Business Support

Growth Hub Training & Events

We run a number of workshops on a range of topics throughout the year. To book a place on any of the below sessions, please email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk.

Here are the details of the latest events for your diary:


Sales Theory

Date: Tuesday 16th July 2024
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Price: £200 +VAT members / £250 + VAT non-members
Venue: Energus, Blackwood Road, Lillyhall Industrial Estate, Workington, CA14 4JW

Join us for a comprehensive sales theory course covering:
1. The most important part of selling
2. Types of selling
3. The buyer journey
4. Structuring the sales conversation
5. Building a pitch
6. Objection handling
By the end of this training delegates will:

  • understand that every interaction is an opportunity to create positive connections;
  • understand a range of approaches to selling
  • will have practised building rapport and aligning their product / service to their client’s / stakeholder’s needs
  • will know how to create business plans / account management plans / relationship management plans that can generate long term growth

Delivered by Ian Graham of Swayed Greyhound

Book Here


Supply-chain Decarbonisation (Scope 3) for manufacturing, retail and food & drink sectors

Date: Tuesday 23rd July 2024
Time: 10am to 11pm
Price: £20 +VAT
Venue: Online

Supply chain emissions (Scope 3) for most manufacturing companies represent over 80% of carbon impact but also over 90% of the complexity, so where do you start?

This session will focus on how to approach your Scope 3 emissions calculation, which forms your upstream and downstream supply chain emissions.

According to research by McKinsey most Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or manufacturing companies can have a 10 to 24 times greater impact by focusing on a reduction of Scope 3 versus their direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2).

So, where do you start?

This webinar will provide an overview of the different categories of Scope 3 within the GHG (greenhouse gas) protocol; how to define which categories are most relevant to your business (so called “boundary setting”); and the four common approaches to Scope 3 calculation and their pros and cons.In this one hour session we will share practical steps and examples covering:

– How to approach supply chain footprint analysis (Scope 3)
– How to engage suppliers and understand their carbon literacy
– How to understand what data is available (e.g. spend-based, unit-based emission factors)
– How to engage all suppliers to understand their footprint
– How to deliver value you for Your business and Your Customers

There will also be opportunity for Q&A – discussion will be encouraged.

This is not all about reporting but practical steps to value creation.

Book Here


Next Steps – Tik Tok and Instagram Video for Business

Date: Tuesday, 10th September 2024
Time: 10am to 1pm
Price: £50 +VAT Chamber members / £75 + VAT non members
Venue: Online

So you’ve got an account on TikTok and Instagram, you’ve tried a few different things, gained a few followers, but feel like you could be getting more traction, engagement and leads out of the platforms? Then this session is for you!

Join us in this session where we will look into what key elements create a “viral” and “popular” post, how to use the platform to learn more about your potential clients and customers, and learn how to jump on current trends, hashtags and video editing styles.

By the end of this session you will know how to:

Create videos with instant hooks and featured edits for optimal watch-time

Review the top 5 elements of a viral content post

Use social listening to better engage your target audience

Optimise current trends, hashtags, music, captions and other in-app features

*Pre-requisite for attending this session: You must have attended our Intro “TikTok and Instagram Video for Business” session previously, or have TikTok and Instagram accounts already setup, and have a working knowledge of both platform’s options and settings.*

Book Here


How to Succeed in Ecommerce

Date: Wednesday, 11th September 2024
Time: 10am to 5pm
Price: £140 +VAT Chamber members / £175 + VAT non members
Venue: Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, LA9 6RG

Specifically for businesses that sell, or are looking to sell online, this course is designed to guide businesses through different platform options, how to make the most of your chosen CMS and how to market your ecommerce business effectively.

Book Here


Mastering Management (Previously known as- New Managers Bootcamp)

Date: Tuesday 17th September 2024
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Price: £250 +VAT members / £299 + VAT non-members
Venue: Newby Bridge Hotel, Ulverston, LA12 8NA

Unlock Your Leadership Potential with ‘Mastering Management’!
Are you ready to take your management skills to the next level and lead your team to success? Join Coach Tim in our immersive ‘Mastering Management’ workshop, specially designed to equip you with all the tools you need to excel in your new role.

Why Choose ‘Mastering Management’?

1. Comprehensive Curriculum: From your first 90 days as a manager to handling poor performance, we’ve got you covered. Learn the ins and outs of effective management from the ground up.

2. International Expertise: With workshops delivered in 3 countries, Coach Tim brings a wealth of global experience and insights to the table.

3. Dynamic Team Understanding: Gain insights into team dynamics, behaviors, and how to lead high-performing teams with confidence.

4. Master EQ: Elevate your Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for better relationships, communication, and team cohesion.

5. Strategic Personal Development: Craft robust Personal Development Plans (PDPs) that drive growth and performance.

6. Adapt to Remote Working: Learn the nuances of managing remote teams effectively, ensuring productivity and connection across distances.

7. Proactive Performance Management: Gain practical strategies to handle poor performance and motivate your team toward success.

What You’ll Gain:

  • A clear roadmap for your first 90 days as a new manager.
  • Strategies to understand and harness your team’s unique dynamics.
  • Techniques to build and sustain high-performing teams.
  • The tools to elevate your EQ for better leadership.
  • Guidance on crafting effective PDPs for your team.
  • Tips for mastering remote working and keeping your team connected.
  • Practical approaches for managing and improving performance issues.

Don’t Miss Out!

Whether you’re new to management or looking to sharpen your skills, ‘Mastering Management’ offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business. Coach Tim’s engaging teaching style and wealth of experience will empower you to lead your team with confidence.
Secure your spot today and take the first step toward becoming a truly exceptional manager. Your team—and your future—will thank you for it!

Book Here


Survival of the Fittest

Date: Wednesday 18th September 2024
Time: 10am to 2.30pm
Price: Fully funded by Cumberland Council (lunch and refreshments included) – businesses from outside of Cumberland can attend but charges will apply
Venue: Lakes College, Hallwood Road, Workington, CA14 4JN

“Business as usual will not be possible due to climate change” Deborah Meaden, Entrepreneur and ‘Dragon’

Climate damage and legislation will impact every business:
– The right to Buy
– The right to Sell

– Availability and Cost Impacts

The reality is that whilst much ‘sustainability’ (ESG) legislation is currently focused toward larger organisations, and reporting requirements are not yet impacting SMEs this legislation and the actions of these larger companies will have an impact on SMEs to the point that business as usual will not be viable for most within 5 to 10 years.  This session was inspired by a SME Manufacturer who closed their doors because they didn’t see the upcoming impact of sustainability.

Building on the speakers acclaimed keynote ‘Adapt or Die’ this session is aimed at SMEs to help them protect their future with the tools, to:

  • assess the risks in Your business
  • build risk mitigation and adaptation plans
  • identify opportunities for growth

Part 1:
The first part of the workshop is a presentation on the issues around ESG and some specific examples of the impact (case study example and how it can impact manufacturing and service businesses).

Part 2:
The proposal is then a worked exercise around these risks, mitigation and adaptation, leaving attendees with the tools to take back to their own businesses.

Part 3: One of the risks (covered in Part 1, above) is the downward supply chain pressure that will impact most SMEs. More and more companies (incl. Government, NHS etc.) are asking of their suppliers what they are doing; what is their sustainability plan?
And many SMEs have neither the expertise nor resource to confidently respond. Therefore, Part 3 will go through a framework to help attendees build a credible response and inform their own sustainability plans.

Book Here


IP: What’s all the fuss about?

Date: Thursday 19th September 2024
Time: 9am to 1pm
Price: £80 +VAT members / £110 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

Discover the difference between Intellectual Assets (IA), Intellectual Property (IP) and Intellectual Capital (IC), how to identify them in your business, and how to protect and grow them to your financial and strategic advantage.

As a result of this engaging half-day online workshop, you will be able to:

  1. Understand what Intellectual Assets (IA), Intellectual Property (IP) and Intellectual Capital (IC) are and why they are important to every business
  2. Learn how to develop and manage an IP strategy
  3. Understand the four key types of IP, the pros, the cons and the risks
  4. Understand the value of IA/IP in your business and commercialisation options

The workshop will be interactive with opportunities for you to demonstrate and challenge your current understanding of IP and discuss examples relevant to your business.

Book Here


Marketing Strategy Workshop

Date: Wednesday 25th September 2024
Time: 9.30am to 4pm
Price: £140 +VAT members / £175 + VAT non-members
Venue: Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor Broadacre House, 16-20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DA

This workshop takes a hands-on approach into learning and understanding what elements are required to develop a well-planned, actionable and measurable marketing plan for a business, whether they are a startup or SME. It includes advice on setting marketing goals, tools to help carry out market and audience research, recommendations for the most relevant channels for their business and what tactics and actions they should consider to successfully reach and convert their audience.. Participants will be given our interactive marketing strategy document which sets out each stage of planning their marketing. They will learn how to develop integrated, on and offline marketing campaigns and understand which tactics, resources and budget is required to help them achieve their overall business and marketing goals.

The participant will learn:

  • The importance of research – competitor analysis, audience research and SWOT analysis.
  • How to establish appropriate marketing objectives, linking to their overall business goals.
  • How to define a suitable target audience and how to build a customer persona for their customers using our simple templates
  • How to structure and develop an effective marketing strategy for their business
  • Setting out a multi-channel activity plan, including the different channels (traditional print, PR, email marketing, website, social media, PPC & Paid Social, etc.) budgeting and allocating resources. They will be provided with a planning gantt chart template for implementation.
  • Understand the different stages of a customer buying cycle and what actions/content is required to move your customers down the funnel.
  • How to use monitoring tools to track the success of your campaigns and return on investment.

Deliverables & Takeaways

  1. Interactive marketing strategy template
  2. Competitor analysis template & audience persona building template
  3. Marketing activity planning template, with scheduling, resources, budget allocation and monitoring.
  4. Customer buying cycle guide

Book Here


Introduction to Excel

Date: Wednesday, 25th September 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm
Price: £120 +VAT Chamber members / £199 + VAT non members
Venue: Winters Park Conference Centre, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8RQ

This is a one-day training course structured into 6 modules. Commencing 9.00am We will have an introduction then the course will commence at 09.30am. Lunch will be served from 12.00pm – 12.30pm. We aim to be finished for 4.00pm.

COURSE AIMS
This training course is designed to familiarise users with the main features of Microsoft Office Excel. It is entirely ‘hands on’, so those attending will get practice in creating and modifying actual spreadsheets. Please bring along your laptop to get the most from the course.

TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is intended for new users of Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 or 2016 who want to become productive in the shortest possible time. Delegates should be familiar with using a PC with the Microsoft Windows operating system, but no prior experience with Excel is required.

PLEASE NOTE: VERSIONS COVERED This course covers 2010, 2013, 2016 and Office 365 versions

Book Here


Delivering a Profitable Project

Date: Tuesday 1st October 2024
Time: 9am to 12.30pm
Price: £80 +VAT members / £110 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

Practical strategies from bid to completion

This workshop covers how to run a profitable project, from tender through project launch and delivery, to completion.

After this half-day course participants will be able to:

  • Understand client needs and requirements to create a competitive bid
  • Apply team-building and communication strategies to align sales and operations teams
  • Implement pricing strategies, including calculating costs, and factoring in profit margins
  • Create and manage timelines to meet project deadlines
  • Identify, assess and manage project risks
  • Use effective stakeholder communication and expectation management
  • Apply financial management strategies for creating and managing budgets, tracking expenses, and analysing project profitability
  • Conduct post-project reviews, identifying areas for improvement, and capturing lessons learned
  • Implement strategies for effective project closeout

Book Here


Every Customer is a VIP: How to Consistently Deliver a 5-Star Customer Experience

Date: Wednesday 2nd October 2024
Time: 10am to 4pm
Price: £140 +VAT members / £175 + VAT non-members
Venue: Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor Broadacre House, 16-20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DA

It doesn’t matter what market sector you’re in, or what you are selling. The fact is EVERY business is capable of delivering a 5-star service. This workshop will help you deliver a 5-Star customer experience every time.

We will explore the essential elements of the customer experience and how to raise the bar on your day-to-day customer service. Your customers will love you for it.

Workshop Includes:

  • Introduction: Why Satisfied is No Longer Good Enough
  • Difference Between 3*, 4* and 5* Service
  • Customer Needs, Wants & Expectations
  • Moments of Truth and Why They Matter
  • Dissatisfied, Satisfied and Highly Satisfied
  • How to Delight Your Customer So They Come Back for More

Book Here


Succession planning

Date: Tuesday 8th October 2024
Time: 9am to 10.30am and 11am to 12.30pm (two sessions)
Price: £100 +VAT members / £140 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

Developing a Plan for succession brings clarity to strategic planning and builds confidence.

Key considerations include:

  • What do you want the business to “look like” when you “hand things over”
  • When to start planning
  • Team Development
  • Succession “handover” Planning
  • What do you want your role to look like
  • Risk Management

Plus if succession is driven by a business sale/ management buy out – other key factors will include

  • Business Value
  • Buyer Readiness
  • Access to Finance

Training delivered by Andy Bate – click here to read more about Andy

Book Here


Sole Trader – Managing your Bookkeeping – 2 Part Training

Date: Wednesday, 9th of October 2024 + Wednesday, 30th of October 2024
Time: 10am to 1pm
Price: £150 +VAT members / £200 + VAT non-members
Venue: Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor Broadacre House, 16-20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DA

This course is to enable Sole Traders to manage their own bookkeeping to enable them to track & be in control of their business numbers, enabling them to have self-assessment information in a timely manner to avoid financial overwhelm. This course will focus on FreeAgent.

In part 1 you will learn-

  • Bookkeeping – Why & How!
  • Business appropriate bank accounts
  • Suitable accounting software – FreeAgent
  • Set up the accounting software & linking your bank account
  • Cash Account
  • Basic functions
  • How to navigate within FreeAgent
  • Expenses – What can I claim?
  • Receipt Capture
  • Mileage claims
  • Setting up new customers & suppliers

In part 2 you will learn-

  • Sales – accounting for sales
  • Creating & sending sales invoices
  • Sending statements & Credit Control
  • Purchase Invoices
  • Recording a purchase invoice
  • Setting up a bank account and feed
  • Reconciling a bank account
  • Viewing and understanding basic reports
  • Using the information from the reports
  • Preparing information for self-assessment

A Q&A will follow at the end of each session also.

Book Here


Maximise the Profit from your Existing Customers

Date: Wednesday 16th October 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm
Price: £140 +VAT members / £175 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

The business growth challenge for many business centers on new customers when there are often so many opportunities with existing ones that are missed.  In this online workshop Lee will introduce the audience to the key elements of growing existing customers relationships and how portfolio analysis, share of wallet and customer profiling has helped companies like Tesco and Ford grow.
This course takes place online.

Book Here


Intermediate Excel

Date: Wednesday, 23rd October 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm
Price: £120 +VAT Chamber members / £199 + VAT non members
Venue: Winters Park Conference Centre, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8RQ

DURATION
This is a one-day training course structured into 7 modules. Commencing 9.00am We will have an introduction then the course will commence at 09.30am. We aim to be finished for 4.00pm.

COURSE AIMS
This training course is designed to familiarise users with the main features of Microsoft Office Excel. It is entirely ‘hands on’, so those attending will get practice in creating and modifying actual spreadsheets. Please bring along your laptop to get the most from the course.

TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is intended for new users of Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 or 2016 who want to become productive in the shortest possible time. Delegates should be familiar with using a PC with the Microsoft Windows operating system, and basic prior experience with Excel is required.

PLEASE NOTE: VERSIONS COVERED This course covers 2010, 2013, 2016 and Office 365 versions

Book Here


Become a Scheduling Superstar

Date: Tuesday 29th October 2024
Time: 10am to 1pm
Price: £50 +VAT members / £75 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

Feel like time is running away with you? Want to squeeze more out of your working week? Want more work-life balance? Then your schedule is key!

In this super-productive session we will look at top scheduling tips to get more stuff done in less time, explore when is the right time for you to do different activities for optimal effect, and give you some time to reflect on how you want your time to be spent… rather than time running away with you. Come join digital productivity specialist, Liz Hardwick, for a fast paced, top tips and activities full session!

By the end of this session you will know:

*How to best track your actions each week

*Learn what Chronotypes are and why they matters

*Top calendar hacks to optimise your time

*Questions to prompt your reflection of what you do each week, and where there might be wiggle-room for a better work-life balance

Book Here


Digital Transformation

Date: Tuesday 5th November 2024
Time: 9am to 10.30am and 11am to 12.30pm (two sessions)
Price: £100 +VAT members / £140 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

What does digital transformation really mean?

The 3 key approaches to digital transformation

  • Using data to inform
  • Using Systems to optimise
  • Enhancing systems to improve performance

The 3 key things not to forget when it comes to digital transformation

  • People
  • Process
  • Culture

The 6 key mistakes not to make when it comes to digital transformation

Training delivered by Andy Bate – click here to read more about Andy

Book Here


Eat for Better Business

Date: Tuesday 12th November 2024
Time: 10am to 4pm
Price: £100 +VAT members / £150 + VAT non-members
Venue: Quaker Tapestry Museum, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, LA9 4BH

Good business results are delivered by high performing individuals.  For great work you need to be at your best without suffering any afternoon slump or fuzzy thinking.    Sustained energy, good concentration, robust health and stable mood are all directly linked to food and drink.  That means putting the right things in your body.  You wouldn’t try to run your computer on gas or your car on jet fuel, but with confusing food messages all around us it’s hard to know what’s best.

You might eat a diet you consider to be very healthy by currently fashionable thinking; low in fat with lots of fruit and veg., but still suffer energy, health, weight and mental problems.  When we watch sport, we expect the performance of athletes to be linked to diet.  Actually, it’s the same for us all.  You can enjoy a more vibrantly healthy life when you learn to eat well.

Former UKAEA Windscale Head of Safety and ex-international archer, Jackie Wilkinson will blow your preconceptions and talk about real food.  Her own life was dramatically changed when she learned to eat well.

Find out how you can do the same

This interactive workshop is designed to give delegates relaxed confidence to make wise food choices for a better life at work and home.

It includes information input, demonstrations, individual reflection, small group and full group work, food samples, action setting and the busting of many currently fashionable food myths to help you feel great and work at the top of your game.

Enlivening businesses and individuals through sound nutrition advice

Outcome Goals

By the end of this interactive workshop, delegates will:

  • know the importance of diet
  • have identified the impact on work
  • understand why we eat and what we need
  • recognise better breakfasts and lunches
  • understand the effect of sugar and soon-to-be-sugar
  • know how to nourish the brain
  • appreciate the importance of meal breaks
  • have defined a personal goal to eat for better business

Book Here


Well-being at Work

Date: Thursday 14th November 2024
Time: 10am to 1pm
Price: £75 +VAT members / £100 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

Work-related stress, depression and anxiety has risen exponentially over the last decade, as many of us have found it difficult to strike a healthy balance that allows for work and professional development, without paying the price with our mental health.  This 3 hour workshop will equip you with knowledge, awareness and tools to help protect your mental health from risk factors, such as stress, associated with the modern workplace.  In this workshop you will:

– Learn about the 5 Dimensions of Well-being

– Understand the relationship between your work and your well-being

– Identify your work stressors

– Understand the psychology of stress

– Develop / learn strategies for protecting your mental health

Book Here


The Role of the Director

Date: Wednesday 20th November 2024
Time: 10am to 4pm
Price: £200 +VAT members / £250 + VAT non-members
Venue: Online

Why attend this training day

  • Develop a thorough understanding of director duties and legal responsibilities
  • Acquire practical strategies to effectively fulfil the role of a director and safeguard both personal and organisational interests
  • Build confidence in addressing boardroom challenges and navigating complex corporate environments
  • Gain essential knowledge on board functions, roles of board members, and corporate governance best practices
  • Enhance awareness of statutory requirements and compliance obligations
  • Explore real-world scenarios to grasp the nuances of corporate decision-making and risk management
  • Understand the importance of mitigating legal risks
  • Learn how to conduct efficient and productive board meetings while adhering to best practices
  • Receive insights into maintaining a balance between strategic direction and operational management within the organisation
  • Empower yourself with the tools and knowledge necessary to advance your career as a current or aspiring director

Overview

With a focus on real-world scenarios, this course provides an understanding of director duties and legal responsibilities. Current and aspiring directors will gain insight into how to carry out the role effectively, and to protect themselves and the organisation from potential liabilities.

You’ll leave with confidence to tackle boardroom challenges, and equipped to take your career to the next level.

Content includes:

✓ How the board functions

✓ Board members’ roles – identifying the differences between direction, management and ownership
✓ An overview of statutory books
✓ How to run an effective board meeting, and deliver best practice in the boardroom
✓ Corporate variety
✓ The legal role of directors and trustees, and their compliance
✓ Companies Act 2006
✓ A director’s guide to staying out of jail

Book Here


Advanced Excel

Date: Wednesday, 27th November 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm
Price: £120 +VAT Chamber members / £199 + VAT non members
Venue: Winters Park Conference Centre, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8RQ

DURATION
This is a one-day training course structured into 7 modules. Commencing 9.00am We will have an introduction then the course will commence at 9.30. We aim to be finished for 4.00pm.

COURSE AIMS
This training course is designed to familiarise users with the main features of Microsoft Office Excel. It is entirely ‘hands on’, so those attending will get practice in creating and modifying actual spreadsheets.
Please bring along your laptop to get the most from the course.

TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is intended for more competent users of Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 or 2016 who want to become productive in the shortest possible time. Delegates should be familiar with using a PC with the Microsoft Windows operating system, and prior experience with Excel is required.

PLEASE NOTE: VERSIONS COVERED This course covers 2010, 2013, 2016 and Office 365 versions

Book Here