Eligible small and medium sized businesses on Merseyside can apply for an HR Scholarship to help develop their professional HR skills thanks to a Scholarship fund launched by EEF North West to its members.

A grant award covering up to 65% of the cost of studying for one of EEF North West’s new suite of CIPD approved certificate programmes - Certificate in Employment Relations, Law and Practice (CERLAP), Certificate in Personnel Practice (CPP) or Certificate in Training Practice (CPP) - will be made available to organisations that present the best business cases to EEF North West’s Scholarship Committee.

Eligibility criteria and conditions apply. To find out more details contact Steve Honess, Regional Manager, EEF North West, 0151 227 2121.

More details on EEF courses can be found in this PDF.

Flexibility in the workplace is good for the UK

In response to the PM’s speech this morning outlining his vision for “flexi-Britain”. David Frost Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce commented:

“The Prime Minister has outlined a positive vision for Britain’s economy.

“As business squares up to the global competitive challenge posed by the emerging economies of India and China the ability to respond quickly to change is vital.

“There are two sides to flexibility; one is ensuring that regulatory conditions are such that they allow employers to be lean and agile and the other is for employees to manage their work in a manner that suits their circumstances.

“New research conducted by the BCC amongst small and medium size businesses suggests that employers are enthusiastically adopting a flexible approach to the way they manage their staff. The Government needs to continue to work with business to deliver those regulatory and economic conditions which will help our business sector to thrive globally.”

Read more about Tony Blair’s ‘flexi Britain’ speech at the Guardian. 

A new website has been launched focusing on the media industry in the North West.

How-Do offers news, opinion and resources for those working in all aspects of media in the region.

It also provides links to many other websites, resources and blogs from across the region, and a forum for media professionals to share their views and ideas.

Liverpool Chamber’s CEO, Jack Stopforth, appeared on Radio Merseyside today. As well as admitting to his admiration for the musical genius that is Michael Jackson, his main topics were the increased optimism for the Liverpool economy.

Jack spoke about the new Liverpool waterfront arena and the boost to the city it will provide. Events like conferences and conventions as well as award ceremonies and concerts will mean Liverpool will join the premier league as a destination for such activities.

He also mentioned the new prospectus for a Liverpool City Region. This, he believes, marks a new era of co-operation between the six local authorities. This will make the region more attractive to businesses and see a greater harmony between public and private sectors.

You can listen to the interview here. [MP3, 7MB]

Commenting on the joint survey released on Thursday 29th March 2007 by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Netmum’s which found that 4 in 10 pregnant women think their employers knows how to manage pregnant staff and the launch of the EOC pregnancy toolkit designed with the help of small businesses to fill this knowledge gap, David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

“We welcome this initiative by the EOC to help small businesses better understand the needs of their pregnant staff and their responsibilities to them. Businesses are increasingly adapting to meet the needs of their most important asset - their staff. This survey highlights that small businesses in particular can sometimes find it difficult to meet the varying needs of their pregnant staff either due to lack of awareness of current legislation or the financial cost of temporary cover. We therefore support the EOC recommendation for more support to be given to small businesses with a pregnant employee.”

Steve Pearse from Liverpool Chamber’s Policy department appeared on Radio Merseyside’s Drive Time business slot this week.

He was amongst a number of guests looking at the options for companies looking to improve their environmental impact.

Steve talked about the need to improve waste storage and recycling, as well as the importance of the 3 Rs - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, in that order. By following those steps - reducing usage, re-using materials where possible, and then recycling, consumption and costs can be driven down.

Listeners were also directed to the Environment Connect website. This aims to connect local businesses to environmental support.

You can listen to the radio slot here. [MP3, 5MB]

Stylish, upbeat and welcoming - The Living Room has become a legendary institution. It boasts many ingredients that attract regular guests and occasional visitors.

On one hand a vibrant cocktail bar with live music and a Manhattan feel; on the other a sophisticated dining room with an impressive menu selection.

The Living Room is offering an exclusive discount to Chamber members of 20% off your total food bill. This offer is available everyday except after 6pm on Saturdays.

All you have to do is email Pamela Holstein at Liverpool Chamber for a voucher.

From 1st of July it will be against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England. Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person will also be required to be smokefree.

Last week, a worrying 42% of businesses who took part  a Chamber survey said that they were not yet ready to go Smokefree.

Here’s a checklist of what you need to do. Employers, managers and those in charge of smokefree premises and vehicles will need to:

• display ‘no smoking’ signs in smokefree premises
• take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are legally required to be smokefree
• ensure that no one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles

You may also want to take these supportive measures:

• remove ashtrays from smokefree areas
• develop a smokefree policy in consultation with staff
• provide your staff and customers with support to quit smoking
• ensure that your staff and customers know where they can smoke if they choose to

The Government has produced a practical guide to help businesses and organisations prepare for the new law as the countdown begins. This guidance will be mailed to all employing, actively trading businesses registered with Companies House in April. You can also download a copy now and free signage from www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources.

In Scotland, where a ban was introduced a year ago, research has shown that it stimulated an increase in people seeking help to quit smoking.

Chamber members Renewu offer a non-invasive, drug-free and totally painless therapy called Bioresonance which claims a 90% success rate, for further information visit www.renewu.co.uk or call 0151 702 9000.

Your successful international growth means your accounting team now needs to process hundreds of foreign payables and receivables each month. There must be an easier way.

There is.

This week we begin a two part series on the benefits of taking your FX payments online.

Click ‘more’ to read the full article.

Read the rest of this entry »

Chamber members will shortly get their chance to take advantage of a unique new scheme to get the best out of Liverpool life.

We are sending the combined LiveOne20 lifestyle and Chamber Membership card to the principal contact at each of our member companies, free of charge. Keep a look out for them arriving on your desks within the next week.

The LiveOne20 scheme has been created by the Chamber in conjunction with Livesmart to enable members and their employees to benefit from fantastic deals with some of Liverpool’s premier names in leisure, entertainment, travel, food and retail.

EU directives tell us that there are 120 hours of free time each week in which to take it easy. We are sure that business owners have less time to spare but we’d like you to make the most of it and discover what makes the city such a great place to live and work.

The scheme is only open to Chamber members and means cardholders can make savings of up to £200 every quarter with exclusive discounts from some of the city’s biggest names. And there’ll be many more to follow as we bring you a preferential taste of Liverpool life - day and night!

Member companies can purchase additional cards at minimal cost as a great way of giving rewards, incentives and offers to employees.

To find out more information, contact either Jenny Stewart, Head of Membership, by e-mail at liveone20@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or by telephone on 0151 227 1234 or Livesmart’s account manager Daniel White by phone (0870 055 3472) or e-mail: liveone20@livesmart.biz.