A tale of two companies

I read two articles the other day in Silicon Republic, which never wanders too far off the beaten trail of rehashed press releases, but is readable enough in small doses.

The bad

The first, and this is the one I am pissed off about, is a puff piece about 11890, one of the directory enquiry providers in Ireland.

Put simply, they are exploiting the current downturn and using the misfortune of others as an advertising gimmick.

Directory enquiry firm Call 11890 has pledged to create up to 90 jobs across its call centres in Dublin and Galway, if it succeeds in reaching certain call targets.

Wow, so if your business increases, you are pledging to hire extra staff to answer the calls? How big of you!

“At a time when many of us are feeling a little helpless with the economic downturn, this is a real opportunity for each and every one of us to directly create employment, and at the same time enjoy savings by using the cheapest operator in the market,” said Nicola Byrne, managing director Call 11890 Ltd

How are you creating employment? You are just taking business away from the other directory enquiry service which is also an Irish company and has Irish staff – if you succeed in reaching your sales targets. Do these muppets think that they are going to grow the market for directory enquiry services? Are directory enquiry services exportable? Does it deliver efficiencies to the economy? Hardly.

See the full slightly modified press release here.

The good

In another article, wearable computing company Adwalker seems to be doing some great things. They have just released a new version of their wearable computing promotional gizmo things, and I have to say, they do look interesting.

Kind of like the directory services company, they are getting attention for their press release with a gimmick: they are offering to give away 2,000 units of their unit (there will be a small associated daily charge).

At least these guys are innovating and exporting. Well done Adwalker and good luck. If I come across and potential uses for you in NZ I will keep you in mind.

Check out Adwalker’s website here for more info on their product.