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Monday 25 June 2007

Thailand is one of the fastest growing markets in Asia and offers enormous opportunities for UK companies.

You are invited to attend this FREE roundtable discussion with expert speakers.

Did you know that Thailand.

• Is a free-enterprise economy with pro-investment policies
• Enjoys a strategic location right at the heart of Asia
• Reached an annual growth rate of 6.1% in 2004
• Received £573 m worth of exports from United Kingdom in 2003
• Has a well educated and low cost labour force

This event will begin at 14.00 and conclude at 17.00 with the opportunity to network with delegates and chat one to one with our expert speakers.

A buffet reception will be provided.

To book your place please contact Elena Enciso via email : export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Itinery:

2 - 4 pm Seminar

4pm onwards Networking Reception

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Council Chamber
Ground Floor
Number One Old Hall Street
Liverpool L3 9HG

The new invigorated team at your local Spring Personnel branch would like to invite you to our Open day on 28th June 2007 which will  allow you the opportunity to discuss your business’ recruitment needs in a relaxed and informal environment.

Enjoy some drinks and canapes and meet our consultants to find out how we can help your business and find the right talent to make it succeed.

We look forward to seeing you on the 28th June anytime between 1-4pm at our offices at 13 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2EZ.

If you can’t make it on the 28th June please call us on 0151 224 8181.

If you have any current recruitment needs or would like to attend, then please email me on personnel_liverpool@spring.com.

We look forward to seeing you.

Brian Munro
Branch Manager Spring Personnel

This week, the little bit of Friday fun takes the ever popular form of laughing at cats being stupid. Plus, this video has the added bonus of being set to Bjork’s ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’, so you can turn your speakers up and annoy your colleagues. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ4vmSvCVbc]

Larger organisations using half-hourly electricity meters could be wasting thousands of pounds on their meter rental charges, says Chamber UtilitiesT.

Previously, customers had to use their local meter operator because there was no other choice, but since the market was relaxed, they have been able to shop around for a new supplier - typically saving 50% per year.

“Organisations are paying up to £600 per year to lease a single half-hourly meter,”  says Jeff Wealands, Technical Director for Utility Auditing Ltd, which supplies the Chamber UtilitiesT service. “We can usually halve the cost of the lease, so that over a ten-year contract and with multiple meters, the savings can run into thousands of pounds.”

Adds Wealands: “The other cost-cutting option we sometimes recommend is to buy the meter outright and arrange a separate maintenance contract, which can deliver even higher savings.”

The Chamber UtilitiesT service ensures Chamber members have access to the best possible deals on gas and electricity and have expert support to stem both energy and water waste.

Utility Auditing, which is part of the Ener-g group of companies, buys £175 million worth of energy on behalf of UK business each year and can use its national purchasing power and expertise to negotiate the best UK contract rates on gas and electricity.  By monitoring the markets, Utility Auditing can minimise exposure to the risks of buying in a highly volatile commodity market to ensure customers buy energy at the most advantageous time and price.

It is estimated that companies are wasting around one fifth of all their energy and, under the Carbon Trust programme, Utility Auditing can provide free on-site energy efficiency surveys for eligible organisations, as well as helping them to implement recommendations. Companies doing so are typically saving 10 to 20% on their energy bills, with minimal investment.

Organisation can also make use of Enhanced Capital Allowances and gain access to 0% interest Carbon Trust loans of up to £100,000 to help implement energy efficiency measures.

For further details contact Chamber UtilitiesT on: 0845 120 2423, or visit www.chamberutilities.co.uk

Flyglobespan are delighted to offer all passengers travelling from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to New York, FREE Car Parking until the end of August 2007

When travelling from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to New York, all passengers flying with Flyglobespan will receive  FREE parking in the LONG STAY car park for stays up to seven days. The long stay car park is located in close proximity to the Airport Terminal Building.

This action is valid until the end of August 2007 and only to Flyglobespan passengers travelling to New York during this period.  This includes all three classes of passenger (Economy/Premium Economy/Business).

Complimentary Car Parking Procedure

Flyglobespan Liverpool to New York passengers wishing to take advantage of the complimentary car parking in the long stay car park (for up to seven days) should enter the car park as normal, take a ticket from the entrance barrier and then retain this in order to exit.

After arrival back into Liverpool John Lennon Airport from New York, passengers should produce their boarding card for LPL at the Liverpool John Lennon Airport Information Desk (open daily from 0500Hours), where they will be provided with an exit validation ticket.

At the time of presenting their boarding card at the Airport Information Desk, passengers will also be required to complete a brief form that details their reason for travel and requests contact details.

 
LiveOne20 is the new Chamber initiative with a bit more taste.

Thanks to an exclusive package of deals with Liverpool’s finest names in cuisine, you can present your staff and clients with mouth-watering meals - and huge savings for a whole year!

Whether they - or you - use the LiveOne20 card for private dining or a business lunch, there are huge savings to be made. Cardholders booking with their LiveOne20 card can enjoy a fantastic two-course lunch for only £19 at the London Carriage Works, two-for-one offers at Filini and The Supper Club, a whopping 50% saving on food at Sapporo Teppanyaki and Il Forno or a free glass of wine at the Brasserie in the award-winning Malmaison hotel.

LiveOne20 also takes a big bite out of bills with special deals on food or drink at Newz Bar, PanAM, Blue, the Ha! Ha! Bar and Sultan’s Palace restaurant.

The fabulous food offers are just some of the LiveOne20 deals with some of the city’s premier names in retail, leisure, health and beauty which will save carholders more than £800 a year.

The cards cost from as little as £10 each for an entire year of benefits, so it’s a fabulous way of treating yourself, staff, clients and contacts to a little bit of luxury.

To find out more information about the LiveOne20 scheme or to become part of it by purchasing 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.

£4M of funding announced today will boost the skills of businesses across Merseyside. The funding, provided by the Learning and Skills Council and European Social Fund, is available to all small and medium sized businesses in every business sector.

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Community College and Blackburne House submitted the successful bid. The partners have formed Mersey Skills Network, a consortium that will be the first point of call for business training. Companies are urged to apply quickly, the funding offer lasts just 12 months. Businesses from sole traders to firms employing up to 250 staff are all eligible.

SkillWorks provides up to 60% of the costs of the costs of employee training for companies in all sectors across the Merseyside region. All of the partners in the Mersey Skills Network consortium have an excellent track record in successfully distributing Skillworks funding and delivering training to businesses across the region for the past four years.

Kevin Griffiths, Mersey Skills Consortium Project Manager said: “With partners of this calibre, Mersey Skills Network is in an excellent position to improve and develop the skills base on Merseyside and contribute to the region to remaining competitive in global market. All four consortium members have previously worked independently to support Skillworks and are all experienced in assisting businesses to maximise the training offer. This further funding is a superb opportunity and I urge all eligible businesses to take advantage of the funding.”

Ian McKay, a Reception Officer at Merseyside Police Federation, achieved his Customer Service Level Three NVQ this year. He commented: “Gaining this qualification has improved my confidence.”

The course was funded by Skillworks and Federation Centre Manager, Paula McIntosh - Kemp says: “Skillworks has been really useful as we don’t have a big training budget. It has funded training for most of our staff from food hygiene courses to higher degrees.”

“I’m delighted with the achievements of our employees and I’m keen to continue using Skillworks funding to further support our staff development programme.”

Find out more at the Mersey Skills Network website.