Liverpool Crime Alert is once again running its vital ‘Project Argus’ anti-terrorism training day for the city’s shops and businesses.

What is Project Argus?
Project ARGUS is a National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) initiative, delivered by your local Counter Terrorism Security Advisors, exploring ways to aid you in preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack.

It achieves this by taking businesses through a simulated terrorist attack. The simulation identifies the measures to take for preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack.

Who should attend?
Shopping Centre managers / Store managers / Loss Prevention managers / Security managers / Building - Facilities managers / H&S managers  anyone in a supervisory role of both staff & public. “First come first served”

What you can expect?
Argus is a completely free event which takes you through a realistic terrorist attack using a multi-media simulation. The blue light services and emergency planners will be in attendence to offer advice.

A series of questions and challenges are put to you, both individually and as a group and will have to resolve them. You will work in small syndicate groups with other local business representatives. The whole event including a coffee break will last three hours.

When & Where?
Friday 2nd October 2009 - Book online
Friday 6th November 2009 - Book online
Thursday 3rd December 2009 - Book online

10:30 -13:30hrs

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
No1 Old Hall St, Liverpool L3 9HG

How do I ensure I don’t miss out?
Invitations are going out to all businesses in the City Centre, demand for places will be high and numbers will be on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

To reserve your free place:

You can book online:
Friday 2nd October 2009 - Book online
Friday 6th November 2009 - Book online
Thursday 3rd December 2009 - Book online

Alternatively:
Phone: 0151 224 1859
Email: joanne.joynson@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

The LEAD programme is a leadership development programme from the University of Liverpool for small business with up to 20 employees based in the Northwest of England.

We would like to invite anyone who falls into these criteria to attend a FREE preview day on Tuesday 8 September to see if it could be of benefit to your business.

To register for the free preview day, could you please confirm the event link and also fill in registration form .

If you would like more information about LEAD at the University of Liverpool please check out their Facebook page.

Alternatively for further information you may contact Pooja Konjier on 0151 7953723.

Clatterbridge Cancer Research have got a couple of great fundraising opportunities coming up that you really should get involved with….

The charity aim is to understand the causes of the disease on a more intricate level so that progress can be made towards developing more specific and personalised treatments which will have a greater effect on each patient’s individual cancer.

Merseyside has one of the highest death rates from cancer in the UK and the funds raised will allow us to carry out more research and we know that there is a correlation between the amount of money going into research and your prognosis as a cancer patient.  The more we invest the more we can research and thus improve the lives of cancer patients in the North West.

Each year we require a minimum of £2 million for this work to continue.  Clatterbridge Cancer Research is not a part of the NHS; we receive no Government funding and rely solely on the generosity of the public to advance our cancer research.

With this in mind Clatterbridge Cancer Research is pleased to announce that we are currently recruiting for our Annual Golf day at Caldy Golf Course  on Thursday 17th September 2009. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a round of golf on the fabulous Caldy golf course and also support  essential cancer research that will benefit patients within the North West.

If Golf is not for you, we will also be holding our first Annual Bike Ride on Sunday 13th September 2009 and would like to ask for your support.

The ride will include Gold, Silver and Bronze route options and the three circular routes will start and finish at Hope Parish Hall, Wrexham.

The Gold route will be a 100 mile route through the countryside of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and Cheshire providing the cyclists with spectacular scenery and the odd challenge as they ride close to the highest village in Wales via Eglwyseg Mountain.

The Silver route will consist of a 50 mile ride including most of the first part of the 100 mile route cycling through Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham.

Finally, the Bronze route will take the riders on a flatter and equally picturesque 50 mile route including the second half of the 100 mile route through Wrexham and Cheshire.

To beat cancer we must understand it: to understand it we must research; to research we must invest – there is no choice. We are committed to investing in research and to beating cancer – to do this, we need your help.  Your support means we can do more to make life better for cancer patients in this region.

I hope you will be able to help support our annual Golf Day  and/or Circle of Hope Bike Ride and would like to thank you in advance for your help. If you yourself would like to take part in this fantastic fundraising event or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0151 343 4300 or by email natalie.childs-fielding@ccrmail.org

Here’s a great competetive challenge fromFairbridge Merseyside:
We are putting Merseyside’s finest to the test, is your company ready to rise to the challenge and compete to see if you have the best entrepreneurs in the region?

So you may be wondering exactly what Fairbridge does…
Every year Fairbridge wins the trust and commitment of nearly 4,000 young people nationally aged 13 to 25, not in education, employment or training, or at risk of dropping out. At Fairbridge, we believe that every young person has something of value inside them. Fairbridge in Merseyside has been working with young people from across the region for over 25 years. Last year the team supported nearly 200 young people to take their first step towards a positive future and 80% achieved a positive outcome, such as returning to education, finding work, or gaining accreditation.

Fairbridge provides young people with routes back into mainstream society. We equip participants with the tools necessary for re-engagement in the workplace or the classroom, and the self-belief to take advantage of opportunities. We do this through a tried and tested programme of challenging activities and personal support that teaches young people how to harness their strengths and realise their true potential. We are a first-step organisation, working to encourage some of the most chaotic and disillusioned of young people to take that first step back into mainstream society.  For more information please visit: www.fairbridge.org.uk/merseyside

You may also be wondering what the Zero to Hero challenge is…

If you are part of the most creative, competitive, motivated corporate team in Merseyside read on…

In a nutshell, Zero to Hero is a competitive challenge for teams of 8-12 people, in which each team is presented with £500 and tasked to return it with a zero added to the amount. It will be an opportunity to get as creative as possible. All the teams will have a dedicated support throughout the challenge.

The Merseyside Zero to Hero will be a really unique challenge, as it will be run with 10 local corporate teams. The challenge will also be profiled in the Liverpool Post, raising awareness of both the companies involved and Fairbridge.

The challenge will begin with a fantastic launch day in early October. The day is really important as it will give all the teams a chance to meet each other, learn a little about Fairbridge, find out which awards are up for grabs and develop a plan of how to raise the money. The day will be facilitated by experienced trainers, who will offer guidance and support during the planning process, to ensure that each team leaves feeling motivated and confident.

So what now…

If you are already signed up brilliant you are one step ahead, if not be quick we only have a few places left!

We will be in touch very soon to let you know all the details for the launch day. In the meantime, the corporate challenge coordinator is on hand to answer any questions or concerns your team may have. If you would like to have a more in depth chat about the challenge before the launch day please don’t hesitate to let us know, all contact details are below.

Contact: Ellie Halkett on 0207 902 1109 or ellie.halkett@fairbridge.org.uk

These selected ten tips of “practical advice that works” will help  MDOs* in all SME** businesses to bring their companies through recession in the best possible shape.

1. Treat Cash as King

This is your first priority. Daily & weekly control  are worthwhile over the next year of recession. Lack of cash is why business fails more than any other reason.

2. Monitor your business against a plan

A rough & ready plan is better than none for starters.

Monthly accounts are a good framework for reviewing actual v plan. Be clear what your key performance indicators  (KPIs) are. Use “variances”   from plan to drive your corrective action.

3. Allocate your time so you are working ON your business as well as IN your business.

Beware the pressures of recession which tend to squeeze you further into the detail of business.

4. Choose  experienced external advisers you can trust  & build an ongoing relationship.

Use them as a virtual “board” or “consultancy “ to help you work ON the Business.  The MDO role in an SME is lonely in comparison with the MD in a larger company with a Board of directors & management team. This investment is always worthwhile.

5. Prioritise team work – delegate  to employees to work IN the business which will motivate them.

This is more effective even if you could do everything better yourself. Spend your time with those things they cannot do &  also control your delegation.

6.  Set & monitor realistic objectives with your team

Feed these back through team meetings. Measure results & use KPIs where you can.

7. Use Grant & soft loan assistance.

Your external advisors will help  you access it & immediately reduce their cost to you– there is lots to help SME’s in training, business development & investment. This cost reduction should help justify your moving ahead.

8. Hold regular team meetings

These should be brief, results oriented & with clear purpose.

Use these as a tool of development, delegation & maintaining focus on business objectives.

9. Use Advisors & employees together in teams.

Review but don’t  be involved in everything. Control but don’t dominate. Bring the IN the business and ON the business together where helpful.

10. Review budgets & priorities using your team(s) but avoid an ill considered rush to cut.

Use advisors / team to help you get maximum value for every £ spent. Set & use targets to help match expenditure & results.

*MDO:Managing Director Owner **SME: Small & Medium enterprise

Written by Tony Wilson , MD Proofsouth Ltd,
twilson@proofsouth.co.uk
www.proofsouth.co.uk

Proofsouth is a member of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & makes available  to fellow members the Management & Consultancy expertise of Northern Business Advisers all of whom are accredited IIB associates. The IIB motto is “practical advice that works” for independent business.

Tony established Proofsouth in 1997 after a successful career in general & financial management with a number of companies. He is a Chartered Management Acccountant, PRINCE2 Practitioner and business systems / software specialist. He is an  accredited associate of the Institute for Independent Business (IIB) and member of Northern Business Advisers.

More information is available on the Proofsouth website. Proofsouth offers a free 2 hr business audit – just contact Tony on 0845-052-2741 or twilson@proofsouth.co.uk

Liverpool Chamber member Credit Management Group UK are running some courses to help you take control of your cash flow…

We have some places available for our very popular training course :

How to use the Small Claims Courts for debt recovery
Tue. 22nd September 2009
Holiday Inn Express, John Lennon Airport, Speke.

We will show you how to use the small claims courts to get your outstanding invoices paid.

We can still get Merseyside SME’s Skillworks funding of  50% if they contact us this week

Other courses are running in September/October are:

Improving Your Collection Performance.

This course is a must for anyone directly involved in chasing payment from customers.

We show you how to get paid quickly and in a customer focused way!

Improving Cash flow for Managers

This course looks at the ‘order to cash’ process and the systems you need to have in place in your business to make sure you get paid quickly.

Places are limited, so please contact us now to book your place. info@CMGroupUK.com or call us on 0845 054 0504

Chamber member, dentists Ollie & Darsh have launched a Corporate Membership package:

Did you know?

It takes 26 muscles to smile and 62 muscles to frown?

For convenience too and as you know, we’re also your neighbours in the business district…apparently a good neighbour is someone who smiles at you over the back fence, but doesn’t climb over it

Corporate Memberships are two-tier dependent upon an individual’s requirements…contact us for a pack so you and your team (employer and employees) can check the associated costs and benefits

A brief summary of corporate benefits include:

• Comprehensive examinations inclusive of x-rays and photographs
• Comprehensive Hygiene visits
• Free whitening
• Free emergency cover all year
• Free antibiotics provided at the clinic. Pharmacy? No need!

Fees – the annual value of above paying privately is £832.80�
Membership 1 annual fees are £199.44 and Membership 2 £253.44

Monthly payments are also available

Contact us on 0151 236 6578

A composting wormery has arrived at the Chamber!

The wormery is part of the chamber’s waste reduction efforts that have come from our work towards an Environmental Management System - BS8555.

Once the worms have settled in to their new home and are ready to start composting, we will be collecting organic waste from the staff kitchen to feed to them.  They will have a vegan diet and do not like acidic foods.  A list will be put up in the kitchen for our staff explaining what can be composted. It will take around 4 months to produce our first bit of compost, which will be used for plants within the chamber.

Worms are sensitive to light and are cunning escapees, so we’ve had to make sure the wormery is secure - we don’t want to give everyone else around the building worms too!

Pictured above are Esther and Kush from our Policy Team helping to install our new wriggly friends.

10:00 – 14:00  26th August 2009
ITC Board Room, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HG

Indonesia is the country with largest economy in South  East  Asia.  It  is  the  4th  fastest  growing  economy  in  Asia  after  China  with  6.3%  GBP growth rate in 2008.

Trade relation between the UK and Indonesia are healthy with UK exports to Indonesia totalling to almost £ 391million despite the  fact  that  many  goods  are  transhipped through  Singapore  and  do  not  feature  in  the figures.

Opportunities for trade should be viewed as medium to Long term, but UKTI has 4 target  sectors:  Environment,  Ports,  Engineering  and power sector. Nevertheless, opportunities exist across the board in other sector  like  oil  and  gas,  financial  services,  ICT,  retail,  healthcare,  agribusiness  and infrastructure.

You  are  invited  to  a  roundtable  meeting  with  Chris  Wren,  British  Chamber  of Commerce   in  Indonesia  to  discover  more  about  business  opportunities  in Indonesia and we arrange one to one meeting for more detailed questions.

“Chris Wren has been in Indonesia for 15 years and took on the role of heading‐
up the BritCham Executive Office in April 2008 following nearly three years of honorary service on the BritCham Board.”

Agenda
09:30 - Registration
10:00 – 11:00 - Roundtable meeting
11:00 – 14:00 - One to one meeting (pre‐arrangement only)
14:00 - Close

Place are limited, so register now to avoid disappointment and to guarantee your free place!!

To book, please call the NW International Trade Team on 0161 875 2234 or email info@uktinorthwest.co.uk.

Please let them know if you want to attend:

• the roundtable meeting only (10 - 11am)
• the roundtable and one-to-one meeting
• a one-to-one meeting only

60 Really Useful Minutes . .
in conjunction with LDP Business Club

After a break for the summer, our popular series of free, practical business seminars returns. Each one is packed with tips that you can take back to the office and start implementing straight away.

No networking, no nibbles, just 60 really useful minutes…

Starting promptly at 9am every Friday morning, we promise to get you out by 10am, ready to tackle your day. It’s free for members so hurry, spaces are limited book your place now.

Just email your company name address and contact details together with the names of your delegates to events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Friday 4th September 2009
Richard Holloway (Liverpool Uni) John Drysdale (NoGuru)
Big Leadership for Small Business

This dynamic and interactive session will allow business leaders, owners and managers to explore what makes a great leader in a small business.

What will be useful in 60 minutes:

• Find out why your “leadership” is vital to the success of your company (and why small businesses need to develop leadership now)
• Examine your own style of leadership and the impact this has on your people
• Identify your core Values and how these underpin everything you do in business
• Discover how you “communicate” to people and what this means to them & you

All in 60 action-packed minutes!

John and Richard will also tell us about LEAD and provide you with details of the free preview events in your area.

11th September  2009
The PC Support Group
The A to Z of IT

Phil Bird, Managing Director of The PC Support Group, gives the low down on everything from Analytics to Zip files.

• Do you want to know how to get your web site seen by the search engines?
• Do you want to know how to guarantee your data is safe?
• What are the best mobile devices?

This talk is packed full of genuinely useful information for you to use in your business.

Friday 18 September 2009
Jameel Abbas
Employment Solutions from Canter Levin Berg law.

Thi seminar will be looking at employment law - more details will be provided nearer the time.

Watch this space for more speakers and dates as we get them confirmed…