Training on Networking, Marketing and Negotiation Skills @ College of Agriculture, Vijayapur

Online Training on “Networking, Marketing and Negotiation Skills” was organized at College of Agriculture, Vijayapur under the guidance of H’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. M. B. Chetti and Dean (Agri), Dr. S. B. Kalaghatagi under World Bank assisted ICAR-NAHEP-Institutional Development Plan (IDP) project. The programme aim was to impart knowledge on importance of networking, marketing and negotiation skills for development of sustainable business ideas among the students and faculty. Dr. P. U. Krishnaraj, Principal Investigator of the project, in his opening remarks, highlighted importance of networking, marketing, and negotiation in any business. He opined that an entrepreneur with good skills of above can take the business to newer heights and the whole concept of marketing is dependent on good networking and negotiation skills which are important components to become successful entrepreneur.

Dr. Shuchi Mathur, Assistant Director at National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur gave a comprehensive overview on idea generation and how to take the idea to business level. She opined that, off late many startups are being set up by the youngsters because of their exposure to competitive world. She briefly explained the different components of communication are advertising, personal selling; public relation, sales promotion and publicity are important to have effective communication. She also covered aspects of marketing and key marketing areas etc. Elaborated on the various marketing skills viz, communication, negotiation and network, collaboration with sales team, strength and weakness of own, marketing study and capability of customer service. Mr. Premkumar Rathod, an alumnus of UAS Dharwad and Founder of KisanSaathi Company while sharing experience motivated students with his own example and explained how networking plays a pivotal role in expanding business. He briefed about the quality skills needed to establish good network and make the business sustainable. He explained about strong institutionalized networking system of Amul, KMF and SHG in India which helped them to grow higher level. Key negotiation skills for an entrepreneurship were described by Mr. Abhilash Mohan, who used several examples & videos to make it interesting and effective for the participants to understand about negotiation and how it works in business environment. He also opined that negotiation is all about agreement not an argument, and it is a process by which compromise or agreement for settling the differences to solve the problem. He also empasized on respecting personal values and being ethical while negotiating.  Dr. K. V. Ashalata, Associate Coordinator of the project introduced the resource persons. Dr. M. D. Patil, extended welcome and moderated the programme. Dr. S. S. Dolli while proposing vote of thanks highlighted the activities taken up under the project to orient students towards entrepreneurship.