This week we hosted Downtown’s sixth annual business week, and from the feedback we have had, it was our most successful yet.

Ged Fitzgerald kicked the week off, outlining the many challenges that he has faced since taking on the role of Chief Executive of the city council some eighteen months ago. Most of those relate to finance, but some too relate to a culture within the Municipal Buildings that has not always been as creative, dynamic and efficient as is required.

His mission is to make the city’s staffing performance equal to the  words and ambition outlined consistently by the mayor and the executive team. Cutting 1,400 staff from that team may not have helped in terms of meeting the fast paced, business friendly approach that Ged wants to see, but he recognises that there can be no excuse for failure, and it was refreshing to hear him say that on Monday.

His words were repeated by Mayor Anderson at our property conference yesterday, where he and the Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, Max Steinberg, outlined the ten year investment strategy for the city. Economic climate notwithstanding, the momentum of growth that has seen Liverpool physically transformed in the last decade has to be built upon. Once again we heard a civic leader express his determination to deliver major schemes quickly, get his officials to help cut through the red tape, help, and not hinder. His main frustration was levelled at the procurement arrangements adopted by the council, but there are others who he will know that need to step up to the plate – or move on.

A metro mayor would be preferable to a city mayor, he said, but in the absence of that the city deal was the best option. And Marketing Liverpool will be in place by September, with the job of promoting the Liverpool brand that has been sometimes hindered by neighbouring authorities who still find it difficult to accept that it is the only Merseyside brand that has a global reach.

Beyond the politics, the issue of leadership was discussed and debated on Tuesday. Michael Finnegan, the CEO of i2i, mentor to dozens of business leaders, but also sports legends such as David Moyes and Darren Clarke, gave a fascinating insight into what makes a good leader. A lively exchange followed, which included contributions from the CEO of the Women’s Organisation Maggie O’ Carroll, and the recently appointed chairman of Downtown Manchester, Michael Taylor.

The world of modern communications, the future of TV and the plethora of social media and online platforms were the topic of conversation at the Wednesday event ‘What’s the Next Big Thing?’ Rippleffect boss Ben Hatton, Dave Pichilingi of Sound City and former Radio City and Lime Productions man Sean Marley gave a good analysis of where we are now, but nobody was able to really answer the question posed. Nevertheless, in terms of utilising existing resources more effectively, and informing the delegates of the changing face of television, and the future of the music industry, the contribution from the panel was spot on.

It all ended today with a fabulous breakfast event at Liverpool Community College with Wirral West MP Esther McVey. It was a great week. Thanks to all those who attended. To those who missed out, never mind hey. We’ll be back to do it again next year – bigger and better!

Downtown hosts another Liverpool Business Week starting Monday, and we have a fantastic programme of events lined up.

We kick off with an interview with the Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, Ged Fitzgerald. Ged has been with the council for around two years now, and despite the extremely difficult budgetary issues he has faced, alongside the task of introducing a significant number of new faces into his executive team, he has gone about his job quietly but effectively. I am looking forward to hearing his take on where he thinks Liverpool is in terms of its economy. I also want to know if he believes the administration and its partners have started to tackle an issue that he identified as a major problem when I spoke to him about just after he had become the city’s CEO. The skills gap, and the failure of many of our training and educational establishments to get students ‘work ready’ was a genuine concern for Ged. Has he seen an improvement in this key area?

Business leadership is the focus of our Tuesday event, with the inspirational Michael Finnegan among the speakers. Michael has mentored Everton manager David Moyes and last year’s Open champion Darren Clarke, so he knows a bit about leadership. I will also be talking to business leaders who recently visited what many consider to be the capital of enterprise and entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley. They have a fascinating tale to tell.

With the world of media changing by the day, and businesses being told that they have to stay ahead of the game when it comes to social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, we thought it would be interesting to ask a group of digital and media experts what the future holds – and what is the next big thing? Rippleffect MD Ben Hatton will lead a panel discussion on Wednesday afternoon in what is sure to be a fascinating debate.

Thursday and ‘It’s Liverpool – the Property Conference’ which has already attracted a huge amount of interest. The city’s cabinet member for Housing Anne O’ Byrne, Mayor Joe Anderson and the Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision Max Steinberg will join private sector representatives from the property sector to look at the regeneration prospects for the future.

Our Business Week ends with a private breakfast for Downtown sponsors at Liverpool Community College. Wirral West MP Esther McVey will be discussing welfare reform, apprenticeships and education.

It’s going to be a cracking series of events, and I hope to see you at some of them throughout next week. If you want further details, CLICK HERE.

Roberto Mancini must have had very mixed feelings on Saturday afternoon as his Manchester City team bagged an impressive 6-1 victory over Norwich City, courtesy of a hat-trick from the man he said would never play for him again, Carlos Tevez.

The inevitable subject of football phone-in’s this week, and the football debates around the city, have been all about Tevez. Had he not been allowed to go on his extended golfing holiday to Argentina, would it be the Blues now, rather than the Reds, who would be sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership with a five point advantage?

It is easy in hindsight to say Mancini got it wrong regarding the Tevez affair. After all, City fans were outraged by his seeming refusal to come on as a substitute in that fateful Champions League game last year. However, Mancini is not a fan. He is paid a significant salary to not get emotionally involved in the sort of stuff that infuriates supporters, and a more experienced manager would maybe have handled things differently.

Indeed, there is no maybe about it. Last season Mancunians will remember a certain Wayne Rooney, or more accurately his agent, very publicly expressing the view that Man United had lost their way, and that Wayne was looking for another club. Many speculated that a deal had already been done - with Man City! United fans were up in arms. How could a player that had been treated so well by their club betray them in such a fashion. He should be drummed out of Old Trafford!

Sir Alex Ferguson took a slightly different attitude, sat Rooney down for a chat, got him to sign a new contract, and they both went on to help claim their teams nineteenth League success.   

That they are likely to make that twenty within the next few weeks is not simply because Mancini got it wrong over Tevez. The City Manager has been consistently inconsistent in his man management of Mario Balottelli. For example, straight after the Arsenal game, in which the enigmatic striker was red carded, Mancini said he would not play for City again this season. Days later he was suggesting that Balotelli could be City’s match winner against United in the forthcoming ‘Derby’.  I’m not convinced, either, that saying to the press that you would like to give one of your players a dig is the best motivational ploy in the world. Actually giving them a dig is probably more productive.

Worst of all, Mancini went head-to-head with Fergie. Worse still, he went head-to-head with Fergie over Paul Scholes.

Nobody beats the Old Trafford boss when it comes to psychological warfare. Ask Kevin ‘I’d just love it if we beat them’ Keegan or Rafael ‘the facts’ Benitez. Throw Paul Scholes in the mix, and not only do you rile the best manager in the country unnecessarily, but you provide additional motivation to an individual who needs little motivation, and likewise wind up his team mates.

City supporters I speak to are split over whether Mancini should stay or go should he fail to deliver the title. Having been in such a strong position at Christmas time, having spent so much money, and up against a United side that is one of the poorest Ferguson has had during his tenure, then there is a case for the Italian to be given the bullet.

Others argue that Mancini needs time in order to gain the experience. They point to the fact that the master himself, Ferguson, has only become the master because United gave him time.

If you look at Chelsea you cannot have any doubt that ‘managerial musical chairs’ do not win you the Premier League. For me, I’d give Mancini another season.

You never know, he may win it this time around – but I doubt it!