Add Value to the Customer Experience using BI Dashboards

BI dashboards are not only used to monitor and enhance a company’s own performance, they are increasingly being utilised to add value to the customer experience, explains market-leading provider of business intelligence software, panintelligence (http://www.panintelligence.com/).
The right business intelligence solution can not only improve your company’s data analysis and reporting but it can also help you offer more to your customers.

The BI dashboard from panintelligence can provide your customers with access to real-time information that is relevant to them, such as progress against SLAs or updates on campaigns and projects. The panintelligence dashboard can also be used to embed individual charts into other applications to deliver value-added services to customers, improving their experience. Embeddable BI solutions, such as that offered by panintelligence, puts data into the hands of the customer, adding long-term value to the end user experience.

Being able to extend data analysis capabilities outside of your core business and to roll it out to your customers and stakeholders is a vital way of ensuring a competitive edge in today’s challenging marketplace. The sharing of information, reporting and analysis are all set to be key components of the customer/partner relationship in the coming years, and the panintelligence BI dashboard simplifies and streamlines this process.

One of panintelligence’s clients, Communisis, a leading marketing services provider, is harnessing the BI software to help improve the effectiveness of their customers’ communications by enhancing and deploying customer data. Thanks to the panintelligence dashboard, Communisis is improving campaign reporting and giving their customers access to the most up-to-date information.
Tim Mason, Head of Management Information at Communisis said “The panintelligence dashboard gives us the optimum combination of power, flexibility and ease of use. The product is easy to work with and our staff have quickly learned how to create useful reports. The product has a light footprint, requiring little disc space and bandwidth. Performance is excellent, and the pricing is very competitive. We believe this product can do a brilliant job for us and our customers.”

The ability to extend data analysis and reporting to your customers can strengthen relationships and improve client retention, which are vital in these tough economic conditions. For further information on the business dashboard from panintelligence go to http://www.panintelligence.com/.
Editor’s Note: panintelligence (http://www.panintelligence.com/) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637

So many ways to inject some style in your life

If like us, you’re a bit tired of the relentlessly bleak news about the global economy and would rather focus on the fab, not drab, dreaming of a more glamorous outlook, then it’s time to inject some serious style in your life. Here at the home of one of the premier stylists in London, Shikkuu Guides (http://www.shikkuuguides.com/), we offer so many ways to do just that, and it’s far more affordable then you may think.

Shikkuu Guides offers you a range of stylish services that will provide a welcome dose of glamour, whether you choose to overhaul your wardrobe, update the colour palette of your clothes or discover some of London’s secret sartorial addresses. Here is just a selection:

Hire a Fashion Stylist

Ever wonder how the stars manage to look so picture perfect all the time? With the possible exception of Kate Moss, none of them can take personal credit. They all rely on the indispensable services of a fashion stylist. At Shikkuu Guides, we don’t think this valuable service should be restricted to the wealthy, which is why we offer an affordable stylist service, offering all of the up-to-the-minute expertise and fashion know-how without the hefty price tag.

Personal Shopper Service

Hiring a personal shopper is a great way to adopt your favourite runway looks within a realistic budget; find out the best new styles to hit the hottest high street shops; discover which styles and shapes suit you best; and ensure this season’s key pieces feature in your wardrobe. Our personal shopper services in London offer all this and more.

Make Up Lessons

Of course for women, great style isn’t just about great clothes, it’s also about good grooming and flattering make-up. Make-up really is an art form - just look at the celebrities who don’t go anywhere without their personal make-up artist. We can help you tap into this art yourself, however, showing you some insider tricks of the trade which will bring out your best features, minimise any imperfections and look yourself but a whole lot slicker and prettier!

Style Makeover

Even the most fashion-forward among us can fall into a style rut, sticking to the old faithful fashions we know (or at least think!) that suit us. A style makeover is what needed in this case, and our expert stylists will show you how to bring your personal style bang up to date but very much keeping to what suits your size, shape and lifestyle. You’ll be you, but a whole new, fabulous you!

Colour Consultation

Do you have a lot of black in your wardrobe? We bet you do! There may be nothing more chic than the LBD, but black is not the only fashionable colour, people! With our help, you can unlock the power of the palette in your wardrobe, picking colours that flatter, bring out your complexion, nod to the styles of the season, and lift your mood. 

If all this sounds like the stuff of dreams to mere mortals then think again. Find out about the real-world pricing for our full range of style services at http://www.shikkuuguides.com/. A new, more stylish you could soon be the reality.

Editor’s Note: Shikkuu Guides (http://www.shikkuuguides.com/) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637

Train to be an NLP Coach or Hypnotherapist with Opt2xl

Time and time again, individuals with an interest in Hypnotherapy or NLP courses in Birmingham have approached our experts here at Opt2xl (http://www.opt2xl.co.uk) and walked away, after the completion of their course, feeling invigorated, inspired and ready to take on the challenges that present themselves in their lives. As seasoned NLP Practitioners, we certainly know about the profoundly positive effects of such training on one’s self-esteem, as do our continually satisfied clients. But what if you are interested in becoming a Hypnotherapist or NLP Coach yourself?

There’s little question that a career in NLP Coaching or Hypnotherapy can be a greatly rewarding career, both emotionally and financially, with earnings depending on exactly where you practice, the market that you choose and how much experience you possess. Fees can be especially high if you opt to work in cities such as Birmingham and London and have built an especially strong reputation. But of course, there are few rewards quite like helping your clients to liberate themselves from the false beliefs that hold them back in their lives – and seeing the fast, effective, long lasting results.

There aren’t presently any UK laws relating to the training and registration of Hypnotherapists or Coaches, although the value of life experience can be an advantage in being able to build rapport and understand people. The range of courses on offer is also wide, and you may be tempted by the various online-only offerings. In truth, these types of courses are great for acquiring knowledge though lack the benefit of putting everything into practice. It really helps to be able to meet, face to face, with those who are providing you with Hypnotherapy and NLP training in Birmingham so that you find everything easy to learn, understand and apply. That’s why, here at Opt2xl, we take pride in the ‘hands on’ training that we provide in a series of courses.

Those who are looking for the highest standard of training in Hypnotherapy or NLP coaching in Birmingham couldn’t hope to do any better than choosing our Accelerated NLP Practitioner Multi Certification Training. Using our blended learning program, following your pre course study, you can be certified in just 8 days. It’s a flexible course that is attended by people of all backgrounds fro a variety of reasons, but which also provides the perfect grounding for a career in Coaching/Therapy, with the freedom to specialise in the likes of Hypnosis, NLP Coaching and Time Line Therapy®. You will also benefit from our unrivalled coaching support to put everything into action following your attendance.

You may then choose to take your skills to the level of Mastery by attending our Master Practitioner Certification Training, which is unique in the UK. As part of the NLP Master Trainer program we assist at the trainings of our mentors, Drs Tad and Adriana James each year in Las Vegas. This allows us to bring back the latest and innovative information and skills taught by them, we are the only trainers in the UK who do this. This means that you get a truly up-to-date NLP Master Practitioner course that does not include any unnecessary extra CDs that simply increase the cost to you. Instead, you’ll simply be trained to the level of Mastery in all subject areas. If you are a practising Coach/Therapist these new skill levels will mean that you can be even more flexible and credible with clients and achieve even faster results with ease.

Contact Opt2xl (http://www.opt2xl.co.uk) now for more information about our cutting edge NLP Coaching and hypnotherapy training in Birmingham .

Editor’s Note: Opt2xl (http://www.opt2xl.co.uk) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637

Do you have what it takes to be a freelancer?

Did you know that November 21^st was National Freelancers Day? If you did know, then you may be currently employed, but curious about what the freelance ‘lifestyle’ has to offer, prompting you to visit this site. Certainly, Freelancer Accounting (http://www.freelanceraccounting.com) is committed to providing the highest quality accountancy services for this section of the UK workforce, but our experience also puts us in a good position to provide advice on what it takes to succeed when self-employed.

You might have presumed that freelancers are all a bunch of jetsetters with salaries far exceeding that of the rest of the population. On that front, perhaps your presumptions aren’t too inaccurate. After all, a recent study revealed that the average freelancer salary is more than twice that of the average British worker, with those in fields like banking, engineering and IT doing especially well. However, freelancing also frequently involves long hours with no holidays, with 40% of freelancers working more than 41 hours a week – and 15%, more than 51 hours a week. There’s no holiday pay, after all.

Indeed, there are other statistics around that tell a story of some perhaps being forced into freelancing, such as the record number of part-time workers in the UK and the 80% increase in the number of freelancers across Europe. Indeed, 1 in 4 of the UK’s 4.2 million freelancers – 14% of the nation’s workforce – admitted to being forced into self-employment having been made redundant. Given the increasing trend for cash-strapped companies to outsource services, it seems that accountants for contractors will be in demand for some time yet!

In truth, freelancers ideally need to have certain characteristics to succeed, with some people simply preferring the comfortable structure that being employed provides. Many of those who make use of our accountants for freelancers find it difficult to say “no” to work as it comes in, not least given the uncertainty of how much work will be available from one week to the next. Those in self-employment are lonelier and need to be ‘self-starters’, proactively seeking out contacts and constantly waking up to work each day, unprompted, and that’s not a transition that some people easily make – even if the rewards are potentially great.

Another potentially complex area to which freelancers need to pay attention is, of course, their own accounting. To be a freelancer at all, you’ll need to be self-confident in your work, so that’s rarely such a big problem... but if you’re one of the many freelancers or contractors who admit to being “terrible with numbers”, you’ve got a potential issue. That’s why Freelancer Accounting (http://www.freelanceraccounting.com) is here to guide you through the various intricacies of freelance accounting and relieve stress, providing you with a well-qualified PCG accountant so that you can spend more time doing what you do best!

Editor’s Note: Freelancer Accounting (http://www.freelanceraccounting.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637

Companies are being ‘introspective’ about sustainability reporting

Newly published research indicates that businesses in the UK are being too ‘introspective’ in their sustainability reporting, reports energy saving technology experts EcoAdapt (http://www.ecoadapt.co.uk).

The 2012 Tomorrow’s Value Research (TVR) report commissioned by research consultancy DNV Two Tomorrows found that companies are approaching sustainability reporting as an ‘obligatory box-ticking exercise demanded by stakeholders’ and rather than looking at the bigger picture, are being too introspective about sustainability measures and associated reporting. According to the research, businesses are looking at energy efficiency and sustainability through the prism of only those issues they can directly control themselves. Instead, they should be taking a step back and assessing their sustainability within a wider, global framework.

It was Dr Todd Cort, director of the 2012 TVR who claimed that companies are being ‘introspective’ about sustainability reporting, something he says is having a negative impact on global environmental efforts, as well as being detrimental to company shareholders. He says, “The result is corporate sustainability reports that paint legitimate pictures of success in sustainability, but a global reality where we are far from achieving solutions...Sustainability reporting should instead be an opportunity to drive continuous improvement toward the big challenges that we face as a society”.

UK businesses may balk at the opinion that they should be facing big societal challenges at a time when most are facing their own struggles in an economy which is only now showing small signs of improvement. However, when it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability there are key ways in which businesses can take internal steps which, far from being introspective, actually help to make global strides for the environment. Steps such as installing voltage optimisation equipment, which helps to reduce electric costs internally while aiding carbon reduction on a wider scale. Find out more at the EcoAdapt website at http://www.ecoadapt.co.uk.

What are the common technology challenges across the maritime industries?

QinetiQ is in the business of solving some of the world’s most challenging problems. By identifying common technology challenges across the maritime industries companies can focus investment on the technology development of products and services that have the greatest chance of achieving competitive advantage in the global maritime marketplace.

Here is a list of 8 common maritime technology challenges that constantly need to be improved upon;

1. Generate, store and distribute power efficiently
2. Conserve energy and manage emissions responsibly
3. Design and construct vessels and systems rapidly and cost effectively
4. Reduce maintenance effort and maximise operational time at sea
5. Minimise vessel and system vulnerability
6. Sense the environment and provide accurate situational awareness
7. Collate and analyse data efficiently to enable rapid command decisions
8. Improve operational risk management and mitigation techniques

Each of these maritime technology challenges requires the development, engineering and integration of existing and future individual technology to produce globally attractive products and services for the maritime industry.

Underpinning research and development by companies, research organisations and universities continues to be essential to meet these maritime technology challenges. Research competitions and matched funding can help facilitate maritime technology development.

Iain Kennedy, the author is Strategy Director for Maritime business at QinetiQ. He is part of the QinetiQ management team responsible for business development and has spent the last 16 years working in the Maritime Industries running businesses of various sizes. Iain is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and is an active member of the Science and Technology group of the UK Naval Engineering Science and Technology Forum.

To read Iain’s recently published article in the Society for Maritime Industries (SMI) 2012 Annual Review,‘Meeting the maritime sector’s future technology requirements’, click here and turn to pages 25 to 28.

Find out more about QinetiQ Maritime.

What role do books, pads and albums have to play in the 21st century office?

Books, pads and albums have long been among the most prominent office stationary, whether they take pride of place on the reception desk or are instead stuffed into the pocket of the overworked company director. However, you might think that such primitive things have long been superseded these days, given the emergence of tablet computers and smartphones. Well, here at Office1web (http://www.office1web.ie), we’re here to remind you that they haven’t.

The truth is that many of us just haven’t yet fallen in love with such sophisticated devices when it comes to more work-like activities than watching YouTube videos or idly surfing the online news pages. Plus, there is such an astounding choice of affordable and high quality books, pads and albums in the business supplies range at Office1web that it’s barely worth fiddling around with a pricey app that you’ll probably forget about as soon as you put the device back in your pocket.

Traditional books, pads and albums are easy to use for technophiles and technophobes alike, and are instantly recognisable. In a world in which absolutely everything now seems to be done via a screen, it’s somehow reassuring to be presented with something as tactile as a pen and paper. Such popular items of stationary as manuscript and business card books keep everything in one place. Plus, you don’t have to worry about Internet viruses and other nasties threatening your information.

You’d be amazed at the no-nonsense practical use that you can get out of a book, pad or album, not least courtesy of the astounding range of designs and sizes that we offer. Our manuscript books, for example, protect your notes over the long term thanks to their fully cased, sturdy hardback covers and spines. Or maybe you need a signature book that allows you to keep together your office’s vital signing-in documents? Not only do they have durable polypropylene covers, but their label inserts are also easily replaced.

Our current selection of pads, meanwhile, includes high quality analysis pads with quality white wove paper printed with line and column numbers, complete with a reference box at the head of the sheet. Or maybe you could do with accounts books that allow you to keep your company’s financial affairs in better order? We also sell memo pads on which to jot down daily activities, repositional notes – perhaps better known as sticky notes or post-its – and duplicate books consisting of no carbon required (NCR) paper, meaning that you can instantly and permanently duplicate messages.

It’s not as if you even have to be an office worker to take an interest in our books, pads and albums, with drawing pads for artists and students and visitors books for hotels and guest houses being just a few of our other popular items of stationery here at Office1web (http://www.office1web.ie). Happy shopping!

Editor’s Note: Office1web (http://www.office1web.ie) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637

Could Strict New Auditing Rules Affect your Company?

If you are a listed company anywhere in Europe, then you could be affected by strict new rules for auditors, reports leading company secretarial services provider London Registrars (http://www.london-registrars.co.uk/).

A collective of more than a dozen institutional investors and trade bodies are calling for tougher auditing rules in a paper which insists that the European Commission (EC) and politicians across Europe take action to ensure that a banking crisis like that seen in 2008 cannot happen again. Last year, the EC ruled that listed companies have to change their auditor at least every six years, however a report by British MEP Sajjad Karim which recommends that this ruling be relaxed is currently under discussion.

Further rulings on auditing issues proposed by the EC include a ban on companies carrying out non-audit work for their audit clients. According to London City news portal City A.M., this would mean banning an area of business which creates as much as 15% of revenue for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, therefore company compliance with these tough new auditing rules could well be controversial. The group of top European investors are urging Brussels to limit non-audit work to a maximum of 50% of audit fees and insist there is greater transparency on the part of auditors. They believe that the failure of auditors to give warnings about the bank collapses seen in the economic crisis was down to a lack of independence and scepticism in the audit industry.

If you would like advice on whether your listed company will be directly or indirectly affected by these new auditing rules, speak to one of the experts at London Registrars, details at http://www.london-registrars.co.uk/.

OPTASENSE BEGINS WORK IN IRAQ

OptaSense, the company that protects the world’s key infrastructures by turning fibre-optic cables into a listening device has secured a key pipeline security contract in Iraq. The contract is to help provide protection to a new 180km pipeline corridor, owned and run by the State Company for Oil Project Iraq (SCOP).

OptaSense will be providing the technology to allow vital operational and security data to help operate, protect and secure the pipeline along both sides of a 60 meters wide pipeline corridor. When complete the pipeline corridor will be protected by over 20,000 virtual microphones making it one of the most monitored assets in the region. This means any activity in and around the pipeline corridor will be ‘heard’ whether these be footsteps, digging or vehicles  The OptaSense acoustic alert data will be used to inform and guide the correct response to maintain pipeline integrity.

The project, due to be completed in March 2013, will complement work already taking place in Oman, Qatar and elsewhere in Iraq. The project will be managed from OptaSense regional HQ in Dubai.

Magnus McEwen-King, MD for OptaSense said:

“This contract is a significant step for OptaSense in the Middle East and builds on our investment in a regional HQ in Dubai.  OptaSense will, for the first time, be providing a secure corridor, between which multiple pipelines will be built. We already have a proven track record of providing pipeline security elsewhere in the Middle East and around the world, and we are pleased to be undertaking another major project in the region.  This cutting edge technology will provide a cost-effective means of protecting vital Iraqi infrastructure.

“We are rapidly establishing ourselves in the Middle East, and working in Iraq is important for OptaSense and shows the growing economic confidence in the country as a whole.”

The success of OptaSense reflects the growing realisation that “Leak Prevention” is much more desirable to “Leak Detection” with OptaSense able to detect, classify, locate and alarm on the events that precede a pipeline leak. With oil theft and breaches of pipelines costing the industry billions of dollars in lost revenue every year, OptaSense has a cost effective means to help provide a leak prevention solution.