2005: The year in review

— Posted December 16th, 2005  |  by Morgan McKeagney

2005: Looking back

You kept us busy in 2005. Here are just some of the highlights:

• Clients: A big welcome and thank you to the 25 new customers who joined the iQ client list this year, bringing our total number of customers to 174. New customers included CNG Travel, ESB, Dept of Finance, Legal Services Commission, National Library of Scotland, Department of the Taoiseach, National Disability Authority and O2.
• Projects: 59 challenging projects of all shapes and sizes — from Accessibility, to Content Management to Usability Testing — successfully delivered. All clever solutions, all delivered on time and on budget.
• iQ Boot Camp: we delivered an expanded iQ Boot Camp in both Dublin and London, and both went down a treat ("The best web event I've ever attended", according to one happy customer). 33 organisations from all sectors attended, including Gulliver Ireland, Unilever, Deloitte, The Cabinet Office, Revenue Commissioners, and BDO Simpson Xavier.
• Research: iQ User Experience Index: We published our first benchmarking report looking at how much value central government websites in the UK and Ireland are delivering to citizens. Although some underachievers cried foul, the report was widely welcomed and received extensive press coverage.
• New Service Areas: We expanded our service offering to meet our clients' needs better. New services include web architecture & specification, web metrics, ongoing mentoring and support, and outsourced development support.
• New Usability Lab: We took delivery of one of Europe's most advanced user test labs, and have put it to great use for clients such as Vodafone and the Department of the Taoiseach.
• New Recruits: Three more bright sparks joined the iQ team: welcome to Siobhan, Brian and Laurence.

2006: Even Bigger, Better, Brighter

No resting on our laurels; we're planning for an even bigger, better and brighter year in 2006. Some things for you to look out for:

• New services: We're always looking for creative ways to help you to create better websites and reduce web management headaches. Expect a number of new services in 2006 that will make your life easier and your website better.
• More research: Two major benchmarking reports are planned for 2006. We'll also continue to provide you with regular articles to highlight best-practice, and provide you with the knowledge you need to continually enhance your website and online applications.
• More events: We're introducing a quarterly series of free breakfast seminars: the ideal way for busy professionals to keep up-to-date with the latest thinking. The full event calendar will be available in January, but look out for events dedicated to, amongst other things, Web Metrics, Best-Practice in Financial Services, Site Search and others.
• iQ Boot Camp: We're completing revamping the iQ Boot Camp for 2006: new format, new boutique hotel location, new workshops, and introducing the iQ Guru: an un-missable keynote from a global internet guru. Full details available in January.

And that's just for starters.

Thank you all for helping make 2005 such a good year. Have a great Christmas. And we wish you a very peaceful, happy, productive and prosperous 2006.