Launching a food and drink startup with Philip Banfield

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Launching a food and drink startup with Philip Banfield

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Monday, May 18, 2015 · 6:30 - 9:30pm GMT+1

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Learn the strategic essentials of breaking into the food market, from the founder of business development specialists VentureField

So you've developed a delicious food product – now begins the hard work of getting it onto the shelves. To do that, you'll need to build a brand that makes your product attractive, and a strategy than makes your company competitive. In business, there's no substitute for experience, but with this course, renowned development consultant Philip Banfield offers startups an enviably effective cheat sheet.

This comprehensive evening course will help you to better understand what consumers will love about your product, and how to assimilate that into a viable business plan. From manufacturing your product and designing your packaging to managing your costs, VentureField founder Philip provides a clear-sighted overview of the food industry, and how to get a foothold in the business. Mixing presentations, discussions and exercises, this highly practical event give you the skills to workshop your product and tackle common hurdles for startups in this notoriously competitive marketplace. It's an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs to get advice and feedback from a tutor with a cast iron business pedigree and a rightly famous reputation for transforming businesses for the better.

This course is for you if...

  • You're confident you have a good food product but are new to the branding and business sides of the food industry
  • You've recently launched a food product and have encountered complications with your business, or simply want expert guidance in handling your busines
  • You're a small-scale food entrepreneur seeking clarity about the food market from a business leader with relevant expertise

Course description

This courses mixes presentations, discussions and exercises to help attendees better understand their product, the manufacturing process and the essentials of branding, in order to develop skills to compete in the food industry. Renowned business consultant Philip Banfield also offers individual feedback on attendees' products. Topics covered include:

  • Your big idea: what is your product?
  • The basics of branding: what makes your product special?
  • Finance: is your product commercially viable?
  • Getting ready for market: a step-by-step guide
  • Manufacturing: from processing to packaging – how do you outsource?
  • Costs: what to expect, and how to budget for the unexpected
  • Design: what works, and how to commission it
  • Communication and customer strategy: getting your message right
  • Understanding the market: what is a brand, why is it important and what can go wrong?
  • Organisational behaviour: how to make the most of what you've got

Tutor profile

Philip Banfield is the founder and managing director of VentureField, a consultancy that specialises in helping startups and established businesses step change their commercial performance. A former executive for companies including M&S and Associated British Foods, over the past six years Philip has successfully advised the founders, management teams and investors of many food, drink, health and beauty and retail businesses, including One Water, Burton's Biscuits and CafePod.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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