On the job in Maine, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania

The Lean Manufacturing experts coach the Bpeace food processors....

...on how to streamline their production.

Mariam, Guljan, Zainul and Habiba, food processors
Freeport, Maine. @ Wilbur’s Chocolates learning “Lean Manufacturing.” Bpeacer Cynthia Fisher (rear, second from left) reports: “The Associates did a fantastic job; jumped right into the concept of working for the hypothetical Time Wise clock company and took home their finished products this evening. All four of them came up to me at the end of the workshop and Mariam spoke for them telling me how good this was for them and how appreciative they were.”

Bpeacer Michele Cote (rear left) adds: “We repeated the interactive production exercise over the course of the day--increasing efficiencies by addressing some of the "8 wastes" during each round of assembling a clock. Later we took a quick trip to a state park a few miles from the hotel for a breath of the fresh sea air. For most of the Associates, it was the first time they saw the ocean. It a little windy and cold, but definitely worth the 10 minute drive.”

Fatima, furniture manufacturer
Lenoir, North Carolina. @ Bernhardt Furniture. Bpeacer Steve Lawrence reports: “Bernhardt management turned out in full support of Fatima with both furniture makers discussing the challenges they face and the tools they use to create success. Topics included: competitive differentiation through custom design services, new product development and prototype and low volume production.

"The highlight of the day came when Anne Bernhardt (photo above) presented Fatima a table designed exclusively for her to produce in Afghanistan. Fatima was given the detailed drawings for six tables of this design along with complete marketing rights to the product. Fatima was awestruck and her gratitude was both seen and felt by all.

“First night's dinner with a Bernhardt family and friends was unique. Fatima held five dinner guests in awe telling her story from Afghanistan to Iran and back. The dinner ended with Fatima and the women guest hugging and kissing goodbye.

“Besides the exclusive design windfall. Fatima's other actionable takeaway targets architectural firms: Bernhardt has had specific success selling their customization friendly disposition to them. When successful the result is repeated 'design-ins'. Fatima says she has similar addressable audience in Kabul and we're working on the tactical toolkit that would be needed to turn the whole thing into money. so that's a good thing.”

Taj, Azziza and Sonita, soccer ball manufacturers
New York, NY. @ PR Newswire, crafting and practicing their sales pitch. Taj, Aziza and Sonita spent the morning honing their sales pitch to interest potential wholesale customers in their new export soccer ball—Dosti (which means friendship). Since their three separate companies are involved in this joint venture, spending the time together to agree on themes and proof points is essential. Bpeace Board members Susan McPherson and Toni Maloney used a proprietary communications tool created by Bpeace Board member Laurie Chock. Susan’s shared some of her proven sales tips. After three hours, including rehearsing with a couple of PR Newswire execs who wandered in, the Soccer Associates had compelling points to make about the quality of their soccer balls, how buying them lifts Afghan families out of poverty, and why Dosti is a good business partner.

Later, Taj, Aziza and Sonita pitched for real @ Global Goods Partners, which sells fairly traded products while at the same time promoting the comprehensive advancement of marginalized communities around the world.. And that evening, the Soccer Associates pitched again @ to the Commissioner and Board (photo above) of the West Side Soccer League (WSSL) which hosts well over 5,000 youth soccer games annually for over 4,000 children and their 7,500 or so volunteer parents. Aziza was rubbing her hands with glee at how well the team did today and the potential new business in play.

Hamida, business consultant
New York, NY. @ the advisory table with our Kabul Project Manager Soraya Omar, Bpeacer and HR expert Doris Weil and Bpeace Board member and financial advisor Sabra Richardson.

First from Doris: “We discussed how to find candidates for job openings and how to write job descriptions, following up on some of the basic principles she learned with Bpeace and Dubai Women’s College last November. I talked about trusting your employees and letting them handle certain parts of the business but Soraya and Hamida said in Afghanistan there are problems employee theft. We started talking about the possibility of Hamida setting up an employment agency to make temporary and full-time placements. She was very interested in this and wants to visit some search and placement services while she is in New York.”

From Sabra (above right): “Entrepreneurs of the world are so similar. Hamida’s clients have the same behavior as mine. We approached the session from the standpoint of what information did she feel her client base needed as it pertained to record keeping. We used my client questionnaire as an example of how I gather information. We made adjustments so that it would meet the needs of her clientele. Hamida said there are larger companies now coming to her with their own records from the software that they use, and they were seeking her assistance in determining where they may be losing money and/or auditing their books. We established that in some cases she was becoming a financial consultant. We reviewed how to use the existing Bpeace Excel Spreadsheet, and tailor it to the needs of all of her clients. She asked me about my company. How do I market my services? I brought my Simply Budgeting Bags for Receipts, and my Simply Budgeting notebook that holds receipts and provides space for clients to write their financial information in. She is interested in creating a similar bag or print a similar envelope for her company. Another marketing tool I use is hosting training sessions for a small fee, and she felt if she did that for Afghan women organizations that may encourage them to seek her consulting services. Hamida asked how I want to expand my business. I said my goal was to operate in the U.S. the Caribbean and Africa. Hamida and Soraya both asked simultaneously ‘what happened to Afghanistan?’ and I walked away saying to myself--that's right what about Afghanistan?”


Mobina, radio broadcaster
Allentown, Pennsylvania. @ Cedar Crest College. Bpeacer Robin Love drove Mobina from New York to Allentown, making the transfer to Bpeacer Pam Varkony (above, second from left) for two-days of activities. Here’s the first preview from Pam: “Mobina wowed everyone. She found a new piece of equipment she wants at the Cedar Crest College radio station. More later.”