

About
Get to know me before we work together.

Welcome. I’m glad to have you here!
Let’s be honest— there’s a lot of training out there that looks great on a slide but falls flat in the real world. That’s why I started Martin John Training: to help professionals build practical skills they can actually use— not just nod along to.
I’ve spent decades on the front line of negotiation, procurement and commercial leadership. I’ve seen firsthand how small shifts in skill, confidence and communication can unlock huge value— for individuals, teams and businesses. That’s what my training is built on: real-world experience, commercial insight, and practical strategies that stick.
Whether you’re managing suppliers, leading deals, or influencing key decisions, I’ll help you sharpen the skills that make a real difference— with energy, clarity and zero waffle.
62,000+ LinkedIn students
25+ years in industry
Rated 4.7/5
2000+ reviews

My background
I’ve spent over 25 years in senior roles across procurement, supply chain and relationship management— navigating complex deals, managing major suppliers, and leading supply chain teams in global blue-chip organisations. I’ve negotiated across industries, borders and cultures, and I’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) when the pressure’s on and the stakes are high.
Along the way, I became fascinated by the psychology behind influence— not just what people say, but why people say yes. That led me to become a Certified Ethical Influence Coach with the world-renowned Cialdini Institute, where I’ve had the privilege of learning directly from Dr Robert Cialdini— the leading global authority on persuasion. Today, I’m proud to be the only Cialdini-certified coach in the world who specialises in Procurement.
I also teach thousands of professionals via LinkedIn Learning and Udemy, and I partner with respected organisations like Positive Purchasing and the Purchasing & Procurement Centre to bring practical, engaging training to commercial teams across the globe.
But credentials aside— I’m a firm believer that training should be energising, not exhausting. That’s why I keep things clear, practical, engaging, and (when appropriate) fun. I bring commercial credibility, behavioural science, and a straight-talking approach— so that your team walks away not just inspired, but equipped.
When I’m not training, you’ll usually find me reading, staying active, sailing, following the rugby, or spending time with good people.


What guides me?
Make a difference
Training should move the dial — not just fill time. I focus on giving people the skills to think sharper, work smarter, and perform better where it counts.
Be straightforward
No jargon. No ego. No BS. I keep things clear, direct and easy to work with — because that’s how business should be.
Deliver real value
Whether it’s ROI for the business or personal growth for the individual, I believe training should pay off — in more ways than one.
Show up, every time
I take pride in being consistent, reliable and prepared — because trust is built on the basics done well.
What my customers say
Martin has not only given my team the tools and techniques to improve their Procurement capability, but he’s also given them the confidence they needed to engage more effectively with the business AND suppliers. His training is very practical and we’re already seeing great results, such as reduced costs, reduced supplier risk and better decision-making. The fact that he’s “been there and done it” sets him apart. I strongly recommend Martin.
Malcolm Timmins – Purchasing Director, JCB
Influence’ was truly inspiring and incredibly thought-provoking! Martin’s engaging delivery not only captivated our Procurement team but left us already brainstorming applications on the insightful content. I strongly recommend this course to those seeking a profound understanding of influence. Thank you Martin for the invaluable insights – it was a pleasure learning from you.
Eduardo Chrispim – Head of Procurement Excellence, BAT
Thank you Martin for a great training course and awesome day! It was a great pleasure to listen and learn from you – very inspirational and perfectly pitched. The team had a lot of fun and we will definitely put your tips and techniques to good use in upcoming negotiations!
Justin Haak – Group Vice President & Managing Director, Birkenstock Global Logistics
Martin’s negotiation skills training met my brief perfectly. His insightful content and focus on practical application of the learning, kept the whole team engaged throughout the day.
Procurement Head of Category, Costa Coffee
Appreciated the collaboration between Adjust Consulting and you Martin. Your enthusiasm and expertise not only made it insightful but also showed how much fun procurement can be and how we can support and drive business in making impact for each Euro (or Pound) spent!
Wiebe Van Der Weerd – Partner, Adjust Consulting BV
Martin recently gave my team two superb training sessions on ethical influence. What we learnt will help us win new clients. Really good.
Chris Ridgway – Head of Business Space Lease advisory, Colliers International
What an engaging and insightful session that gave us so many ideas to negotiate in both our professional and personal lives! Thank you Martin, I will never agree to ‘Split the difference’ again!
Jo Milner – Student & Industry Engagement Coordinator Bournemouth University
Very engaging and clearly passionate. Very human and it was good trying to put some of the tools into context with our own business which helped make it relevant!
Phil Birch – Head of Supply Chain, Curaleaf International
Martin is passionate about what he does, has a clear understanding of his subject matter and is a great communicator. He is personable and makes sure all delegates get involved. His training is interactive, enjoyable and thought provoking, with relevant application to day to day business.
Kirran Saimbi – Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care
Martin provides practical tools and delivers content that is user friendly. His knowledge is
exceptional and combined with such great personal skills, it is such a pleasure to work with him. Highly recommend Martin if you are looking to upskill and increase your effectiveness.
Julie Smith – JCS Global Partners
I really enjoyed this session. The suggestions Martin gave were super helpful, I can use those immediately in my daily life. I was so impressed by the session design and engagements.
His interactions with us, Q&A, and breakout room practice made this training so fun. I highly recommend Martin.
Xiadi W – Medical Entomologist
Martin gave some of our fundraising volunteers an inspiring and thought provoking session on the principles of ethical influence. We gained a valuable, science backed understanding of people’s motivations, the ways they make decisions, how small changes in presentation can radically change the outcome and practical knowledge of how to apply these insights in real world situations.
David Richmond-Coggan – Chairman, Christchurch and Bournemouth RNLI Fundraising Branch


Now let’s talk about you
Thanks for taking the time to get to know a bit about me. Now, I’d love to hear more about you!
If you’re looking to sharpen your team’s skills in negotiation, procurement or ethical persuasion, let’s have a chat about how I can help.