The first point of contact your customer will probably have with your organisation is the receptionist. This member of staff has the ultimate responsibility of creating the right impression of your business. After all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression and this may well affect any future trading relationship you hope to have with a customer.

This course will enable your receptionist to handle more professionally and with increased confidence, customers, internal staff, enquiries and complaints.

It is suitable for anyone who is responsible for making contact with customers either face to face or on the telephone.

The one day course takes place on 19th November at the One Old Hall Street.  For further information contact Alma Meyers on 0151 224 1883 or email alma.mayers@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Member cost: £169.20

Non-member cost: £188.00

If you are a Merseyside-based SME, you could be eligible for SkillWorks funding (60% subsidy) towards the cost of our courses.

SkillWorks has been one of the most successful programmes and as a result a further 15 million of ESF funding has been committed to extend the scheme until 31st July 2008. Funding is available from May 2007 to be allocated throughout Merseyside companies.

Every eligible business in Merseyside can benefit from a maximum of 60,000 towards specific training you need to meet your business objectives.

Visit the Mersey Skills Network site to find out more about the offer.

A unique survey of business alcohol policies is to be undertaken in Liverpool.

Researchers will quiz 300-400 Liverpool organisations to give definitive answers to decision-makers about the effects of alcohol in the business arena. Whether it be for corporate hospitality or a policy on drinking alcohol within work time, this is the first regional survey of its kind.

Health @ Work, a city-based organisation which supports businesses in all aspects of workplace health, commissioned the survey.

Frances Molloy from Health @ Work said: “Alcohol campaigns often focus on aspects like binge drinking and younger people out on the town, but business and commerce is a sector which could have a real impact on raising awareness of sensible drinking and preventing alcohol-related problems occurring. Once we have the results, we will be able to make recommendations in conjunction with our partner organisations as to how employers should deal with alcohol in a business arena.”

Liverpool John Moores University have been commissioned to carry out the survey for Health @ Work on behalf of the Liverpool Primary Care Trust.

Chair of the Liverpool PCT, Cllr Gideon Ben Tovim, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this research which will give us a clear picture of what the situation is now, what the future looks like for alcohol consumption within business and what we can do to support them.”

Michela Morleo, Alcohol Research Manager, from Liverpool John Moores University will be carrying out the research. Michela said: “This survey aims to uncover how businesses are affected by alcohol, for example through absenteeism or injuries.  It will offer a voice to businesses on how services can be developed to meet their needs and to tackle alcohol-related harm in the workplace. As such, we strongly encourage businesses to participate in the survey and take full advantage of the opportunities presented.”

The survey will be taking place from November and an interim report will be made available in the run up to Christmas. The final report will be made available in February.