Drawing on our business experience to bring learning to life

There is nobody better than First Friday at providing training services for retail and other customer-facing businesses.

We are more than just skilled trainers – we are trainers with commercial experience.

Our learning techniques are practical, using real-life examples and encouraging group interaction through exercises and by introducing competitive elements.

50+
Consultants
18
Year experience
100+
Clients

Bespoke or off-the-shelf training

Whether you need something that’s ready-to-go, or something that’s tailored specifically for your organisation’s unique needs, we’ve got you covered.

Blend our experience with your business needs by choosing from our extensive course library, or work with us to create something bespoke to your requirements.

Or select from our tried and tested range of off-shelf training courses in our Academy, developed from our years of experience in a variety of businesses.

Learning tools

  • System simulation
  • Workbooks
  • Animated processes & graphs
  • Quizzes & assessments
  • eBooks, videos, toolkits, user guides
  • Business games
  • Psychometric & strengths profiling

Online or trainer-led

Online training has the advantage of longevity, repeated learning and can more readily become an integral part of your learning offer if you host it within an LMS or LXP.

However, for some training topics a classroom session led by an experienced trainer who can bring the learning to life, check and challenge the delegates and help them with individual queries is the only answer.

In our experience both routes can be extremely effective. The majority of best-in-class training programmes will have a blend of both.

Learning methods

WorkshopsClassroom trainingCoachingMasterclassesE-LearningGamificationVideosSocial learning

Training framework – TNA – Planning

If you’re not quite sure what type of training would be best, the key is to identify the need clearly and precisely. Maybe a single course is sufficient or maybe there’s a need for a blend of skills, systems and process training to support a business transformation project.

Our Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and Delegate Skills Audit services help you to understand the best approach and ensure you get both results and ROI.

We also regularly help businesses to develop their whole training framework designed to deliver training and development from induction to senior levels of skill & competence.

  • Training strategy and approach
  • Training framework development
  • Training need analysis (TNA)
  • Training development and delivery plan
  • Delegate skills audit
  • Capability assessment
  • Assessment centres

Build a competent, confident & productive workforce

Competence within any commercial or customer facing role is underpinned by each individual knowing the why, what and how of their particular role. Our job skills training is grounded in experience and the real business world.

Whether it’s soft skills, technical skills, or retail-specific skills that you need, we’ve got the knowledge and expertise to design and deliver exactly what your business needs to take things to the next level.

Systems transformation training

Get your teams up and running with your new software, tools and processes faster.

Embed efficient working practices that help your teams get the most out of your new tools to ensure lasting transformation and ROI.

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Retail training

Plan, buy, merchandise, define
your customer experience
and wow your customers.

With training for commercial and store teams, take your retail operations to new heights with courses built and delivered by those that have been there and done it themselves.

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Management & leadership development

Equip people at all levels with the personal and people skills they need to work successfully in their role and alongside others.

From self-awareness profiling to
high-performing teams, our soft skill workshops deliver hard results.

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Need something now?

Try the First Friday Academy

Supplement your unique training offering with our pre-built online courses and classroom-based workshops.

The First Friday Training Academy offers a unique library of learning content, covering everything from retail basics, negotiation and planning skills, to change management, mental health and equality & diversity.

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Case Studies

Read our case studies

Retail people who deliver results…

At First Friday, all our training consultants come from a retail or commercial backgrounds and have become expert trainers.. The result and commercial focus stands us apart from other training companies.

Meet our team

Meet some of our training consultants

Fiona Gorton Training Manager & Consultant

Fiona has over 20 years’ experience as a Training Manager and Consultant and is a chartered member of the CIPD. She specialises in system transformation and has previously held buying and store management roles for the Arcadia Group.

More about Fiona »
Clare Barton Commercial, Transformation and Training Consultant

Following a long career in merchandising for George at Asda (which saw her progress to director level), Clare became a consultant in 2016 and now combines her broad merchandising experience with knowledge from a master’s degree in Business Psychology.

More about Clare »
Clare Edwards Transformation Consultant, Head of Training Academy

A Principal Consultant and Head of the First Friday Training Academy, Clare has over 30 years of retail experience which she uses to support clients to develop their commercial knowledge, technical capability and soft skills.

More about Clare »