A new phase has landed in Australia known as Group Buying with websites such as Cudo, Ouffer, Jump on It and Scoopon offering a saving of up to 90% off goods and services, but how much are you really saving really costing you?
Group buying involves customers joining forces online to simultaneously purchase products or services at massive discounts. Bargain hunting has now become a breeze with daily deals; weekend getaways for $199, Seafood platter for two with bottle of wine for $49, one hour full body massage for $39 and laser hair removal for $45 to name a few.
Social media networks such as Facebook are being used to promote the daily deals whilst encouraging people to subscribe daily deal emails. Deals are only available for 24 hours prompting shoppers to ‘buy now’ to ensure they don’t miss out. Once the minimum number of people have pledged to buy the deal is on. Read more…
Ambition recently hosted our first user group at our head office in Sydney.
We were joined by the Silverlight Designer and Developer Network who meet once every month to discuss all things applications and Silverlight. However, the focus of the group is not just on developers, it’s for designers who don’t traditionally have the community and support that developers have.
The user group was attended by 15 people who relaxed and talked over pizza and beer. The meeting focused on promoting the development of ideas and best practices for anyone who works with Silverlight. Read more…
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Tis the Season to be jolly; Fa la la la la, la la la la. I love this time of year; the sun is shining (finally!), the birds are singing, people have a buzz about them and most of us get to have a break away from the office and our busy work schedules. Life is… well, great!
Before we all know it however the season will pass and we will be back at work and dreaming about our next holiday. This leads me to the topic, how do we get the most out of the festive season? Everyone knows what I’m talking about, coming back from a holiday and needing that extra break to catch your breath before the New Year race begins again.
I’m a big believer in planning and locking in things in advance, it’s the only way we can get things done.
With Christmas parties, New Year parties, family gatherings and all the other social gatherings it is important that you have some time out to unwind and relax. Getting the most out of the festive season shouldn’t mean getting the most out of you. Read more…
In a recent article featured in the MIS Financial Review magazine, Brian Corrigan addresses Succession Planning and whether businesses are doing enough to bring in the next generation.
Brian spoke to leading IT profiles to understand their experiences, the challenges involved and the recommendations to fill the void.
The article also features Ambition Technology Director, Andy Cross, who commented “It’s all about looking at your skills and where the gaps are below you… You need that plan in every team and every division. It was a lot more in vogue a decade ago though has been given more lip service than real support in more recent times.”
The article presents key points to achieving an active approach to succession planning:
- Mentor potential candidates so they are aware of what they have to do to succeed.
- Give them the opportunity to act in the role when you are absent or undertaking higher duties.
- Formally assess their performance at the completion of their acting CIO or other relevant assignment.
Visit www.misaustralia.com to view the full story.
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Ambition Technology recently hosted an applications specific focus group session in which we identified what was important to our applications clients and candidates.
We were privileged to have a diverse range of specialists participate, from developers to senior managers, who provided us with invaluable information about their respective areas and the applications industry as a whole.
We addressed topics relating to; technology events, trends, projects, networking, social media and the recruitment industry.
The findings of the focus group have been very helpful in allowing us to better understand what drives our clients and candidates professionally and how we can continue to make a positive difference by providing a service our customers really want.
Utilising this information, Ambition Technology will be introducing a quarterly applications focused breakfast event, presented by ‘real people’ who work in the industry and understand the challenges that such specialists face each day.
Watch this space for more exciting updates and upcoming focus groups in other areas of the Technology Industry too.
With Apple Inc. recently becoming the second largest company on the S&P 500 in terms of market capitalisation, it’s no surprise to hear that Apple is opening another company –owned store in Sydney this week. Apple has announced they will be opening their fourth shop this Thursday which will be located in the Castle Towers Shopping Centre in Caste Hill.
So, what is Apple doing so right? Is it their products, service, tech savvy people, the fashionable statement or the whole kit and caboodle?
Recently visiting an Apply store, I can understand what all the hype is about. Apple people are passionate and alive with enthusiasm. You become part of the ‘apple’ community the second you step through their door which drives a sense of loyalty towards Apple products. You become hooked!
A recent blog called ‘Secrets of the biggest selling launch ever’ by Seth Godin, spills the beans on Apple’s success, highlighting the key tactics used. I quite like the following;
1. Don’t try to please everyone. There are countless people who don’t want one, haven’t heard of one or actively hate it. So what? (Please don’t gloss over this one just because it’s short. In fact, it’s the biggest challenge on this list).
2.Make a product worth talking about. Sounds obvious. If it’s so obvious, then why don’t the other big companies ship stuff like this? Most of them are paralyzed going to meetings where they sand off the rough edges.
3. Build a platform for others to play in. Not just your users, but for people who want to reach your users. Read more…
Gone are the days of the street directory and giant maps. We now find ourselves searching for directions, images and local businesses on Google Maps.
The internet has become an amazing tool for information and it’s unbelievable how much time one can save as a result. I have recently been searching for that ‘perfect’ rental home which at the best of times can be frustrating, time consuming and disappointing. The Real-estate agent only advertises the best photos which generally paints an unrealistic picture leading to disappointment on arrival. I have since used Google Maps which enables me to see the outside of the building and the rest of the street which paints the real picture, making my life that little bit easier.
What do you use Google Maps for?
Since its launch date in May 2003 LinkedIn has acquired 70 million members in over 200 countries with a new member signing up approximately every second. 50% of its members are in the Unites States while 3 million are in India and just over 1.5 million are in Australia.
LinkedIn has changed the way we communicate, network and do business. It has become a fantastic tool to build communities and network with those who share similar interests. ‘Most people use LinkedIn to “get to someone” in order to make a sale or form a partnership.’(Guy Kawasaki) Where would we be without LinkedIn and the networks we have built?
Whilst LinkedIn has been remarkably successful we are now starting to see the issues involved unfold.
Shortlist, among others have, presented stories in recent weeks regarding LinkedIn in relation to recruitment lawsuits and have suggested that everyone will be on LinkedIn within five years.
Shortlist recently told the story of how an American technology recruitment company would be suing one of its former employees for communicating with at least 20 of the company’s contract employees using LinkedIn in their new role.
Read more…
Recently celebrating ten years with the Ambition Group and over 16 in the Industry, Nardia Allison-Nichol has an enviable record of success across the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market.
Nardia graduated with an Honours degree in Arts from Sydney University before gaining several years practical technology experience in a hands-on technology role. Joining a Technology recruitment firm, Computemp in August 1993, she started to build her career as a recruitment account manager. With a flexible approach to the Industry Nardia has worked within most of the sub-sectors; including government, commerce and industry and the banking and finance sectors.
In April 2000 Ambition acquired Computemp and Nardia continued her successful career under the new direction of the Ambition Group. Working as a team Manager, she built and developed internal teams who were skilled in client relationship development and first class recruitment delivery. Currently Nardia is focused on roles within Ambition Technology’s Business Information team, encompassing Business Intelligence, Business and Data Analysis, Data Warehouse and Architecture as well as Project and Program Managers, testers and technical writers.
Q & A session with Nardia:
What do you like about the technology recruitment industry?
The people. I really love understanding how businesses utilise technology and the way it is constantly changing. Read more…
A new phase has landed in Australia known as Group Buying with websites such as Cudo, Ouffer, Jump on It and Scoopon offering a saving of up to 90% off goods and services, but how much are you really saving really costing you?
The ALP has launched the country’s very first political party social media platform. The new website which was launched on the 15th of July, 2010, aims to connect the community by 
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