Workshop: Negotiation skills

The grocery landscape continues to be increasingly challenging to navigate. With rising input costs and constant pressures from customers to keep prices low, it can quickly become daunting. 

This is an opportunity to attend a one-day workshop, run by a former supermarket senior buyer turned management consultant.

Ged Futter of The Retail Mind has a wealth of experience from working at senior levels in one of the world’s largest retailers. He is an expert in achieving results that improve relationships and strengthen positions in a relationship.

Anyone in your business who is involved in negotiating contracts, annual pricing or volumes.

The workshop is delivered by an experienced ex-retail buyer, who has worked on both sides of the negotiating table. Using tried and tested processes, this one-day workshop is highly interactive, focused on using real-life examples.

It aims to give you the skills to build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with your buyer and communicate during a negotiation in a way that delivers messages clearly and consistently, aiming for a win-win outcome.

Negotiation training is a key skill for anyone in a business involved in supply contracts, where consideration of pricing, volumes, and a range of other terms have a huge bearing on the sustainability of your business.

Recent events have acted as catalysts that have exposed pre-existing and fundamental weaknesses in the supply chain. The level of risk for farmers and growers is at an all-time high.

Effective negotiation skills are an integral part of any business and, in fact, everyday life.

A previous participant said: “What was particularly useful was Ged explaining the ‘buyers playbook’. After attending the course, I knew exactly what to expect from the buyer and it played out exactly how Ged said it would.” 

The buyer used a range of delay tactics which, thanks to the training, the member was prepared for, meaning they were able to stay calm and in control.  

The participant added: “Because I’d prepared a clear deadline, I knew my numbers, and when the new price had to be applied, I could stay in control and anticipate all the forthcoming tactics. These included drawing out the process, delaying due to line manager sign-off, negotiating on the numbers, ignoring e-mails and attempts to alter the deadline. In the end, I successfully achieved the requests needed.”

NFU members can take advantage of a 40% saving on the price of the workshop, which will cost £300 + VAT. To be eligible, participants must be an NFU Farmer & Grower member.

For non-members, or any other bookings, the training is £500 + VAT.

To secure your place, please email: [email protected].

Spaces are limited and tickets are non-refundable.

Lunch and drinks will be provided.