Business Development Programs

Free practical business advice for retailers

The Reed Gift Fairs Business Development Programs are short seminars providing practical business advice for retailers. Take away some great ideas from some of Australia’s leading experts on how to improve your business, save time and money and increase your revenues.

Online Bookings Closed                                                               Meet the Speakers

What doing the Kokoda Trail taught me about Passionate Retailing?

Presented by David Wilson – Business Coach FAICD

Saturday 11 September 11am – 12pm
Monday 13 September 3.30pm – 4.30pm

In the jungle of Business we are always wondering what is over the next hill, how we will handle the situation. This session will demonstrate to you how life saving skills and techniques will allow you to get to your peak of success of Retailing.

A complimentary work book including all templates will be provided to all who attend, plus a free download of David’s Book ‘Business is not Rocket Science’.


 

The Importance and Purpose of Change and Innovation

Presented by Federico Re – Founder and Director, Creative Entrepreneur

Saturday 11 September 1pm – 2pm
Sunday 12 September 11am – 12pm

Explore ways to apply innovation and change in your business, by better understanding global lifestyle and fashion trends, and examining consumer behaviour. Apply the ‘right’ strategies and philosophies that businesses must adopt, in order to remain competitive and successful, in the Australian and global marketplaces.

 

Controlling Your Buying

Presented by Debra Templar – Australian Retail Services

Saturday 11 September 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Each and every piece of merchandise is important to the success of a retail shop.  If you have too much merchandise, it’ll stay in your shop longer than it should, and your shop will be crowded.  You’ll eventually have to mark it down, reducing your profits. On the other hand, if you have too little merchandise, your shop will look empty.

The goal of this seminar is to show you how to buy merchandise, negotiate the best price, price your merchandise for maximum profits and finally recognise when enough is enough.


  

Visual Merchandising for the small(er) retailer

Presented by Debra Templar – Australian Retail Services

Saturday 11 September 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Sunday 12 September 3pm – 4pm

Visual merchandising has evolved from its origins as a shop’s decorative arts to its current status as a sales-supportive entity, which impacts shop design, shop signage, merchandise placement, atmospherics and shop image. The way you display your merchandise can have an impressive impact on your sales – 25% of all sales come from the way merchandise is displayed.

This seminar will walk you through visual merchandising steps from the outside of your shop, through the shopping experience, Point of Sale and back out onto the street.


  

Local Area Marketing

Presented by Debra Templar – Australian Retail Services

Sunday 12 September 1pm – 2pm

The more you know about your potential customers, the easier it is to make them your customers. No matter what you do, your business will stand for something in the minds of your customers, and potential customers. That something is your niche, also known as positioning.
This seminar will look at cost-effective methods of marketing: all designed for you to own your niche. Chockablock full of things you can do tomorrow – and, you won’t go broke doing them!

 

Do you have your people doing what they are best at, or just doing their best?

Presented by Glenn Dobson – Managing Director, Kona Group

Sunday 12 September 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Just because someone has put their hand up and is asking for a role doesn't mean you should give them the job. Assigning the wrong person to a task, ignoring important tasks or failing to resolve conflict can have costly consequences. In this presentation Glenn will give individuals valuable insights into the way your staff prefer to work and their preferred role within a team. This feedback will help you to improve team processes and performance, which will in turn improve motivation and job satisfaction, and long term, successful employees and colleagues.


  

Extraordinary Experiences

Presented by Jon Bird – CEO, IdeaWorks

Monday 13 September 11am – 12pm

“Experience” is the most over-used word in retail today. So what is the true definition of a retail “experience”? Who’s doing it well around the world? And how can you learn from the world’s most extraordinary experiences to improve what you’re doing in retail? In a highly visual and colourful presentation, Jon Bird will share the latest and greatest retail experiences from around the world and draw lessons for Australian retailers.

 

Find Your Perfect Match

Presented by Michael Neaylon – Director, MCME

Monday 13 September 1pm – 2.30pm

What makes the perfect retailer / wholesaler relationship? Does such a partnership exist? In this highly interactive seminar, we discover your partnership might not be perfect, but it can be a success. Packed with real stories from new and leading wholesalers and retailers, find out how you can make these vital relationships transparent, enjoyable… and profitable. Make it a date.