Suzanne Caldwell, MD of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, says: “I’ve been working in business support in Cumbria for 25 years now, with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and before that Business Link for Cumbria.

We talk about business support. But what does it mean?

Through our Cumbria Business Growth Hub alone we offer reviews and diagnostics, benchmarking, general and specialist advice, access to finance support, mentoring, coaching, training, seminars and workshops, grants and subsidies, development programmes, peer support, visits and tours, signposting and referrals and more. That’s for the whole spectrum, from potential start-ups to well established, across the range of sizes and sectors, and ranged from those looking to do what they do a bit better and more profitable to those aiming for significant growth. It can just be providing a sounding board and giving frank feedback from someone without a vested interest and who’s not an employee. And that’s just us. Wider offers include things like graduate placements, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and practical facilities for innovation, for example, which are hugely valuable.

I know that over my 25 years I’ve helped some good businesses become great and great ones even better, as well as supporting those with problems. Plus thousands of new ones to start.

It’s struck me recently - is business support the right terminology? Does it make people who could benefit think it’s not for them? I know from long experience what a tremendous impact it can have. But on reflection even I think it sounds tedious and unexciting, about shoring up rather than moving positively forward!

So what should we call it? Answers on a postcard please!