Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton, TD, with Facebook UK and Ireland director of policy Simon Milner and the head of Facebook's operations in Ireland Sonia Anne Flynn
A digest of the top business technology news stories from the past week.
Facebook rolls out social business initiative for local firms – including €100 ad credits
Social network Facebook has launched a Business Boost initiative for Irish firms as Ireland makes the transition from a debt and property-laden economy to one based on innovation, growth and investment.
In addition to claiming €100 of free advertising credits, Irish business owners can now learn everything there is to know about the opportunities offered by Facebook.
Published in association with small business support experts Enterprise Nation, ‘Boost Your Business with Facebook’ is a free downloadable guide and offers all the practical advice required to build and maintain a Facebook page, engage fans and master advertising.
Safety and security solutions pioneer Xtralis sets up international HQ in Ireland
Xtralis, the global provider of early detection and visual verification safety and security solutions, has established its international operating headquarters in Dublin.
The company will initially create 10 jobs at its Irish base and aims to employ 50 people as it grows its operations in Ireland.
“Xtralis decided to establish its global headquarters in Ireland because it recognised our pro-business environment, our talented workforce and the determination of this Government to create the climate for enterprise to flourish,” said Ireland’s Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD.
eBay unveils new sleeker logo
E-commerce giant eBay has refreshed its logo after 17 years with a slimmer and more modern look.
The new logo has the letters in the word eBay lined up evenly now, but the logo still contains the same colour scheme as the old branding.
“It’s eBay today: a global online marketplace that offers a cleaner, more contemporary and consistent experience, with innovation that makes buying and selling easier and more enjoyable,” said eBay president Devin Wenig in a statement.
“Our vibrant eBay colours and touching letters represent our connected and diverse eBay community – more than 100m active users and 25m sellers globally and growing.”
Wenig added that “the time felt right” to redesign the logo, evolving just like the site has since 1995.
Philips to cut 2,200 jobs globally by 2014
Dutch electronics giant Philips is planning to cut another 2,200 positions by 2014 as part of its cost-cutting programme.
The company has increased its cost-saving programme from €800m to €1.1bn.
Last October, Philips announced it was cutting its workforce by 4,500 people in order to meet the previous €800m in cost reductions.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips currently employs more than 122,000 people.
HP to slash another 2,000 jobs
Hewlett-Packard (HP) intends to lay off another 2,000 workers, bringing the number of staff who will be forced to leave the PC maker by the end of fiscal year 2014 to 29,000.
In a document filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, HP said it is increasing the number of workers slated for layoffs or retirement.
HP had confirmed that as part of a multi-year restructuring drive some 27,000 workers – 8pc of its workforce – would exit the company by the end of 2014. The restructuring had been projected to generate annualised savings of US$3bn- US$3.5bn.
The company had said workforce reductions will vary country by country and it hoped most employees who exit will take up the offer of an early retirement programme.
Zynga loses another manager – marketing chief resigns
Social games creator Zynga’s chief marketing and revenue officer Jeff Karp has resigned, following the departure of at least seven other managers since early August.
Karp will remain employed at Zynga in a non-officer capacity through 22 September. He had joined Zynga last year, having previously worked at Electronic Arts.
Zynga’s stock has sunk more than 70pc since its initial public offering in December, thus eroding the value of equity used to compensate staff.
In July, the company reported a loss of US$22.8m on revenue of US$332m in the second quarter.
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