Personalised customer experience through Artificial Intelligence

LET’S START WITH THE FIRST Presentation by Paul Sweeny from Webio, An ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE VOICE BOT APP company

1. Conversational Interfaces have started to shift

• First of all, people live inside their Messaging Apps. Can you prove it? I surely can!
  • 2 billion messages a month are exchanged between customers and businesses
  • 60 billion businesses are on Facebook Messenger
  • Children are on: Snapchat, Kik, Telegram, Instagram
  • And Apple Business Chat just launched!

Yet, why is the Artificial Intelligence getting so popular?

That’s because Artificial Intelligence picks up customers/users’ moods. Some places like Melbourne, Australia have already developed a strong Chatbot community.

However, can you provide me with a relevant example of Artificial Intelligence use and success?

Moreover, Artifical Intelligence tools (AI) such as Alexa, the smart speaker, enable companies to increase their sales.

Indeed, in the USA alone, 57% of the population has ordered an item through their Smart Speaker.

Additionally, 37% say that they spend more money on Amazon and Google since getting their Smart Speaker.

On top of that, it also creates opportunities for technology-driven services such as Alexa programmes designed for children costing $2 a month that can be embedded into the TV.

2. SO, WHAT ARE The top 3 categories of items ordered most through Alexa?

They are:

• Smart Home
• Games, Trivia and Accessories
• Music and Audio.

3. THEN, The REcepTionist/Triage Bot will determine if the issue can be processed by the bot or BY HUMAN BEING

The bot will follow these 3 stages:

1. HLP (Help) = What is the intent of the sentence?
2. Triage = Who/what division is it for?
3. Rules = Best Route… Human, Bot or both.

Besides Alexa, are there any other current applications of bots?

Of course! Some other examples of Bot usage are:

• the ‘Uber’ taxi app linking drivers directly with customers
• hotel booking sites allowing smarter offers for customers searching for accommodation on the sites…

4. CONSEQUENTLY, WHAT MUST A Today’s Check-out DO?

It must:

• understand and manage customer intents
• hold context
• reinvent a new dynamic when it comes to SEO, Words, Sentences’ choices
• create continuous conversations without interruptions
• enable direct digital conversations. Why not have platforms for these?
• Finally, it must cater for markets and conversations. Indeed, markets are conversations and conversations are about markets.

NOW, LET’S MOVE ON TO THE SECOND Presentation by Niamh Parkless (on the right) from Shopless.ie, AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SHOPPING AND DELIVERY APP company

1. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS Shopless.ie? IT is A new commitment personal shopping and delivery app DESIGNED for:

• Fashion
• Health and Beauty
• Groceries

Secondly, what is the aim of this app?

Its goal is to attract local brands to deliver within 2-3 hours to your home. If you are a non-local brand, the aim is to reduce the shopping and delivery times. In other terms, it is a one-stop personalised application working with Artificial Intelligence to assist you with your shopping needs.

But, why do you think it will help my brand/business?

2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and Personalisation

• According to a recent report from Accenture, 75% of consumers are more likely to buy from a retailer that:
  • recognises them by name
  • recommends options based on past purchases
  • or knows their preferences.
• Research suggests that brands with strong omnichannel engagement have an average retention rate of 89% versus 33% for brands with weak engagement.

However, what are your recommendations for a successful implementation of Artificial Intelligence?

3. THERE ARE TO FOLLOW THESE Five Easy Steps for Better Personalisation via Artificial intelligence:

1. Don’t involve third-party software, just start small. Just amend a small part of your site to show customers’ location
2. Personalise your shoppers’ mass marketing campaigns as your customers’ questions. You can ask simple questions like age, gender and brand interest
3. Use on-site development to automate personalisation
4. Real-Time marketing personalisation. This involves customising ad content based on individual users
5. Last but not least, focus on achieving a seamless personalisation across web and marketing channels. That is to say that your Marketing messages must be created for your clients based on what you already know about the person’s integrations with your company.

4. Finally, how is it going to meet my business goals?

• Well, when it comes down to it, personalisation comes back to improving the customer journey and their experience
• In conclusion, it’s a way for stores to:
  • differentiate their service,
  • reward loyal customers
  • build a more sustainable business.

FINALLY, LET’S FINISH UP WITH THE THIRD Presentation BY Emma Boylan from outside the box

At last, Emma talked about branding and personal branding to market yourself effectively. For this purpose, I will refer you to this previous article for more information.

 

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Triple Ess – Jamaican dancehall recording artist looking for collaborations

TRIPLE ESS EARLY BEGINNINGS

First of all, Solomon Samuel Salmon, known as Triple Ess, was born on 16th December 1989, in Portland Jamaica and raised in Portmore, St. Catherine. He is a multi-talented Audio Engineer, Record Producer and Recording Artist.

Triple Ess discovers music early on through school barbeques, class parties and fêtes while attending Bridge Port High School in Portmore St. Catherine. He frequently visits recording studios such as JR Records owned by reggae superstar JR Reid. While visiting the studio, he discovers his true calling. He then begins his journey to become an Audio Engineer.

AUDIO ENGINEER CAREER

Then, after 9 years of hard work and dedication in the music industry, Triple Ess truly hones his Audio Engineering skills. By 2014, Triple Ess becomes a Senior Audio Engineer at the world-renowned recording studio Mixing Lab owned by the legendary Ezroy Francis.

It is important to note that Triple Ess has worked with veteran Producers and Artists such as:

• Clive Hunt “VP Records”
• Bulby “Fat Eyes Production”
• Junior Reid
• Gyptian
• GinJah
• Anthony Red Rose
• Konshens
• Lukie D
• Jah Cure just to name a few.

SINGER CAREER 

But his story only begins. In 2015, he is introduced to Beres Hammond by Clive Hunt to collaborate on a joint project between Harmony House and VP Records. Triple Ess takes his inspiration from the music of the Reggae Legends he works closely with. After receiving encouragements from Mr Hammond who told him “Kid, follow yuh dreams, yuh hear?”, he then pays more attention to his own vocals.

Additionally, after recording, mixing and editing, Triple Ess re-connects with where his musical journey began. In October 2016, he decides to put some focus back on his own voice. He works on new music. He creates his own beats and records his own vocals.

RECORDED MUSIC

Furthermore, in 2016 and 2017, he releases his first two EPs:

• ‘Jamaican Dancehall’ on 9th November
• ‘The Mainstream’ on 17th January.

With a team of professionals, Triple Ess plans to continue to unleash great music that will help to bring fun and happiness to the world.

Now, you can listen to his two most recent audio tracks ‘Summer Party’ and ‘All We Need is Love’ below:

Finally, if you would like to purchase his albums or songs, check his website.

To collaborate, get in touch with him by:

Email: s.salmon407@gmail.com

Phone : 1 876 407 1901.

 

 

Funding and Financial Sustainability for Non-Profit Organisations in Ireland

I attended an event advertised on Facebook and organised by Bluefire Dublin called ‘Igniting Change: Funding & Financial Sustainability‘ on Thursday 29th June 2017.

The event was aimed at voluntary and community organisation, social-enterprises, individual artists or community-based project managers, and small-medium NGO’s.

Bluefire organises ‘igniting change series’ every last Thursday of each month: http://bluefiredublin.ie/our-programmes/igniting-change/

The guest speakers at the event were a mix of social entrepreneurs and funding bodies:

• Ian Oliver (far right on the picture) from Centre for Creative Practices
• Eoghan Ryan (far left in the picture) from Social Innovation Fund Ireland
• Hazel Hill (right next to Eoghan) from The Community Foundation for Ireland
• Naomi Murphy (left next to Ian) from Connect the Dots

The purpose was for attendees:

• to be aware of what is required to start up a successful business and
• to know how to get grants from organisations supporting social entrepreneurs.

It started with a talk from each speaker, followed by a workshop and a networking session.

1. Eoghan from Social Innovation Fund Ireland:

Before launching Social Innovation Fund, he founded his own not-for-profit, Reimagine Cork to tackle issues around homelessness in Cork. Understanding the needs for Not-for-Profits, he felt he could help entrepreneurs best and joined Social Innovation Fund.

The company’s mission is to provide both funding and non-financial support to social entrepreneurs. It has also partnered with the government and every given Euro by SIFI is matched by the government.

Eoghan’s first advice was to think about ‘why’ you want to start up a company and why his company would fund you. He also strongly recommends:

• having a clear plan in place,
• having a good value proposition,
• showing confidence
• having good management skills.

When filling forms to apply for funding, keep it simple and answer the asked questions.

2. Hazel Hill, Marketing Executive and Programme Leader at The Community Foundation for Ireland:

Her organisation offers both open grants and private grants. The latter ones are given on a project basis with an end date. The organisation offers funds for mergers (shared between teams) to highlight the importance of collaboration and partnership between organisations.

You will be asked about what will happen at the end of the project to gauge how sustainable your business model is.

Her first advice was to not manipulate your core mission value (reason for existing) to get funding. Instead, only apply to relevant grants that fit your organisation. She also advised to:

• have a clear mission statement,
• document your research by backing up your project with analytical reports,
• listen to your community/audiences’ needs,
• take any constructive feedback on board
• understand the impact your company will have.

3. Naomi AND MERISSA from Connecting the Dots, a start-up focusing on the community engagement in Dublin: 

Their company started off when there were many unoccupied vacancies in Dublin during the crisis by putting on events with artists, engineers, researchers. Over the time, they worked on a process for events’ organisation, i.e on improving the engagement with attendees, corporate donors.

Naomi’s advice was to volunteer for different organisations and network that way before you start up. She has been helping a lot at ‘Happenings’ organisation.

It is also important to speed up processes with a technology enabler. They are currently working on a software service (SAAS) application (transferring processes online for co-working events), in order to gain time and increase income streams and viability.

4. Ian AND his wife Monica from Center for Creative Practices, a company helping creative artists to come up with a more sustainable model:

His first advice was to start with a small plan before building a full-scale model and revisit this plan when necessary.

Instead of going through a lengthy business plan, they worked on a one-page business model. It detailed their business model and value proposition:

• the company’s purpose,
• what problem it is trying to resolve and,
• the solution offered.

His first business model focused on having a cash projection, i.e ticket prices’ sales and getting people to utilise the space to generate further money. He feels it is best not to be over-reliant on grants for the day-to-day running of the business.

5. participants needing help on setting up their organisations, PLEASE get in touch with the following bodies:

• The Wheel: http://www.wheel.ie/
• Social Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO): http://sedco.ie/

 

 

 

Nigerian b-boy music history from 1980s-1990s in videos

Today, I’m going to share with you some mixed tapes for break dancing from Nigerian artists. But before doing so, if you don’t know yet the general origins of b-boy music and dance themselves, just have a read of this article 

http://breakdancingninja.com/bboy_history.html

In Nigeria, Hip-hop music and dance only began to gain popularity in the mid-1990s. The initial success of The Remedies was probably the catalyst. Formed in 1997, the group released two songs, “Judile” and “Shako mo”, which became overnight hits in Nigeria.

Enjoy this Youtube videos’playlistt from The Remedies!

I have also found especially for you some rare old Nigerian funk music :

Now show us your moves on one of these music tracks by copying your video link in the comment box! Can you be as good bowler as b-boy?

Fundraising gigs’ campaign for abortion rights in Dublin (Ireland)

ABORTION RIGHTS IN IRELAND

For those who do not live in Ireland, you may not know that abortion is still not allowed. Women are discouraged to abort regardless of circumstances. They must travel to the UK or other EU countries if they want to abort.

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR ABORTION RIGHTS

The gigs took place on Friday 10th March 2017 at Sin é pub, Dublin. They were organised by Bitches Brew & F-Festival celebrating women in the arts.

The purposes of this night were:

• to fundraise for the Repeal movement
• and bring awareness of the Irish law in terms of women’s abortion rights.🔥👍

SO, WHAT IS THE EIGHT AMENDMENT?

To get a better understanding of what this law entails, check these leaflets: 👇

If you are living in Ireland or are Irish living abroad, sign up for this petition requesting the law to be reviewed: 👊

https://www.artistsrepealthe8th.com/sign

THE GIGS

The event gathered four bands, mostly girls’ bands playing various music styles such as pop, blues, roots folk, rock, hard rock.

I arrived a little late for the event and also left early, so I only recorded two bands. But I will share with you some videos of the other two bands I missed. Bear in mind that the venue is very narrow in width, so I wasn’t always able to film from the best angle. Apologies for this!

I have indicated under the YouTube videos the respective bands’ Facebook fan pages,  if you’d like to follow them.

Which one you like most and why?

I will start to share with you a snippet I shared on my Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRtuWYxDmY2/?taken-by=fundraisingmusicevents

And now full songs recorded or found on YouTube:

These are two Youtube videos I found of the other bands I have missed:

Various music styles benefit concerts to end homelessness in Dublin

HOMELESSNESS IN DUBLIN

I attended the ‘Home Sweet Home’ Benefit concerts on Friday 20th January 2017 at Sin é pub, Dublin 1 (Ireland) to raise funds for homeless people in Ireland.

Apart from contributing to a wonderful cause, I enjoyed discovering new bands and singer-songwriters!🤓

BENEFIT CONCERTS’ ORGANISATION

The event is organised for 2 nights: Friday 20th and Saturday 21st January 2017 and has a different line-up constituting 4 bands and/or singers-songwriters for each night. So, if you haven’t been to the first session, it’s still time to catch up the second one!✌😉

You will find the Eventbrite online ticket link directly in the event’s description or you may pay at the door!

https://www.facebook.com/events/162589350888333/

LIVE CONCERTS’ VIDEOS

Now, here is the moment you’ve all been waiting for,🎊 the live videos I took at the event!👏💝🎉

Apologises for the format, I should have filmed in landscape mode! Also, I haven’t filmed the last folk band ‘The Eskies’ as I ran out of battery. I’m sorry for this inconvenience.

You will find the Facebook fan page link for each band/singer in the description under each YouTube video. To view the description, click on the YouTube title to open the video in a new tab.

Enjoy! Tell us what’s your favourite act amongst them and why! If you have filmed them, too, feel free to share the link in the ‘comment’ box!

 

 

Kuduro music and dance from Angola: origins and evolution

KUDURO

I dug deeper into some cool dance performances and find this interesting music and dance style.

HISTORY

First of all, Kuduro (or Kuduru) is a type of music and dance originally developed in Angola in the 1980s. It is characterized as uptempo, energetic, and danceable.

Secondly, it began in Luanda, Angola in the late 1980s. Initially, producers sampled traditional carnival music like:

• soca and zouk from the Caribbean
• Semba from Angola

Then, they laid this around a fast 4/4 beat.

SIMILAR DANCES

Thirdly, it is similar to the Kizomba rhythm. The lyrics are usually in Portuguese.

For those of you who like urban dances, you will certainly enjoy this dance as well! It has a lot of similarities with new style hip-hop, house.

If you’d like to know more about it, check these articles:

http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2012/12/26/167628341/kuduro-the-dance-that-keeps-angola-going

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuduro

KUDURO DANCE CLASSES

For those interested in learning this dance, there are classes in Paris (France) and London (England):

IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Every Tuesday with Iris De Brito from 19:30 to 20:30 known for her afro, for her Kizomba and Semba. It is a high energy class that will make you move!

@ The Space Studios/ 31 Falkirk St London N1 6HQ.

IN FRANCE

Every Monday from 20:00 to 21:00 with Nat Borges (NKM) known for his afro-house and kuduro energy! He is one of the dancers from the video I’m sharing with you later in this post :).

@Studio Bleu/ 32 rue du Capitaine Marchal, 75020 Paris (Porte de Bagnolet- metro Gambetta).

KUDURO DANCE VIDEOS

Finally, have a look at this youtube mix of music and dance videos. The first video is the one I liked most. The choreography is very good and the two dancers are also witty/funny!

What do you think of this music? And what about the dance?

The Jaffa Cakes band – Live Jazz/Bossa Nova concert (Dublin, 2016)

JAFFA CAKES BAND

On Saturday 2nd January 2016 I attended this amazing live concert by 2 members of the Jaffa Cakes band at Cafe Dublin, 17b Asdill’s Row, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

I got the chance to meet both the lovely singer Plinny Phoenix and pianist Dario Rodighiero. I enjoyed so much their live jazz/bossa nova performance that I made a video out of it! The audience appreciated it as well. You can see and hear them cheering and clapping.

BAND MUSIC STYLES AND MEMBERS

The Jaffa Cakes band is a taste of the most famous songs in a retro style, that could be any genre of music, but mostly:

• jazz,
• blues,
• swing,
• funk.

They’ve got just a piano, drums and a voice. Yet they bring a unique mix of retro-modern songs in the blues, funk and jazz genre.

The 3 band members are:

• Miss Phoenix @ Vocals
• Dario Rodighiero Duck @ Piano
• Paolo Zuddas @ Drums.

If you’d like to know more about each member, check their biographies:

• Lady Phoenix: https://www.facebook.com/LadyPhoenixOfficial/
• Dario Rodighiero: https://www.facebook.com/duckpiano/?fref=ts
• Paolo Zuddas.

Now getting excited and curious to listen to their music? If so, watch this video:

 

 

 

Want to catch up with 2pac Shakur’s band ‘The Outlawz’ concert (2015)?

Outlawz BAND

Do you like old-school hip-hop? Do you miss listening to 2Pac sounds? Well, even though Shakur died a while ago, his ‘The Outlawz band‘ is still pretty much alive and touring!

ABOUT THE BAND

The “Outlawz” band set up by “Tupac” in 1995 is a perfect blend of :

• seasoned lyricists,
• musical innovators 
• responsible storytellers.
  

The band members are:

“E.D.I. Mean”
His aggressive, no-frills style is perhaps the more Diplomatic, yet his delivery reveals a mastery of conveying complex messages, in an unmistakable straight to the point manner.

“Young Noble” 
The aptly named-rebellious perfectionist exudes integrity in life and throughout his lyrics. In both cases, he chooses his battles wisely, with an evident persona that silently confirms that he does not play!

“Hussein Fatal” 
The one who says what others won’t. A distinctive witty voice whose experimental mature, position him as the group’s mad scientist combining all elements, creating the perfect chemistry.

OPENING ACTS

They gave us a great concert on Saturday 11th April 2015 at the Tivoli Theatre, Dublin 8 (Ireland). They were preceded by equally good live opening acts with DJ Spaqz and ‘Trigger’ Irish hip-hop singer amongst others.

DJ SPAQZ

DJ Spaqz is a DJ, producer and artist based in Dublin, Ireland. He plays an eclectic mix of African pieces of music and Hip-Hop.

TRIGGER 

Trigger is a 23-year-old Cork city rapper. Although he is new to the scene, he is already stirring up some reaction on the underground circuit. He has appeared on such radio stations as RTE radio 1, 96FM, Red FM among various other pirate radio stations.

Raised in Cork city’s northside. He partly lived with his grandmother growing up in Gurranabraher. He talks about matters that have affected him and those around him. Poverty, neighbourhoods surrounded by drug abuse and rapid unemployment are key subjects in his songs, although some are humorous, upbeat and political.

Check out pictures (slideshow) from the event and listen to audio and video tracks below! Enjoy!

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The Outlaws BAND live concert videos and soundtrack:

Jafaris and Hare Squead – bands’ live concerts (February 2015)

JAFARIS AND HARE SQUEAD

First of all, with a bit of luck on my side, I won a pair of tickets to go and listen to new Irish bands called Jafaris and Hare Squead at The Sugar Club, Dublin 2 (Ireland) on Wednesday 11th February 2015.

However, I had absolutely no expectations whatsoever as I didn’t know these bands. I only thought their music styles would probably be either hip-hop or soul.

But I truly enjoyed their live performances and wanted to share them with you! They also play/sing a good variety of music styles!

ABOUT JAFARIS

Based in Dublin the singer/rapper/songwriter/actor has only been doing music for about 3 years now with a healthy list of achievements to show. He now works with Diffusion Lab he is currently recording new music.

To follow him, check his Facebook fan page.

ABOUT HARE SQUEAD

Jessy Rose, Tony Konstone and Lilo Blues, members of the Hare Squead band, are a local group from Dublin (Ireland) about to go global.

Furthermore, Hare Squead are pioneers of a creative contemporary fusion of:

• trap
• rap
• R&B
• pop
• jazz
• and electronics;

Their song Zoo of the New is inspired by a Sylvia Plath poem, while Christian music is a big influence on their chords and harmonies.

In 2014, they supported Nas and Joey Bada$$ with their six-piece band.

Appearing at a lot of indie festivals ensured they weren’t restricted to rap events and got them signed to Columbia.

Since then, their fanbase has changed from mostly men to “85%” women, perhaps due to 2016’s breakout hit Herside Story, a sugary, soulful love song that turned them into teen heartthrobs.

To know more about Hare Square, like their Facebook fan page and visit their website.

LIVE CONCERT RECORDING AND SOUNDTRACK

Finally, it’s time to enjoy their live performances!