Category: Guernsey

JT has become the latest large company to begin replacing its vehicle fleet with zero emission alternatives. Ten years ago, it was hard to imagine being able to drive more than a few miles in an electric vehicle, on a single charge – today it is very different and with an ever-growing network of charging facilities, more and more Channel Islands businesses are making the transition from fossil-fuel to low carbon electric transport.

JT have begun their transition by purchasing ten Nissan electric vehicles, starting by replacing the oldest of JT’s fleet of Suzuki vans, supporting their goal of achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2030.

Tom Noel, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, said: “JT has one of the largest commercial fleets in Jersey, with almost 100 cars used daily by our engineers. Our aim is to not only replace all petrol and diesel vehicles but to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, supporting that with charging points in key locations. As a business that has placed sustainability at the heart of everything we do, we’ve made initiatives like this a key priority of our Sustainability Strategy over the next decade.”

The EV’s may be new to JT but all have been bought at auctions having previously been used by councils in Scotland in keeping with JT’s policy to reuse, reduce and recycle wherever possible.

JT’s people are key participants and drivers of JT’s sustainability programme with many of their ideas now being adopted companywide, including going 100% paperless for note taking by using Rocketbook Fusion notebooks, re-usable water bottles, a solar panelled building and an employee voucher scheme for e-bikes.

‘Moments of global crisis often lead to historical change and the recovery from the pandemic presents a huge opportunity for Governments, businesses and individuals to put action on climate at the heart of their efforts,” said Tom.

A team of volunteers from JT have joined others reconnecting with their island’s natural beauty last week swapping their desks for a day of volunteering for the National Trust in Jersey.  The team helped maintain bird hides and reed beds in St Ouen.

Six members of JT’s new sustainability team supported the Trust with habitat restoration and enhancement of the bird hides and reeds at Les Mielles de Morville. It’s part of JT’s commitment to our local environment and community and our desire to help support the wellbeing of islanders.

Jon Parkes, Lands Manager for the National Trust for Jersey, said: “Like everyone, the Trust has had an unusual year with plenty of challenges, but we are lucky enough to work with lots of corporate partners and groups. This year has seen the countryside, including National Trust sites, busier than ever, as people rediscovered the island they knew and discovered parts they never knew existed. We are delighted that people are reconnecting with nature and really valuing what we have here in Jersey. Support for the Trust from local businesses like JT is really meaningful. Especially in difficult times like these, when we all need to work together for the benefit of our community and island.”

The National Trust is continuing with its busy programme of conservation and management work at its sites across the island.

Tom Noel, JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability said: “JT is actively pursuing our new strategy which puts our planet, our people and our community at the heart of everything we do. It’s not only about reducing carbon emissions, it’s also about how our people are embracing sustainability, coming up with their own ideas for green initiatives and supporting local organisations such as the National Trust. Seeing our volunteers so passionate on such a worthwhile project like this, demonstrates their genuine commitment to making a real difference. These projects are great for team building, exposing people to new experiences and really helping to keep our environment at the forefront of all our minds, helping to maintain and protect our island for future generations – plus, it’s something we really enjoyed.”

It’s been a year where many of us have had to adapt and it’s no different in the North Pole where Santa and his trusty team have embraced technology and come up with new ways to see and hear from children all over the world.

Sadly, Santa can’t make his usual stop at the JT shop this year, so he and his busy Elves have teamed up with JT to provide a live feed to Santa’s home on Facebook making sure children across the Channel Islands won’t miss out.

Mrs Claus, who manages Santa’s very tight schedule has come up with a great idea. To make sure no time is lost making presents, Santa and his elves will chat to children while they take a break for breakfast. It will be a chance for parents to gather their little ones between 9:30 and 10:30 on each of the Sunday’s – 6^th, 13^th and 20^th – in December to speak to Santa who will be live from his home in the North Pole, sharing in the magic of Christmas together.

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “Meeting Santa is one of the most magical experiences children can have at Christmas. It’s an annual tradition that we had to help make happen and we were so pleased when together with Santa’s team we found a solution so that local children can see and speak to Santa virtually. Things may look a little different this year, but we are so pleased that we can help keep everyone connected this Christmas.”

Parents and children will be able to type their questions and present requests live on the Facebook stream and, with the help of one of his elves, Santa will respond.

There is no need to book. Simply register interest via Facebook Live events on the JTSocial page. Reminders and updates will be sent to those that register.

Jersey’s digital talent was recognised among the winners of the prestigious UK Digital Experience Awards with JT’s Customer Experience and Marketing Team winning two major awards against tough competition from UK and Global household names such as BT, EE, ASDA and The Very Group. The team gained the Silver Award in the ‘Best Digital Marketing Campaign’ category and a Bronze Award for Customer Experience programmes in the ‘Use of Data Analytics & Insight’ category.

JT’s 2019 Christmas digital marketing campaign was praised by judges for the use of Snapchat and Augmented Reality technology to create a festive virtual town blending the online world with the traditional retail environment securing Silver Award to BT’s gold. Working closely with two local digital businesses, Comnexa and Continuum, the methods JT introduced to measure, track and analyse customer feedback to drive change and improvement earned a Bronze Award for ‘Use of Data Analytics & Insight. These awards have secured recognition of the talent Jersey has to offer, alongside some of the biggest companies in the UK digital market.

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Having worked in many global organisations, I understand the challenges of being judged alongside large-scale international brands like BT. The fact that Jersey and JT made it to the shortlist shows just how far our teams’ achievements are being recognised. We were certainly walking amongst giants and I’m proud of the individuals whose innovation, creativity and vision will help shape our digital leaders of tomorrow. It is another example of how, with the support of organisations like Digital Jersey, our world beating local talent is being developed.”

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “I’m very proud my team were initially shortlisted given the competition, however, to go on and win these awards in both categories was a genuine surprise. The judging of all the entries was intense and it’s thanks to the dedication of my small local team that we were ranked so highly amongst all the companies there. We are always looking at ways to improve our service and evolve our offers to better meet our customer needs. This recognition demonstrates the success we can achieve, together, by adopting a customer first focused approach.”

The 6^th UK Digital Experience Awards recognised the greatest accomplishments from the UK’s digital sector, evaluating entries from businesses of all sizes and across multiple sectors. Previous winners of the Awards have included Three, EE and Sky. This is the second consecutive year JT has been recognised as part of these Awards, receiving a Silver Award in 2019 for ‘Best App’.

JT’s Christmas digital marketing campaign and the way data and insight is used to measure how customers rate their experiences have put JT on the shortlist for two national awards alongside some of the biggest names in the technology world.

The UK Digital Experience Awards has shortlisted JT in two categories – Best ‘Digital Marketing Campaign Initiative’ and Best ‘Use of Analytics and Insight’, alongside global household brands BT and EE.

JT’s ‘Step Into Christmas Together’ campaign which used Snapchat and Augmented Reality technology to create a festive virtual town has earned JT a place as one of five finalists. The campaign brought the highstreets’s magical appeal of Christmas to customers digitally, resulting in an 86% increase in online sales for the period. JT was also recognised for the changes it has put in place to collect customer experience data, allowing it to drive further improvements and channel more benefits back to its customers. As part of JT’s data analysis, it introduced ‘JT Voice’, an online feedback forum which has seen nearly 1,800 members register in the 12 months since it was launched.

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “I am thrilled that our team stands shoulder to shoulder with those in huge international companies like BT and EE. To be shortlisted for these prestigious awards is evidence of the hard work they put in every day, ensuring that the information we gather is used to deliver the very best possible service to our customers.”

This is the 6th year of the UK Digital Experience Awards and the first year in which it will be held entirely online. Judging of the finalists is due to take place on Thursday 16 July.

JT has recently expanded its intelligent engineering and home automation service offering by acquiring Jersey-based company, Zero1.  Founded in 2010, Zero1 made its name as a leading designer and supplier of environment and entertainment automation systems for homes and business in the Channel Islands.

Partnering with industry-leading manufacturers and using Jersey’s world-class full-fibre network, Zero1 designs and installs intelligent lighting and shading, security, heating and entertainment systems which fit seamlessly into homes and businesses. As more homes become workplaces and home schools, they need to be capable of running the smart applications and connected devices needed to keep our lives and economy going. Zero1’s tailor-made solutions combined with JT’s world-class fibre network and resources, will support making those places more efficient, comfortable, economic and sustainable.

Daragh McDermott, Managing Director of JT Channel Islands, said: “JT’s purpose is to connect our customers and enable their sustainable future. We have a proven track record in bringing products and services to market before our competitors, and Zero1 provides us with an opportunity to move into the exciting and growing world of ‘Smart’, automated and sustainable living.  Having one of the fastest broadband networks in the world, JT and Zero1 can now bring our solutions past the router into homes and businesses, improving sustainability, efficiency, comfort and productivity.   Services like this rely on the superior connectivity our fibre network provides and this is just another way of maximizing the potential of our islands network.

“Amongst many benefits of this joining together, will be combining the knowledge and design expertise of Zero1 with the engineering resources and capabilities of JT.  For example we can now use green technology to create sustainable buildings that keep track of our energy and water consumption and then decrease it through automation and connectivity.  This will reduce environmental impact, contributing to the island’s target to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030.”

For more information on Zero 1 visit www.zero1.je