Partnership for Learning
South Liverpool Business Leaders Group has many roles to play. As well as ensuring that the views of the business community are heard we give companies the chance to network, to inter-trade, to gain advance notification of significant changes in, say, legislation, and to get together to discuss the challenges that face us all.
Among our priorities for the future is to ensure that the small businesses in South Liverpool have the chance to take advantage of new trading opportunities opening up as a result of larger firms moving in. It's important that the SMEs know how to grow their businesses and how to become part of the supply chains for the big players. South Liverpool Business Leaders help with that by circulating information, bringing large and small companies together at our regular briefings, and organising procurement initiatives.
We hold Breakfast Briefings every other month, publish a quarterly Newsletter and keep our members up to date with exclusive members-only e-bulletins.
Benefits of Membership
Membership is open to every company based in the South Liverpool area regardless of size.
What do I get for my membership?
- Invitations to Breakfast Briefings and 50% discount on the standard charge of £10
- E-bulletins exclusively for members
- Access to members-only area of our website
- Quarterly Newsletter
- Inter-trading
- Opportunity to present on behalf of your business at a Breakfast Briefing
- Annual Awards Scheme
- Representation of members' concerns to major players like the Council and Police
Frequently Asked Questions
If I subscribe to SLBL will it improve my profits?
We give members every chance to improve their bottom line by circulating information about business opportunities and contacts - for example we have established links with the St Helens Procurement Initiative, giving companies in South Liverpool the chance to pitch for business to major companies; we are also a conduit for Liverpool Capital of Culture to pass on information about business opportunities in the run-up to 2008. Being a member of SLBL gives companies access to local suppliers, enabling them to reduce their costs. SLBL also facilitates and encourages networking to help companies of all sizes increase their business and their profitability. These initiatives are not available to companies who do not belong to the SLBL.What other benefits does SLBL offer me?
Politicians, the police and the media are familiar with us and recognise that we represent the business community. This means that we can put your concerns to key decision-makers without exposing you to individual scrutiny. We have successfully lobbied for enhanced policing, broadband enablement, and improved business support. And there are all sorts of other ways in which SLBL membership benefits its members.Such as?
We keep members out of trouble with the law by circulating important changes in health & safety and other legislation through our Newsletter and website. One example came when we highlighted the culpability of firms with asbestos on site. We also arranged a special briefing with the Primary Care Trust to help companies improve the health and fitness of their workforce. E-bulletins which will only go to SLBL members will alert you to significant news, developments, member-to-member offers etc. Breakfast Briefings will take place every two months, featuring key speakers and offering members the chance to promote their own companies. SLBL is an important thread linking the entire business community of South Liverpool, giving us an advantage that other areas can't match.Give me a concrete example of some major achievement
SLBL came up with the inspiration for Partnership for Learning in Speke. Four members of the group realised there was a common requirement for training and by pooling their resources to set up PFL they achieved a top-quality training facility at a fraction of the cost had each company gone about it separately. PFL now offers training to a wide range of companies, not just the inaugural four. PFL now has nearly 300 companies on its client list and has trained over 16,000 people.How do I get to know who's who?
Join us at any of our regular Breakfast Briefings. As well as offering a chance for people in positions of leadership to get together away from the workplace we arrange for key speakers to address us - and take questions. Recent speakers include the council leader Mike Storey, Mike Taylor of Liverpool Business Centre and Jason Harborow of Liverpool Culture Company.Who else is involved?
Up to now our activities have been supported by big companies like Jaguar, Peel Holdings and Eli Lilly, and hundreds of SMEs from all sectors.Will SLBL help me make a contribution to the area and the community?
We have many links with the community, including arts groups, schools and community organisations. We act as an interface between businesses and the community to help both sides to benefit. SLBL is pro-active in encouraging companies to adopt Corporate Social Responsibility and has already published information about what this involves. We hold annual Business Awards to recognise original achievement and we publicise our activities in the media.And finally?
And finally, South Liverpool Business Leaders is a forum for decision-makers regardless of the size of their business. We welcome everyone's input, we need to know your ideas and anxieties, and we believe that a strong SLBL will help make the South Liverpool business community even stronger in the years to come.
