Read one Irish entrepreneur's blog as she operates a business in Dublin
I've always known AIB were great
April 18, 2005
But wow, have they surpassed themselves now!
AIB is the leader in this land as far as branding, advertising, online services and customer service is concerned. Those are the aspects of the bank that I consume and I think they're great, so it would be safe to assume that their prowess stretches far beyond - into other areas too.
And I'm wondering if I unwittingly engaged in them only last week...
Brightspark has been sporting a bright and shiny new (Southside) telephone number for the past number of weeks - don't worry Northside readers, this is only a temporary thing - the new number contains a series of 4 digits that are very like the PIN on my ATM card.
Poor over-wraught little brain of Brightspark's overloaded and couldn't handle the 2 sets of numbers, so chose to forget the very important PIN number - completely. Typical isn't it? Not to forget the number that is written down everywhere, on email signatures, letterhead, etc...but such is the way of the strong female mind.
I kept thinking the number would come back to me; kept risking my reputation trying at the ATM different permutations and combinations of likely numbers. I tell you - it's can a bit embarrassing when they don't work. Certainly made me feel like a student again, skulking away from the ATM with no cash in hand! Anyway, it had gotten to a point last week where I couldn't exist with no real mula much longer, so I telephoned the lovely people at AIB 24 hour banking and asked for help.
When I told them what happened and thought that I'd need a new PIN to be issued, a lovely person suggested that they just reissue my existing PIN. (eircom take note - thinking AND helpful suggestions). That sounded grand and I ended the call feeling very pleased that I had gone to the trouble of moving all my accounts to AIB.
Now, this is where the interesting bit kicks in - I haven't received a piece of paper with my PIN on it from AIB...but I have remembered it. Or maybe I have received memories of it. Hhm? Yeah? Have you seen "Minority Report"? All that high tech stuff is a lot closer than we know...
What I'm wondering is this: maybe I've been included in secret trials for a new way of communicating with customers - TBTP - To Brain Transfer Protocol. Imagine what an easy sell that would be to bankers all over:
- Seamless transfer of information direct to your client's heads
- Saves on postage and telephone bills
- In tests, 2 out of 3 people say they preferred it
Benefits
And yes - I'm one of those 2!
I bet you wish it were you - that you'd forgotten your PIN and ended up as an early adopter of a new global life enhancing technology...?
Or maybe you're glancing at the time down there below and thinkking, isn't it time she had a rest?
A Hard Day's Night
April 14, 2005
Yes, that's what it's been. I can really understand what The Beatles meant now, although somehow I can't imagine John Lennon working from early morning to late at night.
This week has been much the same as last week - 6am starts, 9pm ends. Highlight of the day is a work-out at the gym. (God bless you Westwoods!).
This is why there hasn't been too much activity on the oul blogging of late.
Why is this so you might ask? Surely Brightspark is an excellent manager of time and is prepared in advance for everything that comes her way?
Mmm, maybe. But at the moment we have 2 flagship projects on. By flagship I mean the kind we can spend the summer going around bragging about. The kind that we can name drop in a favourite cafe, bar or networking group and sit back and watch the work pour in. Oh yes, roll on summer...a time for marketing and mending the nets.
Prolific Or Wha'
April 05, 2005
2 entries in 1 day, but I had to draw attention to this. It's either an exceptionally good example of phishing or it's for real. I think the former.
Don't give your credit card details when you click this.
Me & Bertie Singing Off The Same Hymn Sheet
That's because he made it very clear yesterday that Ireland will not be having a national day of mourning for the Pope on Friday. Pardon the pun re. the hymn sheet but really, another day off when we've just had Paddy's Day and Easter would be simply too much.
I'm also glad because it's sending a message that we are a multi-denominational society now that is not dominated by the Catholic Church. It would be doubly difficult for a Protestant, Muslim or Hindu small business owner if Friday were another day off.
I heard a good comment on the radio this morning - someone texted in to say that in 1979 they saw the Pope when he came to Ireland and they also saw "Superman" when it hit the big screen. This texter said that he felt sadder when he heard of Christopher Reeves' death.
Find Broadband
April 03, 2005
Here is a handy online tool that allows you to search for broadband providers in your area.
I've just been finding out how difficult it is to get broadband in my new area - Dublin 4 no less. You'd think that with all those high income householders that the DSL providers would be champing at the bit to get in there, but it's not like that.
The phone lines tend to be old so eircom makes it difficult to get standard broadband - you have to get a new line in, and they 'don't guarantee anything" and they don't like you doing that, so that leaves wireless and satellite.
Where I am, it's just that bit far from the Donnybrook tower so I can't get wireless and I don't fancy paying a €900 start-up fee for satellite.
Dogged determination, patience, and learning to ask the right questions off eircom is what has got me this far.
If you are thinking of buying a house and broadband is important to you, check the link above and make sure that you can get DSL in your area.
That was a public service announcement brought to you from Brightspark!