Ciaran Bollard

🚀 Ready to elevate your business game? 🚀 Our latest blog post "Gain Competitive Advantage: Discover the Power of Digital Transformation for Irish SMEs" dives deep into how digital transformation is revolutionising the way businesses operate. 💡 With the rise of new technologies, Irish SMEs are embracing digital solutions to stay ahead of the curve! Curious about the secret ingredients that can catapult your business to new heights? Head over to the blog to uncover the magic! 🌐✨ Read more: https://lnkd.in/erFHWg2u Join the conversation - let’s discuss how digital transformation is shaping up your business!👇 #DigitalTransformation #IrishSMEs #TechInnovation #BusinessGrowth

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Digital Business Ireland is calling on the Government to create a tailored AI training fund for SMEs, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to scale their business and remain competitive. 💡 Did you know? Nearly 23% of people under 44 are already using AI daily to boost work efficiency.  Larger companies are adopting AI faster than SMEs — we need to close this gap!  With AI advancing rapidly, now is the time to invest in AI infrastructure, training, and digitalisation. Let's ensure every business can harness the power of AI to drive innovation

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HEAnet will be hosting the Dublin Local Hub for the RIPE NCC Green Hackathon in December! ***** You can join the Hackathon here: https://lnkd.in/gFZeD_gb We'll explore innovative solutions for reducing the environmental impact of digital technologies, not only with a focus on Internet infrastructure but also on ideas of regenerative society and climate justice - and everything in between. We are looking for enthusiastic and critical thinkers in Green Tech. If you are a hacker, software developer, climate expert, network engineer, student, researcher, data scientist, designer, economist, sys-admin, philosopher, gardener, academic, or poet, who wants to create a sustainable future, then this event is for you! The https://lnkd.in/g_i97jxS takes place on 10-11 December 2024 in the following locations (based on geographical distance): Online (more than half of the participants!) Dublin Local Hub - hosted by HEAnet - 93/94 North Wall Quay, Dublin D01 V8Y6, Ireland In person in Amsterdam and other Local Hubs (Greece, Slovenia, UK, Serbia) Register here (please mention if joining a Local Hub): https://lnkd.in/g_i97jxS RIPE NCC hackathons are non-commercial and non-competitive. We focus on cooperation and openness - all the code produced is FLOSS, and all the results are published on public software repositories, wikis, and on blogs to help others further create, experiment, and develop ideas and tools.

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Register below to join us this Wednesday for TechCentral.ie's webinar series, first up we will look at the topic of EU regulations and in particular the difficulties managing the transition from debate to implementation. #ai #webinar #dora

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Paddy Cosgrave and the Web Summit Phenomenon 🌍 What started as a modest gathering in Dublin has transformed into one of the most influential tech conferences in the world. Under the visionary leadership of Paddy Cosgrave, Web Summit has redefined how the global tech community connects, collaborates, and innovates. From its grassroots beginnings in 2009 with just 150 attendees to hosting 70,000+ participants in Lisbon today, Web Summit is a testament to Irish ingenuity and the power of bold ideas. 🚀 In this week’s feature, we explore the fascinating journey of Cosgrave—his humble start in County Wicklow, the challenges of scaling a global phenomenon, and the bold decisions that shaped Web Summit into a global hub for innovation. It’s a story of resilience, adaptability, and the determination to keep pushing boundaries—even when faced with setbacks. ☘️ Ireland may be small, but our ideas are BIG. Web Summit is another example of how Irish talent is leading the way on the global stage. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e8HcsTvH

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Fascinating insights on Generative AI's potential to transform businesses by KPMG Ireland #GENAITechTalk today. Great discussion panel - Alan Lavery, Olivia Keenaghan, Alan O'Herlihy, Marie Toft on the future of GenAI. How do you see GenAI impacting your industry? #AI

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Fascinating report for CFOs 📊 As the financial landscape continues to evolve, insights like these are invaluable for staying ahead of the curve. Looking forward to seeing how these trends shape the future of finance.

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Is your AI strategy future-proof? Irish organisations are poised to harness AI's potential, but with 59% of businesses operating without crucial AI policies, there is a significant data and business integrity risk. Aarthi Kumar, Director, Data Analytics and AI discusses how businesses can balance innovation and ethics and how AI policies can protect and propel your business. Read the EY Ireland Tech Leaders Outlook Survey 2024 to find out –https://go.ey.com/3yhmdn3 #Techsurvey #AI #Sustainability #cybersecurity Colin Reilly | Eoin O'Reilly | Dave O'Shaughnessy | Tim Bøgh Morthorst | Orla Duffy | Puneet KUKREJA | Ronan Walsh | Paul Browne

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Heading to the #HEAnetConference in Killarney?  🚀 Be sure to meet up with Ann-Marie Maher from BetterExaminations! Let’s discuss how we’re reimagining assessment to drive efficiency and innovation in education. See you there!  #HEAnet2024 #DigitalInnovation #EAssessment

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A Journey of Growth and Transformation Just 10 months ago, I started this journey on my own, armed with nothing but a vision and a relentless drive to make a difference in the world of tax technology. Today, I am honored to lead a team of over 50 dedicated professionals at RTC each one contributing their unique skills and passion to our shared mission. Our recent milestone—securing significant early-stage investment and relocating RTC's global headquarters to Ireland—marks a new chapter in our story. Ireland, a renowned tech hub in Europe, provides the perfect ecosystem for us to innovate and enhance our RTC Suite. This seamless and scalable cloud platform delivers cutting-edge real-time tax compliance solutions, including e-Invoicing and e-Reporting, to clients worldwide. This journey has been nothing short of incredible, filled with challenges and triumphs. It's a testament to the power of determination, teamwork, and vision. As we set our sights on this exciting new phase, I am reminded of the words of Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." Join us as we continue to transform global tax compliance and break new ground in innovation and service excellence. Together, we are not just building a company but a legacy of excellence and integrity. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. #Innovation #Growth #TaxTechnology #RTC #Ireland #NewBeginnings #eInvoice #eReporting

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Decisions, Decisions.... The last webinar in the spring series is just a few days away. If you haven't already signed up, there is still time! you can do so at www.whitespire.ie I have covered this topic in workshops a number of times before and the takeaway that emerges is that decision making bottlenecks are heightened if trust is low or company objectives are ambiguous. In this webinar I'll talk about how to put in guiderails to allow people to make decisions with confidence within their sphere of control. Check it out on Monday! #decisionmaking #leadership #operationalexcellence

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📢 IT Managers in SMEs📢 Join us for an in-person event where we'll explore how advanced technologies like AI and cloud services are transforming operations and boosting digital sales in Irish SMEs. Our panel, moderated by Ciara O'Brien of The Irish Times will discuss our recent research, supported by Microsoft which showed that: 🔹 Over 35% of SMEs have already implemented AI, with nearly 48% planning to adopt it within the next 12 months. Key benefits include improvements in customer service, IT, and sales. 🔹 65% of SMEs have reported an increase in online revenue over the past two years, thanks to investments in cloud services, data analytics, and digital customer platforms. 🔹 Cybersecurity remains crucial, with 17% of SMEs experiencing a cyber-attack in the last year. Join us to valuable insights, network with industry experts, and learn how to overcome barriers to technology adoption. 📅 Tuesday 19th November, 10am - 1pm 📍 Microsoft Campus, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 🎤 MD of eir evo Martin Wells, SMC Lead - Microsoft Ireland Jonathan Eustace and Director of the Small Firms Association David Broderick Register here: https://lnkd.in/e-rJ-8DQ #SMEs #Technology #AI #CloudServices #Cybersecurity #DigitalTransformation

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🚀 Introducing our new Microsoft Data & AI Pillar 🚀 We’re excited to announce the launch of our Data & AI Pillar, headed up by our Microsoft Practice Director Joe Carlyle 🌟 As a trusted Microsoft Partner, eir evo is committed to helping organisations harness the power of advanced AI and data solutions for growth and success. Our new pillar covers:  🔹 Microsoft Fabric: Seamlessly weave together data and AI solutions to create a robust digital fabric for your organisation. 🌐 🔹Azure Open AI: Leverage innovative AI models like ChatGPT to transform how you engage with your customers and streamline operations 🤖 🔹Business Intelligence (Power BI): Transform raw data into actionable insights to empower you to make informed decisions 📊 🔹Data Platform & Engineering: Build a solid foundation for AI adoption. Our experts will guide you through data engineering, architecture, and optimisation. 💡 🔹Data Governance: Safeguard your data with robust governance practices. Ensure your data is secure, compliant, and effectively managed to maximise its value. 🔒 🌐 Whether you're looking to innovate, enhance operational efficiency, or ensure your data is managed wisely, we're here to help – simply get in touch 💪 #AI #Data #PowerBI #AzureOpenAI #MicrosoftPartner

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Benchmarking as a CEO can be hard, that's why the Vistage CEO Quarterly Confidence Index is so useful. Key findings from last quarter include: ● 44% of all business leaders believe that the overall economic conditions in the UK and Ireland have improved compared to a year ago. ● 62% of SMEs are confident that their firm's sales revenue will increase over the next 12 months. There's more on AI adoption and impact of costs. Let me know if you would like a copy. #Vistage #CEO #peeradvisory

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Auxilion's 'Cloud Insights Report 2024: Investments, Security, AI & Sustainability'. We asked 200+ IT decision makers about their opinions, current realities, investments and challenges relating to cloud, IT budgets, AI, sustainability and much more. Fantastic insights from leaders in Ireland and the UK on what's driving their strategic directions and investments in 2024. Download this free report today.

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Want the big insights on Irish fundraising success stories from 2024? ☘️👇  Comment "☘️” below for your recording of our webinar on this topic    And get a free demo on the tools behind the big success stories using this link:  https://lnkd.in/egKcYSMa    Here's a quick reminder of the key topics we covered last week:    🏊‍♀️ Swim in Pink: €22K → €200K in 3 years  800% growth down to 2 factors; people and tech.  Interactive locations map and local champions combined for viral growth.  Bright, bold PINK marketing, clear personas and iDonate form drove sign ups. 🎯 LauraLynn's €435K+ Success with Skipping Huge amount due to spotting potential after just 7 days of recruitment.  Tracking trends year-on-year enabled team to scale quickly and confidently.  Tools like iDonate’s campaign dashboard can help with quick decision making. 🏃‍♂️ GOAL Mile - A Contactless Revolution No hardware, no complicated setup, no staff confusion – just “Tap to Donate”.  Tap to Donate delivered so well on objectives that it’s being adopted worldwide.  GOAL are now using iDonate Tap to Donate solution in the UK and the USA.   Reminder to just comment "☘️” and I’ll send you a recording by private message on LinkedIn.   P.S. If you’d like to talk more about the tools behind some of these success stories, then book a free demo on this link: https://lnkd.in/egKcYSMa 

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I'm inspired by the latest results of our Microsoft Ireland Work Trend Index 2024, which show how workers across organisations in Ireland are taking an active approach to AI skilling.  The data shows a workforce in transition, with many looking for new opportunities and extra income sources. This matches a growing demand for fulfilling work, along with flexibility. AI is leading this change, offering a way to improve the employee experience and foster a culture of meaningful work. In the last three years, we've seen a clear need for better work-life balance and a solution to the lack of connection felt in hybrid work environments. Read more here:  https://lnkd.in/exNVdZgw #WorkTrendIndex #AI #MicrosoftIreland 

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Useful information with the Microsoft Ireland Work Trend Index 2024 latest feedback as we continue to navigate AI usage and adoption trends: Two thirds of workers in Ireland seek AI upskilling while changing employer climbs to highest level in three years. 🚀

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