The BT Convention Centre hosted a dual event to keep Merseyside businesses up to date on the pressing issues of the environment and cyber crime.

The event, hosted by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce’s Business Crime Direct team, provided an exhibition showcasing environmental and trade waste companies and cyber crime and online fraud protection businesses.

The event saw guest speakers and panellists address the crowd on a wide range of environmental, trade waste and IT issues. Keynote speakers joined in highlighting the importance to businesses of tackling the green agenda before new legislation catches them out.

The day also highlighted how businesses could save money by being green. Frazer Kearney of the NWDA explained how turning off one light bulb would not only save the energy of that bulb, but would save twice the amount of energy again needed to send the power from the power plant to your office.

Companies were also told of how they could save money through reducing their materials usage, re-using and recycling, as it is often more cost effective than simply disposing of spent materials while the exhibition was able to link companies providing these services to potential clients.

The afternoon session focused on measures businesses can take to prevent themselves becoming victims of online fraud. Steve Jackson, Chair of the North West Fraud Forum opened the afternoon’s presentations by outlining the massive cost of online fraud, which is conservatively estimated as costing the country £14 billion a year, although some believe the total cost could be more than £70 billion.

For more information and advice on tackling online fraud and other IT issues, visit www.businesscrimedirect.org.uk, www.getsafeonline.org or www.northwestfraudforum.co.uk.

Picture taken from the BBC website

Are you frothing at the mouth over  Jonathan Ross and Russel Brand’s phone prank debacle? Incandescent with rage? Mildly titillated? Not really that bothered?

Well, if you want to hear what the Director General of the BBC thinks about it, maybe you should come to our Annual Dinner on November 20. Mark Thompson is our keynote speaker and may well spill the beans on the whole sorry tale, straight from the horse’s mouth.

Even if he doesn’t, this is still a great opportunity to hear the leader of our most influential cultural and media institution put forward his ideas on the future of the BBC and its role in the north west.

Jump on the bandwagon and book your place online here.

Seats are £55 each, £500 for a table of ten.

Staff and residents in Liverpool’s commercial district will have the chance to chat to police officers over a morning cup of tea at an advice session to be held next month.

Officers from Merseyside Police are set to take part in the two-hour surgery at Brew tea bar in St Paul’s Square, Liverpool on Wednesday 12 November.

The event, which runs from 10am to 12pm, is a joint initiative between Liverpool Commercial District Partnership and Merseyside Police, designed to encourage members of the public to share their concerns and ask questions about where they live and work.

Sgt. Barry Downes, city centre neighbourhood officer, says: “This will provide an excellent opportunity to meet local Neighbourhood officers and discuss any policing issues.

“Officers will also provide free security marking for portable electronic equipment such as laptops, ipods and mobile phones”.

The surgery is the first of several sessions taking place in the commercial district over the coming months, showcasing a wide range of topics including health, safety, beauty and fitness.

In the penultimate part of our series on how to beat the credit crunch, we look at how you can change the way you work to become a more effective leader. The series is put together by our good friends Freedom Coaching, who are more than happy to hear from you if you’d like more info.

Step 6

Become an effective and productive leader. Here are some suggestions to help you manage your time more effectively and become more productive.

1. Switch off your Outlook visual and audio email alert.

2. Read and deal with emails once or twice a day

3. If you can, set up your out of office assistant with a message that says:

“Thanks for your e-mail, I will read and deal with emails after 5pm, if your message is urgent please call me on

xxx xxx xxxx. Thanks”.
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