Staying competitive in a disruptive world (part 1): discussing the findings of the Cumbria LSIP final report
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
Release Date: 09/04/2023
Growing your brand on social media with Martha Wood Marketing
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We're joined on the podcast by Martha Wood, founder of Chamber member Martha Wood Marketing. We discuss the role of social media in the marketing industry and how a marketing strategy can help you take advantage of the platforms available. To learn more about Martha's freelance marketing services visit her website: https://marthawoodmarketing.com/
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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 23: Financing business transformation with River Capital
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We catch up with Head of Debt John Gray and Investment Manager Jonathan Nelson following River Capital's recent expansion into Cumbria after securing the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Smaller Loans Fund. We discuss investment solutions currently available to Cumbrian businesses; getting investment ready; common challenges and how River Capital can support; sectors in Cumbria with growth potential over the next five years and some of the transformative work businesses have done with funding from River Capital. Cumbrian businesses looking to learn more should do so via...
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Discussing plastic waste in the health care system with Clare Atkinson of Nu Green
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We're joined on the podcast by Clare Atkinson, Founder and Director of R&D at NuGreen, a sustainability consultancy researching the use of plastic in the health care sector and how resources from medical waste can be recovered and recycled. We discuss NuGreen's work to date, the challenges and opportunities when it comes to using plastic in the health care sector, and a new project funded through the Cumbria Action for Sustainability's W&F Green Enterprise hub looking at reducing plastic waste from medical equipment. Links:
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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 22: Discussing the Brighter Futures programme with Deborah Naylor and Claire Sands
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
This month on the podcast we discuss the Brighter Futures programme with Deborah Naylor (Inspira) and Claire Sands (Cumbria Youth alliance). Brighter Futures aims to support young people in Cumbria who are leaving care, through a range of activity inlcluding mentoring, work experience placements and life skills development. Click below to learn more about the different ways employers can get involved...
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How to retain more of the money you earn as a sole trader with Sue Reeve of Windmill BTS
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We're joined by Sue Reeve of Chamber member and bookkeeping and training services provider, Windmill BTS. Our conversation centres around self assessment and expenses with lots of useful tips and advice for sole traders when doing self assessment and other ways to save money! Chamber members can access a 10% discount on Windmill BTS's Business Finance Academy. Learn more here: Click here to download Windmill BTS's free guide on how to retain more of your earnings:
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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 21: “Unlocking confidence and clarity” A conversation with business mentors Jacqui Jackson and Keith Jackson
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We discuss Cumbria Business Growth Hub’s Mentoring Programme with business mentors, Jacqui Jackson and Keith Jackson. Join us to hear about the mentoring process and the powerful effect it can have, supporting business owners to achieve their goals and deliver the business they want. We also discuss some of the success stories of mentoring clients who took part in the pilot mentoring programme last year, the challenges they faced and the progress they made. We’re currently recruiting mentees for this year’s programme, starting in September. To find out more and get involved click...
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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 20: Tim Bloomer of Fell Brewery
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
A conversation with Tim Bloomer, co-founder of Fell Brewery, about the business's project aimed at bringing down carbon emissions at their brewery in Flookburgh. We cover: How the business started from two friends brewing beer into a well-known brand with over 40 employees Tim's thoughts on carbon offsetting Carbon accounting - identifying which parts of the business produce the most carbon Steps to reduce emissions including solar PV Support from Cumbria Action for Sustainability's Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub Electric vans Donating to South Cumbria Rivers...
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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 18: Veronica Waller of the Farmer Network on business support for farmers
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
Our guest on the podcast is Veronica Waller of the Farmer Network, who joins us to discuss financial business support available to farms and other land-based businesses in the form of £500 vouchers to work with a consultant of their choice. We discuss recent changes to agricultural policy and subsidies and how farmers can use the vouchers to pay for consultancy to help them navigate these changes. Click here for more information and to apply for a voucher -
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Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 17: Inspira CEO Mark Bowman on supporting people into work
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We're joined by Mark Bowman, CEO of careers advice and guidance organisation, Inspira, for a conversation on how the organisation supports people into the workforce and key insights on the current Cumbrian labour market in 2024. We cover... Current challenges faced by clients and what this says about the wider labour market Changing application processes Inspira's work supporting young people Inspira's work supporting older people back into work Inspira's work with employers Designing the ideal work experience placement To find out more and get involved, visit Inspira's website here: ...
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Discussing the benefits of going green with Kate Fraser of Hutton John Estate
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast
We're joined by Kate Fraser of Chamber member Hutton John Estate. The family-owned estate is home to a range of luxury holiday lets which are busy throughout the year. The topic of conversation is on the business’s innovative approach to becoming more environmentally friendly. We also discuss the green business support Kate has received from the Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub. We cover: The estate’s new environmentally friendly holiday cabins Balancing guest experience with conserving energy Using local suppliers Electric Vehicle consultancy support received through the WF...
info_outlineCumbria's Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an employer-led and locally owned initiative which aims to set out the key priorities needed to make technical education and skills provision more responsive to the changing needs of employers and the local economy.
August 2023 saw the release of this year's LSIP report for Cumbria. Find out more.
To discuss the findings of the report we're joined by Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Engagement Manager, Kevin Warman, and Chamber member and Certified Career & Leadership Executive Coach Alec Pearson.
Our conversation is spilt into two parts:
- Part 1 looks at employability skills, emotional intelligence, and recruitment and retainment.
- Part 2 looks at challenges surrounding leadership and management, coaching, skills of the future and AI, and what’s next for the LSIP.
Get involved
- To take part in a focus group to discuss skills challenges in your business contact Kevin on [email protected]
- Follow our LSIP LinkedIn page
- Follow Kev on LinkedIn
- Follow Alec on LinkedIn
Suggested reflective questions for business leaders provided by Alec Pearson
- What is the culture and value of your organisation and how does this align with current and prospective employees?
- How are your employees/teams really feeling, i.e., how engaged and motivated are they?
- What are your employees real desires in their role and development?
- Is there a great level of trust evident between employees and management?
- What are the actual/potential technical and professional skills and strengths available in your business?
- How beneficial would it be for you to develop a skills matrix to understand the skills you need in your organisation v the skills available to you and help with allocating the right role to the right employee?
- Who is the undiscovered talent in your business?
- What is the culture, the foundations and processes for your teams, goals?