ZOË Alliance was named as such because we work in partnership with NGO’s, local business leaders, and corporations toward the creation of a global alliance that helps to break the cycle of poverty in developing nations. To date we are working in India, Haiti and Guatemala and each partnership looks a little different based on the skills and expertise of the parties involved. Our role adapts to best complement the skill sets that exist with the local leadership in the country and to enhance growth opportunities.
This week, I’m very excited that Janet Rogers, the Chief Executive of VIA Design is our guest blogger. For our work together in India there are three partners working together. Flowering Desert performing the role of local business and employer – lead by Mercy Abraham; VIA Design performing the role of local charity providing business development support services – lead by Janet Rogers; and ZOË Alliance performing the role of access to markets.
There have been many exciting developments on the go lately and Janet’s blog provides some fun insights into the product development process that is part of our micro-enterprise development work together. Read on…I’m sure you’ll enjoy!
Janet Rogers – Chief Executive VIA Design – BLOG NOTES – August 31, 2010
Sample and product development in the village often starts with an idea triggered by a request. It often starts with a SKYPE conversation focused on a product concept that might appeal to a particular market – Our job is then to translate the seed of an idea into a more tangible form and send some visuals and an idea of costs and lead times. There is an element of adventure in the early stages, as we explore new potential and look for ways of building on the skills and experience of the production team. The ladies in the team love to get involved with the creative development involved with sampling and developing new products at Via and Flowering Desert.
We evaluate each potential product before proceeding with sample development. Teaching new techniques and skills is time consuming and requires an investment of time and money. As well as the specific product and sample development commissioned, we also incorporate creative workshops to our programme, to encourage innovation and team building. It is really inspiring for us when we start off on a new product and the team comes up with ideas of how we could develop or improve the construction or design. We have seen this approach help to develop more confidence in individuals as well as the production team as a whole.We encourage this as our goal is to see the people we work with empowered to use their skills, earn a fair wage and improve their quality of life.
One challenge we face is sourcing components in comparatively small quantities. We have to try to get our price points for production competitive, but we are often unable to buy in small quantities. Huge minimums for fabrics means tying up capital and this seriously impacts on cash-flow… Scaling up has been part of longer term strategy, and as such our focus is to secure large-volume orders so we can order 5000 plus metres…
A big triumph and breakthrough for VIA and Flowering Desert was when we took the first step of discussing an idea with ZOË which led to the development of the limited edition Nambikai throw. Of course we found there were a few challenges in producing it as it was our first larger volume product. Despite the challenges though, the women in the production team still talk about the throw as one of their favourite products to make because for three months they were working on it and they were so proud of the finished product which also had their individual limited edition mark embroidered on it. There was a real sense of team work and a terrific buzz.
We hope soon to have the production team schedule booked for a year ahead so that we can offer regular work to more people in the village.
Looking Ahead…
Janet, Mercy and those of us here at ZOË have several irons in the fire toward that goal for large scale supply of recycled paper pens and conference bags – both with corporate logos. It’s looking like the team may be growing soon, however give us a call if you have an idea…there are many who need steady employment in Dharmapuri.
