Skip to main content
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, where business belongs.

Search

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

Resource topics

15 results shown
How to draw up a legally-binding employment contract between employer and employee, covering key terms and conditions including pay and leave.
People management can be challenging for small firms that don’t have a dedicated HR department; here’s how to tackle some common personnel issues
UK businesses have to comply with auto-enrolment workplace pension laws. This step-by-step guide explains exactly what to do and when.
For business owners in need of an extra pair of hands, the prospect of cheap, or even free, labour, can be very enticing. But what does the law say?
How to recruit effectively - our guide to understanding what you need, attracting candidates and assessing their skills, experience and attitude.
Skilled interviewing is important to make sure you recruit the right person. How to interview candidates, and common mistakes to avoid.
Every business needs a variety of skills to be run effectively - use our checklist to find out how to make this happen.
Recruiting new staff will usually mean interviewing applicants. This checklist covers the basics of holding interviews.
Recruiting a graduate can give your business an influx of talent, enthusiasm and fresh ideas - our guide to attracting suitable candidates.
It's vitally important to make sure you hire the right person with the right skills to fill company needs. Read how to recruit successfully.
Our step-by step guide to inducting new employees into your business, providing everything they need and helping them feel settled.
All employees are entitled to a written statement of employment setting out the main terms and conditions. Read these FAQs covering the essentials.
CVs play a key role in the recruitment process, by helping employers to assess someone's experience, key achievements and knowledge. Stacey Mead, HR Director at The HR Dept, explains what you should look out for.
Despite 300,000 people graduating each year, historically relatively few end up one of the nation's 4.8m small firms. But things are changing.
Successful SMEs are only as good as their people. But finding great staff is not always easy. We explain what you should look for.