Another interesting article from Mashable about some of the popular Cloud Providers.
Cloud Computing: The Layperson’s Guide to Distributed Networks
Aug 262011
Aug 192011
One of the things that really annoys me about people in my business, myself included, is that when we are asked to explain something related to Computers or Technology we tend to use very complicated sounding technical terms. While to us, it makes sense, to the average business person it can sound like we are speaking in some sort of Martian Dialect.
The problem with this, is that because we can make new technology sound complicated, and most of it is not complicated, businesses are put off evaluating new technologies that could really benefit their businesses. This is particularly important in tough times when the proper use of Computers and Technology can make your business more efficient, allow you adapt to the changing marketplace, reduce your costs and ultimately make your business more profitable.
Anyway to this end I have included a link to a video explaining in simple terms what Cloud Computing is.
Aug 182011
Interesting article from Silicon Republic on Cloud Computing and some of the practical issues for businesses considering moving to the Cloud.
Moving to the cloud
Apr 092010
Came across a new Business Tools Website by Fáilte Ireland, http://www.businesstools.failteireland.ie/Default.aspx.
Seems to focus very much on the practical thinks you need to know about running a business in the hospitality sector. Very good as a reference tool.
Mar 182010
For my sins I help out with the Computers and IT at a few of the local National Schools in North Wexford and I recently got a panicked call from the secretary saying the that all printing had stopped working.
As I was in the area I called out at lunchtime. When I arrived I was told that a guy had been installing a broadband connection the previous day and had done something to stop the main printer working. I quickly established that the new broadband connection wasn’t linked to the network and assured her that this had nothing to do with the problem. I then discovered that the printer had lost it’s network address and working with the printer supplier, reallocated the printer address and the printer started to churn out the queued print jobs.
I thought, great, it’s all working and was about to head out the door when the secretary stopped me and asked what was the cause of the problem. I quickly checked with the printer supplier and explained that we didn’t know, but it was all working now. The secretary then quietly but forcefully insisted the problem was caused by the broadband installer as the last time somebody worked on the broadband the printer also stopped working and that we needed to find out or it would happen again.
Reluctantly I investigated further and low and behold discovered that the broadband installer had indeed disconnected one of the servers and not only was this the cause of the printer problem, but was also causing the backup to fail among other things.
Tail between my legs I headed back into the office to explain to the secretary that she was quite right and it was the installer that had caused the problem and it would have caused a lot more problems if we had not found the Root Cause of the problem.
While this was a relatively minor incident in a small school, if the same approach was taken in a larger organisation, there could have been much more serious consequences. No matter how small the problem is, it’s critical that you find out what caused the problem and put systems in place to insure it doesn’t happen again. Not just because it’s Good Practice but because it will save your business a lot of time effort and most of all money.
A wise man once told me that We have two ears and one mouth and they were designed to be used in those proportions. If I had listened to the secretary in the first place I could have saved everyone a lot of time and effort.
Mar 162010
Based on statistics gathered by Hitwise and reported widely, Facebook has overtaken Google as the most visited website in the US.
This very much backs up what I’ve been hearing from several SME’s, that they are generating more business from Facebook than any other form of advertising. So get your business on Facebook now and start building your contacts.
Mar 102010
Ever since Senator Dan Boyle forced Willie O’Dee’s resignation with Twitter, the Irish business community have suddenly started to take note. Nearly every day I get asked “What is this Twitter thing? And who’s using it?“
Well the 10 billionth entry (commonly referred to as a Tweet) recently went up on Twitter. Below is a graph showing the dramatic rise in the use of Twitter. Note how high Ireland is on the list of regions.
So now we know that Twitter is popular, who uses Twitter? Well you would be suprised to know that most Twitter users are over 30. That’s the age profile of most of the business owners in Ireland.
While Facebook and Bebo are favoured by the younger age group, the business community has adopted Twitter.
So now that you know that you should be using Twitter, where do you start. Here is a simple guide from Adrian Wreckler on how to start using Twitter.
Now that you are up and running with Twitter, check out some Businesses in Gorey and North Wexford who are on Twitter.
Mar 042010
Attended the free seminar run by Eugene Daly and hosted by Gorey Chamber. While there was no magic solution or dramatically new sales ideas, Eugene gave an excellent interactive presentation where he outlined, using practical examples for the different types of businesses attending, how you can take some simple steps that will allow us all to focus our sales efforts in ways that could deliver real results.
Well done Eugene and Gorey Chamber. Eugene of Daly & Associates can be contacted at eugenedaly@ireland.com
Mar 022010
I attended the weekly meeting of the BNI Gorey Chapter, BNI Falcon (substituting for Dave Jordan, Cada Media, Web Designers). While the Gorey chapter is relative small they are very active and I was pleasantly surprised at the range and quality of Business Services offered by the members. If you are a business in the North Wexford area and are interested in a Business Networking Group that will help you grow your business then you could do a lot worse than getting involved with the BNI Gorey Chapter.
They can be found at BNI Falcon Chapter, if you want to find out more.
Feb 192010
Had a very interesting conversation with a friend of mine who runs a Holiday and Leisure Park. She told me that she had a fantastic response to an open day she held recently. When I asked her how she had advertised the open day, she told me that she had put an Ad in a National Newspaper, used Google AdWords and finally she set up a Facebook Page for the business and created a Facebook Ad.
When people arrived she asked them where they had heard about the open day and the results were as follows. The vast majority said Facebook, followed by Google Ads and finally in last place by a long shot was the National Newspaper. The interesting thing is that the most expensive was the National Newspaper, the second most expensive was Google Ads and by far the cheapest was Facebook.
The next time you’re marketing your business think very carefully how you spend your money.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gorey-Ireland/Prospect-Holiday-Leisure-Park/132589957710