Event Details

The aim of this one day course is to provide business principals and managers with the knowledge and skills to market their business and products in a cost effective and relevant manner.

It demystifies a number of marketing myths and explains in a straightforward manner how even the smallest business can benefit from effective marketing.  Trainees are shown how good marketing doesn’t have to rely on large advertising budgets and expensive agencies but is more a ‘frame of mind’, channelled and supported by the marketing plan.

Written for micro-businesses and SMEs operating in the timber supply chain, the principles learnt can be equally well applied to any business or product.

Course Content

The course focuses on the production of a marketing plan and a number of tools and techniques which can be used to aid marketing.

Sessions include:-

What is marketing? How does it differ from selling?

When – and why – might you need a marketing plan?

Writing a Marketing Plan

• Business Strategy
• Marketing Audit
• Marketing Objectives
• Action Plan
• Implementation
• Review & Evaluation

General Information

Whilst classroom based, this is a very ‘hands-on’ course (no Powerpoint presentations) with lots of practical examples and exercises taken from the forestry and woodfuel supply sectors for trainees to participate in.  Participants are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and examples of ‘best practice’, in the process appreciating that co-operation can be a good thing!

The course is supported by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) for which Defra is the Managing Authority, part funded (or financed) by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.

Cost

The cost of this course is £48+VAT (with RDPE funding) or £158+VAT without funding.  The funded rate is offered subject to confirmation of eligibility and requires the full completion of the RDPE Skills Framework Trainee Enrolment and Declaration and also the RDPE Skills Framework Trainee Feedback forms, copies of which are available from Erica at erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk or by telephoning the office on 01765 609355.

All course material and light refreshments will be provided.