BUSINESS DAIRY.

M AY This is a free business events diary service. nebusiness cannot be held responsible if events are cancelled, postponed or changed without prior warrning. Email brief details of your event to Andrew Mernin at [e-mail] or phone [phone].

For the full list log on to nebusiness.co.uk Thursday 7: Breakfast presentation which will look at the impact of culture on international communications. This event is aimed at companies who want to learn more about Germany, the UK's main import and second largest export market. There will also be a brief introduction on Saxony, one of its eastern federal states. Organised by Fabriam Networks in partnership with Lexica Communications, free entry, Fabriam Centre, Cobalt Business Park/Silverlink. To register, call [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

Thursday 7: Enterprise Challenge Newcastle University Business Plan Awards, 7pm, Civic Centre, Newcastle. Email [e-mail] for details.

Wednesday 13: University of Northumbria IT Risk Summit covering data protection, use of technology in financial fraud, assessing risks associated with using technology and the launch of the North East WARP warning, advice & reporting point. What is it and what does it mean? 9.30am registration. Details available from [e-mail] on www.iaaitc.org/events.htm or by calling Denise Hosking on [phone].

Thursday 14: Retention for success, managing people flexibly through the economic downturn. 9am to 2pm, Newcastle University Business School, Citywall, Citygate, St James Boulevard. Entry: pounds 49.

Thursday 21: Entrepreneurs' Forum annual conference, Inspired6, which aims to bring the power of positive thinking to the business community.

Speakers include Lord Karan Bilimoria, the founder and chairman of Cobra Beer; Martin Lightbody, chief executive of Finsbury Food Group and reigning Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year; financial and internet entrepreneur Julie Meyer, the chief executive of Ariadne Capital and BBC Dragons' Den star Richard Farleigh among others. The conference is followed by a dinner and awards ceremony, with guest speaker Perry 'The Stig' McCarthy. Hilton Hotel, Gateshead, 10am-5.30pm, dinner 7pm-10.30pm. To book, contact the Forum on [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]