Launch Your Own Chocolate Company!

OVERVIEW: Combining an ‘Introduction to Marketing’ with an interactive, fun-filled day, this event challenges delegates to create and launch their own chocolate company. Teams are guided on how to develop a marketing and product strategy, including designing their own packaging. Additional training then comes from a professional chocolatier who instructs and supports the delegates in the creation of their own unique handmade chocolates. At the end of the day, each team pitches their company to potential "investors", "Dragons' Den" style!

SUITABLE FOR: Small or large groups looking for both a fun and a challenging business angle to their team building day.

NUMBERS: 15–150 delegates 
LOCATION: Indoors 
DURATION:  6 – 7 hrs

TYPICAL ITINERARY:

Morning After a short welcome and overview of the day, golden envelopes containing a million pounds of virtual money are given out to each team. Using interactivity and group work, teams will be guided through the following areas:

Branding: What is a brand?
Competitive Analysis: A review of chocolate company case studies.
Positioning: The importance of differentiating your company and product offering.
Target Market: Who will buy the product and why?
Distribution: Where will they buy the product?
Pricing: The difference between cost and value.
Proposition: What are the main product benefits?
Advertising: The dos and don’ts.

Teams will then develop a one-page marketing and communications plan (to a prepared template) and allocate budgets to product development, research, packaging, distribution and advertising. In the final part of the morning teams will put into practice their new skills creating the packaging design and preparing an advertising campaign to best promote their products.

Afternoon After a relaxing lunch, teams regroup and learn the essential skills of chocolate making. Guided by a professional chocolatier, teams will invent their own unique recipes (in line with their target market and marketing strategy) and create a range of handmade chocolates. Finally, chocolates are placed in the designed packaging and in true "Dragons' Den" fashion, each team will pitch their company, brand and product offer to potential "investors". With a hamper for the winning team, the day reaches an exciting conclusion – but with chocolates to take away no-one leaves empty handed!

SELLING POINTS:
A unique experience – chocolate making with a business angle
Interactive and flexible 
Not weather dependent
Suitable for all ages and enjoyed by both men and women 

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Facilitator for marketing/branding session
Professional chocolatiers and assistants
All ingredients, utensils, microwaves, aprons 
Packaging, boxes and ribbon
Different kinds of chocolate and tasters
Prizes

WHAT WE NEED:
Flip chart for each team with paper
Projector, beamer and screen
Hand washing facilities near to room
Refrigeration (space dependent upon size of group)
Enough table space for everyone to work comfortably
Chairs for all delegates
2-3 additional tables for ingredients, chocolate melting pots
Electrical points
A cool room – ideally air conditioned
½ -1 hr set up time – depends on numbers

GUIDELINE PRICE : Based on 35 - 40 guests, £3400.00 + VAT