CUMBRIA BUSINESS GUIDE
Start up and run a successful small business in Cumbria.

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BUSINESS TIP OF THE DAY

Website names

Your website domain name (web address) does not have to be the same as your business name, but it should contain one of your major keywords, e.g. networking.
Authentic Networking.
(03-09-10)

Understand your costs

There's no point being in business unless you can make money from what you do, so understand all your costs and don't shy away from being honest about the value of your time. When you nail the costs of operating your business, you will gain a greater knowledge of the margins possible.

You don't have to re-invent the wheel, you just need to find the best way of buying and selling one to make a profit!
Ashbourne Colour Print.
(02-09-10)

How to find what IP your business owns

Every business will own some form of intellectual property. It could be the artistic design, shape, technology or brand of your product or process, but do you know how to protect and exploit these intellectual assets?

To find out more why not take a free IP HealthCheck at the following web page.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/whyuse/business/iphealthcheck.htm

The Intellectual Property Office.
(02-09-10)

Don't rush in to committing to office space.

Office space is expensive and usually requires a long term commitment. If you have the resource, working from home keeps your overheads down and if you need a business address it's worth consideing a Virtual office which will project the right company image without the huge overheads.
voxclever.
(01-09-10)

Banks and Plan

Get a good financial plan / cashflow together and negotiate with your bank to get cheaper bank charges and an overdraft just in case you need it during the first difficult few months
Vince Lavin.
(01-09-10)

Would you like to supply a tip of the day? If so, we would be extremely grateful for your help and will be happy to include a live link to your website with every tip used.
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SYOB Home › Cumbria › Cumbria Business

CUMBRIA BUSINESS

If you run a small business in Cumbria or if you are thinking of starting up a new business in Cumbria we hope that you will find this site both interesting and useful.

It has been designed to help you find local firms and business support organisations who will be happy to give you friendly advice as well as provide the services that you may need.

You can search countywide in this section or select your local area...

Carlisle | Keswick | Penrith | Whitehaven | Workington

Local Firms

Although there are plenty of online business directories, it can sometimes be quite difficult to find LOCAL companies who are genuinely keen to support you. For example if you are based in Cumbria, it makes sense to use an accountant, web designer or printer based in Cumbria who is prepared to help small businesses or new business start ups.

Small Business Information

You will find LOCAL information and useful contacts in these Cumbria pages, but we have also created an extensive library of small business information to help give you the best chance of success. The answers to 100's of the most frequently asked business start up questions can also be found, including..

Q. Starting A New Business - What are the key considerations before I start?

Q. Starting A New Business - Should I buy an existing business?

Q. Running A Small Business - Why is it important to have a business plan?

Q. Running A Small Business - What is marketing?

Q. Small Business Funding - How can I raise start up capital?

See the Start Your Own Business home page for a full list of subjects covered.

USEFUL CUMBRIA BUSINESS WEBSITES

Action With Communities In Cumbria. Core business is supporting and delivering community engagement. Working with the people and communities of Cumbria to realise their potential.
http://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk | 01768 840827

Business Link Business Link is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers. Businesslink.gov.uk helps your business save time and money by giving you instant access to clear, simple, and trustworthy information. It is developed in partnership with subject experts within government and relevant business-support organisations to help you comply with regulations and improve your performance. Whether you're starting up, already running a business, or looking to grow and develop, Business Link can help you.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk | 0845 600 9 006

Cumbria Business Education Consortium. CBEC can help link schools and businesses together for mutual benefit, assist teachers with their own professional development, assist schools with work experience placements, help businesses network with other businesses and schools, source resource materials and secure items from business to distribute to schools.
http://www.cbec.co.uk | 01539 567 901

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Membership of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce offers significant benefits for any business looking to develop and expand. We are Cumbria's premier business support and networking organisation. We are the voice of Cumbrian business - representing both SMEs and larger corporate organisations. Membership of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce opens up a wealth of free essential business information and advice, a busy events diary with great networking opportunities, International Trade support, and discounts on a whole range of services. As a member of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, you're in business FOR yourself, not BY yourself
http://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk | 0845 226 0040

Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency. We help both new and existing businesses in the Eden and South Lakeland districts of Cumbria. We also support farmers and rural businesses producing distinctive, Cumbrian products throughout the county.
http://www.crea.co.uk/ | 01768 891 555

Federation of Small Business Lancashire and Cumbria. The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 200,000 members across 33 regions. In addition, Member Services is committed to delivering a wide range of high quality, good value business services to members of the FSB. Regional office: Mercantile House, 347 Garstang Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9UP
http://www.fsb.org.uk | 01772 7712033

InBiz Ltd. The breadth and quality of InBiz services has already changed the lives of more than 20,000 people by helping them into self-employment. More than 1000 people each year take advantage of the skills and experience within InBiz to help them realise their dreams. Enterprise House, 99 Main Street, Hensingham, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 8QX
http://www.inbiz.co.uk | 01244 343 790

Learning and Skills Council - Cumbria. The Learning and Skills Council exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to ensure we have a workforce of world-class standard.
http://www.lsc.gov.uk | 0845 019 4159

West Cumbria Development Agency. West Cumbria Development Agency was established in 1988 to help regenerate the local economy which had been badly hit by re-structuring, particularly in the steel industry. Its central aim is to help create jobs in the Boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland, which together form West Cumbria. This job creation is achieved by helping new businesses start and grow, by assisting local companies to expand and by facilitating inward investment into the area.

http://www.wcda.co.uk | 01900 65656

If you offer a product or service that can help new business start ups or existing small businesses in Cumbria, we would love to hear from you. (Free listing)

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