News and Views

As we start the New Year, it’s a great opportunity to plan for the year ahead. Whatever your business priorities, our team of expert advisers are on hand to help you with your planning and to continue supporting you every step of your journey.

Here’s a few ideas of areas you may want to consider:

1. Business Leadership

Peer Networks is a national peer-to-peer action learning programme for SME leaders that want to grow and develop their organisations for future success. Delivered locally by a range of trusted delivery partners, we create diverse cohort groups of individuals to collaboratively work through common business issues. Through interactive action learning, we enable you to discuss your own business challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback and implement practical solutions to overcome them.

From finance and HR to sales, marketing and more, our expert facilitators give you the flexibility to create a trusted support network that works for you, helping you to build and strengthen your business and improve its overall performance.

Register your interest here: https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/peer-networks/

Help to Grow: Management is a practical management training programme, delivered in collaboration with industry and delivered by world-class business schools. The course supports senior managers of small and medium sized businesses to boost their business performance, resilience and long-term growth. Delivered locally by Lancaster University, the in-depth high quality curriculum supports business leaders to build capabilities in leadership, innovation, digital adoption, employee engagement, marketing, responsible business and financial management.

Register your interest here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/business/grow-your-business/help-to-grow/

2. Managing your Finances

The British Business Bank guide to managing business debt provides impartial information to help businesses through survival and on to recover. The guide focuses on areas such as understanding debt finance, moving from survival to recovery and growth as well as resources or businesses worried about debt. https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/manage-your-business-debt-improve-your-cash-flow-and-get-set-for-growth/

The government recently announced further details of an additional £1 billion of support that will be made available for businesses who have been impacted from the Omicron variant. From a range of grant payments to eligible businesses and the re-introduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate scheme, have you looked at what may be relevant for your business? https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-economic-support-package

3. Workplace Wellbeing

Are you looking to start the New Year with the right approach to wellbeing for you and your team? Join our “Nine to Thrive” wellbeing workshop, a session full of practical tips to support your wellbeing, from learning how to recognise and manage stress to ensuring self-care is part of your daily routine.

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYocuutrT8iHdSdyWZI5PCio13qxlANay0K

4. Net Zero

Net zero is a key focus for UK Government and businesses of all sizes have a key role to play in contributing in cutting carbon emissions and protecting the planet. How are your plans progressing?

• Greening Eden is a programme from Eden District Council designed to support local businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Businesses will undertake an environmental assessment and receive expert advice on how to reduce emissions, with the potential to access up to £10k of match grant funding towards capital investments that deliver significant carbon reductions.
  https://www.eden.gov.uk/business-and-trade/greening-eden-businesses/
• Low Carbon Barrow examines issue around sustainability, biodiversity, climate change and low carbon initiatives in Barrow-in-Furness. The programme is open to applications from small and medium sized businesses, charities and constituted community groups to improve their energy efficiency and environmental performance. Grants of up to £10k are available to eligible businesses.
  https://www.art-gene.co.uk/project/low-carbon-barrow/
• Our Journey to Net Zero Programme will be starting in a few weeks. If you’re a small or medium sized business at an early stage on the path to net zero emissions, you’d be more than welcome to register your interest. The programme, delivered over six weeks, will guide you through what net zero means for your business and how to prioritise action. You will receive guided support to help to build a strategic plan to cut your carbon footprint, reduce costs, minimise risk and capitalise on the many opportunities awaiting you in the net zero world. To register your interest, email our Business Growth Manager at lynsey.parke@thecumbrialep.co.uk.

5. Staffing & recruitment

Our Attract, Engage and Retain Power Programme will be starting in a few weeks. Aimed at businesses with five or more employees, the short three hour programme will provide support and guidance for business leaders seeking to strengthen their recruitment and retention strategies. To register your interest, email our Business Growth Manager at lynsey.parke@thecumbrialep.co.uk.

Whatever your priorities, talk to our team about how we can help you.