Ireland
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South AfricaWhat Are Your Biggest Pet Peeves About Event Guests?
Posted in News on 07 June 2013
"They don't read—directional signage, information kits provided, invitations—and then it's our fault that they are lost, at the wrong room, late, or early."
Catherine Fowler, president, Elements Event Management, Toronto
"Throwing away recyclables or food that could be composted or even donated. Stop the waste!"
Andrew Dall, I.T./marketing coordinator, MeetGreen, Portland, Oregon
"When guests R.S.V.P. after the deadline. So many event logistics rely on numbers; one extra person can change everything."
Gillian Forest, event planner, State Farm Insurance, Toronto
"Asking for tickets the day of the event when ticket sales have already ended."
Leila Najafi, marketing manager, Eventbrite, Los Angeles
"Those that don't read delegate guides and email or call asking for info you've clearly already given them."
James Lyons, freelance corporate event manager, Manchester, England
"People who can’t provide a complete guest list and those who show up with extra guests to sold-out events because they can."
Jill A. Pall, independent event planning consultant, New York
"When guests use our flower vases or candle vessels as ashtrays. Not a pleasant cleanup."
Jeffery Crawford, event design specialist, Mode Function Design Ltd., Toronto
"When guests place food requests merely because they don't like something. I hate peas, but I never say I'm allergic to them to make sure they don't show up on my plate."
Sharon Fisher, idea sparker, Play With a Purpose, Orlando
“"When they walk out of the event with rented centerpieces, candelabras, napkin rings."
Mina Cicconi, wedding and event planner, the Planning House Event Services, Toronto
"Waiters being attacked by the same guests all night taking everything off their trays, not allowing staff to serve other guests."
Valeria Elize, events manager of food services, Black Velvet New York Catering, New York - See more at: http://www.bizbash.com/what-are-your-biggest-pet-peeves-about-event-guests/new-york/story/26292#sthash.AkHpkQDs.dpuf
How do Fortune 500 companies implement cloud?
Posted in News on 07 June 2013Is the CIO your supervisor, your peer or your ideal customer? Discover how IT professionals are embracing (or eschewing) the latest trends in infrastructure.
- How do you run more than 500 business applications in a virtualized environment?
- Which architects are building with OpenStack?
- How do you support a multibillion dollar ecommerce platform?
- Find out this and more at Structure in just two weeks.
Register now and meet the best and brightest cloud architects »
See the full list of speakers here and check out our complete schedule.
Besides the brain food, why else should you attend Structure? Take a peek below.
- Over 80 of the best and brightest cloud and infrastructure thought leaders
- 40 sessions and 16 workshops on next-generation trends in software-defined networks and storage, distributed data centers, and implementation strategies to match real-time business needs
- The Annual Cloud Buyers Survey: GigaOM Research and North Bridge Venture Partners discuss findings and key implications for the future of cloud
- See our Structure LaunchPad finalists compete live on stage on June 20
- Meet GigaOM’s top 10 cloud catalysts — up-and-comers who are rethinking infrastructure for the next generation of computing
Communications Internship
Posted in Jobs on 07 June 2013How to Make Google Now Work for You
Posted in News on 06 June 2013If you haven’t yet discovered the glorious world of virtual assistants, it’s time to meet Google Now. A bit like the more robust version of Apple’s Siri, Google Now acts like the quiet, informative personal assistant you’ve always wanted but couldn’t justify affording. Sure, it certainly pervades your privacy to figure out just what you need to know and when (just like the human variety!), but if you’re willing to take that risk, the rewards are plenty.
Google Now: A Definition
Google Now officially launched in the Jelly Bean Android operating system what seems like ages ago, and is now available in both Google Play and Apple app stores. It works on tablets, too. Because it needs to access all your personal data, it is necessary to first turn Google Now on, as the default is set to off (which is a good thing, or some of us would really get paranoid.) You’ll also need to enable Web history, location services, and other allowances, depending on the features you’re after.
Once triggered, Google Now will serve you a series of “cards” throughout the day, which aim to keep you informed about valuable time-saving tidbits. Examples include weather forecasts, flight information, meeting schedules, and sports updates. These will either show up as notifications, or will display when you launch Chrome via your enabled smartphone. Keep in mind that just like most apps, Google Now is a work in progress. What you currently see is likely a skeleton of what it will become.
An Upgrade from Siri
Google Now is like hiring a more efficient and reliable Siri, Apple’s own version of a virtual assistant. Although both have their strengths and weaknesses, Google Now seems much more robust and functional over the not-so-reliable Siri. Like its Apple counterpart, Google Now responds to voice commands for a host of functions. The good news is this aspect of the app works like a charm. Use it to verbally set appointments or alarms, ask what time a business opens or closes, find out where the nearest Starbucks is located, or inquire if you need to bring an umbrella out on the town this eve. Essentially, what Google Now excels at is providing little time savers throughout the day. These really add up over time, however, and you may find an extra chunk in your busy day to do something other than chase down pertinent information. Siri covers a few of these commands, but definitely not all of them.
A Sampling of Google Now Cards
Below is a list of some of the more functional Google Now cards, including a couple just added this month. If any of the recent additions are any indication, you’re going to want to offer your new virtual assistant a raise (good thing he’s free.)
Traffic – For those among us who endure small and large commutes, this card gives you a real-time snapshot of your loaded route. Google Now uses recent searches and common location patterns to determine the places you visit most, or you can set your home and work locations to take away the guess work.
Appointments – Synced with Google Calendar, this card works with the Traffic card to give you reminders and route suggestions. Just before you’re set to leave. Google Now will alert you to traffic complications too. And you don’t even have to ask.
Translation and Currency – These two cards are indispensable if you travel overseas. They offer instant conversions and suggestions in just about any international language and currency.
Weather – Each morning along with your friendly alarm, Google Now will give you a local forecast for both your home and work destinations. Immensely useful, for obvious reasons. (This card only works if you’ve set your location to “on.”)
Places – Also useful for the frequent traveler, this card suggests local restaurants, coffee shops, and points of interest, all based on what Google Now has learned about your habits thus far. Without even needing to inquire, you’ll receive great dinner suggestions, and even a cocktail hotspot too.
Books, TV Shows, Video Games, Music, Movies – Google Now also suggests various types of media tailored to your preferences. It’s a clever way to help drive Google Play sales too, in addition to being valuable to the end user. This is why we can hire a stellar virtual assistant for free; because the assistant does some heavy lifting for the real boss, Google. It’s a fair trade-off.
The Issue of Privacy
It’s painfully obvious that for Google Now to have the ability to suggest truly relevant content and updates for a given user, it needs to know a lot of personal information: GPS location, your travel plans, meeting times, etc. For many, the trade-off is well worth the privacy invasion. If you are wary, be comforted with the knowledge that you must trigger Google Now on for any of this data to be accessible. If the allure of a virtual assistant helping throughout your day is not enticing, even at the hourly rate of free, then don’t activate the service, and sleep well at night. It is admittedly creepy, and also admittedly really, really helpful.
The true allure of Google Now is not that it’s a genius new app, but that it’s quietly intelligent, and only grows more so as it learns all about the uniqueness that is you. There are no bells and whistles, no whiz-bang features, just a steady stream of valuable, customizable information, unsolicited, that often lands at the moment you need it. For busy professionals, this kind of repetitive time saving assistance is worth its weight in gold. The one thing we can never seem to have enough of is time. Google Now gifts back that precious commodity, a few moments at a time, which of course adds up in a hurry. Although it’s true that the tool is invasive, it has to be to provide this level of value. It all comes down to trust. Do you trust Google with this information, or not? If you do, get Google Now – now.
Facebook App Pipe Allows Peer to Peer Transfers Up to 1GB
Posted in News on 06 June 2013File transferring on Facebook got a whole lot easier today courtesy of freshly-launched app Pipe.
After more than a year in beta, Pipe goes public today to enable Facebook users to transfer files as large as 1GB in real-time to their friends with a simple drag and drop into the app.
Pipe has the potential to be quite popular because Facebook itself has not provided a way for its members to easily share large files.
“We’ve worked really hard to make Pipe this simple,” Pipe CEO Simon Hossell said in a statement. “Anyone can use it. The user just drops a file in the Pipe and their friend receives it. We’ve made the technology invisible.”
The German company, founded in 2011, launched the app last May for a select group of users to test the technology in a bid to work out any bugs.
The app, although deeply integrated into Facebook, does not send files through the social network but, rather, from computer-to-computer of connected Facebook users.
Here is how it works:
After a file is dragged and dropped into the Pipe, it passes from computer-to-computer sans server by establishing a peer-to-peer connection when both friends are online. Only the sender needs to download the app for it to work.
If a users wants to send a file to a Facebook friend who is not online, Pipe can still send the file. It will be delivered and stored securely in a locker for the recipient to retrieve the next time he or she is online.
A locker can store up to 100 MB and there is no limit to the number of lockers one user can have.
The app will be available on the Facebook App Center at 9 a.m. EST today.
Project Coordinator - Internship
Posted in Jobs on 06 June 2013Consumer Marketing Graduate Programme
Posted in Jobs on 05 June 2013About our Ireland Sales and Marketing Graduate Programme
Structure
You’ll complete three challenging, rewarding and varied rotations during our structured, three-year programme. From the outset, you’ll be assigned to our Consumer Marketing Home Function and this will shape the career path you’ll follow and the rotations you’ll carry out.
You’ll spend your first year in a Field Sales rotation, which will develop your understanding of the commercial aspects of our business; how our brands are marketed and sold; and how to develop effective sales strategies to help our customers grow their businesses.
The order of your rotations will vary according to your aspirations, individual performance and our requirements as a business. You may have the opportunity to rotate into a different country in Western Europe.
Consumer Marketing Home Function:
After you have completed your first year in a Field Sales rotation, you’ll complete two, one and a half year rotations working as an Assistant Brand Manager - collaborating on branding projects or advertising campaigns for one of our brands.
To be successful, you’ll need to be a creative thinker, great at building relationships and enjoy managing projects from start to finish.
If you have an appetite to create the future of our brands, drive and tenacity, this is the Home Function for you.
Support and development
We know how important it is to provide you with the right development opportunities and level of support to build your confidence and enable your success.
Our aspiration is to develop well-rounded sales and marketing professionals with the potential to become future leaders of our business. To help you achieve this, you’ll have access to our comprehensive programme of development.
This includes taking part in a two-day Corporate Induction at our global headquarters in London when you join; attending an annual ‘Connect’ learning event, which takes place in a major European city and involves graduates from all our programmes across Western Europe; and taking part in monthly online seminars hosted by senior leaders of our business. To add to this, you’ll be placed with a buddy to guide you during your first rotation and assigned a senior mentor who’ll share their advice and experience with you throughout the programme.
Essential qualifications and skills
To take part in our recruitment process for this programme, you'll need:
-
A minimum of 400 Leaving Certificate points
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A confirmed or expected 2.1 degree in any undergraduate discipline
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To be globally mobile
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A full, clean driving licence
Please note: if you don't have this, you won't be progressed to the next stage of our recruitment process.
- Fluency in English
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A second Continental European language is preferable
-
You must have the legal right to work in the European Union. We're unable to organise visas or work permits.
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Posted in Jobs on 05 June 2013
The intern will gain practical experience in the efficient running of a busy IFI Marketing Department with a focus on database management, target marketing and media monitoring. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following: Working on a database strategy for the IFI; Developing categories of interest for all entries for target marketing; Identifying specific target groups for IFI Events and activities; Building targeted interest group lists; Media monitoring and reporting; Assisting in a marketing research strategy for IFI; and inputting, analysing and reporting on statistics. On completion the intern will have attained skills in various aspects of the marketing and communications activities within one of Ireland s foremost cultural organisations.
Skills Requirements An interest in Marketing and Communications would be beneficial. High level or organisation and attention to detail required and candidate must be computer literate. A passion for film and the arts also required.
Please Note: This is an Internship. An allowance of €50 per week will be paid in addition to your current Social Welfare payment.See eligibility criteria above.
Department Marketing &Communications
Mentor The Organisation will assign a mentor to support you during the Internship.
Duration 9 Months
Number of Positions 1
Contract Type Other
Days, Hours & Start Date Days per week: To be Advised
Hours per day: Not specified
Hours per week: 35
Start Date: TBC
Experience Required: No Experience Required
To apply send CV and letter of interest to: slyons@irishfilm.ie
Events Coordinator
Posted in Jobs on 05 June 2013-
Job Description:
PROJECT RELATED COMPETENCIES
Solution Development and Delivery
* Reviews client requests and provides direction for the planning, scheduling, and delivery of client support services for all Facebook Dublin campus events requesting event support from client engagement through delivery of services.
* Applies significant knowledge of industry trends and developments to improve service to our clients.
* Coordinates service delivery with Facilities, Security, Catering and other partnering departments.
* Identifies system deficiencies and implement effective solutions.
Technical Effort Management
* Keeps IT-Event Services Manager well informed of status of event support efforts and serves as liaison between technician staff and clients.
* Ensures technician team is contributing to our documents, completing event reports as well as the ticketing and/or task system.
* Communicates and enforces Facebook standards.
* Manages technical resources within budget and client support schedule.
* Consistently delivers high-quality services to our clients.
- Required Skills
-
CAREER PATH CORE COMPETENCIES
Technical Expertise
* Understands basic technical concepts and support of Video Conferencing, Audio Conferencing, Local Audio Reinforcement, Video and Graphics Technologies (including projection, switching and formatting), Video Recording and Camera Operation, and Internet Broadcast Video Streaming.
* Learns and understands basic user functions of internal Video Conferencing Systems.
* Understands the benefits of the various event formats (i.e. Q&A, Training, Town Hall, Broadcast, etc…).
* Possesses basic knowledge of technical event support system architectures.
Communication
* Facilitates team and client meetings effectively.
* Contributes in quarterly status meetings with IT Management team.
* Keeps IT Operations team well informed of changes within the EMEA IT-Event Services team news.
* Delivers engaging, informative, well-organized presentations.
* Resolves and/or escalates issues in a timely fashion.
* Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
Leadership
* Challenges others to develop as leaders while serving as a role model.
* Inspires coworkers to attain goals and pursue excellence.
* Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change.
* Manages the process of innovative change effectively.
* Remains on the forefront of emerging industry practices.
Teamwork
* Facilitates effective team interaction.
* Acknowledges and appreciates each team member's contributions.
* Effectively utilizes each team member to his or her fullest potential.
* Keeps track of lessons learned and shares those lessons with team members.
Client Management
* Manages client interaction and expectations regarding event support efforts.
* Develops lasting relationships with client personnel that foster client ties.
* Communicates effectively with clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative technical solutions.
* Continually seeks opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and deepen client relationships.
* Builds a knowledge base of each client's business, systems and objectives.
* Develops, executes and catalogues customer satisfaction surveys.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Team Development
* Seeks and participates in personal development opportunities above and beyond training required by Facebook.
* Trains others to proactively capture event specifications and assess customer needs.
* Encourages team members to take responsibility for their development within the company.
* Challenges fellow team members to progress toward their professional development goals.
Internal Operations
* Suggests areas for improvement in internal processes along with possible solutions.
* Reviews the status reports of team members and addresses issues as appropriate.
* Complies with and helps to enforce standard policies and procedures.
Required Skills:
* Cisco VIOP exp needed
- Job Location
- Dublin 2, Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath), Ireland
- Position Type
- Full-Time/Regular
Conference and Events Operations Assistant
Posted in Jobs on 05 June 2013The Doyle Collection
At the Doyle Collection, we are leaders in development and setting standards of excellence in the luxury hotel sector, one of the world's most dynamic and successful industries. A select havens in six major cities throughout Ireland, the UK and USA, The Doyle Collection employs over one thousand of the most skilled, professional and dedicated people that the industry has to offer. Our hotels inhabit the most fashionable quarters of the most sought-after cities, and each one is a unique reflection of its setting, providing business and leisure travelers with a truly memorable luxury experience.
The Westbury Hotel
now has an exciting opportunity for a
candidate to join our
Conference and Events Operations Team.
Key Responsibilities:
- To work as part of the Conference and Event team
- To liaise with organisers and meet they're every need
- To have good communication skills to ensure all timings and requests are effectively performed
- To anticipate guests needs and ensure that service is provided to the level they require and beyond their expectations
-
To work and lead through the Company's Proud Values:
- We meet every guest with a smile, a greeting and an enquiry
- We love saying YES to our guests
- We are Proud of our work, and respect everyone we work with
- To have a thorough knowledge and understanding of all standards of performanceand delivery within the accommodation department.
- To deal with any customer complaints in a professional and efficient manner,ensuring guest satisfaction at all times.
- To develop a strong working relationship with colleagues in your department andrelated departments.
The ideal candidate for this position:
- Must be flexible, enjoy a challenge, and is able to work outside the comfort zone while maintaining the ability to be objective and positive
- Be courteous and focused on providing a consistently high standard of service
- Must be a team player with the ability to multi task
- Must be standards driven and detail orientated, with the desire to progress within the luxury market
- Previous bar & cocktail experience essential
- Wine knowledge required
- Maintain a professional image at all times through appearance
- Previous experience in a similar role in a 4/5 star hotel would be advantageous
- Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Benefits package:
- Competitive salary
- Meals on Duty
- Provision and laundry of uniform
- Pension Scheme
- Employee Discounts
- Educational Support
- Employee Recognition Awards