Latest news with #JakeCarter
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Karen Byrne and Jake Carter step out to launch this year's Retro Cannonball
Dancing with the Stars judge Karen Byrne has stepped out with her fiance Jake Carter to launch Retro Cannonball. The couple – who got engaged in March – are hoping to raise vital funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation at the annual car event. Retro Cannonball will feature 100 classic cars and free family live entertainment as the convoy travels from Little Island, Cork and then coming up through Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Tyrone and finishing at The Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth. Speaking at the launch, Jake and Karen said: "Family is so important to us both and when we were approached by Jack and Jill to help announce its partnership with RETRO Cannonball, it was a no-brainer. "RETRO Cannonball is such a brilliant event, and a true celebration of rare and classic cars that will thrill the whole family. "We hope that people will be inspired to get out onto the high-roads and by-roads along the route to check out this incredible spectacle. "And most importantly, if they have a few euro to spare, please donate it to Jack and Jill, because you'll be making a meaningful difference for families who so rely on Jack and Jill to keep the show on the road at home." The event is hoping to raise money for the children's charity, to bring awareness to its vital in-home nursing and respite care service, which help over 400 families across Ireland. Cannonball has already raised €1,946,432 for Irish children's charities. The event features cars from the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s from vintage Mustangs to sleek Corvettes, as well as Lamborghini Diablo, Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari 348 GTS, Mercedes-Benz SL Classics and Porsche 911 Carrera. On Friday June 13, the classic convoy will depart from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island, Cork at 10.30am and then roll through the picturesque landscapes of Cork, Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath stopping for lunch along the way in Kilshane House in Tipperary followed by a coffee stop in Kinnitty Castle in Offaly and the first overnight stay and finish line at The Sheraton Hotel in Athlone. On day two, the convoy travels through Westmeath and on to Tyrone. Cannonballers will have lunch at Corick House in Tyrone before crossing on the ferry from Greencastle to Greenore. The second overnight stay and overall finish line is coming to the Cooley Peninsula for the first time and takes place at Ballymascanlon House just 20 minutes from Carlingford.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
CCTV in taxis could make a 'real difference'
CCTV in taxis would "make every journey safer" for drivers and passengers alike, according to a Peterborough councillor. Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, who represents the Fletton and Woodston ward, is calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in taxis and private hire vehicles. According to the latest government figures, only 8% of authorities in the UK have a requirement for all licensed taxis to have CCTV fitted, equating to 21 out of 266. "CCTV can make a real difference," said the Independent councillor, who resigned from the Labour Group at the beginning of May. "It deters bad behaviour, helps resolve disputes, and gives people more confidence to get home safely, especially late at night, Ms Blakemore-Creedon said. "Drivers deserve that security too - many work alone, often in vulnerable situations. "This is a simple, sensible step that would make a big impact. I believe we owe it to each other to make every journey safer." In December Peterborough City Council voted against the CCTV plan, following strong opposition from many drivers. Jake Carter, a hackney carriage driver in Peterborough, said he had mixed feelings about the proposal. "My first thoughts were that it sounds like a sensible thing to do because you're putting extra safety and security in place," he said. "But after speaking to some of the other drivers and thinking a bit more myself, I think the concerns are that the cost of this CCTV equipment has to be borne by the drivers. "You can't just install the cheapest system, you've got to go with the one recommended by the council." Mr Carter said there concerns too that the CCTV would have to remain on, even when drivers are using their taxis as their own private vehicles. As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he also said there were already safety measures in place on hackney carriages, "which mitigate the risks". "If it was to be worked a bit differently where a council took the cost and allowed drivers more flexibility about when the CCTV could be switched on or off, then it might be something the drivers would consider," he said. "It should be sold as benefiting the drivers as much as benefitting the public." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Peterborough City Council Cabbies 'ecstatic' after mandatory CCTV rejected Taxi drivers 'apprehensive' about vehicle CCTV vote CCTV to become compulsory in town's taxis
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough councillor calls for CCTV to be fitted in all taxis
CCTV in taxis would "make every journey safer" for drivers and passengers alike, according to a Peterborough Blakemore-Creedon, who represents the Fletton and Woodston ward, is calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in taxis and private hire to the latest government figures, only 8% of authorities in the UK have a requirement for all licensed taxis to have CCTV fitted, equating to 21 out of 266."CCTV can make a real difference," said the Independent councillor, who resigned from the Labour Group at the beginning of May. "It deters bad behaviour, helps resolve disputes, and gives people more confidence to get home safely, especially late at night, Ms Blakemore-Creedon said. "Drivers deserve that security too - many work alone, often in vulnerable situations."This is a simple, sensible step that would make a big impact. I believe we owe it to each other to make every journey safer." In December Peterborough City Council voted against the CCTV plan, following strong opposition from many drivers. Jake Carter, a hackney carriage driver in Peterborough, said he had mixed feelings about the proposal."My first thoughts were that it sounds like a sensible thing to do because you're putting extra safety and security in place," he said."But after speaking to some of the other drivers and thinking a bit more myself, I think the concerns are that the cost of this CCTV equipment has to be borne by the drivers."You can't just install the cheapest system, you've got to go with the one recommended by the council." 'Consider' Mr Carter said there concerns too that the CCTV would have to remain on, even when drivers are using their taxis as their own private reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he also said there were already safety measures in place on hackney carriages, "which mitigate the risks"."If it was to be worked a bit differently where a council took the cost and allowed drivers more flexibility about when the CCTV could be switched on or off, then it might be something the drivers would consider," he said."It should be sold as benefiting the drivers as much as benefitting the public." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Smart Scaling: Sustainable Startup Growth Strategies
Startup success Startups walk a tightrope: Grow fast or risk irrelevance, but grow wrong and the whole thing can collapse. To scale smartly, emerging companies must focus on high-impact investments, adopt agile operational models, and foster a culture rooted in innovation, clarity, and accountability. Through insights from experienced founders and executives—Rick Fortman of Software Solutions Inc. (SSI), Jake Carter of Credera, and Riley Stricklin of Cadre AI—we see how sustainable growth hinges on strategic clarity, systemized execution, and unwavering cultural alignment. Startups don't have the luxury of doing everything. That makes focus the ultimate asset. Fortman emphasizes the importance of visibility into the customer journey: 'It is critical that the entire organization has visibility into where a customer is on their journey. This should help in reducing bottlenecks in serving the customers and allow people resource utilization at a high level.' Carter adds that chaos is avoidable if you build the right structures early: 'From an operational standpoint, it's important to document clear processes. Clear, documented processes make sure growth doesn't lead to chaos and ensure scalability as growth occurs.' Stricklin echoes this focus-driven philosophy. 'In the early stages, it's tempting to chase every opportunity. But with limited resources, it's far better to do three things at an A-level than nine things at a C-level,' he says. Prioritizing initiatives that truly move the needle, he adds, allows startups to execute with excellence rather than dilute their impact across too many fronts. Sustainable scale depends on systems that can grow with the company. Automating operational workflows and embedding repeatable processes early on helps startups avoid becoming mired in inefficiency. 'Automation can streamline operations and lay the groundwork for sustainable expansion,' Fortman notes. Modular, scalable platforms not only support productivity but also give startups the flexibility to evolve without requiring full infrastructure overhauls. Stricklin believes systemization is the backbone of scalable businesses: 'When you build systems that can be rinsed and repeated, you improve faster, train easier, and operate more efficiently.' He encourages founders to integrate automation early, calling it an essential lever for maintaining momentum without bloating teams: 'Tech-enabled processes allow you to maintain speed and efficiency while keeping overhead lean.' Markets change fast. Startups that can't pivot, stall. Carter emphasizes the importance of performance monitoring in enabling swift, data-driven shifts: 'Monitor performance and output to facilitate data-driven decisions and quick pivots.' Agile operational models empower employees to respond autonomously to new challenges and opportunities. By embedding agility into the company's DNA, startups can avoid rigid structures that crack under pressure. That responsiveness becomes a competitive advantage when the next disruption inevitably hits. Rapid growth often tempts founders to overextend, but fiscal restraint ensures the business can weather volatility. Fortman puts it plainly: 'It's great to have huge demand, but that demand must be at the right price point as to not create overexpansion or cash flow issues.' Carter reinforces the need for financial focus: 'Be smart about your spending and always have a buffer for unexpected costs.' He also warns against chasing too many product enhancements too early: 'Stay laser-focused. Nail down the main problem you're addressing before adding new features or offerings.' Stricklin adds a personal lesson: 'If I could go back, I would have brought in a strong finance partner—fractional or otherwise—much sooner.' He recommends flexible solutions like freelancers and AI tools to stay nimble: 'AI can now do roles faster, cheaper, and around the clock.' By avoiding premature hiring and unnecessary overhead, startups can preserve agility and scale sustainably. While technology and strategy drive scale, culture holds everything together. 'You win with people,' Fortman says. 'Leaders need to set the vision, hire rockstars, and let them do their thing.' His advice? Surround yourself with excellence and maintain high standards. 'Thoroughbreds do not like to work with donkeys.' Stricklin views culture as the force that sustains morale through the early chaos: 'It's what keeps great people around during the hard, messy, early years of a startup.' He champions in-person connections—from lunches to casual events—as essential for building trust and loyalty. But culture also needs direction. 'You're not just leading the business; you're inspiring belief in where you're going,' he says. Carter rounds out the picture with a call for leadership rooted in authenticity: 'Leaders need to strike the right balance between leading from the front and leading from the back.' By showing up in the trenches and painting a clear vision, founders earn trust while fostering a culture of agility, accountability, and continuous improvement.
