Connector Brainstorm @ Science Gallery, 6pm, Thurs 25th Nov
by graeme on November 7th, 2010
WHO : www.connector.ie – organising “social networking social events†where we bring together diverse on-line & off-line communities to make new social, commercial & business connections.
WHAT : Four great opportunities for you to participate in our NEW event format called Connector Brainstorm :
1. BRAINSTORM : REGISTER TODAY to join in the Connector Brainstorm which is for members of Connector.
6 tables, 6 topics, 8 to 10 participants per table
3 brainstorming sessions lasting 40 minutes per session
With each table chaired by a moderator, using different brainstorming techniques
Awards for each moderator’s selected “Most Valuable Ideas†and for the Brainstorm’s “Most Valued Players†of the evening
2. CONNECT : Meet & make new business & social contacts across a diverse range of businesses and services in Dublin.
3. LEARN : We have draft outline of 6 topics for discussion but you have the opportunity to sponsor your own topic of discussion. Use the Connector Brainstorm event to make new connections & generate new ideas for your chosen topic.
4. SHOWCASE : Promote, advertise, market and sell your new business idea, product or service by sponsoring one of our 6 tables and brainstorm a topic specific to your business.
WHY : an excellent, cost-effective opportunity to promote & leverage your brand, product or service during & after the Connector Brainstorm event. It’s not always what you know, but rather who you know that will open new doors of opportunity.
WHEN : Thursday 25th November at 6pm
WHERE : Science Gallery, The Naughton Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
HOW :Â To participate in the Connector Brainstorm event, REGISTER NOW to secure your place.
For more information on sponsoring a topic or table at this event, please contact Conor Lynch at 86 8118833 or via email at conor@connector.ie
Connect with NAMA
by Diarmuid ORiordan on March 11th, 2010
This is a bit Irish. The Facebook group “No to NAMA†has 11,369 members. I want John Joe from the late late toy show to fix my clock group has 47,415! In my opinion, Ireland needs to connect online to have a discussion about the most important piece of legislation in the history of the state.
Lets use social media to voice our opinions and lets get interested in what could potentially make or break our state. Why?
NAMA is purchasing loans at only a 30% discount from the banks. The lands these loans are based on are now priced back at agricultural value. Unless the farmers strike oil on this land, the actual underlying value will remain as low as 10% of the loan value. We’re screwed!
David McWilliams sums up the figures as “we see that there will be €51.5bn of land and development assets and associated loans transferred, based on what he has seen so far, we are looking at a hole of possibly €40bn, where we will borrow €51.5bn from the ECB, for assets worth a little over €10bn”.
A loss of €40 billion ladies and gentleman, puts Ireland in the red for generations to come.
Ireland should prepare for even higher increases in taxes to pay for the debt, unemployment and emigration should this happen.Â
Social Media was used as a primary method of communication among opposition supporters in the Iran 2009 elections. Tight state control of traditional media drove the opposition online to spread their message. In the USA, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign generated $60m dollars from social media channels.
Users of social media in Iran and the USA were able to establish a voice in important moments in their history.
Whether NAMA is a success or failure will decide the fate of the Irish economy for a generation.
This is an important moment in our history, and we can use social media to establish our voice and contribute.
Connector No. 18 Review
by Mallory McSweeney on February 7th, 2010
The Champagne Bar in Ron Black’s on Dawson Street was buzzing with the sounds of new connections being made last Thursday evening as Connector No. 18 brought together dozens of people for a few drinks, a few laughs, and of course plenty of social networking! To check out the photos, click here >>
January’s event featured several rounds of speed networking for those interested in making several connections in a short amount of time as well as a few tables of Connect 4 for more casual connecting. I think there was a record number of business cards exchanged at our eighteenth event!
Connector also raised (money) for Haiti at this free event, which will be donated through Adrian Garry’s trip to Haiti. And of course thanks to our great volunteers from DIT Event management (1st years) who helped us on the night.
Connector goes to the Movies
by Mallory McSweeney on February 7th, 2010
Last Wednesday evening Connector hosted the first of many monthly movie meet-ups at Cineworld on Parnell Street. The group that gathered was brought together by the Dublin Midweek Movie Club facebook group and was a diverse collection of Dubs who all share a love of film!Â
We saw Irish director Jim Sheridan’s latest effort, Brothers, which was thought to be a good film by all. Afterwards, most of the group made our way to The Church on Jervis Street for a post movie drink and a fun and lively discussion about all things cinematic.Â
Connector plans to continue to host a monthly movie meet up on the last Wednesday of each month, alternating between blockbusters and independent/documentary films. Please join the Dublin Midweek Movie Club facebook to stay informed and participate in choosing next months film! We look forward to seeing a lot of new faces at this months meet up!
Social networking for business
by Izabela Zelazna on December 15th, 2009
Once you think you know all about the social networking sites, sure enough, there will be somebody to prove you wrong.
Not that I would ever make such a bold statement, however I thought that I am quite well informed due to my vivid interest in social networking & media and efforts to continuously learn more and keep finger on the pulse. Thus, I joined numerous groups on LinkedIn and every few days I receive an e-zine with the overview of the discussions and activities within each group.
This week, I came across very interesting post by Praveen Singh, who gave heads up on the new sites to grow social network. He listed top eight sites, which in his opinion are the best for more specific purposes or narrower audiences. As I have never heard about them before, I decided to share and RT @ … or shall I say “RePost†it for educational purposes of the readers.
APSense is a business social network where people get paid to come together to share their business.
USP: potential revenue stream
Biznik is a community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed.
USP: local angle
Entrepreneur Connect is the social network where small-business owners can create a profile, explore the community, share ideas and make connections.
USP: exchange of real advice
FastPitchNetworking is a one-stop shop for a business professional to network and market their business.
USP: e-mail marketing & virtual trade shows
GoBigNetwork is for start up investors.
USP: fund finding
Konnects is the only social media platform designed for local newspapers.
USP: local media support
Marzar helps to connect with business owners and showcase products and services.
USP: marketplace application
Xing, is yet another social platform for enabling a small world network for professionals.
USP: useful especially on German&Spanish markets
Are there any more interesting and worthwhile platforms for professionals looking for networking and business opportunities?
Christmas Parties season
by Izabela Zelazna on December 8th, 2009
Christmas Tree on O'Connel street, Dublin
It seems like the Christmas Party season has fully started. This week brings two major events that are a must-be for young professionals looking for networking opportunities and fun.
Firstly, on Monday 7th December, The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) hosted the IIEA Young Professionals’ Network Christmas Event. IIEA is renowned for being Ireland’s leading European and international affairs policy analysis think tank and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. The IIEA events were the platform and forum for many prestigious guest speakers, to name Gordon Brown, Gunther Verheugen or Mikhail Gorbachev. This year’s Christmas event was the occasion to focus on the review of the political, economic and social highlights of 2009, nicely wrapped up and commented by three wise men of Irish journalism: Marc Coleman from Newstalk 106-108, Matt Cooper from Today FM and Sunday Business Post’s own Pat Leahy.
The highlight of the week, however, should be the  Connector Christmas Party on 10th December, in Lillie’s Bordello. We are already counting down to the night full of fun and excitement with awards for ‘Tribe of the Year’ & “Person of the Yearâ€. We will also ask people of good heart to support out cause and donate money to Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. Drinks and food at the night will be sponsored by Peroni beer and Realex Payments. Don’t forget to take your business cards and leave your contact details to the girls standing in the Connector corner (with our new pull up stand by Applied Signs& Dispay!)
So put your party hat on & see you on Thursday.
The event starts at 7pm in Lillie’s Bordello at Adam Court, Grafton Street, Dublin 2.
RSVP – Register for this event on Facebook Events (or if you don’t have a Facebook account, Register Here >>)
Connector Fashion Event
by Conor on August 30th, 2009
Connector is organising events every month for over a year now and we have some very interesting events lined up for Autumn & Winter 2009. So we look forward to meeting you at one or all of the evenings we are organising entitled ‘Connector Fashion’, ‘Connector Music’ & ‘Connector Movies’. The idea is to showcase these interesting areas for a unique evening of digital entertainment & networking.
We are looking for volunteers, speakers, partners & sponsors and interested parties can contact conor@connector.ie
Connector Fashion, Date TBC, October 2009, Dublin 2
Connector Meetup November – Connector 4
by connector on October 29th, 2008
A few months ago, I invited some friends out for a few beers and called it a ‘connector meetup’ … and we’ve made it to meetup no.4 … I have a few new ideas to help people meet new people @ connector.ie … and check out this line up – a real ‘social event for social networkers’ !
Plus, a brand new brand identity to unveil from Fresh Design.
Date – Nov 13 2008
Time – 7pm for 7.30 start
Registration – RSVP to conor [@] connector.ie
Event is Free of Charge
Location – The Odessa Club, 14 Dame Court, Dublin 2 [MAP]
Presenters -
Philip McCartney, Head of Sales, Bebo Ireland
Jennifer Maguire- Founder Bella Makeover & Irish star of The Apprentice BBC 2008
Niall Harbison, Co-Founder iFoods.tv as seen on Dragons’ Den BBC 2008
More info about the speakers, click here >>
Entertainment – Cabaret Singer Extraordinaire Rose Lawless will perform a few songs
Games – Connect 4 Championships – play & beat make new connections
Web TV – Part of the event will also be broadcast live online & put on youtube
Organiser – Conor Lynch – 086 811 8833
All guests are welcome & I hope to see you there but please email conor[@] connector.ie so we will have your name at the door.
connector.ie logo
by connector on May 21st, 2008
A week ago connector.ie came to life after bouncing around my head for a while. It seemed like a good way to connect my personal & professional life by talking about the people I meet both online & offline.
Today’s post is about the logo designed with a good friend and Russian Irish connector Victor Terentiev. Victor has done plenty of graphics for me in recent years including the logo for CO2.ie
I needed a vibrant busy logo to signify the interconnectedness of people & places, both online & offline. We came up with this logo which uses colour to signify different connections & relationships between people, represented by metro stations. The following image map shows the complexity of social networking and online relationships so we have tried to make the logo a little simpler !!
This image (click link for spectacular full size version) is from Andrew Shuttleworth, a social media junkie living in Japan, who thought it might be helpful to try to map his social media usage. The result is a staggering view of how information we put on the web flows.
While this is not average usage, I am sure some of you will relate to the enormous maze of information & connections that have crept into our online lives in recent years. All for social progress eh ? If the information overload gets this bad, will you ever have time to see any of your actual friends and family ??!! Never mind poke your girlfriend !
