Do something different with your lunch hour. On Wednesday 21 May, Chamber Council member and renowned local artist, Terry Duffy will be giving a free talk in the Walker Art Gallery at 1pm about his exhibition STANDING STONES.

Terry explains: “The title Standing Stones is a metaphor for humanity. It expresses my long-term fascination with humankind’s legacy and the decisions made for good or evil by individuals, groups, societies and cultures.”

Standing Stones will features a very new and fascinating diptych Somewhere between life and death we make decisions 2008. This diptych further demonstrates Duffy’s fascination in experimenting in oils on sheer ‘hot pressed board’ which he rips away creating dynamic shapes that suggest the human form whilst retaining ambiguity.

Standing Stones will be the first of a series of exhibitions by Terry Duffy to be held at various venues in Liverpool during its year as European Capital of Culture.

Standing Stones, by Liverpool-born international artist Terry Duffy, runs at the Walker Art Gallery Liverpool from 26 April to 8 June 2008.

Artists Talk:  21 May 2008 1pm & 3pm in the gallery and 1pm on 4th June. Limited places available, please call in to the Walker or call 0151 478 4199

Free exhibition brochure: To receive an exhibition brochure free of charge please email with your name and address to info@british-art.org.uk/

Further information: Please contact Clare Sheppeard at The British Art and Design Association London: info@british-art.org.uk/

Artists website: www.terryduffy.info

Walker Art Gallery website page: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/standingstones/

Thursday 12 June 2008, 9.00am – 1.00pm at The Racquet Club, Liverpool City Centre.

Introduction to the North West Business Network, the London Business Network and CompeteFor

The Northwest Business Network in collaboration with The Mersey Partnership and the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to a free seminar and workshop to learn about how your business can get involved in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and other public sector procurement opportunities.

London 2012 expects to have around 7,000 direct contracts which, together with its suppliers, will form supply chains of around 75,000 opportunities. The opportunities will be in sectors ranging from construction, engineering and manufacturing to creative, merchandising and retail.

CompeteFor is the chosen site of London 2012 for the publication of London 2012 related contract opportunities. It acts as a brokerage service between buyers throughout the London 2012 supply chain, and potential suppliers. Businesses of any size can use the CompeteFor brokerage service as a buyer or supplier of London 2012 goods and services.

This event is aimed at all private sector businesses in the Merseyside region and will be an introduction to the Northwest Business Network and CompeteFor. The event will give valuable information on how your company can compete for London 2012 business opportunities and other public sector contracts.

To register online for this event visit www.businesseventsfor2012.co.uk

Liverpool Culture Company has teamed up with The Beatles‘ company Apple Corps and Cirque du Soleil to present the UK premiere of the documentary film ‘All Together Now’ on Friday May 30 at FACT in Liverpool.

‘All Together Now’ tells the story of the remarkable collaboration between The Beatles and Cirque du Soleil that resulted in the staging of LOVE, the spectacular show that is astonishing audiences in Las Vegas. The film presents dozens of revealing incidents and encounters. Using archival material as well as intimate interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, musical directors Sir George Martin and Giles Martin, and the show director Dominic Champagne, this feature-length documentary is an intriguing glimpse of the artistic process from within the creative circle. ‘All Together Now’ directed by Adrian Wills at FACT, Wood Street, Liverpool - Friday May 30 at 6:15pm. The DVD will be released later in the year.

The following evening, also at FACT, Olivia Harrison and the Liverpool Culture Company stage a special tribute to George Harrison with a screening of ‘Concert For George’. This film captures rock music’s most celebrated musicians at The Royal Albert Hall in November 2002 paying tribute to one of their own. On a magical night, the first anniversary of George’s passing, the concert included stunning performances from Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Joe Brown and many others. ‘Concert For George’ directed by David Leland at FACT, Wood Street, Liverpool - Saturday May 31 at 5:00pm.

Tickets will be on sale at the FACT Box Office on Wednesday 14 May, initially to FACT members (limited tickets) from 12.00pm until 6.30pm and then to all members of the public from 6.30pm. Drop in or call the Box Office on 0871 7042063.

On 14th October, over 800 business men and women from all over Europe will get the chance to take over the European Parliament hemicycle for an afternoon to debate and vote on issues that affect the day to day running of their business and the environment in which they operate.

The event will be opened by the Presidents of the three key EU institutions, namely Nicolas Sarkozy for the Council, Jose Manuel Barroso for the Commission and Hans Gert Poettering for the Parliament. The afternoon will be divided into 3 sessions (international trade; sustainability; barriers to growth) at the end of which, Commissioners such as Gunter Verheugen and Charlie McCreevy and key MEPs will be asked to answer to the issues raised by the floor. A series of practical recommendations will then be voted on by the members and given to the press and EU leaders meeting in Brussels the next day.

The BCC has been allocated 73 seats in the hemicycle, in line with the number of MEPs that will represent the UK in the EP after the 2009 elections. These will be allocated to businesses on a first come first served basis and online registration will be available in early May.

If you’re intertested or would like further information contact Esther Sumner on 0151 227 1234 # 2236  or email esther.sumner@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Changes in the way United Utilities calculates its surface water drainage charges could bring either a smile or a frown to the face of metered business users this financial year, according to the Chamber Utilities™ team at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Previously, the charge was linked to rateable value, but the water company has introduced  bands of payment based on the ‘chargeable area’ of a site, equating to the site area which benefits from the drainage service.

New meter customers were introduced to the new charging system last financial year, while existing customers will see the changes phased in over the next two years.

According to Jeff Wealands of Chamber Utilities™: “This means that city centre businesses with high rates, but small premises could pay less, while organisations in the non-prime locations, such as schools and factories,  with big sites and relatively low business rates may pay more.”  

“There will be no financial benefit to United Utilities as a result of the changes, whose overall revenue will remain unchanged, but there will be ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ among their business customers which should be prepared and budget accordingly.”

Chamber Utilities™ offers a raft of specialist services to help businesses minimise the cost of waste water and may be able to assist some organisations in reducing the new liabilities from the changed charging structure.  

Utility Auditing, which delivers the Chamber Utilities™ service, has years of experience in environmental and wastewater management solutions. Savings can be made by increasing efficiency of wastewater processes, reducing pollution, and identifying recovery value for recycled waste product.

Additional benefits flow from the separation and recovery of by-products, which have a commercial value.

Added Jeff Wealands: “Water used to be a relatively low overhead but it is now an expensive surcharge.  It is becoming increasingly important to understand the charges incurred for water supply and waste water disposal and how they can be reduced. The control of resources in your operation, including water and the control of what remains as waste is vital to cost minimisation.”

Chamber Utilities can advise businesses on total water management and leak detection, as as well as checking meter size to ensure users optimise efficiency.

For further information contact Chamber Utilities™ on 0845 120 2423, www.chamberutilities.co.uk

Seminar dates: 28th & 29th May 2008

The Chamber Professional Development Programme part of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce working in partnership with the Brian Tracey Academy.

 The Maximum Achievement Programme will benefit any individual or group in your organisation,
 Twelve powerful modules delivered, facilitated, and works hopped over two days will show you how to set goals, manage change, communicate more effectively at all levels, solve problems more easily, manage time more efficiently, improve effectiveness and performance in all areas of your life, and take full control of every aspect of your professional and personal life.

The Maximum Achievement Programme is the flagship Training Seminar from the entire collection of internationally renowned Brian Tracy Training Programmes and Seminars.
Brian Tracy is a world leading authority on Leadership, Management, Success, Personal Achievement, and the Development of Human Potential, and has written 38 books on these subjects
 
Following your attendance at the Maximum Achievement Programme, you and your team will be equipped to achieve more in a few years than most people achieve in a lifetime. Cost just £995 + VAT

To book or for further information contact Alma Mayers or Sarah Abraham on 0151 227 1234.

Investment in Continuous Professional Development generates a valuable return increasing profits and sales. Our tutors have spent many years working in Industry and have experience in assisting organisations of all sizes develop markets and overcome the issues associated with international trade.

Bespoke and in house training programmes are available. Please call us to discuss your particular requirements.

Market research for Exporter  14 July

It covers the principles, methods and value of research. It also explores the use of internet as a research tool and the basics of field / desk research.

Export Procedures & documentation 16 June

The seminar covers a wide range of Export Documentation procedures including a practical to produce a commercial invoice and a Certificate of Origin.

Letters of credit  28 May, 9 July

The course explains the process in great detail by showing examples and providing the delegates the opportunity to complete a Letter of Credit.

Price per delegate per course: Member rate: £200 + VAT / Non Member rate: £300 + VAT

Funding available

Companies within greater Merseyside may be eligible for funding through ERDF. Funding available covers 50% of the cost of each course for one delegate.

For further information or registration please call on 0157 227 1234 or e-mail at itc@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

RNIB, the leading charity for people with sight loss will be launching “Hire Vision”, a national campaign aimed at supporting greater numbers of blind and partially sighted people to move into work, at the Marriott Hotel, Queens Square, Liverpool on July 15th. At the event presentations will be given by Sally Reynolds the CEO of UK Social Firms and Nigel Kershaw, the CEO of Big Issue Invest and it is to be chaired by Professor Phil Redmond.

Employers attending will be able to learn from other employers of the potential of people with sight loss as potential employees, how to break down barriers to the creation of more jobs for people with sight loss and how corporate social responsibility policies can be applied to the growth of Social Firms.

RNIB’s Philip Connolly, the conference organiser, said, “Currently only one in three blind and partially sighted people of working age are in work. This despite the fact that employers can benefit from the talents, skills and qualifications possessed by many of them.” 

Employers can register to attend 

by emailing: registration@hirevision.co.uk

or telephone 0207 743 3106

or write to Hire Vision Secretariat, 42 Canham Road, London W3 7SR.

Merit is able to provide Merseyside based SMEs with the opportunity to take advantage of the Harnessing Digital Technologies Project (HDTP).

HDTP can provide Merseyside based SMEs with grants for eligible ICT project spend.

We are looking to identify SMEs within Merseyside who are ready to invest in digital technology solutions immediately.

Merit has already helped a range of Merseyside companies to gain a competitive advantage by funding the implementation of a variety of technological solutions.

Key Criteria

• The initial stage of the grant application process is to complete our online application form (http://www.hdtp.co.uk/?page_id=14) or call 08700 663 994 to confirm your eligibility.
• Grants are available for eligible ICT spend including software, training and some hardware costs.
• We are looking to assist company’s who are spending £10,000 plus.
• Your business must meet State Aid criteria (not had more than €100,000 grant funding in the previous 3 year period).
• Companies must be ready to spend on ICT immediately.

Get involved today, visit www.hdpt.co.uk or call 08700 663 994

Your friend shows you their Blackberry. There’s lots of buttons. Bright lights. It’s the gadget you’ve been longing for. You rush down to the shop eager to have one. The assistant is just as excited as you.

They’re excited about the wonderful commission and loss-leading deals they have to make sure you leave with one. So be careful you don’t end up with a gooseberry.

You may be able to plug into your email with a far cheaper device. And you may already have the right model without splashing out on something that will be as useful as your shoe if you’re not careful.

Here’s how to avoid ending up with a Blackberry server and huge bill to make it work the way you want it to.

Get the full article here