RESEARCH from Business Link Northwest reveals the key sectors that are thriving in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald area are advanced engineering, energy and environmental and digital and creative.

INNOVATION is an essential ingredient for survival in today’s tough business environment but you need to be clear about the difference between invention and innovation. Innovation means making practical use of ideas to help you improve productivity and reduce costs.

MANY businesses encounter financial difficulties, but whether you are having trouble paying suppliers, or have received a county court claim, there is lots of help available.

Company: AstSigns Ltd

A GREAT way to help boost your employees’ performance is to introduce an incentive scheme.

Bonds training manager John Forsyth.

Established: 2008

TO keep your business vital you should regularly take a fresh look at it by carrying out a business “health check”. The points below will help you to get started:

A TOTAL of 2,638 businesses in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald’s circulation area have received support from Business Link Northwest in the last three years and the number of businesses using the service has grown significantly year on year.

SINCE it was launched in January, 2009, an initiative that supports training for business leaders and managers in the North West has worked with 45 learners in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald area, helping them access £28,598 towards the cost of training.

Anne Woods and one of her creations

Company: Lakeland Mouldings