between us.

Removing that requirement meant that he could change his layout and have the desk facing out the window. Making sure that the glare from the sun would not cause an issue with his monitor. Working Files That also produced a bonus - his working files are on shelves high up (good) but currently not reachable by him when working (bad).

The new layout means he can reach up while sitting and get what he needs. That is much better as it allows him to move all working files off his desk.

File Storage

Next was the meeting table, currently a dumping ground. As well as that his extensive shelves also enable him to function as another area for medium term file storage. However the presence of numerous files relating to non-current projects inhibits him from clearing the room.

Decisions On What Stuff Is

He now has a task to work through each file, wherever it is, and do 2 things.

Firstly make a decision on what it is:

• Current actionable project belonging to him
• Current actionable project belonging to someone else
• Project for the future
• Reference material to be either stored or read.

Next get rid of all the stuff that belongs to someone else, is a future project (making a note of it) or is reference material.

Next Actions

Finally be clear on everything that remains of what the next action is - in Getting Things Done (GTD) terms each action needs to contain a verb and so can be immediately done if required.

We did not go anywhere near an actual system for recording all of his projects and actions. The above chunk of work will take him a chunk of time to implement and in itself will give him an enormous mental boost.

Once that has happened I will introduce the next stage of GTD implementation to him ;)

Keith

Java Script Coder required (not for me, for managing-safety.com)

From a contact:

I need help with programming in Java Script for risk assessments forms.  I need a code that works in Adobe Life Cycle Designer.

I need the script to calculate figures in specific cells.  The figures will be represented in a graphical format.

The graphical format I want to use is similar to a thermometer.  A low risk will be shown as green, medium risk yellow and high risk red.

If anyone can help please contact me at: vinny AT managing-safety.com.

keith

Bizcamp Comes West: Galway on September 11th

From their email:

Entrepreneurs, innovators and people with ideas in the West region are invited to get involved as both speakers and learners for an upcoming conference with a difference.

Organised by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, Bizcamp Galway is the first event of its kind to be held here in the West on September 11th. Based in the NUI Galway, the day long event follows the model set by previous events held in Dublin and more recently Limerick with great success.

And a really interesting panel discussion:

The Power of Failure
Irish people and entrepreneurs alike are often plagued with a fear of failure. A fear so great that it can often cripple some of our best ideas and prevent us from putting ourselves out there in case we don't succeed.

One of the highlights of Bizcamp Galway will be a panel discussion between a number of well known successful entrepreneurs on the idea that "failure is good." The panellists will share their own failure stories and explain how these failures taught them valuable lessons that became the bedrock of their eventual success.

This theme promises to raise some interesting debate and will hopefully leave delegates with the thought that, "if they've never failed, then maybe they haven't reached their full potential?"

Find out more here.

keith

dbTwang V3 - what is in the technology melting pot?

A quick post on the various elements which make up dbTwang V3 (we had an intermediate build way back, inbetween the launch and current versions)

Geeky stuff:

dbTwang site was build using these tools by the team in LLP (thanks to Agnieszka, both Jakub's, Paul and Ewelina):
- Ruby On Rails (http://rubyonrails.org/) ruby based web framework (version = 2.3.5)
- Prototype ( javascript library version = 1.6.0.3)
- MySQL ( version = 5+)

hosted on Rackspacecloud

Core site contains elements of the following external services:

Facebook - optional for account signup. Like button for guitars

Tal.ki - embedded forum (www.dbtwang.com/forum)

- this allows for the rapid setup and integration of a competent forum, really sweet

bearhugapp - running our FAQ area and also allows for other elements of customer service and discussion

Soundcloud - embedded audio clips for individual guitars

The Guardian service:

The Guardian service subscriptions are managed via Spreedly which then goes through to Realex Payments and Elavon for our merchant account.

Our Affiliate program is run via Affiliapp integration with Spreedly.

Comms:

The blog runs on a hosted version of Wordpress and there are a number of plugins there with which I am not familiar. Thanks to John Keyes for his assist with this.

The email newsletter is done using Mailchimp.

Any questions on any of the above please ask, it is an illustration of just what you can outsource these days - and also the interdependency when delivering an online service.

keith

 

New dbTwang service live :-)

We have just launched our new service - www.dbtwang.com/guardian

After working with our group of initial users for months - listening to them and using questionaires (thanks to the iGap participation for that) we found a key issue which the majority of them identified with - getting back lost or stolen guitars.

In short the new verison of dbTwang does that - both by allowing subscribing members to record their guitars in details and also by offering a very effective one click alert service if an instrument is lost or stolen.

Have a look:

Now comes the marketing and selling.

We had a lot of help from Richard Hearn with the design of the new home and landing pages and will cover that iteration in a post later this week.

keith

 

GTD Training in Dublin - 1 day workshop 20th August

• Find you constantly loose track of stuff?
• That you are regularly stressed and cannot relax?

You need to take back control of your life! Put your stuff where it belongs and stop letting it rule your days.

Getting Things Done (developed by David Allen) is a great methodology for stress free productivity.

During this one day workshop you will be worked through the theory of GTD - and spend time  in a  practical session where you work through the workflow stages of GTD and develop your understanding of how it will help you.

Full details here and booking: http://www.eventelephant.com/gtd

In summary 

• Friday 20th August, 9 to 5
• €225 including lunch and a copy of David Allens Getting Things Done book.

Any questions let me know and looking forward to seeing you on the day.

Keith

Serious Play with Lego helps to unleash your creative side - 12th August

Rory O'Connor is running this training course in Waterford using an accredited trainer coming in from Copenhagen.

I took part in a shorter version of one of these workshops at a Creativity conference in that city in 2008 and it is a really good approach/methodology.

Some details:

"LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY™ is a facilitated process which assists participants to develop powerful and compelling solutions to business problems. The methodology is based on extensive research and has been used by some of the worlds leading organisations and the process enables teams to address complex issues in a hands on, powerful and practical way.

Who Should Attend

The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY™ methodology is suitable for facilitators, trainers, project managers, consultants, academics, researchers, educators, coaches or leaders.  The foundation program is particularly useful to those who wish to understand the theory underpinning the methodology and to learn how LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY™ facilitation can be applied to real life issues.

Participants should have experience in facilitation (or similar fields).

What are the details for the Program?

The program will take place on the 12th of August 2010, at Arc Labs Research and Innovation Center, Waterford Institute of Technology, WIT West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford. 

The day will commence at 08.30 and finish at 17.00 and a light lunch and refreshments will be provided.  More details and how to book can be found at www.roryoconnor.ie "

keith

Stuff, Balance and Stress - last Fridays GTD training session

I really enjoyed this session last Friday - a half day overview of Getting Things Done in which we covered both the theory (focusing on the 5 stages of workflow) and also had time for a short session where we worked through 4 of those stages.

Theses are some of the slides I used:

Gtd training waterford institute of technology

View more presentations from Keith Bohanna.

Key points for me from the session:

• Even with mastery of email (and there were 2 participants who were very much on top of it) GTD adds an essential layer of context with the incorporation of Projects and Areas of Responsibility in the regular reviews.
• That context helps us to avoid the Busy Fools syndrome
• There was a strong diversity of tools already in use with the group - I had anticipated a cluster of users around Outlook but happily that was not the case. Very much Windows mind you!
• One of the participants had adopted the practice of rigid organisation of her paper filing and both herself and one other replicated their filing categories and projects across into their digital organisation
• While online tools such as Gmail and calendaring were know about fewer were using services like Evernote for reference materials

I am looking forward to tweaking the content and flow of the session and then doing it again. If you are interested leave a comment.

keith

Understanding the Semantic Web - 4 hour session in Dublin on the 28th of July

Via email:

Overview
 
·         What the Semantic Web is.
·         Why it is important to know about it and the competitive advantage it can give to your business.
·         The need to be progressive and move on with the new technology as it emerges.
·         A Web of data versus a Web of Documents – the difference.
·         An introduction to Semantic Web technologies.
·         What Linked Data is.
·         Who has benefited from implementing it
·         Who are the big players and how they are shaping the landscape
 
Details
·         Date: Wednesday, 28th of July 2010
·         Time: 2:00pm – 6:00 pm
·         Location: The Best Western Premier Academy Plaza Hotel, 10-14 Findlater Place, Dublin
·         Cost: €200 - mention this blog post and receive 10% off

http://socialbits.net/blog/understanding-the-semantic-web-workshop/

keith

Dublin Milkman - like this a lot. Sunday Bliss

Back in the day there were milkmen - and still are. But not as many. Kieran Loftus emailed me about his new startup - which brings affordable luxury to those of you living in Dublin.

How could you not want fresh bread from the Bretzel Bakery, a newspaper (and milk) delivered on a Sunday morning. All it needs is a fresh espresso and this could be heaven.

 

For the moment it is fixed - Sunday, 1 litre, 1 loaf, 1 Sunday Times

Simplicity is good. And who knows where it will end up.

Check it out at http://www.dublinmilkman.ie/

keith

Hothouse 20 recruiting, closing 30th July

This programme is probably the best of the series around the country by virtue of being the longest running - f you have an idea which you have done some work on it is seriously worth considering.

keith

By Email:

We are delighted to announce that we have commenced recruitment for the 20th Hothouse Venture Programme which will start in September.  Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 30th July. 

If you come across any entrepreneurs with tech-based start-up business that may be suitable participants I would be grateful if you could give them my contact details.  If you have any questions at all you can reach me on 01 2401 307. The website is http://www.hothouse.ie/
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Kind regards
 
Sara
 
Sara Hogan
Programme Manager
 
http://www.hothouse.ie/

Video is a key part of your marketing - learn how to do it better

IIA and Simply Zesty:

How to Create & Distribute Online Video: A step-by-step guide for businesses

5 August - Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2 - 9am to 3pm

A very practical, hands-on video training course that will take you through a step-by-step guide to creating & editing videos, how to distribute your video, how to build a YouTube community and how to create a viral video. Run in partnership with Simply Zesty and delivered by Niall Harbison and Aaron Goodliffe.

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction to video editing
A simple step by step process and training guide to quickly start editing your own videos and adding basic company branding and simple effects.

How to shoot a video
Some of the basics so as you can start making your videos more professional. Covering lighting, setting a scene, techniques to help with editing, cost effective equipment and how to pick the right camera for the job at hand. 

Distributing your video online
A review of the distribution channels to ensure that your video gets as big an audience as it deserves. We will cover everything from social media to the correct file formats to use.

How to build a community on YouTube
Simple tips and tricks that will help you to grow your YouTube community.

Creating a viral video
Create the story board and mechanics behind a viral video for online distribution.

Course Fees
Members: €225
Non-members: €275

For more: Click here

keith

Disclosure - I am a board member of the IIA

Want to outsource the management of your recurring subscription management?

We are doing that with the upcoming dbTwang Guardian launch and there is no such thing as a perfect solution in this emerging market segment.

At some point I will do a complete post on this - in the meantime have a look at this shared s/sheet from Damon Cortesi - linked here. A great and quite detailed analysis of some of the obvious players (recurly, spreedly, chargify and CheddarGetter) well as some more loosely associated services which cover elements of the requirements.

keith

Win a weekend away in Kilkenny - and an iPad as well!

I am doing some work with the Pembroke Hotel in Kilkenny at the moment and managed to get them to let us run a competition with an iPad as the main prize. You don't have to be in Dublin for this one :-).

How it will work:

1. Have a look at their website - http://www.kilkennypembrokehotel.com

2. Come up with 2 ways in which it can be improved - anything from how it looks to the navigation to functionality (what you can do with it).

3. Put those 2 things on your blog, your facebook page or on their page (even easier) or twitter - they don't care!

4. Finally if you need to, leave a comment on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pembrokehotel) or ping us on twitter (@pembrokehotel) and link to your 2 suggestions - just to make sure we pick up on all the entries.

It closes off on Monday 12th July at 1pm, all of the entries willl be put into the proverbial hat and John Ryan the owner will make the draw. Winner to be notified that afternoon.

Winner will get a Saturday night stay in the hotel with a room with a Castle View and dinner for 2 on the hotel as well. And John will present you with the iPad while you are there.

I will I could enter.

keith

Quick thank you to Richard Hearne, Red Cardinal for his optimisation advice.

Since myself and Fintan got back from a day long sales workshop last Tuesday with Enterprise Ireland we both knew that we had to revisit our not-yet-even-launched revision of the dbTwang.com home page.

We worked on a whiteboard for a while and came up with a strong visual which communicated our key message quickly. Went through a couple of early iterations (with feedback from Mary McCarthy and Ken McGuire - thanks both) and then it went to Richard who for the last couple of years has been spending more and more of his time working with clients to optimise home and landing pages for better conversion results.

4 more iterations and the difference is very noticeable although I will not share it until we launch in a week or two (pending merchant account being in place). When I do share I will post a couple of the iterations and the changes that were made.

The final version is more cohesive, more "on message" and easier to scan and absorb quickly.

Nice one Richard :-)

keith

Developing effective mobile web experiences - Thur 24th June

From the IIA:

Last 3 Places - Mobile Web: Creating Effective Mobile Web Experiences
Thursday, 24 June - IPA, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 - 2pm to 5pm

Only 3 places remaining on this topical and timely course!  "Should my company go mobile?"  This half-day workshop will help answer this question. With many practical techniques and examples, the workshop will equip you with the information you need to make informed decisions about the mobile web and help you take your company mobile. For example, we'll cover:

• How the mobile web is different from the web as you know it.
• The 4 methods for deploying web content for mobile devices.
• How mobile phones & devices affect web design.
• Creating web content for the mobile context.
• Understanding user requirements on mobile phones.
• The state of the industry; controversies and future advances.

More information and booking details here.

keith

(disclosure: I am a board member of the IIA)

Operation of affiliate schemes - any tips from readers/followers?

I put this out on Twitter yesterday - managing to ignore the lack of engagement on such topics on a Sunday, especially with the sun beaming down! So I got no response.

Here it is again - we are developing an affiliate scheme for dbTwang tieing into our upcoming paid for service and I was looking for advice from anyone who has run such a scheme for an online service or links to such advice?

thanks, keith

Seedcorn Competition - 3 new Equity Workshop dates

In an email from them:

           "HOW TO RAISE EQUITY WORKSHOPS"

Help your business take off! - 3 NEW DATES!

Start-up companies across the island are being offered the opportunity to learn more about how to cash in on a €280,000 prize fund in the InterTradeIreland All-island Seedcorn Business Competition 2010.

InterTradeIrelands equity advisers will talk about the benefits of entering the competition and how to prepare a business plan to attract potential investors during a series of free workshops.  In addition, a previous winner will talk about their own personal experience of the competition.

The schedule of workshops is:

Waterford   
22nd June 2010   
8.30am   
Ramada Hotel, Waterford

Birr   
22nd June 2010   
6.00pm   
Birr Technology Centre

Limerick
23rd June 2010   
2.00pm   
Enterprise Accerlation Centre, LIT

The session lasts around an hour and refreshments will be provided. To register your interest, email sarah.sneddon AT intertradeireland.com or tel 028 3083 4138 (048 from Ireland). 

keith

The best of my recent twitter links @ 18th June 2010

Twitter is a medium where sharing is easy (at least with the right tools) and when I am browsing my blog feeds in the mornings I use the iPhone app MobileRSS (very, very buggy) to share out to my twitter account (@keithbohanna). I also retweet ontopic items.

@pricingright Use of Information Priors in A/B Testing: Full post here

Rags Srinivasan works in the field of marketing strategy and pricing. You may not agree with him all of the time but his posts are good. This one tackles a particular part of A/B testing

@VentureBeat - Guidelines for potential angel investors Full post here > having been on the receiving end this post is good

An experienced angel investor, Will Herman, who has 30 completed investments to date since 1994, shares his learning to other Angels.

@spiderworking 4 Great Facebook landing pages: Full post here

From Amanda Webb comes this post on Facebook landing pages she likes - and a 50% off offer on building one for your business

@readwriteweb - The Startup Toolkit: A Canvas For You to Sketch Your Business Framework Full post here > based on Steve Blanks approach

A deceptively simple implementation of a tool for helping startups get their head around the key elements of their business model. Borrows liberally from Steve Blanks "The Four Steps to Epiphany"

GTD Times - Things and OmniFocus for GTD Full post here > are you on Mac and want to get a GTD tool? Indepth on 2 of the contenders

For GTD wannabe's this post compares two of the more popular software tools on the Mac platform - Things and Omnifocus. I've tried both and Omnifocus is my preferred choice.

@ioninteractive Conversion Rate Optimization Gurus to Follow on Twitter (separating the amateurs from the experts) Full post here

I have followed each of them but not reading for long enough to judge how good their streams are. However this appears to be a treasure trove of wisdom for those of us who have a professional interest in this topic

StartupCFO : Mark MacLeod - SaaS pricing: Push your base version Full post here > throwing cold water in 37signals direction

Pricing guidance is always of use - Mark is an experienced CFO and he shares some of his experience here

keith

Internet marketing work experience available in Carlow

if you know  student/ex-student who wants to cut their teeth on some real stuff T2 in Carlow have an opening:

Area of Activity: IT Web based consultancy.

Elements of Experience Offered: Search Engine Optimisation/Internet marketing. Prepare and upload website content. Project Management. Flare for Social Media. Google Analytics & Adwords. Client facing role. Presentations and training to small groups.

Person Specification: Excellent communication skills. Excellent Documentation skills. Excellent presentation skills. Knowledge of web design and development an advantage but not essential.

Third level graduate form Business, IT, Marketing or Multimedia background preferred.

It's 9 months and as they say clearly themselves ""This is a work placement programme and does not offer a salary."

Email a CV to rita.tobin AT t2.ie if you or someone you know is interested.

keith

Marketing by monkeys - or how Havok, Demonware and Jolt games used Guerilla Marketing

Paul Hayes talks at the Dublin Web Summit about effective marketing & PR.

Guerilla Marketing on a ShoeString Budget - Paul Hayes - BeachHutPR.com - DWS - Video Presentation Produced by PathPacific.com from PathPacific.com on Vimeo.

keith

Bizcamp South-East tomorrow - great speaker lineup

I am looking forward to the day on the Carrignore campus tomorrow. Scene of Irelands 2nd ever barcamp way back this time round it is being used to host the first bizcamp in the South-East (or South for that matter as the Corkonians have not gotten around to one).

The organisers have gone for 30 minute slots and I will be interested to see how that pans out. The latest version of the speaker lineup is - http://www.bizcamp.ie/southeast/images/BizCamp%20SE%20Schedule.pdf 

I am doing a talk on dbTwang's experience of the iGAP program - which I need to write this afternoon. Unfortunately that puts me head to head with Edward Hendrick from Sonru who I would like to have seen.

Otherwise I will go to: 

Tom Dalton's "Starting a brewery: blood, sweat and tears" - Dungarvan Craft Brewery

Claudio Perrone's talk on storytelling in presentations - this one got an enormous amount of feedback after Bizcamp Dublin 3.

Crafting Outstanding Presentations - Storytelling Techniques

View more presentations from Claudio Perrone.

Bernie Goldback's Guide to Video Podcasting would be good as well and Michael Maddocks "How Halo Works will also be on the agenda for me.

Thats it - hope to see you on the day. Check out the bizcamp site and register - it's free.

 keith

Innovation Bootcamp - no website?

Received via email:

The Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship in association with Invent DCU will run the ?Jumpstart? two-day innovation and entrepreneurship bootcamp in Dublin City University on the 18th and 19th of June. This is an intensive crash course which is designed to prepare participants to hit the ground running with the skills and resources needed to start a new venture or contribute innovative ideas to more established companies.

With practical workshops covering the key aspects for both innovative thinking and new business start-ups, the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp will provides participants with an intimate knowledge of the processes and challenges that any entrepreneur or innovator will face.

Delivered in a practical way, these executive modules are delivered by a group of peers with a strong entrepreneurial background, either working on a daily basis with entrepreneurs or with a serial entrepreneurial background of their own.

Special discounted rate of €210 for the entire programme or €125 per day.

To book places for either of these workshops, please contact Niamh at niamh.collins AT ryanacademy.dcu.ie
or by phone on (01) 700 6762

keith

Do you need to communicate a message? Watch this if the answer is yes

From Bizcamp Dublin on Saturday

Crafting Outstanding Presentations - Storytelling Techniques

View more presentations from Claudio Perrone.

keith

(and I need to change the design template for the blog which I tweaked last week - on the todo list!)

Bizcamp Dublin - full speaker schedule and panel details

Thanks to Alan O'Rourke and Emily Tully in particular who are putting in the hours in advance of Saturdays bizcamp.

Here are the speaker details (600kb pdf): Download Bizcamp_10_schedule_web

And the details of our panel discussion.

“You’re never too young to start a business”

2pm - Guinness Storehouse

Moderator: Gavin O’Flaherty - Mason, Hayes + Curran

Helen Treacy, P.G.Dip. B.D., CEO & Founder of Cognitive Science Partners

Helen Treacy is the founder and CEO of Cognitive Science Partners.  CSP was formed in November 2009 to bring science to life. CSP have engaged with a leading psychology researcher and president of the European ABA Association to develop an evidence based, online teaching application for children and adults with autism. Since incorporation, CSP have secured first round investment and are currently working with their DA in EI HPSU to maximise funding opportunities.

C.S.P. currently employs 5 full-time and one part-time employee and are busy recruiting two more full-time developers to ensure our September 1st product launch.

Cognitive Science Partners’ mission is to launch three evidence based products successfully in the market in five years with an estimated turnover of 10 million by 2015.

John Matthew Holt, (29) CEO Waratek Ltd.

John Matthew Holt is the Co-Founder and CEO of Waratek Ltd, and principal inventor of Waratek's RAIS technology.  He founded Waratek in Sydney, Australia in

2002 to research a radical new design for high-performance computing 

 (HPC) systems, opening a Silicon Valley research and testing office in

2006.  Through 2002 to 2007 the company invented and prototyped a radical high-

 performance computing architecture called Redundant Array of 

Inexpensive Servers (RAIS), which it tested around the world with 

 leading IT vendors, analysts, and academics.  In 2008 Waratek closed a

Series A investment round with Mangrove Capital Partners of Luxembourg 

 and in December 2008 re-incorporated Waratek from Australia to Ireland 

to drive the world-wide commercialization of Waratek's RAIS technology.  Today Waratek Ltd operates with staff and associates in 

 Dublin, London and Sydney, and will be shipping its first RAIS 

computing systems to early-adopter customers in Q1 2011.

Rob Ryan (26), LadyUmbrella Ltd.

Rob is the co owner and director of LadyUmbrella ladies t-shirts (http://www.ladyumbrella.com) which launched in January 2010. He has been involved in every aspect of the business and is an advocate for social media as a marketing tool. Using social media Rob has been able to get the word out about LadyUmbrella and has resulted in LadyUmbrella being mentioned in national papers both here and abroad. Outside of his work with LadyUmbrella he blogs about social media and is also a member of an international podcasting group which discusses effective use of social media.

Stephen O’Leary (26), O’Leary Analytics

Stephen O’Leary is the 26 year old owner of O’Leary Analytics, an online media and social media monitoring and analysis company. Having gained a degree in Journalism and Media Communications from Griffith College Dublin, Stephen spent a year working with The Irish Examiner in Cork, before returning to Dublin to take up a role with Meltwater News, a Scandinavian Media company. He worked in London and Amsterdam, and returned to Dublin to join Green 17, as a sports agent. In November 2009 he set up O’Leary Analytics, an online media and social media monitoring and analysis company. Using a range of monitoring and analytical tools, they track and report on coverage from over 120,000 online news-producing sources, and over 220 million social media sources – including Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Message Forums. 

John O’Dea, Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Start-up Division

John O’Dea is manager in the Start-up Division of Enterprise Ireland, with responsibility for early stage projects in various industrial sectors.  Enterprise Ireland promotes entrepreneurship provides advisory and financial support to High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) businesses.  EI has supported and invested in a wide range of new businesses and we believe Ireland has huge further potential to generate significant numbers of new, world class, start-ups. As an engineer with an MBA, John has worked in a wide range of sectors, mainly in early stage companies.

Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs, or those with an itch

From DCU:

The Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship in association with Invent DCU will run the ?Jumpstart? two-day innovation and entrepreneurship bootcamp in Dublin City University on the 18th and 19th of June. This is an intensive crash course which is designed to prepare participants to hit the ground running with the skills and resources needed to start a new venture or contribute
innovative ideas to more established companies.

With practical workshops covering the key aspects for both innovative thinking and new business start-ups, the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp will provides participants with an intimate knowledge of the processes and challenges that any entrepreneur or innovator will face.

Delivered in a practical way, these executive modules are delivered by a group of peers with a strong entrepreneurial background, either working on a daily basis with entrepreneurs or with a serial entrepreneurial background of their own.

Special discounted rate of €210 for the entire programme or €125 per day.

To book places for either of these workshops, please contact Niamh at niamh.collins AT ryanacademy.dcu.ie
or by phone on (01) 700 6762

keith

Bizcamp Dublin - coming up this Saturday 29th - some of the speakers

I am really looking forward to the 3rd Bizcamp Dublin this Saturday in the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

A. The speakers I will see on Saturday:

Caelen King, CEO Revahealth: Focus on Website Conversion (He knows his s**t)

I will share some key learning and dispel some common myths and how evidence based management needs to be at the center of any web business

Edward Hendrick, Sonru (He brought in an external CEO early in the life of Sonru)

On building a great team to deliver a great product. About letting go of some of my control in order to get great people on board.

Des Traynor, Contrast (he worked on dbTwang UI with us)

Product Strategy for the Business of Web Applications

B. The speakers I would like to see on Saturday if I get a chance:

Padraig McKeon, (Padraig is involved in YourCountryYourCall which is how I met him)

Communications - the oil in the machine

Peter Stafford

How businesses hold more information than they think, and how proper analysis and presentation of data can help them influence better.

Claudio Perrone

(Storytelling techniques for) Crafting Outstanding Presentations

Barry MacDevitt

Serious Play- how to use play to drive innovation

Dylan Latimer, Mason, Hayes & Curran

Raising finance for start ups

There are oodles more - the full schedule is going up Wednesday as far as I know.

keith