Following the success of last year’s Cumbria Business Growth Hub Peer to Peer Networks, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has again been awarded funding to further support eligible businesses through the Peer Network initiative.
We have 44 places on offer, with our four remaining groups consisting of 11 business owners or senior managers looking to focus on engagement, collaboration and driving their businesses forward.
The Peer Network is perfect for those looking to:
- Overcome business challenges, discover benchmarking and explore new solutions to problems?
- Identify and take advantage of business opportunities?
- Develop and cultivate a trusted network of business peer connections?
- Evaluate your business style and develop your business skills?
- Share experiences and ideas with likeminded business people?
Facilitated by action learning specialists, these interactive networking sessions are structured in order to ensure each business gains the opportunity to address their business opportunities and challenges and work collaboratively to identify practical solutions in a confidential setting. Further one to one support also helps you apply these ideas to your business.
Here’s what some of last year’s attendees have to say, you can read more in the below case studies.
“The format of each participant presenting a dilemma or issue for their business in their designated session was thought provoking and we all learned things about our circumstances from considering business issues raised by others in our group. It was also really beneficial to develop new relationships and opportunities with other local business owners in a collaborative framework which helped us to learn that we are not alone in facing challenges”
“I immediately knew it was for me, although I had absolutely no idea what to expect I did have hopes of what I was anticipating it would offer. The greatest value I got from the group was knowledge. And knowledge doesn’t expire. The knowledge that I received from the individuals on the group will be with me forever. It was such as wonderful opportunity, that came at perfectly the right time for our business, to connect significantly with other like-minded business leaders across Cumbria”
“As business owners and directors, we are often too close to what we are doing operationally on a day-to-day basis. We are often firefighting and chasing our tails, these 3-hour networking sessions really forced us to detach ourselves from our businesses and listen to the perspectives and challenges of one another.”
“I initially had low expectations, having never taken part in anything of this nature before. But I found the experience quite worthwhile. I was looking for someone who would hold me accountable, would ask me what I was doing, perhaps suggest a change of mindset or even whether I should be re-evaluating what I was doing. And this was certainly the type of feedback and conversation that took place.”
So, if you’re an owner or senior manager of a Cumbrian SME, meet the following criteria and want to solve your challenges with peers, not consultants don’t hesitate to contact us while places are still available:
- Operating for at least one year
- At least five employees (full time or part time)
- Turnover at least £100,000
- Aspirations to improve, grow and develop your business
- Able to commit a minimum of 22 hours over a 3 month period
This opportunity won’t be available for long with our next two groups looking to start in September. So, if you’re interested in getting involved and discovering the power of Peer Networks contact Lesley Robinson – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk for more information!
We can also link you into other Peer support programmes offered through Cumbria Business Growth Hub.
Peer Networks is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).