New advances in foreign exchange technology are enabling companies to make multiple payments in various currencies using a variety of payment methods. Doing business internationally has never been so easy and inexpensive. The world’s largest non-bank foreign exchange specialists are leading the way in this new paradigm. This week we look at another two cutting edge developments that can save you time, money and headaches.

Click more for the full details.

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With the Easter holiday approaching, many employees are looking forward to a long weekend break. How do you maximise the benefits of a break from work to enable you to approach the demands of your life in a positive manner?

• Tackle one thing at a time - Don’t try to do too much at once.
• At work, delegate tasks to others. Trust others to get it done.
• Take some exercise - physical activity is one of the most effective stress remedies around.
• Set aside time to make sure that you get enough rest and sleep
• Set yourself goals. Decide what’s important and pursue it; decide what’s not important and demote its priority ranking. Learn to say no.
• Get outdoors and take a walk. Make a game of noticing little things you’ve never seen before.
• Get organised. Keep a detailed calendar to remind yourself of even the smallest tasks. Be creative. Find new and better ways to do routine tasks. Challenge yourself to shave a few seconds off a job each time you do it.
• Keep your life in balance. Develop interests and supports outside your primary work environment. Join a support group or pursue a hobby.
• Give in occasionally, you don’t have to win everything. Avoid quarrels whenever possible.

The businesses listed here have all joined the Chamber in the last month. We’ve included their phone numbers and websites so you can find out more about them and get in touch if there’s anyone you’d like to meet.

This month’s new members cover all sectors and industries, from new media to charities, accountants to building specialists. Click ‘more’ for the full list.

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MERIT is holding its next free event on Wednesday 25th April 2007.

SME employees often find themselves caught between the benefits and challenges that typically characterise this size of organisation. On one side they work with great flexibility and have the independence to choose when and where to work.

However, the SME business environment can also be extremely demanding, having to fill multiple roles and resources often being stretched, with businesses finding themselves spending long periods out of the office.

This free event will explore the benefits of using Blackberry using real life cases studies to illustrate how it can offer a Return on Investment; improvement in productivity & quality of life.

The Blackberry from O2 is the most popular email solution available in the market place today. The mobile data market is growing rapidly thanks to email on the move solution.

Learn how BlackBerry from O2 can improve your productivity with a demonstration of the product and an offer of a free no obligation 28 day trial.

Register for this FREE event at www.merit.org.uk

Date: Wednesday 25th April 2007

Registration 11:00 - 11:30, Presentation 11:30 - 12:30, Buffet Lunch & Networking 12:30 - 2:00

Location: Merit,
Liverpool Digital,
2nd Floor, Babbage House,
Edge Lane,
Liverpool,
L7 9NW.

Register Now

We’re constantly  improving our services to members,  and now, you can renew your membership securely online on the Chamber’s main site. Just simply input you company details and pay us by credit card, choosing the renewing membership option.

We also accept payments by Direct Debit which helps us reduce our administration costs. To celebrate Liverpool’s 800th birthday year, we’ll give you a 5% discount on your membership if you sign up to the Direct Debit Scheme. If you would like to set up a direct debit to cover your payments please call or membership team on 0151 227 1234

The chamber’s events team has also introduced online payment for event bookings, while in the longer term we aim to introduce online payment for all  Liverpool Chamber products and services.

If you’ve joined or renewed your membership in the last month, you will have already seen our new look membership certificates. These are now issued annually each time you renew you membership. Many of our members like to display these in their reception areas so we are also aiming to offer a framing service to help you make the most of your membership certificate.

If you’ve got any queries or suggestions or you’d like to speak to our membership team, just call 0151 227 1234 or send us an email.

The countdown has begun to the start of a fantastic scheme to give Chamber members even more of the very best that Liverpool has to offer.

LiveOne20 has been created by the Chamber in conjunction with Livesmart to enable members and their employees to enjoy fabulous deals with some of Liverpool’s top names in leisure, entertainment, travel, food and retail.

The full scheme launch is May 1st but it’s not too early to reserve some of the city’s red carpet treatment as a reward or as an incentive for your staff by purchasing cards at minimal cost.

They’ll join principal contacts at the Chamber’s member companies who have received their free combined LiveOne20 lifestyle and Chamber Membership cards. They are already discovering some of the exclusive benefits of signing-up to the scheme. If you were one of the lucky first 120 Principal contacts to register your card keep a look out for your FREE launch event invitation.

There are huge savings to be made on rooms at the Radisson SAS Hotel. You can please your palate with some mouth-watering deals at the city’s top restaurants and bars, such as Sapporo Teppanyaki, Filini, Blue or Pan Am. Or give your health and hair a workout with great offers at some of Liverpool’s best salons and gyms, including Voodou, Ark or Greens Health and Fitness.

With around £200 worth of savings every quarter, it’s hard to ignore the benefits of LiveOne20. To find out more information or to purchase cards, contact Jenny Stewart, Head of Membership by email at liveone20@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or by telephone on 0151 227 1234 or Livesmart’s account manager Daniel White by phone on 0870 055 3472 or by e-mail at liveone20@livesmart.biz

As a result of the changes announced to the Small Business Service (SBS) by Margaret Hodge, Minister for Industry and the Regions, in October 2006, the SBS will no longer have executive agency status as from April 2007. Instead, it will be an expert policy unit within the DTI’s Business and Enterprise Group, with whom the BCC has a good relationship.

An immediate consequence of the changes to the SBS is that its website will close this weekend. The information that has previously been on the SBS website will now be found in the ‘Better Business Framework’ section of the DTI’s website, http://www.dti.gov.uk/bbf/