Launch a food and drink business with Philip Banfield

Learn the strategic essentials of breaking into the food and drink market from business development consultant Philip Banfield, who has worked with the likes of CafePod, Rebel Kitchen and Plenish.

Maybe you’ve developed a delicious food product and want to get it onto the shelves. Or perhaps you’ve noticed a gap in the food market and have an excellent idea for filling it, but need guidance for developing a solid business plan. Whether you’re looking to quit the 9-to-5 to follow your food and drink passions, or want to develop a better strategy that places your brand a head above the rest, you’ll want to read on…

In this highly practical course, you will learn the skills to workshop your product or develop your idea, no matter how advanced it is. You will also come away with an understanding of the common hurdles new food and drink businesses come across, and the confidence to overcome them yourself.

Led by renowned business development consultant Philip Banfield, this is an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs-in-the-making to gain valuable advice and feedback. In one inspirational evening, he will take you through the ins and outs of food and drink startups. He will also guide you through the process of escaping the rat race to pursue your dreams of developing your idea and seeing your very own product on the shelves.

Course content

• 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

• Q&A

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 decade Philip has successfully advised the founders, management teams and investors of many food, drink, health and beauty and retail businesses, including CafePod, Rebel Kitchen and Plenish.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible - but please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website