Business workshops to plan and prosper
Western Australian premium food producers looking to stage their product for luxury domestic and international markets participated in a series of free workshops mid-year. The Plan, Prepare, Prosper business training workshops were hosted at the department’s Specialised Food Centre in Albany.
The workshops were delivered by professional WA business facilitators and designed to help food businesses grow and develop strategies to manage the challenges of running a business. Workshop topics included Strategic Planning, Financial Management, and Sales and Marketing.
Food Industry Innovation project manager Kim Antonio said the workshops were designed to help local food businesses develop robust strategic plans to inform decision making in times of risk and opportunity.
“Regional food businesses operating in isolation can face a mammoth task competing against established international brands and identifying new markets," Mr Antonio said.
Specialised Food Centre manager Nikki Poulish said the workshops provided invaluable opportunities for businesses operating within WA’s premium agrifood sector to identify similarities, share their knowledge and experiences, and develop a collegial network.
“The workshops aim to drive growth, strengthen and sustain local food businesses, and build resilient rural communities,” Mrs Poulish said.
Most participants were seeking ways to expand their sales and market share, and their businesses ranged from start-ups to well established. The workshops gave them an opportunity to openly share their business successes and challenges with industry peers.
The Food Industry Innovation project will continue to offer a range of metropolitan and regionally based training opportunities in 2018, from business planning through to advanced export.
For more information about upcoming courses, email: FoodIndustryInnovation@dpird.wa.gov.au