Food Industry Strategic Growth Programme
What is the Food Industry Strategic Growth Programme?
It is a two-year executive development programme to enhance the leadership capabilities of
the employees of Irish food and drink companies.
Tailor-made for the food industry with leadership themes in agribusiness at its core, it will be delivered on a phased
basis over two years by UCD Smurfit School in partnership with leading international faculty from Harvard Business
School and IMD Switzerland.
This is an unrivalled opportunity for companies to invest in people development in a structured way, supported by the
resources and experience of Ireland’s leading business school and assured of a focus in industry through the
stewardship and support of Bord Bia.
Who can participate?
What does it involve?
Group A: Bord Bia Marketing Fellowhsip Alumni: These are graduates of the
Participation at workshops
at the UCD Smurfit
School at Blackrock,
delivered on a phased
basis over the two years,
The schedule for workshops is outlined below.
Bord Bia Fellowship programme who have secured employment with Irish food, drink
and horticulture companies upon the completion of the Fellowship programme.
Bord Bia will support your investment as an employer of Fellowship alumni in two key
ways. (1) Educational support by way of course fees on the programme, (2) Bord Bia
will also fund a UCD stipend of €10,000 per annum for two years to this group subject to
key terms and conditions which are outlined in more detail at page 3 below.
Group B: Existing employees of Irish food drink and horticulture companies
This is a superb learning platform for food industry executives who have an appetite for
further learning. Their participation will be funded by companies who welcome the
opportunity to invest in their development and who recognise the benefits to
organizations which accrue from human capital development. The investment per
delegate is €5,800 for the two year programme.
Completion of a strategic
developm ent
project
which will be designed by
the delegate and his/her
employer to add value to
the employer organization
and business goals.
When does it begin? How long is it for?
Four modules, which are detailed below and which have leadership at their core, will be delivered over a total of
twelve days during the two-year programme. These will be delivered in four blocks of three days, phased over the
programme duration. These are strategically timed to minimize business interruption and to enable delegates to
optimize focus.
Module 1: Strategic Planning & Organisational Development for International Growth
Module 2: Leadership Themes in Food & Agribusiness
Module 3: Building Advantage in International Markets
Module 4: The Execution Oriented Leader
4th December 2010 (3 days)
April 2011 (Easter – 3 days)
December 2011(3 days)
April 2012 (Easter – 3 days)
I am interested. How can I learn more?
Your Bord Bia Sector Manager: Contact him/her in the first instance by phone/email.
Webinar: We invite you to participate in a thirty minute webinar session with Bord Bia and UCD Smurfit School where you
can learn more and ask any questions you may have.
Monday 13th September :
12.00 – 12.30
Thursday 16th September:
4.30pm – 5.00 pm
To register your interest please contact Megan Reilly at Bord Bia on 01 614 2203 or at megan.reilly@bordbia.ie by Monday
12th September.
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Overview of Modules & Workshop Delivery Dates
Four modules with leadership in Agribusiness at their core will be delivered over a total of twelve days during
the two-year period.
Module 1:
Module 2:
Module 3:
Module 4:
MODULE 1:
Strategic Planning & Organisational Development for International Growth
14th December 2010 (3 days)
Leadership Themes in Food & Agribusiness
Late April 2011 (Easter, 3 days)
Building Advantage in International Markets
Mid December 2011 (3 days)
The Execution Oriented Leader
Early April 2012 (Easter, 3 days)
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL
GROWTH
Effective international market development requires the design and implementation of a pragmatic and
actionable plan. This module will emphasise the steps required to develop such a plan. Topics covered include
identifying a company’s competitive advantage and how to leverage it in international markets; evaluating
which strategic activities to own and which to execute through alliances or outsourcing; and identifying the
extent to which an organisation should be internationally diversified in businesses and markets.
MODULE 2:
LEADERSHIP THEMES IN FOOD AND AGRIBUSINESS
This module will identify the major trends, sectors and pathways along which future growth in the food industry
will be secured. The outcome will be a wider understanding of the potential for growth in the food sector. The
module will be led by Mary Shelman, Director of the Harvard Business School Agribusiness Programme.
Members of the Alumni Programme will join the Bord Bia Marketing Fellows for this module.
MODULE 3:
BUILDING ADVANTAGE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Competitive advantage is built upon a base of knowing how to compete, where to compete, who to compete
with and when to compete. This module will consider each of these issues, including: identifying high potential
international markets for entry; understanding the implications of order of entry into markets; building
advantage in aggressive retail environments;, dealing with international and local competitors; and adjusting
marketing strategy to cope with local customer requirements while understanding the implications of such
changes for the organisation.
MODULE 4:
THE EXECUTION ORIENTED LEADER
The explicit purpose of this overall programme is to develop the international sales and marketing capability of
Bord Bia client companies. Therefore, this module focuses on enabling new leaders to foster a climate that
inspires change through personal leadership and individual action. It will also consider how to align culture,
strategy and structure to drive change and significantly enhance performance. This module will be led by a faculty member from a leading international business school.
THE STRATEGIC RESEARCH PROJECT
Through the strategic research assignment, the delegate assists in driving the company’s long-term
development by defining and solving strategic problems, enhancing the organisation’s effectiveness or exploring
business
opportunities.
Participants on the programme will work with their employer to define and scope a project of long-term strategic
value to the company. For the benefit of all parties, it is recommended that the project is aligned to the role being
performed by the company employee while offering an opportunity to add strategic value to their role and their
organisation.
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture