Think Global, Impact Local

Daniel and Sharon from Taylored Solutions, travelled from the Isle of Man to Liverpool on the boat, enjoying a lovely evening on Castle Street, before attending Liverpool Chamber’s Well Connected and the BITA gathering at Anfield the next day, Friday September 5, 2025. Both events were at Liverpool Football Club. Home of the Champions, not sure, but this may have been mentioned during some of the speeches 🤔

Think Global, Impact Local was the The Chamber’s Well Connected theme. Global trends, supply chains, and challenges such as our climate impact, carbon footprint and sustainability that impact the local community. Ensuring our business actions have positive impacts.

Networking before the formal talks brought a meaningful conversation with Crisis UK, the homelessness charity working to break down misconceptions and show businesses how they can help tackle the root causes of homelessness.

We often stop and talk with people on Old Hall Street, and Sharon shared how we are frequently asked for change. The reality is, like many people, we haven’t carried cash for years, everything is now on card. On the walk back along Castle Street, Sharon had the idea of a central donation point: a card machine where you could simply tap to donate, with the reassurance that funds were going directly to legitimate support services. She was pleased to hear they are working on a QR code project that will do just this type of thing within the city centre.

We also often stop to purchase food items for people. Change happens through education and through organisations stepping up to engage meaningfully with the communities around them.

We also heard from:

• Steph from LTSB, on how businesses can embed social value. Their work preparing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment not always readily available to them.

• Rishi from LFC, who spoke about sustainability at Liverpool Football Club. His role covers the “bins”, in reality his role extends to overseeing the club’s global footprint and its sustainability responsibilities as a growing international brand.

• Elena Head of International Trade from Liverpool Chamber, on global trading and how sustainability plays a in connecting business to local impact.

• Graham from RSM, on creating opportunities for young people and supporting the work from LTSB

We also heard from: Dan from LFC may or may not have mentioned that we were in the home of the champions, how they are updating the packages within LFC and some great new things coming up. Mark from ComCabs spoke about how transport accessibility supports community and business growth.

Following a walk from the Beautiful Game lounge across the landing to The Chemisty Lounge to join the BITA lunch.

BITA: supporting the BITA community and the businesses within it.

The BITA event shifted the focus towards supporting businesses within the community and planning for the economic challenges ahead, particularly austerity, which it seems we are heading towards faster than we would hope. Conversations centred on preparation, resilience, and practical strategies to thrive in uncertain times.

 Paul, who was guest speaker at the BITA members event, talked about the Night Time Economy and the launch of the Hopsy UK safety app. Liverpool holds a record long-standing Purple Flag status, recognising excellence in managing the night time economy, and the goal is now to establish the first Purple Flag “region” across the North West.

• This is a national award for towns and cities in the UK and Ireland that excel in managing their evening and night-time economy (ENTE). 
• It signifies a safe, vibrant, appealing, and well-managed destination that offers a positive and diverse experience for visitors and residents. 
• To achieve Purple Flag status, areas must meet a comprehensive set of standards for safety, management, and entertainment

Paul spoke about practical safety measures such as trauma kit or bleed control packs, training bar staff to use them, and first aid, all designed to make nights out safer, these initiatives have already paid off saving lives. Again his speech reminded us that businesses also have a responsibility to create safe, vibrant, and sustainable environments for the people and communities they serve.

Technology strategy for resilience

With austerity on the horizon, the tone of the introduction by BITA’s chair Paul was sobering yet realistic and preparation is key. This is exactly where we at Taylored Solutions can support. We help companies align technology with strategy through our fractional CTO services.

That means transforming technology from a cost-centre into a growth driver: improving efficiency, protecting the business, and ensuring resilience in a challenging economic climate. A well-defined tech strategy streamlines processes, reduces waste, and enables your business to focus on delivering value and driving profit.

Connections that matter

What stood out most across both events was the people. From charity leaders to business innovators, everyone shared a passion for using their influence and skills to make a difference. Conversations, ideas, partnerships and opportunities.

Looking ahead

The challenges ahead are alarming, from economic pressures to sustainability and social issues but if we remember we have the opportunities to act responsibly, think globally, and impact locally we can make a difference. Think WIN WIN.