Cumbria Growth Hub Podcast

Mark Rowbotham, a consultant in international trade, explores what a no-deal Brexit would mean for exporters and importers. Understand what you need to put in place to ensure that trade continues to flow smoothly.

The implications of Brexit for EU nationals already in the UK, those looking to work here and for UK nationals who need to work in the EU. Lee Petts, of Seekly Recruitment, sets out what employers need to be doing to ensure they can retain and recruit the people they need.

Luke Christian of Lakeland Mues tells the story behind the business and how persistence earned them a listing at Booths supermarkets – with help from our Supply Chain Opportunity Club. Lakeland Mues’ luxury muesli blends are now available in Booths’ stores in Windermere, Penwortham, Ulverston, Penrith, Ilkley, Longton, Keswick, Lytham, Garstang, Ripon and St Annes. To find out how the Growth Hub can help your business target new markets, click here or call 0844 257 84 50.

One of the UK’s top economists outlines the prospects for the UK economy as the October 31 Brexit deadline approaches. Suren Thiru is Head of Economics and Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce. We recorded this podcast when he visited Cumbria to speak at a joint event with the Bank of England. He considers the implications of a no-deal Brexit and the outlook for growth, interest rates, recruitment and investment. Click here for the Growth Hub’s Brexit Insight guide to Brexit planning.

One-in-five businesses are affected by cyber crime in any one year. Don’t be the next victim. In this podcast Jon Hill, a detective with Cumbria Constabulary’s new Cyber and Digital Crime Unit, and Peter McCall, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, look at how businesses can protect themselves. Click here for a training video, links, tools and advice on the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce website.

Hear how Cumbria Community Foundation helps businesses in the county to make a difference to disadvantaged people. The charity, set up in 1999, has made grants totalling £44m so far. In this podcast, Chief Executive Andy Beeforth sets out how the Foundation channels donations from businesses and enables them achieve their corporate social responsibility objectives. For more information, click here.

In this podcast, organisational development specialist Hazel Lowndes and Suzanne Caldwell, of Cumbria Business Growth Hub, explore ways to boost productivity. UK productivity – measured in output per worker – lags behind that of Germany, France, the US and most other developed economies. This podcast asks why that is the case and looks at what we can do about it. Contrary to popular myth, boosting productivity isn’t just about investing in high-tech equipment. Working on people and processes is just as effective. Click here to find out Cumbria Business Growth Hub can help your business improve its productivity or call us on 0844 257 84 50.

Kirsty Mahoney of the charity Imagine Independence explains how she works with businesses to find employment for people with disabilities. Low unemployment and a shrinking working-age population are making it harder and harder for Cumbrian companies to recruit. In this podcast, Kirsty urges employers to embrace the talents and potential of disabled staff who, very often, can be accommodated in the workplace with minimal disruption simply by adopting a flexible approach. There is more information for businesses on the Imagine Independence website here or email Kirsty at kmahoney@imagineindependence.org.uk  

How businesses can deal with sexual harassment in the workplace and avoid harassment claims from employees. In this podcast Michael Bauer, of Cumbria Employment Solicitors, explains the legal definition of sexual harassment and the responsibilities that employers have, then sets out measures businesses can take to eliminate harassment and reduce the likelihood of claims from employees.  

We’ve relaunched Made in Cumbria, the Chamber’s initiative to help the county’s food, drink and craft businesses find new routes to market. In this podcast, Chamber Chief Executive Rob Johnston talks about the new Made in Cumbria website, featuring stunning photography and telling the stories behind member businesses. He also outlines big plans for the Made in Cumbria retail outlet in Kendal, our social media campaign and the Made in Cumbria hampers. Made in Cumbria is open to food, drink and craft businesses whose products are wholly produced or substantially manufactured and finished in Cumbria. To find out more about membership email Michelle Wiggins at michelle@cumbriachamber.co.uk or call her on 0845 226 00 40.

Find out how Oxley Developments of Ulverston became one of Cumbria’s most successful exporters. Oxley’s Marketing Manager Jayne Moorby talks about trade missions, using overseas agents, how the company overcomes language and cultural barriers, and the help it receives from the Department for International Trade. Oxley began exporting in the 1970s and now sells its LED lighting and high-specification components in 34 countries across five continents. Click here for information on how Cumbria Business Growth Hub can help your business to export or call us on 0844 257 84 50.

Amy Johnston of accountant David Allen explains how Making Tax Digital works and what businesses should do to comply. The new system launches on April 1st, 2019, initially for VAT. But according to recent research by the British Chambers of Commerce, thousands of businesses aren’t ready. Those that fall foul of the new rules will face penalties. David Allen has produced a handy guide to Making Tax Digital here. It is also running a series of sector-specific workshops on Making Tax Digital. For information on these click here. Click here for information on Making Tax Digital on the gov.uk website.  

Steve Wilkinson, of Cumbria Manufacturing Service, sets out the help and advice available to SME manufacturers including grants of up to £5,400. Steve has recently been appointed as an adviser with Cumbria Manufacturing Service. In this podcast, he explains his how he can help qualifying manufacturer SMEs to streamline their processes, drive up production capacity, innovate, improve business systems and access new markets. To find out more about Cumbria Manufacturing Service, click here or call Cumbria Business Growth Hub on 0844 257 84 50.

This is the Brexit podcast businesses have been waiting for. Luke Donockley, a solicitor and Brexit expert with law firm Muckle LLP, explores what businesses can do to prepare for Brexit and what the ramifications are likely to be. He covers how to go about a Brexit risk assessment, imports and exports, tariffs, obstacles for hauliers, excise duty and VAT, business travel in the EU, trademarks, IP and data protection. Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Muckle are running a Brexit Breakfast Briefing at Carlisle Racecourse on Thursday February 28th, from 8am to 10am. This is an opportunity to hear from the experts and put your Brexit-related questions. It’s a free event, to register click here.  

When the Lib Dem leader addressed a Chamber event in Kendal, we asked him about Brexit and other hot topics affecting business. In this podcast, Sir Vince looks at where Brexit is going, including the prospects for 'no deal' and a second referendum. He predicts that some Labour and Conservative MPs will quit their parties this year to sit as independents. And we hear his take on energy policy, including nuclear new build, productivity, the future of the high street and HS2.

Find out how food and drink businesses can get their products onto the shelves of regional supermarket chain Booths. Cumbria Business Growth Hub's Supply Chain Opportunity Club recently hosted an event with Booths where food and drink businesses were able to meet the supermarket's buying team. In this podcast, recorded at the event, Matt Bruno, Innovation Manager at Booths, explains Booths' procurement process while Eva Chua, Supply Chain Development Manager at the Growth Hub, sets out how the Growth Hub can help businesses to meet Booths' criteria. For more information on selling to Booths click here. To see how the Growth Hub can help businesses looking to sell to Booths, and other large firms, click here.

John Scott, of Cumbria Trading Standards, looks at sensible measures businesses can take to be ready for Brexit. Click here to complete our Brexit preparedness survey. Here to access the Government’s ‘Prepare for EU Exit’ website. Here for a tool to help you prepare for EU Exit.  Here for official advice on ‘no deal’ planning. Here for the British Chambers of Commerce’s Brexit Hub. And here for advice from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

We explore how businesses can cater for the 13m people in the UK who have a disability. They represent a market worth £249bn a year. In this podcast Julia Walker, of Lake District Mobility, talks about practical steps that businesses can take to make themselves more attractive to disabled customers and their families. Chamber Business Solutions is running a training day, ‘Collecting the Purple Pound’ at Newton Rigg, Penrith, on February 21st, 2019, when Alice Loader, of Alice Associates, will set out how to harness the spending power of disabled customers. Places cost £95 plus VAT for Chamber members or £145 plus VAT for non-members. Email catherynn@cumbriachamber.co.uk   Web resources: Visit England guide to making your business accessible Access for All accessibility training for staff Changing Places disabled toilets Disability Confident scheme Shaw Trust website accessibility audit Building/grounds access audits Recite Me software for people with accessibility needs  

Tiffany Solender is a successful entrepreneur who uses her knowledge and expertise to help other Cumbrian businesses sell overseas. Her company, Pogu, based at Staveley near Kendal, supplies road safety products for children to customers all over the world. In this podcast, she talks about her new role as an International Trade Adviser with the Department for International Trade and outlines the range of help available from workshops to export finance and trade missions. To find out more about the help available to exporters, click here or call Cumbria Business Growth Hub on 0844 257 84 50. To subscribe to Cumbria Chamber of Commerce podcasts click here.