Leadership Development Programme

Our programme is designed as a personal development and learning experience - to be delivered one day per month over a 12-month period.  Delegates will be expected to take away the knowledge they acquire, and between sessions, apply their new-found skills in the workplace.  The programme is designed to enable the delegates to acquire new skills, make an impact, and most importantly ensure that they add value to their organisation.  

Delegates will receive an in-depth personal profile as the foundation of their leadership skills development.           

The days are planned to include report back sessions on set projects, inter-active training, discussion and sharing of best practice.  There will also be a guest lunch time Speaker. The Speaker will be someone from either within the industry, or an expert on the topic of the day.

Each session will cover a range of topics as follows:

Session One

Communication Skills - written, spoken and listening - good communication is the key to our success and runs through all that we do.  
What is the Difference between Leadership and Management - both skills are needed to run our businesses in the 21st Century.
Self-Understanding - we need to understand our own strengths & weaknesses and recognise & value the differences in others.  

Session Two

How to Run Effective Meetings - meetings can take up a lot of time with few results - make them short, objective and effective.
Planning and Project Management - good planning and the monitoring of performance are essential to the success of businesses..
Problem Solving - finding solutions and avoid taking on other peoples' problems.

Session Three

Personal Organisation and Time Management - make the most of your time; identify the important issues and act upon them.
Stress Control Management - understand what causes stress and the impact it can have on you, your business and the people around you.
Effective Delegation - are you doing too much?  Fear of letting go?  Leaders create the environment where people want to take responsibility.

Session Four

Questioning and Listening skills, used in a variety of situations - e.g. appraisals, disciplinary meetings and recruiting.
Coaching Skills -  for improved team and individual performance.

Session Five

Negotiating Skills - aim for a win-win result in all relationships and negotiating situations, whether at work, leisure or home.

Session Six

Presentation skills - control those nerves; deliver a clear, concise and professional presentation. Videoed so that you can see how others view you, and how improvements can be made with practice.

Session Seven

Managing within the Law - how to handle disciplinary issues, be aware of the impact employment legislation has and the areas it covers.

Session Eight

The Recruitment Process and Interviewing Techniques - How to recruit cost effectively and avoid having a square peg in a round hole.

Session Nine

Finance for non-financial managers - understanding the importance of numbers not just profit and loss accounts.

Session Ten

Account and Category Management - covers the principles and process of account management, building better relationships and creating entry and exit barriers for your customers. The  session examines what Category Management is, how it is used, and the role of the supplier in working with their customers in a category management environment.

Session Eleven

Motivation - different people are motivated by different things, how to get the best out of them.
Teamwork - combining leadership with management to create a High Performance Team.

Session Twelve

Image - leaders are 'on stage' all the time. Do you project a professional image?
Lunch - Delegates Sponsors will be invited to lunch and attend the afternoon session when delegates will present their final report and projects. This will be followed by the Delegates Graduation.

The development programme covers areas that are key to the fresh produce and horticultural industries in the 21st century.  It is designed to be highly interactive and as a result will evolve as necessary; we therefore welcome feedback from the delegates and the sponsors.