Small Business Forum - Tuesday

Russell has an MA in Communication Design and over 16 years experience working in design and branding. This includes being part of the team designing the first Apple Store concept, and projects for clients such as Tesco, Nike, Vodafone, MTV and the COI. His Art Direction for Jumeirah Hotel group won the prestigious World Luxury Award. A partner at ico Design he works with a number of clients including Karaway bakery, Clerkenwell Green caterers, Yoobi sushi and Snog amongst others.

This seminar will cover:

• Developing a successful food brand, what you need to know
• Defining your point of difference and communicating it 
• How to use social media effectively
• Building in scaleability from the start

Russell will also be offering advice in the Business Mentoring Centre on the following subjects:

Branding and design for food, how to develop a point of difference, how to bring a brand to market, mistakes to avoid, the importance of social media and how to use it to engage not just broadcast.

Andy is a highly skilled purchasing and supply chain professional, with specific expertise in the Foodservice market. This has been gained from twelve years’ experience at the forefront of the industry.

Andy’s career started at Compass Group – the world’s largest Foodservice provider.  It was here, that Andy honed his creating problem solving skills, developing  a real passion for delivering simple yet effective solutions within the often complex purchasing and supply chain environment of the Foodservice world. 

In 2010, Andy founded ‘Hungry for Success’, a consultancy offering purchasing and supply chain expertise to the Foodservice industry. From coffee shops to restaurant chains, ‘Hungry for Success’ takes the purchasing methods used within the big Foodservice companies and applies them to your business, helping you deliver a cheaper, more efficient and simpler supply chain. ‘Hungry for Success’ also works with suppliers to help bring exciting new products to the market.

This seminar will cover:

• Applying big business buying principles to small and medium size businesses
• Practical tips on how to save money on what you purchase
• Advice on becoming more efficient and freeing up time to manage your buying
• Key areas for consideration when sourcing a supplier
• Do and Don’ts for on-going supplier management

Andy will also be offering advice in the Business Mentoring Centre on the following subjects:

Sourcing products and suppliers, supplier management, ensuring you pay a fair price, making time for purchasing and advice on entering the foodservice market

Prior to joining the team at The Hummingbird Bakery as Commercial Director, Jane headed up the catering at Earls Court and Olympia Exhibition Centre and London Zoo. Jane has been instrumental in preparing Hummingbird Bakery for rapid UK and international franchise growth.  With many years experience of recruiting, training, managing and motivating staff, Jane provides a refreshing, down to earth approach to managing and keeping your team happy.

This seminar will cover:

• You don’t have to like everybody!  It isn’t essential to be their best friend and more often than not it helps not to be.
• Why don’t they understand me? Mind reading and other tricks that help you achieve this.
• They never do as I tell them to? Ways of providing clear information and setting staff expectations that will help staff succeed rather than fail.
• Never lower your expectations. It is possible to recruit and train staff who will be your brand ambassadors.
• What to do when it feels like all the staff are ganging up on you? Sticking your head in the sand is not always the best answer...

Jane will also be offering advice in the Business Mentoring Centre on the following subjects:

Franchising, brand development, business growth, recruiting and managing teams

Christina  has worked  in the food and related industries for the past 15 years and Joined Fareshare in the summer of 2010 from  for a major food manufacturer  for six years.  She works with food retailers, manufacturers and distributors to help them find a sustainable and ethical  solution to the mounting issue of food waste and manufacturing surplus. With a professional Diploma  in management and extensive experience in saves and marketing, Christina is keen to help companies of all sizes  do the right thing with their waste.

This seminar will cover:

• Why you need to action this today
• The true cost of manufacturing surplus on your profit and reputation
• How food redisribution works - why it could work for you
• What's in it for you
• How brands are getting on board and why