Author: Tina Calder

eCommerce Expert Ryan Clarke Latest Speaker To Join The Bill At Momentum Digital Conference

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Belfast business and mindset event Momentum have announced eCommerce expert Ryan Clarke as the latest speaker to join the bill for their forthcoming Night At The Museum digital conference.

Ryan, who is the Head of Ecommerce at STATSports, will be dissecting what it really takes to grow in eCommerce in 2023.

His talk “CX Sells: Optimising your Customer’s Buying Journey in eCommerce” will break down the customer buying journey from creative to checkout. Ryan will also provide the audience with his model to acquire attention, before acquiring the customer. 

Momentum: A Night At The Museum, supported by Gekkoshot, will take place at the Ulster Museum on September 22, Ryan is the second of an all-star speaker lineup being revealed that includes leading names in hospitality, mindset, marketing, ecommerce, data and much more.

Speaking of his involvement with the event Ryan said: “I signed up to Momentum because it’s part of a small group of local events that have taken a really alternative approach to try and grow the industry. 

“Throughout my talk I’ll be using real life examples (good, bad and occasionally very ugly), of what STATSports growth has looked like across global marketing campaigns spanning over 100 countries. And a bit of insight into our ‘Will It Make the Boat Go Faster’ methodology for blocking out the noise for driving growth.

“What I like about Momentum is that it’s not a speaker lineup full of sponsors essentially doing sales pitches. Momentum have managed to pull together a bunch of individuals from across a wide range of areas who have built something great. 

“I’m buzzing to be able to get on stage with people I really admire, and since it’s in a museum that automatically makes the topics more important by association, right?!”

According to organisers Warren Giffin and Amée Spence, the event plans to bridge the gap between business needs and mindset support.

“We’re delighted to be bringing Momentum back for a second event, building upon the resounding success of our inaugural event back in January at The MAC” explained Warren, adding: “Last time we had fantastic speakers such as self-made entrepreneur and CEO of Bellamianta & Iconic Bronze, Linda Stinson, as well as passionate mental health advocate and Let’s Face It podcast host, Domhnall Nugent.

“This time we’re excited to get ready to announce an equally special lineup of industry experts who will give our attendees a night to remember.”

During Ryan’s talk on eCommerce hopes attendees will take away “tangible and tested methods for eCommerce that they can steal and apply to their own marketing strategy for 2024”.

Also announced to speak at Momentum is Sarah McBriar, founder and creative director of AVA, the UK’s leading audio visual arts festival and conference. She will be speaking on “How to stay one step ahead as a creative entrepreneur”.

Sarah said: “Momentum is what the creative business community needs… a fun and relaxed evening with experienced entrepreneurs sharing their knowledge through focused topics and a space to network.” 

Tickets for Momentum: A Night At The Museum on September 22, 6.30pm-late are now on sale from thisismomentum.co.uk  

Hillsborough Ready To Drink Cocktail Brand Smashes £450,000 Crowdfunding Target In Just 24 Hours

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A Hillsborough drinks brand has smashed a £450,000 crowdfunding investment target in less than a day.

Not just that the company, Wavey Ice, is celebrating tripling its sales in the last 12 months as consumers embrace their unique range of vibrant beverages.

The ready-to-drink business which has raised over £500,000 with 79 investors is hoping to hit a £600,000 target by next week.

Wavey Ice produces a fun, vibrant range of alcoholic, non-alcoholic cocktails and nostalgic boozy Ice pops and say they’re on a “mission to redefine the ready-to-drink experience by crafting irresistible pops and cocktails that capture the essence of playfulness and creativity”.

The funding is being raised using the equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs which is enabling the company to invest in product development and introduce its drinks to more people as customer demand continues to grow both in the UK and internationally.

The pandemic sparked a trend for ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails as younger drinkers sought more fruity, colourful and playful alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit their lifestyles. The RTD sector continues to outperform the spirits category with its sales value growing 8.1% to £866m in 2022* and with 61% of people aged 18-34 enjoying a RTD alcoholic drink in 2022, the opportunity to innovate and grow the Wavey Ice brand is clear.

Wavey Ice launched in London in 2014 and was one of the first on the scene creating boozy retro ice Pops. The business was acquired in 2022 and is now run by managing director and head of production, Laura Davis and a team of four.

Laura Davis, managing director and head of production at Wavey Ice said: “We’re over-the-moon to have smashed our crowdfunding target so quickly! This overwhelming support demonstrates what we already knew that our playful, nostalgic ice Pops and RTD cocktails are a smash with consumers.”

“During lockdown we gifted the Pops to our family and friends as a way of connecting, having a laugh and delivering fun energy to each other. One of the most popular gifts was mixed boxes of Wavey Ice Pops which are an adult twist on childhood favourites that give off a nostalgic summer vibe. We jumped on the opportunity to buy the business as we knew it had a lot of potential, and it’s been a canny move as we’ve tripled sales. 

“We’ve invested in NPD and developed Sips, ready-to-drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, which have been massively popular and stand-out sellers. Our crowdfunding campaign will help us bring our vibrant products to new markets and make waves in the industry.”

The business has had huge success collaborating with celebrities and influencers such as Olympic diver, Tom Daley, by supplying drinks to The Voice UK team and creatively leveraging social platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It has built a loyal following by connecting with its audience of young people who respect its authentic and playful personality. 

Laura Davis adds: “Ultimately, our goal is to be a brand that inspires joy, creates unforgettable moments, and becomes a household name known for its exceptional products and sustainable practices. As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite our customers, investors, and partners to join us in shaping the future of Wavey Ice together.”

Wavey Ice recently launched a seven-strong RTD range called Sips, which are single serve pre-mixed alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail pouches. They are the perfect no-hassle party addition, simply chill, shake and Sip, or freeze them for an instant boozy slushie.

Sips have been developed by in-house mixologists and are ready-to-drink, hassle free and delicious. There are currently five alcoholic flavours – Trippy Tropical Rum Punch, Easy Espresso Martini, Perky Pornstar Martini, Slutty Strawberry Daiquiri and OG Orange & Vodka – and two recent non-alcoholic additions – Virgin Mango Pineapple Mojito and Virgin Sex on the Beach. With plans for adding even more tantalising flavours to the line-up! 

Its iconic Pops range is one of the OGs in the frozen alcoholic treat market and was launched in 2014. The range of three nostalgic ice Pops; Kola & Spiced Rum, Watermelon & Vodka and Black Grape & White Rum are made with premium alcohol and all pack and flavourful punch.

The Wavey Ice crowdfunding campaign launched to the public at the start of August through equity crowdfunding company, Seedrs.

There are a range of investor perks for different levels of support including 10% discount for three months for a £25 investment, a year of discounts, ownership and an exclusive Wavey Ice t-shirt for £100 investment and there are five exclusive perks for £10,000 investors which include one-year supply of Sips and Pops (260 each), a cool-box, an opportunity to create a bespoke cocktail with its R&D team, along with a lifetime discount and full ownership.

For more information on the Wavey Ice Seedrs crowdfunding campaign to go seedrs.com/wavey-ice 

“AI Is An Inevitable Tool That Businesses Should Be Integrating Into Their Marketing Strategy” Says Content Expert

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The hype of AI isn’t going away and neither is the idea that it can “revolutionise” your marketing, especially if you’re the type of business that’s struggling to keep up with the demands practically and financially.

Whilst it’s absolutely true that, used properly, AI can provide you with a vital resource which can reduce time spent on creating content it can also, however, have a negative impact on your business if used badly.

Comms strategist and director of Excalibur Press Tina Calder said companies who ignore AI could find themselves on the “back foot” at a later date.

However, she warns that agencies like hers must also be using the tools responsibly and ethically.

“Earlier this year at Excalibur Press we realised AI wasn’t going away and tools like ChatGPT were going to continue to dominate the minds of not just many of our clients but also our staff and interns”, she said.

“With that in mind we immediately put in place a constantly updated AI Usage Policy and AI Best Practice Guidelines. 

“We operate on the basis that working with AI must be ethical and professional, therefore, if we use AI for a client we inform that client. After all, ultimately the choice must be theirs as to whether they will accept content that has some form of input from AI platforms such as ChatGPT. 

“Whilst the use of AI is not prohibited within Excalibur Press its use is strictly limited to being a research resource.”

Approach with care

The benefits of AI have been lauded across the communications world with many small businesses and marketing teams hailing it as a “saviour” and “the answer to their prayers”.

With that said, Tina said it’s important for people to spend time understanding how to use the tools effectively and efficiently.

She explained: “Whilst my scepticism of AI copywriting tools in particular has waned and I now train in-house teams to use it effectively, it’s absolutely vital that those who use it understand it can never really replace human expertise, experience and analytical thought.

“Like Canva, Hootsuite, Hubspot and many more tools that sit in our marketing stack your AI tools should be exactly that, a tool that helps you work more efficiently.”

Among the sticking points for Tina are things such as nuance and vernacular, detail, analysis, accuracy and true marketing copywriting.

“There’s absolutely no doubt having tools like ChatGPT in your marketing stack can help you level up your game. It’s essential to ensure that you understand the limitations in comparison to your own brain” she said.

“In my experience AI tools simply can’t get the right nuance and vernacular that I personally would use when writing. It doesn’t really have an attitude. Yes, it can mimic an attitude and a style of writing but it’s a bit dad dancing at a disco or a mum using the aubergine emoji to mean an aubergine. It was just a bit ‘off’.

“In properly informed copywriting the devil is in the detail. It’s why you pay for research, expertise and experience and anything I’ve managed to get out of the AI was simply surface level knowledge. It has always required my time and effort to mould into the right piece.

“When it comes to real human analysis, no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get real analysis out of the tool. That human thought process that brings context and humanity to what’s being written. 

“Much has been written about the limitations of AI and its knowledge bank. I had a significant number of incidences where it gave me irrelevant, incorrect and inaccurate information and examples. Even just asking it about myself and my career I found it was way off, and, in one case, completely reported information that was totally wrong. It also often makes suggestions that are out of date, ill informed and things that would be rather embarrassing if one of my writers turned in the content to me.”

There is hope for AI

Despite the lack of abilities the current machine learning models have, AI is an ever changing technology and will continue to grow and get better as we, humans, get better at teaching it.

Tina explained that businesses shouldn’t be deciding whether to embrace it or not but rather how they should be embracing it.

“It’s not all bad news. There’s certainly a right time and a right place for using tools like ChatGPT and, in my mind, it’s the same principle that I apply to Canva.

“If the person using the tool is professional, knowledgeable and experienced enough they will have great success using the tool to optimise their workflow, speed up their brainstorming and research and, ultimately, assist them in delivering their expertise in a speedier manner.

“However, what it is not, is a replacement for this professionalism, knowledge and experience. We have found that no matter how much you train it, no matter how much information you feed the system an AI tool cannot currently deep dive into our client’s business, their customer mindset and the style in which the content needs to be delivered whilst considering the psychology of the customer journey, geographic and cultural considerations and – ultimately – the style the client likes to see their content presented in.”

How do you use it efficiently?

According to Tina embracing AI is “not optional”. 

She said: “AI is many things to many people but ultimately if you see it in the way we do at Excalibur Press you can better understand its functional use and benefit.

“It’s the intern you really want – if you brief it well enough, give it the right background and teach it enough information then AI copywriting tools can deliver you work that is definitely as good as a graduate intern. Whilst not always perfect, it’s much easier for us to edit and work with something that’s already on the page.

“It can be the mentor you wish you had – sometimes you just want someone to ask questions to, check on past trends, ask about traditional tactics and strategies and learn from a brain full of knowledge. You don’t necessarily want this person to do the job for you, just be a sounding board that you can ask questions to that you may not want to be seen asking in the office.

“It’s a good desktop research tool – sometimes when you just need some quick information organised in a certain fashion so that you can see/read it all at once and quickly, AI can be your saviour. It’s always important for you to back up the research yourself to ensure it’s correct but it’s a great speedy resource for “on the go” information.

“It can become someone to brainstorm with – many people just don’t have the luxury of colleagues to be able to brainstorm ideas with, to figure things out and throw around some ideas to see what pops up. AI is great for this, it’s a brilliant space to brainstorm in a way where you’re leading the charge and you can quickly change the course of the brainstorm without offending anyone if it isn’t going the way you want it to.”

It would seem that in order to make AI work for you it’s important to figure out what you want it to help you with. 

“So many people just jump in, open a new tab and say ‘create me 10 social media posts for a hairdresser,’ said Tina, adding: “And what comes back is bland, generic content that doesn’t reflect the brand at all.

“Think of ChatGPT and other AI copywriting tools as another member of staff. Consider what you want them to do, what you need out of it and how much time you have to commit to ensuring they are well briefed and that you have set time aside to edit, amend and review their content.”

Throughout the month of September Tina will be delivering a number of free training sessions around ChatGPT including Zoom @ Noon for Social Enterprise NI on September 12, TechConnect in Dublin on September 14 and in a free webinar on September 28. For more information go to excaliburpress.co.uk/events

 

If you would like to find out more about Excalibur Press’ training and content services which includes content creation, ChatGPT training, copywriting, social media management and website development contact Tina Calder on tina@excaliburpress.co.uk or go to excaliburpress.co.uk

Something Must Change In The Takeaway Industry Or Consumers Will Continue To Feel The Financial Impact

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By Sandeep Sharma, eatlocaluk.co.uk

In the last three years, operational costs associated with running a takeaway or food-to-go business have increased by up to 35-40% for some businesses.

From the rising energy costs which show no sign of coming back down again and the increases in raw produce and food/packaging supplies, takeaways have found themselves finding it more and more difficult to operate profitably.

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic in some ways helped the industry go digital, this fast-forwarding of digital transformation has ultimately had devastating effects on the bottom line.

Companies like JustEat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo very quickly captured the market and became the consumer go-to for food delivery. Businesses that once relied on orders via telephone were finding less and less people lifting the phone and more and more orders coming through these global food ordering platforms. 

For some businesses this was revolutionary and many have increased their gross revenue as a result, but, in many cases, this has been a false economy with businesses just becoming busier but paying more and more of their profits out in commissions each week to the larger corporate apps.

Currently a conservative estimate is that over £40-45 million is leaving the Northern Ireland economy each year, this equates to between 1300-1500 takeaways across the country averaging payments weekly of between £300-£3000 per takeaway to the three main global ordering apps.

The industry is now in a position where, without big changes, takeaways will continue to go to the wall as they attempt to keep on top of and keep up with the low-profit apps.

And it’s not just bad news for the businesses. Rising operational costs like utilities and food prices as well as high commissions going to JustEat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo among others means the consumers are feeling the pinch too.

Just Eat, for example, claims in its terms and conditions that those businesses who sign up must offer menu board prices, ie, the price on the menu board when you enter the shop. But the reality is there’s no way businesses can do this and operate a sustainable business. As a result, the costs are being passed on to the consumer and, in some cases, they’re paying more for each item they order than they would in the shop. This can be up to £7-10 extra for a family ordering their Friday night takeaway.

It is in response to the continued rising costs for the food delivery industry from large corporate ordering apps that we have launched a local, Northern Ireland based competitor that focuses on the needs of both the consumer and the business.

Eat Local, the new food delivery app will offer restaurants, takeaways, cafes and other food-to-go establishments the opportunity to significantly decrease their costs for operating their delivery services.

This game-changing app allows food-to-go businesses the ability to reclaim complete control over their food delivery business whilst keeping their profits and their data allowing them to decide how they run their business without the restrictions many of the global food ordering apps place upon the takeaways who sign up to their services.

Part of our mission is to encourage establishments to offer consumers the same prices on the app as they would get in the shop, more commonly known in the industry as ‘menu board prices’, saving that extra £7-10 for families. 

It’s time for the takeaway industry to take back their profits and to stop paying exuberant fees to global organisations which haemorrhage money from the local economy.

All we need is for our local communities, businesses and people to join us in our quest to nourish your neighbourhood by keeping those millions in our local economy.

Business & Mindset Event Momentum Is Back For A Night At The Museum

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Momentum Founders Amée Spence and Warren Giffin

A Belfast business and mindset event is to return this Autumn with a whole host of new speakers.

The event, supported by Gekkoshot,will take place at the Ulster Museum on September 22, is set to reveal an all-star speaker lineup including leading names in hospitality, mindset, marketing, ecommerce, data and much more.

According to organisers Warren Giffin and Amée Spence, Momentum: A Night At The Museum aims to bridge the gap between business needs and mindset support.

Speaking of September’s event, Warren said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Momentum back for a second event, building upon the resounding success of our inaugural event back in January at The MAC.

“Last time we had fantastic speakers such as self-made entrepreneur and CEO of Bellamianta & Iconic Bronze, Linda Stinson, as well as passionate mental health advocate and Let’s Face It podcast host, Domhnall Nugent.

“This time we’re excited to get ready to announce an equally special lineup of industry experts who will give our attendees a night to remember.”

Momentum founders, Warren and Amée seek to provide a space where ideas can manifest, grow and build by bringing together a diverse community of entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders and marketing professionals who are fuelled by passion, curious at heart and determined to succeed. 

Amée explained: “Momentum serves as an accelerator for personal growth and professional progress.

“We understand that the world of business can often be a lonely one. Especially for business owners and entrepreneurs who have chosen a life outside of the usual 9-5.

“These people often struggle to find the right support both professionally and mentally. Which is why we set up Momentum.

“Our events are designed to facilitate open dialogues and share expertise across various business domains, while simultaneously providing insights into personal development and mindset mastery. 

“What sets Momentum apart is our commitment to creating an immersive and unforgettable experience. We believe that learning and growth should be enjoyable, and our evening events are designed to combine education, entertainment, and networking opportunities in a vibrant and lively atmosphere.”

“With a Prosecco reception, mesmerising fire performers, dinner and thought-provoking talks from industry leaders, Momentum: A Night At The Museum offers a refreshing departure from traditional business gatherings. It’s an occasion to dress up and have fun while gaining valuable insights on how to elevate your business to new heights.”

Tickets for Momentum: A Night At The Museum on September 22, 6.30pm-late are now on sale from thisismomentum.co.uk 

Belfast Mind Coach Says “Parents Should Look After Their Mental Health During The Summer Holidays”

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While the summer holidays are intended as a relieving respite for your young ones, it might not feel quite the same for you. 

Gone are the scheduled six to seven hours of childcare each day, homework to occupy your children in the evenings, and after-school clubs to keep them stimulated. 

Now you need to think about summer schemes, day camps, or child minders, which can be an added financial burden and requires extra coordination when it comes to lifts, daily routines and much more.

According to Sam Barr of Healthy Mind Coaching and Training many parents have the added pressure of having to “plan out a fun summer holiday with the family and dealing with the added financial costs, not to mention new summer clothing to beat the heat (or the rain) in addition to all of the transport and accommodation costs”.

Sam explained that, for many parents, even if their children are older and in their teens usually the childcare stress is replaced by other stressors.

He said: “Many teenagers are in transitional periods from getting used to ‘big school’ to getting ready to study for GCSE or A-Levels, or waiting for results for important exams.

“Not just that moving from primary to secondary school and secondary to further education can cause a wealth of anxiety and stress in both parents and children.”

One thing Sam said is important for parents is to take a step back off the hamster wheel and put into place some coping strategies to help your family have a less-stressful summer.

Here are Sam’s top tips:

  1. Accept that you can’t be a ‘perfect’ parent

Sam said: “Often, parents feel guilty that they are failing their kids in some way or worry that the decisions they make are the wrong ones. However, in trying to be a perfect parent, you may be harming your own mental health and the mental health of your children.” 

According to Psychology Today, an intensive parenting style and child-centrism is associated with increased stress and depression in parents.

Sam added: “Don’t feel guilty about having to work when your children are off – space and independence is great for your child’s development, especially if that time is spent socialising with other children at summer schemes, or even their own siblings.”

  1. Get in touch with your problem-solving side

Following on from accepting you don’t have to be a perfect parent, Sam said your sense of empathy could be the thing that is stressing you out. 

“If your child is going through a difficult or stressful transition period, you may be experiencing ‘affective empathy’, feeling your child’s pain and spiking your cortisol levels as a result,” he said.

While empathising with your children is a positive thing, another type of empathy known as ‘cognitive empathy’ involves taking another person’s perspective and imagining what would make them feel better. 

In one study, mothers who emphasised the cognitive empathy route showed the least stress reactivity during decision making. We don’t have to live our children’s feelings to be sensitive to them. And this is important to bear in mind for our next tip.

  1. Consider other perspectives

Sam said that: “ultimately stressful things happen and there is no way to totally avoid them.” However, he explained that you can manage your stress better by reconsidering the situation from a new angle or perspective. 

“If your child is acting out, it is often a product of their developmental stage and lack of skills or knowledge rather than intentional misbehaviour” said Sam.

Psychological research finds that parents who are able to view their child’s behaviour like this experience less stress. Getting them into a new hobby could help this behaviour and allow them to channel their energy into something productive. 

  1. Seek out social connections

Support from family members, friends, and other parents can have a big impact on the mental and emotional wellbeing of parents. 

Social support allows you to build a web of connections to help you when you’re in need – maybe your sibling can pick the kids up while you’re at an appointment, or another parent can schedule a playdate to give you a Saturday off, which you can later return the favour for. 

Sam said: “It’s important to try to make connections with people that understand you, and you’ll be less afraid to reach out for help. You may be surprised by just how much other parents or friends are happy to help out.

“You can reach out to other parents at your child’s school or summer scheme, find local parenting groups, or try out a new hobby that involves other people, such as a night class or sporting club.”

  1. Seek professional support

If you’ve become totally overwhelmed by the stress of parenting, you should consider seeking a consultation with a mental health professional. Similarly, if you think your teen is feeling overwhelmed it could be worth considering coaching for them.

Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is very effective at reducing stress and anxiety symptoms, as a therapist can teach you effective methods for managing your negative emotions.

For many struggling parents getting time to themselves and time to step away from the chaotic and busy life can be hard. Taking a little time out each week to focus on yourself and your own mental health can have a huge impact when feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

Sam explained: “For many people it’s hard to see things objectively when they’re immersed in a crisis or a stressful situation. Sometimes ‘getting through it’ is all we can think about.

“When clients come to me for mindset coaching I work with them to create coping strategies and to recognise important triggers of stress and anxiety. Sometimes all they need is that time away to be able to focus on their own mental and emotional health and resilience.”

  1. Budget for more time

Time pressure affects everyone, but it can particularly affect parents. Young children take longer to react and longer to learn, so understand that your little one is not intentionally going slow.

“Many families would benefit from adjusted expectations for time-frames,” said Sam, adding: “If you’re planning on taking your kids out to an activity or on holiday, start preparations as early as you can, sometimes a lot of stress is created from unrealistic expectations of other people. Try to be realistic about what your family can achieve in comparison to your expectations.”

  1. Get comfortable in nature

If you can’t afford a summer holiday this year, there are other avenues you can go down, said Sam. 

“Nature is great for stress-busting, and some much needed outdoor time away from all-consuming screens can boost family bonding while lowering your stress levels,” he added.

“Spending time outdoors can reduce tension, anger, confusion, and depression, in addition to cortisol levels, multiple studies have found.”

Through Healthy Mind Coaching, Sam offers services to help you improve your wellbeing, particularly during times of stress or difficulty. Healthy Mind Coaching offers one-to-one sessions designed to help you overcome your current challenges or frustrations, and enable you to live a more positive lifestyle by providing strategies designed to challenge and overcome negative thoughts and unhelpful feelings. 

It starts by working on the present in order to empower you for the future, prioritising your mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Healthy Mind Coaching offers a free 20 minute consultation for you to see how they can work with you to achieve your goals and aspirations.

Learn more about Healthy Mind Coaching and Training by calling Sam today on 07906 869616 or go to healthymindcoaching.co.uk

 

“Small Businesses Across NI Must Learn To Protect Themselves Online” Says Digital Expert

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While the digital landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for small businesses, it equally presents a bounty for cybercriminals. 

In the UK, a small business falls victim to a successful hack every 19 seconds. By the time you reach the end of this article, at least six more will have been compromised. 

Senior developer Adam McBride at Excalibur Press, a Belfast based multidisciplinary media and marketing company, has over a decade of experience helping businesses plan, create and maintain an online presence whilst offering a range of additional creative technology services such as app development, CRM system development and online learning platforms.

He said that more often than not businesses who become susceptible to cyber attacks could easily have prevented it: “Navigating the complexities of online security can feel overwhelming, especially when your primary focus is running your business. 

“Small businesses across Northern Ireland must learn to protect themselves online and there are some simple things they can do that they can do themselves or prompt their website developer or social media manager to implement.”

Here are Adam’s nine top tips to stay safe online:

  1. Power Up Your Passwords

Your password often stands as the first line of defence against intruders. Yet, many of us underestimate its importance, resorting to easily guessed phrases like ‘password123’ or ‘letmein’. Such weak passwords are akin to leaving your front door not only unlocked but wide open.

Adam explained: “A strong password is a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is unique to each platform you use. If you find it difficult to remember a number of different passwords, consider using a password manager such as 1Password.com. You can also use tools such as dinopass.com to generate more secure passwords that are still easy to remember.”

  1. Use Two Factor Authentication

Adam says that while a strong password is a good start, on its own, it often isn’t enough to keep your accounts safe. Enter Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which adds that much-needed additional layer of security. 

He added: “What exactly is two factor authentication? Beyond the usual password input, 2FA asks for a second verification step. This might come as a text to your mobile, a unique link sent to your email, or a code generated by an authentication app.

“If a hacker somehow snags your password, they’re still out of luck without access to your second means of verification. It considerably amplifies your security, putting up stronger barriers against prying eyes. And it’s not just for your own website, implement 2FA on your social media, email accounts, and any platform where it’s available.”

  1. Be Savvy On Social Media

That fun graphic on Facebook that promises to reveal your Star Wars name might seem like harmless fun, but strip away the engaging visuals and playful premise, and it’s a different story warned Adam.

“If an online stranger asked you for personal details such as your full date of birth directly, would you still be so keen to share them? Most likely not” he said. 

“Yet, when this information is cloaked in a shareable graphic, many of us inadvertently reveal personal details that could be exploited. Always be careful about what information you share online, and ask yourself whether you would be happy for that information to fall into the wrong hands before sharing it.”

  1. Use Professional Email Services

Using the free email service included with your web hosting may seem like a good way to save some money, but it’s essential to consider the broader implications. 

Adam said: “At Excalibur Press we see clients all the time who have relied on the free email services available or substandard systems set up by people trying to keep their costs down.

“The problem here is that they often lack the advanced security features offered by dedicated managed platforms like Google Workspace. Without these defences, your email becomes a vulnerable target, susceptible to breaches. 

“Not just that, these free services typically have less effective spam filters, meaning your inbox may get cluttered with unsolicited messages. Investing in a professional email service might seem like an additional cost, but the enhanced security and peace of mind it provides are invaluable.”

  1. Protect Your Website With A Firewall

“Every website is a potential target for cyberattacks, from malicious bots to more intricate threats” said Adam, adding: “Think of a firewall as your site’s personal security guard, diligently monitoring and filtering the traffic that comes its way. 

“It’s a barrier designed to keep out unwanted guests while letting genuine users in smoothly. For top-tier protection, consider using services like Cloudflare. Not only does it offer a robust web application firewall, but it can also enhance your site’s performance and speed.”

  1. Keep Your Website Up To Date

Adam said: “Maintaining a website is much like looking after a car; you wouldn’t drive year after year without a service, right? Websites need similar attention. 

“Regularly updating your website’s software, plugins, and themes is crucial. Outdated components can have vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are quick to exploit.” 

By staying updated, you’re not just enhancing your site’s features and performance; you’re also fortifying its defences against potential threats. Just as you’d keep your vehicle serviced, ensure your website gets its regular ‘tune-ups’ too.

  1. Use A Good Web Host

“When it comes to web hosting, you often get what you pay for. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. That’s why at Excalibur Press we use my hosting company Belfast Web where we can confidently ensure that our client’s websites are hosted on a superior system that helps their website run faster, as well as making setting up features like SSL certificates and backups easier” explained Adam.

A good web hosting service will also keep their software more up to date without needing your intervention, set up security features that may not be available on a cheaper host, and if the unexpected happens and your site is compromised, they’re better equipped to offer swift and effective support.

  1. Set Screen Time-Outs in Shared Office Spaces

In a shared office space, screens can easily become windows into sensitive data. By setting automatic time-outs or screen locks on computers, you ensure that any unattended device isn’t an open invitation for prying eyes.

“It’s a simple yet effective step, guaranteeing that only the authorised individual, with the right credentials, can access the system. In the hustle and bustle of a busy workspace, these time-outs serve as essential digital checkpoints” advised Adam.

  1. Educate Your Team

Your cybersecurity is only as strong as its weakest link, which can often be an uninformed team member. Educating your team about the basics of online safety is a proactive measure. 

“At Excalibur Press, keeping our team educated about how they work online not just for Excalibur Press but also for our clients ensures they’re aware of how to spot phishing emails, the importance of strong, unique passwords, and the protocols to follow if they suspect a security breach” said Adam.

“Regular training sessions and reminders can keep cybersecurity at the forefront of their minds, transforming them from potential vulnerabilities into vigilant defenders.

“In today’s digital age, protecting your business online isn’t just a best practice. It’s a necessity. By implementing these steps, you’ll be better poised to safeguard your brand’s online presence and stay safe online.”

When it comes to staying safe online for most businesses the key is to be vigilant about how you behave online and ensure you are educating anyone who has access to your digital and online channels.

If you would like to find out more about Excalibur Press’ digital services which includes website design and development as well as app building, digital transformation and more contact Adam McBride on adam@excaliburpress.co.uk or go to excaliburpress.co.uk

Data Collection And Analysis Is The Key To An Effective Climate Strategy

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By Stuart Lunn
Sales Manager, getizon.com

We’re on the brink of a climate catastrophe. It’s not really news, so I’ll spare you the frightening details of how warm our planet’s set to become, or how quickly time is running out. But I will say this: we all need to act.

It’s easier said than done, though. It can be difficult to know where to begin, or what behaviour to change. There’s the obvious things, like cutting out single-use plastics, or driving less and cycling more. We’ve been told what we, as individuals, can do to make a change. But it’s not always as simple to make large-scale changes as a business or organisation. 

Of course, the underlying cause of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions. And when we burn fossil fuels to generate energy, these harmful gases are emitted. It follows, then, that energy wastage and over-consumption play a starring role in the climate crisis. If we over-consume energy, more needs to be generated. But if we limit energy usage to only that which is necessary, the amount of energy produced is reduced in consequence.

Energy consumption is something businesses and organisations should be mindful of. In fact, any business that seriously wants to achieve a reduction in their carbon footprint needs to dedicate themselves to an energy management plan. 

But it can be difficult to know where to start. It’s not always clear where and how energy usage can be limited, and this fact can complicate a business’s implementation of its climate strategy. A company can vow to reduce its carbon footprint, but if it doesn’t know where it’s wasting electricity or fuel, how can meaningful changes be made? It’s as the saying goes: you cannot improve what you do not measure. 

I believe that data collection and analysis is the key to an effective climate strategy. But merely collecting data isn’t enough — nor is it necessarily helpful for some businesses. A bunch of meaningless numbers and uninterpretable factoids won’t bring organisations any closer to their environmental goals. You don’t have the time to be sifting through metre readings, unable to make heads or tails of the numbers you’ve been given.

You need helpful, actionable data. 

This is something Izon recognised a while back. We’ve built an energy management platform that does all the hard work for businesses. We turn live data into information that actually helps you make quick decisions.

The Izon asset management platform provides users with useful, real-time data at a glance. Data from all assets is localised on one platform – in fact, on a single screen – making asset monitoring and energy management easier than it’s ever been. And the Izon asset management platform doesn’t discriminate. No matter how big or small the assets, whether it’s an office’s HVAC system or an entire farm of wind turbines, Izon gathers all the data in one place.                                                                                                                                                    

The beauty of the Izon platform is that it’s completely customisable — making it a tool that can be used by any business, no matter the industry or sector. Izon users can build a dashboard that works for them, a centralised location that showcases data tailored to business needs. 

For businesses or organisations with various remote assets, the streamlined approach of Izon is particularly appealing. We’ve helped clients like Granville Energy and Sea Source meet regulatory and sustainability requirements, building these two wildly different organisations an asset management solution that caters to their specific business needs. Izon works to understand its clients. We learn what businesses do and how they operate in order to build them a platform that shows them the information they actually need. 

We’re also driven by results, and that fact is reflected in our software. The Izon platform makes immediate action possible, enabling businesses to be at the forefront of the battle against climate change, leading the pack. Insight provides the foundations for action, helping businesses and organisations to drive change in their respective industries. 

You can’t change what you don’t know. It’s time to take that first step towards knowing where your business is unsustainable, limiting energy waste, and reducing your organisation’s carbon footprint. 

Realistically the first step is to have a demonstration. We know the sustainability journey can seem daunting, and how you traverse this is far from clear. We are always open to help advise, and show the possibilities that are open to you, which extend far beyond simple regulatory compliance.

How The Circular Economy Can Make A Difference To The Environment And Your Business

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By Ross Moffett
Sales & Business Development Director, Everun 

The term ‘Circular Economy’ has been widely known in academia for some time, yet it has been slow to penetrate into business practices. In its simplest terms, it is moving from a linear economy of ‘take, make, waste’ practices into more sustainable methods that emphasise recycling and reuse.

As a renewable energy specialist, it was incumbent on Everun to examine what we can do to reduce waste in all that we do. Our journey began almost three years ago and it has been transformative for ourselves as well as our customers. 

Even when you’re thinking about energy in its purest form, you can’t just create it. Energy is moved from one place to another, for Everun it’s important that we look at the whole journey of our assets, parts and waste. Our customers want to know that not only are we asking them to do their bit in the fight against climate change but that we are doing our bit too. We must also look inward when talking about sustainability.

What we do with and how we dispose of our wind turbines is a good example. It’s important that when we decommission turbines, we communicate that effectively with our customers and wider community. In one example we took the blades off the turbine, stress tested them for strength and then created bridges with them. It’s important to us to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill from our work.

In some ways this epitomises the circular economy’s principle of valuing waste. For us it’s not just the transaction of creating renewable energy, it’s about being sustainable throughout that process, and continuing to be sustainable within ourselves.

While a lot of what a business does comes from the directors and senior managers sustainability can often be something that employees can drive, as the populace as a whole becomes more aware of the demands to reduce waste. I see it within Everun and its simple things. We have a fancy coffee machine, but a staff member suggested that we take the coffee groundings and put them into the food caddies and then we allow members of our staff to take them and use them for adding nutrients to their soil and grass.

That initiative didn’t come from me, our leadership team, it came from someone internally who wanted that change to happen, and we supported them to implement it. It’s vital to bring your staff along on your journey of sustainability.

I think that’s what’s happening throughout industry and throughout businesses. There are a specific number of people who are looking at sustainability from the top level down, as part of the ESG reporting. For example, they might be looking at our suppliers and asking what are they doing to help with carbon offset, they could be asking whether our suppliers have embraced renewable energy and find out how they are contributing to the circular economy.

Meanwhile, our staff on the ground can support the wider vision by doing things that are small changes for little impact such as recycling the coffee grounds and separating their general waste for recycling.

As we approach Northern Ireland’s 2030 zero net targets, companies articulating what they are doing to offset carbon by recycling, remanufacturing or repurposing items from their production will be a key question being asked in the boardrooms.

For businesses to successfully and confidently support the ambitious climate change targets we all must embrace what the circular economy represents. It is defined as the ‘model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum.’

No one could disagree with those principles. And they are principles that can reduce costs and create employment, when applied. Another example of where Everun does this is when we decommission a turbine we take the magnets from the gearboxes and sell them onto another company who will repurpose them in their manufacturing.

Where we can take the nose cones off the turbine and use them in children’s playgrounds turning them into climbing frames. We take the nacelle, which is the bit that is housing all the gear box elements and we turn those into garden rooms, or we can turn them into single dwellings. Within these processes there is remanufacturing, sales, commissioning, promotion, painting and much more. In many cases this creates reemployment or additional employment.

The process of embracing sustainability and the circular economy can be easier for some companies than others. This is why we are proud to be sponsors of the All Ireland Sustainability Awards later this year. This is a great opportunity for businesses who don’t quite know how they can contribute to see some fantastic case studies. And for businesses who are working hard at putting climate change on their priority list it’s the place to be recognised and congratulated for your work.

Adopting a circular economy model won’t be easy for all companies, for example, if you’re in an industry that is a high energy user, and high pollutant, and all of a sudden you’re whipping the handbrake up and saying, ‘we’re going to do this’, it feels like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. It’s important to take time, really consider your sustainability strategy and ensure you have a robust plan of action and buy in at every level within the business.

For Everun it was a no brainer. We are a renewables company installing wind turbines, solar PV, EV chargers and smart motors. It was important to us to show our clients we can walk the walk. For those who are finding it difficult or for those who are having problems getting leadership buy in, it’s a challenge that can be overcome with the right mindset, partners and resources. Partnerships have been very important to Everun, for example, we partnered with International Synergies who helped connect with the company that bought the magnets from us.

All businesses can start small in their journey to net zero. Look at your waste, packaging and other key elements of the business and ask what small changes can be made that will have a longer term impact. One small thing Everun did was switch from small orders to larger bulk orders so that we can reduce the carbon impact on shipping and packaging.

The circular economy is not just words, or papers from COP, policies from Europe, or our own Net Zero targets. It is common sense actions that will make a difference to your business.

Find out more about the All Ireland Sustainability Awards and how to enter at https://www.allirelandsustainability.com 

Tech Entrepreneurs To Invest £400k In Local Food Ordering App With Focus On Better Value For Businesses

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In response to continued rising costs for the food delivery industry from large corporate ordering apps, a group of Northern Ireland based entrepreneurs have launched a competitor that focuses on the needs of both the consumer and the business.

Eat Local, headed up by businessmen Ivan McCombe, Anthony Pereira and Sandeep Sharma, will offer restaurants, takeaways, cafes and other food to go establishments the opportunity to significantly decrease their costs for operating their delivery services.

The company, which has already invested over £250,000 to develop the app and its infrastructure has now pledged to invest a further £400,000 over the next year into the marketing of the app. 

Part of Eat Local’s mission is to encourage establishments to offer consumers the same prices on the app as they would get in the shop, more commonly known in the industry as ‘menu board prices’.

Founder Ivan McCombe said it’s time for the takeaway industry to take back their profits and to stop paying exuberant fees to global organisations which haemorrhage money from the local economy.

He explained: “Since a variety of global apps entered the takeaway market, takeaways who want to offer delivery services have been at the mercy of extortionate commissions and debilitating rising costs.

“At Eat Local we want to give takeaways back their money, keep expenditure in the local economy and reduce the prices consumers are paying for delivered goods.

“What many people don’t know is that more often than not establishments are having to increase their prices per item in order to compensate for the huge amounts of money they pay each week in commissions.

“Not just that, payments to the takeaways are delayed meaning reduced cashflow for the business and less control over their operations.”

As well as offering no commission structure the Eat Local app gives food to go establishments full control over the data, meaning the business can market directly to their own customers at any time.

Sandeep Sharma explained: “When I met Ivan and Anthony to discuss their tech product I was excited about how it can completely revolutionise the food to go market here in Northern Ireland. Being in the industry myself I knew first hand how their solution could completely change how my business operates.

“Cashflow is king and Eat Local’s commitment to giving takeaways and food to go establishments back the money they are paying in huge commissions is a game changer.

“Not just that, one of the most frustrating things for takeaways and restaurants who use global food delivery apps is that they have no control over their own data. They can’t retain any information they get about their customers.

“The way Eat Local is set up means we can give control back to our customers and give them the chance to interact directly with their own consumers.

“Likewise, we will also be investing heavily in marketing the app to consumers and bringing a lot more value added services to the table.”

One of those value added services includes an integrated ordering system which allows food delivery establishments to better control how they update, manage and operate their Eat Local profile.

Anthony Pereira explained that the user journey for both the customers and consumers was a big part of the app development process for Eat Local.

He said: “When we decided to create the Eat Local app I was able to bring my experience as a takeaway owner to the table and ask ‘what do takeaways really need from an app’, that alongside consultations with the industry we have been able to put together a product that not only rivals the global food delivery apps but offers consumers a similar customer journey.

“Our app is simple and easy to use, gives food delivery businesses more control over their profile and has been created to allow us to expand the offerings and value we bring to the end consumer.”

Eat Local is currently offering food delivery companies, takeaways and food to go establishments free access to the app and system up until September 30th during which time the company will roll out a consumer campaign.

To find out more about how you can support Eat Local to help keep cashflow in the Northern Ireland economy go to eatlocaluk.co.uk 

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