Liverpool Chamber loves Christmas, and so is happy to pass on this update from one of our members, and architectural spectular, the Anglican Cathedral,. about their upcomming programme of events:

There is plenty going on, including From Darkness to Light, a special service using the great spaces of the cathedral to dramatise Christ bringing light to people’s lives.

Other events include An Evening of Christmas Classics, presented by local author and Liverpool expert Ken Pye and including excerpts from The Messiah performed by Liverpool Cathedral choristers and Chamber choir.

On Saturday 12th December (6.00pm) the Cathedral will host Sancta Lucia, a Beautifully atmospheric Swedish Festival of Light with the Örebro Adult choir and the Girl choristers of Liverpool Cathedral.

The traditional Blessing of the Crib & Lighting of the Tree will take place at 3pm on  Sunday 13th December - it will be a visually spectacular service with carols by the Cathedral Choir.

For more information see the full list here or go to www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

The current financial climate, or ‘credit crunch’, may well be a direct result of a mismanaged economy however that is of little consequence when you’re trying to keep a business roof over your head and the creditors from the door.

Chamber members Black Box Creative Communities CIC Ltd are looking for expressions of interest for a ‘creative’ solution to the continued existence of businesses who are ‘feeling the pinch’

Black Box currently occupies a 3, 300 sq ft site in a quarter of an acre of land behind Brougham Terrace, West Derby Road.

Moving into the premises in November 2007, Liverpool’s award winning creative and performing arts company made a commitment to letting part of the property. The financial downturn now makes that commitment an even more attractive proposition for a business who would like to explore a ‘cost effective solution’ to sustainability.

With state of the art CCTV, security and alarm systems; all to high spec and secure free parking for around 24 vehicles the premises offers numerous business benefits and Black Box invites expressions of interest.

As well as the obvious cost reduction in shared business costs, Black Box feels there are a number of other benefits:

• Expansion / growth of business
• Opportunity to make new business contacts
• Organise networking events together
• Work together on joint business enterprises
• Free parking = more convenient for customers
• Develop impulse purchases of your products and services
• Increases the chance that customers / clients will choose to visit you rather than your competitors
• Develop stronger relationships within the local business community
• Raise profile with customers
• Raise profile in the local area
• Make one business visible to customers visiting your ‘partner’ business
• Promotional benefits
• Cover in emergency situations

To see who, what and where The Black Box are visit www.blackboxmerseyside.co.uk

Expressions of interest should be made via email to Gillian Stokes at admin@blackboxmerseyside.co.uk or telephone 07775 968 093

3 November from 12 to 2 at Liverpool Chamber

Free event. Networking lunch included

Liverpool Chamber want you, the private sector,  to feed into the next Local Transport Plan. 

We at the Chamber recognise this as a vital issue to Liverpool business, and are keen to promote strategic engagement on the key transport issues and to facilitate such a forum.  A program of quarterly forums was developed to engage the business community in discussions on future transport issues.  The forums are an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the city region’s transport planning. 

Liverpool Chamber have been working with the Local Transport Plan team to feed private sector views into the next round of transport planning.  The forum will be considering the the results of the latest transport model. 

To book your free place contact esther.sumner@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or call her on 0151 227 1234

During the current phase of economic downturn, sustainable waste management practices and recycling may be the last items on most business agendas. However, a new initiative supported by the Environment Agency and Liverpool City Council aims to help.

There are a number of benefits for the business community in implementing sustainable waste management practices, and there is also a legal requirement to properly contain and dispose of commercial waste under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The benefits of sustainable waste management practices include a clean environment surrounding business premises, compliance with legislation and the potential of making the business more attractive to customers. It is becoming increasingly important that businesses are seen as responsible and environmentally aware members of the local community.

There are also financial incentives for those businesses looking to reduce the amounts they send to landfill and to increase the amount of materials recycled. These include a reduction in the costs of land-filling residual waste and a potential income stream from the materials sent for recycling.

Nick Hopwood, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said:

“Businesses across the city need to find the most environmentally sound and cost effective ways of achieving sustainable waste management to remain competitive in the current economic climate.  The ‘Make Waste Your Business’ project  offers education and advice on commercial waste disposal and provide links to other sources of information to help businesses make an informed choice about sustainable waste management and recycling. We really hope businesses in Liverpool will take advantage of this service during Year of the Environment. ”

For more information please contact pat.davies@liverpool.gov.uk

The Marie Curie Hospice in Liverpool (Woolton) is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.

They are keen to raise awareness of their services and hopefuuly get businesses to adopt them as their corporate sponsored charity for 2010. They are especially interested in the possibility of working with businesses who also might be celebrating 50 years activity (although this isn’t necessary).

Marie Curie Cancer Care relies heavily on support from local people/companies to enable them to maintain their vital services to local people with cancer.

It costs more than £4.7 million a year to run the Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool, with less than 50% coming from the NHS, the rest being dependent on fundraising.  The hospice provides specialist medical and nursing care, with the expert help of multi-disciplined healthcare professionals, to over 1,120 local cancer patients each year.  This care is provided through In-patient, Out-patient and Day Care services, and a more recently developed community outreach service, giving more people affected by cancer access to Marie Curie Services.

They focus on providing the best possible quality of life for people with cancer and all services are provided free of charge to patients and their families.

If you think you could help, in any way, please contact: Colette.Byrne@mariecurie.org.uk

Liverpool Chamber is hosting two great FREE seminars on Wednesday 11 November 2009 to help companies from North Liverpool and South Sefton get the skills they need to succeed.

 Marketing & Presentation Techniques

Give your communications strategy ‘The Marketing MOT’.

The seminar will look at how to sell effectively and communicate creatively the positive attributes of a business and product, outlining the best techniques for overcoming objections and closing deals.

Kevin Griffiths Head of Commercial Services at Liverpool Chamber says: “2009 has seen some of the toughest trading conditions seen for decades. This has made it difficult for small businesses to grab attention and increase their market share. Stepclever has been created to help small companies and this seminar is designed to improve their presentation and marketing skills in readiness for one to one meetings, panel or tender situations.”

 “Marketing & Presentation Techniques” offers either a hands on and practical refresher, it is also a useful a first time session covering a number of topics designed to show how to raise the game in personal presentation.

This workshop will be held in the Council Room, No 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HG. 9.15 am to 12 noon and includes refreshments, lunch and course notes. To book contact June Davies on 0151 224 1891 or email june.davies@stepclever.co.uk

 Sales Techniques & Negotiations

Due to high demand, Stepclever is hosting a further free half day course to help companies in North Liverpool and South Sefton take advantage of business opportunities by offering expert advice on sales techniques and negotiation. This half day course will take place on Wednesday 11 November 2009 and will show businesses how to refresh their sales and negotiation techniques and relate them to today’s marketplace.

The course will also aim to help both consumer and business-to- business focused companies learn techniques that will help to analyse and improve their approach in preparation and execution of sales.

Kevin Griffiths, Head of Commercial Services at Liverpool Chamber working with Stepclever says: “In the current, tough marketplace, this seminar provides an ideal opportunity for companies who have a big pitch coming up and those who want to improve their conversion rate. It will teach techniques to help analyse and improve individual or employee’s approach to sales. It aims to provide a new perspective on the customer, that can be used to create a company work ethic that ‘focussed around sales and the customer’.”

The course takes place at One Old Hall Street between 1.45 - 5pm and includes refreshments and course notes. To book, call 0151 224 1891 or email june.davies@stepclever.co.uk

Support our social enterprise and buy your Christmas cards from ‘The Ark @ L’Arche’!  These cards are designed by adults with learning disabilities and all profits are reinvested into our project.

The Christmas Card packs contain 8 cards (2 of 4 designs)  and there is a choice of 2 packs – Pack 1 and Pack 2.  They are £3.75 per pack plus £1 p&p.  Please email orders to liverpool@larche.org.uk or telephone 0151 260 0422.

L’Arche Liverpool is a registered charity providing residential support, work opportunities and learning services for adults with learning disabilities and has been established in Liverpool for over 32 years.

Our objectives are to support people with learning disabilities to reach their full potential by offering opportunities to grow, learn and develop personally, interpersonally, creatively and spiritually. We also aim to encourage people with learning disabilities to create possibilities for themselves that excite them and to help them take the steps necessary to make that possibility a reality.

Our members (people with learning disabilities) live in houses and flats in the Fairfield, Kensington and Tuebrook areas of Liverpool. The houses are mainly family-sized where some people choose to live together sharing the common areas and facilities, others opt for a flat on their own with support from L’Arche.

Our social enterprise ‘The Ark @ L’Arche’ is a not for profit company that aims to provide employment, training and volunteering opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Find out more about L’Arche here

Thursday, 5 November 2009
8.45am – 1.45pm

Sponsored by Halliwells

Supported by Learning and Skills Council

Location: Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, Southport Old Road, Formby, Southport L37 0AB

This event is planned to provide technical information and skills needed to keep you up-to date and ahead of the game. In 2009, this is more important than ever, as we face the most difficult economic environment for many years. This event will be insightful, informative and have a real practical focus.

Topics and presenters will include:

• Fraud awareness – hot topics and latest fraud issues – Alex Marsden, North West Fraud Forum
• Corporate recovery – what you need to know – Matt Dunham, Grant Thornton
• The importance of training your workforce – funding available locally – Helen France, LSC
• Corporate transactions the issues today – valuations and funding – Sue Russell, Halliwells

We are pleased to announce that Robert Elstone, Chief Executive of Everton Football Club, has very kindly agreed to be our keynote speaker this year.

Refreshments will be provided, including a buffet lunch with wine.

Tickets for the event which is open to all cost £50 (plus VAT). To reserve a place contact Alex Pilkington on 01925 594 284 or email Alex.Pilkington@icaew.com

Invitation To A Free Businesss Workshop

Tuesday 17 November 2009

At Liverpool Chamber
One Old Hall Street
Liverpool, L3 9HG

If you are considering growing your business in the USA and aim to ‘catch the wave’ as America emerges from recession, where do you start in such a vast, complex, IT savvy country?

This ‘Profit in Virginia, USA’ workshop will focus on how Virginia provides the ideal East Coast springboard for your business and how the state’s capital Greater Richmond (two hours south of Washington DC) offers free assistance and practical advice to UK firms.

The workshop will be led by Greg Wingfield, President & CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership Inc (see www.grpva.com) and includes:

• Analysis of US East Coast locations and geographical, legal, economic and practical considerations
• A ‘start up in the USA’ model that enables you to plan and budget for your US growth
• An explanation of Greater Richmond’s key sectors including ICT, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, food production, chemicals, financial services and logistics with key players DuPont, Rolls Royce, Capital One, Philip Morris and many more
• Examples of UK firms that have chosen Greater Richmond and why
• A detailed explanation of GRP’s free visit service that provides tailored meetings for UK firms with potential contacts and partners
• Q & A session to answer your immediate questions

To book your FREE places - please contact by 9 NOVEMBER 2009:

export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

telephone 0151 224 1872 or 0151 227 1234

Book online here

Programme

09.00 for

09.30  - Registration and tea/coffee

10.15  - Welcome from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce

10.30  - ‘UKTI Here to Help UK Firms Prosper’ presentation by David Booth, International Trade Advisor, UKTI
10.45  - ‘Profit in Virginia, USA’ presentations by Greg Wingfield, President & CEO, GRP, Gene Winter, Senior Vice President, GRP and Toney Hall, Marketing Director, Henrico Economic Development Authority

11.15 - Tea/coffee break

11.45 - Part 2 plus Q & A

12.30 - Networking lunch

One-to-one Confidential Meetings

From 13.30 there will also be one-to-one meeting slots available to discuss your individual needs.  To reserve a place  (first come, first served), please email export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or telephone 0151 224 1872 or 0151 227 1234 or book online here

In the Window – 1 - 30 November 2009
Thomas Hill

The Bluecoat Display Centre are delighted to preview a new selection of work by Thomas Hill. Tom has been represented on our gallery stand at Collect in London and SOFA Chicago and has attracted an international audience for his wire ‘sketches’ of birds and animals.
Tom’s new work will be available to view and buy via our website www.bluecoatdisplaycentre.com from early November.

‘I have been a full-time artist since leaving college in 1994 and make pieces both for exhibitions and for corporate, public and private commissions. My pieces are made using mild steel wire, with additions of steel or copper sheet and copper meshes. I consider myself to be both a draftsman and a metalworker. My three-dimensional pieces are based on drawn studies of birds and animals in motion. I find that the steel wire I use behaves in much the same way as a quickly drawn line, and thus I am able to create, in effect, a three-dimensional ‘sketch.’ 


In this new group of pieces I decided to make a series of cut outs; fanciful drawings that build up ‘stage sets’ where the 3-dimensional pieces are displayed as if in a tableau vivant.’

For further information contact Samantha or Maureen at the Bluecoat Display Centre by email crafts@bluecoatdisplaycentre.com
or by phone +44 (0)151 7094014

Bluecoat Display Centre, 50-51 the Bluecoat, College Lane Entrance, Liverpool L1 3BZ UK.