New iPhone, Rocket Capture and LOTS to review at Cathcart Technology.

Autumn 2024 has witnessed the release of yet another iPhone (this time with AI capability), SpaceX successfully returned rocket booster to Earth in test and the Cathcart team attended another successful Scotsoft event at the EICC as well as well as embarking on a new adventure in Sweden!

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Autumn’s ‘bumper’ edition of RecruITing news will look into whether or not there is as much demand for yet another iPhone, a look at Scottish-based company 2i eyeing ambitious growth plans and a review of Scotsoft 2024 as well as an update to all things going on at Cathcart Towers.

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Apple betting on AI to retain smartphone market share

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Apple's iPhone 16 release focuses on integrating AI capabilities, from enhancing user experience to improving camera functionality. With features like the A18 Pro chip, AI-driven camera tools, and personalization options, Apple is betting heavily on AI to differentiate this model. However, market demand for new iPhones faces challenges, such as the slowing pace of innovation and increased competition. While Apple's loyal customer base remains strong, some analysts question whether AI advancements alone will be enough to maintain high demand in an increasingly saturated smartphone market. We also have to consider the cost of living – who can really justify continually getting a new model of phone when older or refurbished models offer so much functionality for a fraction of the price?

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SpaceX successfully capture rocket-boosters in mid air

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SpaceX's booster capture involves the ambitious plan to catch the Falcon Heavy rocket boosters mid-air upon their return using "Mechazilla," a massive launch tower with robotic arms. This innovative technique aims to eliminate the need for ocean landings or using drone ships, reducing recovery time and cost. By capturing the booster directly at the launch site, SpaceX hopes to enhance reusability and efficiency in its operations, pushing forward its goal of rapid rocket reusability for missions to space. The successful test flight and recapture is another step towards this goal. Elon Musk is certainly what some may describe as a ‘marmite character’, but this is certainly a wonderful feat of engineering!

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Scottish Consultancy aims for growth

2i Testing has appointed David Cotterell, a seasoned leader in the IT and software industry, to spearhead its growth strategy following a major investment from Rockpool Investments. With over 35 years of experience, Cotterell will help the firm expand by focusing on quality engineering (QE) and leveraging AI for innovative solutions. The company aims to grow through strategic acquisitions and winning large-scale clients, solidifying its position in the UK QE sector. Cotterell sees significant potential for 2i in the $40 billion global quality assurance market. 2i Testing are also our neighbour in office terms so we will be rooting for them extra hard!

Read more here.

Cathcart Technology at ScotSoft 2024

What’s Scotsoft? ScotSoft 2024, held on September 26 in Edinburgh, was a premier tech event in Scotland, showcasing the latest industry trends, insights, and innovations. Organized by ScotlandIS , the conference targeted professionals across various digital sectors, featuring both a Developer Conference and Leadership Forum. It offered a space for networking and collaboration, attracting key figures from the industry. A highlight of the event was the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards, celebrating emerging talent and innovative projects. ScotSoft continues to be a significant platform for fostering growth in Scotland's digital economy.

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?We attended and exhibited during the day and enjoyed meeting all sorts of different people from different backgrounds. Our putting game was very popular and is always a good ice breaker and a couple of boxes of ‘sweeties’; always helps attract the punters as well. If you see any merchandise you like (including the branded golf balls and branded golf towel) then don’t be shy to ask for some!

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?The Cathcart Current

Where to begin? It’s been a very busy time for us, as the end of September/beginning of October signals the end and start of our financial year. Whilst 2023/24 wasn’t the year we had hoped for, there was a lot to celebrate at our annual sales conference. The whole team met for breakfast before heading along to the Hilton hotel on Bread Street for a whole host of presentations and a review of our year financially. As is tradition, our ‘newbies’ stepped up to deliver some presentations that were both insightful and inspiring. Matthew Ross and Paul Mcgovern delivered a fantastic talk on the transition from sourcing candidates for live roles to business development. This is a transition that many recruiters embark upon, and it was good to hear their interpretation on what they have experienced so far. Molly Candlish, Matthew Macalpine and Lyyli Salovaara delivered a great talk on ‘what makes a great candidate?’ It’s never an easy thing standing up in front of all your new (and much more experienced) colleagues and delivering a talk on our profession, but they absolutely smashed it!

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We also handed out our annual awards and well done to Douglas Paget on winning employees MVP of the year. The entire staff vote for this award and he was recognised by his peers for his efforts over the previous 12 months.

Andy Weir took home the top biller prize again (no mean feat) as well as picking up the top contract biller award. Douglas Paget also won the top UK perm biller and Tuuli Jokinen won the top biller prize for our Finland team!

?We then headed to Howie’s on Victoria Street for lunch and, barring a short nut-allergy panic, had a lovely meal. This was followed by a few social libations in an Irish bar just over the road on Victoria Street and a few sore heads on the Saturday morning!

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Earlier in September, Murray Simpson went out with two of our ‘Super lunch club’ winners to enjoy a slap up meal in rewards for their sales efforts. Hamish Niven and Katriina "Katti" Haataja ?? a enjoyed a mean (and drinks!) at Duthcas and the reviews were excellent!

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As regular readers and followers will know, we successfully do business in Finland with many clients. Our business strategy here is to hire native Finnish speakers who now live in Scotland to work out of our Edinburgh office supplying companies back in Finland. Tuuli Jokinen moved home to Finland this year and now works for us there, and its great to have ‘boots on the ground’ so to speak.

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We have been very keen to move into the Swedish recruitment marketplace on the same terms, for some time. In September Rebecca Lightowler started with us and will be spearheading our expansion into Sweden, After growing up in Sweden, Rebecca came over to Scotland to study for her Psychology degree at Queen Margaret University. Getting any new business off the ground (we have no clients or candidates) is no mean feat, but Rebecca is already making great inroads researching into potential customers and introducing herself to the candidate community. Updates on progress to come in future issues and on our social channels!

On Friday 11th October, Katriina and Hamish spent the day at hospitality at York Race Course having ‘hit’ a quarterly incentive target earlier in the year. Early train down to York, lots of food and drink and a birds eye view of the racing…what’s not to like? They were joined by Directors Murray Simpson and Gordon Kaye (MIRP) who were there to make sure they enjoyed the day and were well looked after. Special thanks to Gordon for stepping in last minute to cover Stuart Manderson who unfortunately had to miss it due to surgery. Gordon was devastated at having to go instead – look how sad he was!

Lastly, October signalled the start of a new financial year for our colleagues over in Bangkok as well. Sam Wason MIRP flew over after our conference to join Nick and team over there for their annual conference. Again, not the year they would have hoped for but lots to celebrate still! Well done to Joe on winning the Employee MVP, and well done to Piyatida A. , Nareen Won (Joe) and Dollada Puangsod (Katoon) on their respective promotions. The team also enjoyed a traditional Buddhist ‘blessing’ ceremony before the conference started – a real experience for all and particularly enjoyable for Sam.

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We hope you enjoyed reading!

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