Bernhardt Transfers Best Furniture Practices to Fatima and Afghanistan

Bernhardt Furniture, North Carolina hosted Fatima and her chaperone, Bpeacer Steve Lawrence. Over the course of three days, Bernhardt provided business reviews and training truly tailored for Fatima--a woman successfully employing over 70 people manufacturing furniture under a borrowed tent (see photo).

Fatima walked away with a lot: "I've learned a lot about the techniques that Bernhardt uses. I hope to apply these techniques which will help improve our quality. I've also learned that we have been making furniture the hard way--Bernhart taught me more efficient ways to do the work."

How did Bernhardt do this? WIth sessions on everything from procurement and vendor selection to a product development tour that followed an actual product from conceptual drawings through product design, test and production. A review of Fatima's specific procurement challenges led to some actionable solutions that Fatima said would have helped her close two lost orders and increase this year's revenue 10%.

Bernhardt's marketing experts reviewed Fatima's product promotion efforts and plan to provide guidance on improving her marketing and advertising materials within the limited tools available to her in Afghanistan--a sure example of working to create value for Fatima inside of her constraints. Fatima and Steve toured both case goods and custom fabrication facilities making a bee-line to assembly processes that might quickly improve the fit, finish and durability of her products. It all made for immediate connections as engineers and operations experts guided Fatima through improvements she could realize with minimal investment--even by Afghan standards. With these methods Fatima will be able to test market a higher price point furniture offering.

Elliott, Steve, Anne, Fatima and Alex.

Anne and Alex Bernhardt closed the three days with a discussion on the importance of metrics. Alex told Fatima his top 5 metrics and challenged Fatima to develop 5 of her own--monitor and update them continuously--that could communicate the health and performance of her company. Steve reports that Bernhardt worked meticulously to create a learning experience applicable to Fatima's environment. Elliott Spohn, Director of Manufacturing/Outsourcing, the quarterback for the visit, tested the agenda continuously to keep it on target and focused on Fatima's needs.

Steve said, “As professionals we often endure summits, industry meetings and training sessions that take aim at important business issues without ever providing a bridge between good discussion and actionable plans. Not here folks. Each day the whole team identified improvements that can be acted upon the moment Fatima gets back to her office--even if that office is a tent in the middle of Kabul, Afghanistan."

Added Steve, “Each of our days at Bernhardt facilities were accompanied by evenings with Bernhardt families. Home cooked meals and shared stories turned acquaintances into friends as together we traveled a path that wound passed the experiences, hopes and fears--some common, some unique--of those trying to improve the world they touch.”