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Three free online business support events will take place over the next few weeks.

The free meetings, organized by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, are open to all SMEs.

The sessions are:

• Manufacturing in Cumbria: Driving Innovation and Growth, Thursday, October 21, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Know Your Numbers: A Practical Guide for Small Business Executives, Wednesday, October 27th, 8:30 am-10:30am.
• Design for Crime: How to Protect Your Business From The Impact Of Crime, Tuesday, November 23rd, 11am.

The Manufacturing in Cumbria session is jointly hosted by CLEP and Barclays Eagle Labs, Cumbria.

It is aimed at companies across the spectrum of manufacturing, including food and beverage, electronics, healthcare, precision engineering, construction and nuclear engineering, and covers a range of topics including:

• Access to grant funds;
• Ways to finance;
• The benefits of R&D tax credits, patents, and other tax incentives;
• Access to qualified and experienced student researchers.

Know Your Numbers is a hands-on session led by PF Business Consultancy and Moynan Smith accountants that will help attendees understand more about how financial performance affects and influences business decisions. It’s ideal for micro and small businesses looking to plan for future growth and covers the following:

• Understand financial terms and deal with the most important numbers of your company;
• Understand cash flow and working capital;
• Business impact of inventory and inventory turnover;
• Gross profit by product, service and sales channel;
• Difference between sales costs and fixed costs (expenses);
• Accounting procedures and practices;
• Online platforms that can help you manage your business finances.

The Design for Crime session will be hosted by David Thompson and Andy Hunton, Cumbria Constabulary Crime Prevention Officers, who will provide practical information and advice to help businesses identify security risks and take action to reduce physical crime. It will include:

• Crime risk assessments;
• Securing of premises;
• Data security;
• Training of employees;
• Preventing employee theft;
• Disposal of documents;
• Insurance;
• Access control and inventory management.

Lynsey Parke, Business Growth Manager at CLEP said, “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our Cumbrian economy. Whether you’re an early stage start-up or a growing company looking to scale, there is inspiration and support galore right on your doorstep.

“CLEP brings together expert advice, events, masterclasses and mentoring, and offers access to a range of specialized support programs at local and national levels.

“These three events are only part of this program and offer concrete help and orientation on interesting topics. We make it our business to understand the breadth of support available, save you time and give you the freedom to focus on your business. “

To register for the events go to: