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We’ve just been to this morning’s inaugural meeting of Liverpool’s chapter of the CreativeCoffee Club.

This informal and chatty event was part of a wider, global network of meetings. Its aims are to introduce creative ways of working and thinking and to provide a place for business people, academics, teachers, public sector workers and managers to network, exchange ideas and discuss how to foster creativity and innovation.

This morning’s event was attended by people from a wide range of sectors: business; academic; music; art; tourism and game design, to name but a few. We talked about a broad range of subjects, including the growth of social networking phenomena such as blogs and Facebook, how these are influencing modern business and how creative approaches can reap rewards not available through more structured working methods.

CreativeCoffee Club is not like normal networking events, where business cards are furiously exchanged and everyone is looking for the next deal. Here it was more about the informal exchange of ideas, discussion around pertinent topics and meeting new people.

That may sound a bit touchy-feely, but we came away convinced that this programme of events (they will be held monthly, from now on probably) represented a real opportunity for local businesses. By getting together with a group of interesting people from different disciplines and talking around a variety of topics, new ideas and approaches are born that could have far-reaching influences on future ways of working.

These events are not just for those in the ‘creative’ industries (although they are most welcome). We feel anyone who’s looking to broaden their horizons when it comes to the people they meet and the opportunities they want to take would do well to attend.

You can find out more about CreativeCoffee Club on their website.

Facebookers can join their group to be kept up with what’s happening. We will, of course, let you know when the next event is taking place.

You never know, this first meeting may in the future be like the Sex Pistol’s Screen On The Green gig, with everybody claiming to have been there! Don’t miss out on the next one…

The Chamber’s very own press and PR guru Pamela Holstein has written an interesting article for the 08 Business Connect site on the importance of well thought out business cards for successful networking:

“At the Liverpool Chamber we meet a lot of businesses, both newly formed companies and long established firms with hundreds of staff. We go to a great many networking events and host over 90 of our own over the course of each year.

During this time, a lot of business cards are exchanged. So why do people give out their cards? You network, meet someone interesting that you’d like to speak to again or hope that you might be able to work with in the future.

You exchange cards with your company contact details on. Once your potential contact leaves an event with a pocket full of business cards, how do you maximise your chance of getting the follow up call that you’re hoping for? Is your business card working for you or letting you down”

Read the full article here

Social Media Strategist extraordinaire Katie Lips would like you all to know about a fantastic, free networking event taking place tomorrow (Thursday 29 Nov) morning.

FACT on Wood Street are hosting Liverpool’s first Creative Coffee event. CreativeCoffee Club is a meetup and networking event, after the style of the OpenCoffee Club. They aim to provide a place for business people, academics, teachers, public sector workers and managers to network, exchange ideas and discuss how to foster creativity and innovation in the workplace.

More information about Creative Coffee Club on their website.

So if you’d like to meet a bunch of creatively-focused people who could help you work in new and exciting ways, come along to the FACT cafe (on the ground floor) between 10am and 12noon. No need to book, just come along.

Those of you hip to the Facebook vibe can register your interest in the event here.

Directions to FACT on Google Maps.

Ho Ho Ho! Come along to our festive Platform Lunch event for some lovely grub, relaxed networking and some top notch laughs.

This year’s Christmas Platform Lunch will be held on Thursday 13th December 2007 at the Thistle Hotel. A cash bar will be available from 12.15pm and a two course lunch with wine will be served at 1.00pm prompt.

This event is always popular with members and therefore you are advised to book early to secure your places. Come along, enjoy the entertainment and join us in welcoming this year’s guest speaker….

Mickey Finn
“Making people laugh for over 30 years”

Mickey has been in show business for over 30 years. During that time he has built himself a reputation as one of the cleanest comics in the game. Mickey became a household name back in the 80’s when he appeared on Johnny Hamp’s TV production of “The Comedians” which can still be seen today on Sky’s Granada Plus.

Member cost: £25.00

Non-member cost: £30.00

To book your place, call Sue Platt or Melissa Bush on 0151 227 1234, email events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or simply book and pay for your place online.

Just a gentle reminder that the current QES is under way and your participation is essential in making this a success.

The Greater Merseyside Quarterly Economic Survey is an important tool for the Chamber network. It tells us what’s going on in Greater Merseyside and helps us to argue on behalf of business and lobby for changes to benefit companies in the region.

However, for our arguments to carry any weight we need to have heard from you, our members, and obviously the more companies that we hear from the more accurate our picture and the more noise we can make on your behalf.

To have your say, visit our Mersey Economy website and follow the Quarterly Economic Survey link on the home page.

Tuesday 4 December 2007

With a speaker panel comprising top level executives from corporates and the security services, this half-day event will offer practical advice in the following areas:

• Dealing with Drug & Alcohol misuse in the workplace - Identification of drug/alcohol misuse - signs and symptoms, relevant legislation, testing for misuse and workplace policies & procedures.
• Disaster Recovery and Post Incident Planning - Discover what your business should do in the event of activists entering your premises.
• Terrorism - Discover what the threats may be, how to deal with them and why you need to have a contingency plan for your business.

This event will appeal to anyone interested in improving the security of their business, from Security Managers to Human Resource Managers, Facilities Managers and Managing Directors. The event will also give attendees the opportunity to network with key businesses in the North West.

If you would like to, or if you are unable to attend, please reply via email to: eddie.hirst@reliancesecurity.co.uk. You are also welcome to bring your colleagues.  (Please state your company name and position(s) held).

If you have any questions for the speakers or issues you would like raised on the day please include these in your email confirming your attendance.

Location:
The Douglas Suite
Haigh Hall & Country Park
Haigh
Wigan
WN2 1PE

Get directions with Google Maps

Liverpool Chamber held its last construction lunch of the year last Wednesday (21 November). Before lunch at Lime Street’s Holiday Inn, speaker, Phil Redmond outlined his role on the Board of the Culture company. He spoke about the importance of business engagement with 2008 and the forthcoming launch of the cultural clearing service that aims to link companies who wish to be involved with 2008 with artists, performers and community groups who are looking for support or sponsorship. He then took questions from the floor about the forthcoming capital of culture programme and planning.

Pictured above are Carole Crosby and Jack Stopforth from the Chamber with Professor Phil Redmond

You can see more photos from the event on our Flickr page.

The next construction lunch is on  Tuesday, 26 February and the speaker will be Joanne Jennings, CEO of Liverpool One to book contact Sue Platt or Melissa Bush in the Chamber events team on 0151 227 1234 or email Sue.platt@liverpoolChamber.org.uk

Many British companies are keen to establish contacts in this rapidly growing, dynamic economy of United Arab Emirates.

Dubai ranks as one of the world’s leading trading centres and offers a gateway to a market of more than one billion people, covering the Gulf States, most of the Middle East, East Africa and Asia sub continent. There are reported to be 90,000 British citizens living in the UAE. The trade mission will also visit Abu Dhabi which has approximately 10% of the worlds proven oil reserve and 5% of the gas.

This trade mission is designed to help small and medium sized companies in Merseyside wanting to expand their activity in this market.

Dubai aims to achieve high economic growth through promotion and strengthening of a number of fast growing sectors, including retail trade, transport, tourism, construction, manufacturing, finance and telecommunication. We encourage companies to take advantage of visiting this exciting and expanding market which is full of opportunities and is a springboard to Gulf States.

Help & Support
Don’t worry if you have little or no overseas experience, help and support is available when you need it. An experienced member of our team will discuss your requirements and will also accompany the visit to give you support whilst overseas. Also we have a cost effective travel package

In-Market Activity
Whilst in UAE there will be an in-country briefing, where you will be presented with a market overview and tips on how to conduct business. Thereafter, you will be free to attend meetings with your potential clients identified through research or by yourself. During this trade mission The Middle East Electricity exhibition is taking place. It is one of the leading energy events of its kind in the world and has over 850-exhibitors from 55 countries and we encourage companies in this sector to also attend.

Funding
This is a fabulous opportunity for Merseyside businesses. Having successfully secured European Funding, we are now able to offer you a chance to participate in this trade mission at a more affordable price. Eligible companies will receive subsidy of 50% towards expenses, up to a maximum eligible expenditure of £2000, covering flight travel, accommodation, in-country travel, interpreter costs, in-market telephone calls and certain market research. UK Trade & Investment funding is also available to North West companies outside Merseyside.

Cost
We are presently negotiating attractive rates for flights and hotels. These will be available upon request and through are appointed Travel Agent.

Interested?
Please email export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or download and complete the registration form and we will send you an application form.

Alternatively call Alison Fisher or Maureen Harmston on 0151 227 1234

Lately at the Chamber, we have been loving the Gimp graphics package. This free yet powerful piece of software lives on your flash drive and gives you access to image editing tools that rival the fabulous PhotoShop.

We’ve been using it to crop and resize images, create graphics for emails and websites, even a spot of the old ’superimpose someone else’s head on the boss’ pic’ fun. It can easily handle simple tasks like these, but if you want to do more complex editing, it’s got the power for that too.

We’ve mentioned all the free tools available for your Flash drive over on Portable Apps before. If you haven’t seen them before, we recommend you do so. Carrying a few of these around on your keychain can let you work the way you want, no matter where you are.