Cow and Bike crossing
The other day I was out on a long bike ride with a friend of mine, and along the way we passed a sign that said “Cows and Bike “path only. I thought only in Asia would they put the Cows and Bikes in the same lane. Well after all aren’t the cows slow just like the bikes ought to be? I don’t know about you, but I prefer to avoid riding on the road dodging cows and going through cow dung along the way.
Asia is the land of “almost right.” At times I feel like they almost get it right. They erect beautiful buildings, and have all these high tech things but then some of them just do not quite work. They build a freeway and suddenly in the middle of nowhere the freeway stops, you have a light and then it starts again. I have no idea why they just couldn’t make the freeway go all the way through. Or my personal favorite is the freeway in Guangzhou that has a speed limit of 30 or 40 Kilometers per hour. Do you have any idea how slow 30 or 40 Kilometer per hour is? That is like 19 to 25 miles per hour. Most people do not even drive that on a residential street let alone on a freeway. I can bike as fast as that. I get frustrated when the freeways are empty and my driver is going 30 or 40 kilometers an hour down an empty freeway because the freeways are monitored by a camera, and you can get a ticket even if there are no police. Why build a freeway if you have to crawl along the way? A heavy foot on the gas is not allowed.
I have heard a lot of talk in America lately, and especially in our industry about all the problems in Asia; including the lack of containers, and that workers do not return promptly to work after the New Year. A third issue is my personal favorite: The statement by some people that they must buy their goods before the Lunar New Year because quality will decline afterwards.
Here is what my experience in Asia tells me about all three of these misconceptions:
1. Containers are always a problem as is shipping space during the Lunar New Year. Companies and customs close down for a week so that naturally there will be a backlog. If the American Government or our Ports closed down for a week we would also have a huge backlog. Imagine if Wal-Mart closed for 3 days? Well that is what happens during the Lunar New Year, everything is closed—sometimes effectively for more than a week.
2. Quality is always a challenge in Asia. Even with complete hands-on inspection it is a challenge in the best of times. The only thing you can do is have people on the ground who are working for you or if not you have to oversee quality yourself. My experience shows me that quality may decline during the time before the long Lunar New Year holiday as factories rush to complete orders. Once the New Year is over they have a fresh opportunity to make a fresh start. At Mondoro we spend a lot and time, effort, and money at the factories checking production throughout the entire production process. A good inspection team will always find quality problems at any time of the year.
3. Workers always come back from Chinese New Year late or leave early. The factories all know this and account for this. Sometimes they do come back late and one reason is simply that they have a long way to travel and it is for them a long hard ride that can take up to 5 days. I think if I had to spend 5 days standing on a Chinese Train or going by a crowded bus I would also postpone my trip if I could. Companies need to take this all into account because there will always be a long Lunar New Year holiday to contend with no matter how much we may want it to go away.
Vietnamese UL certified
Lacquer Lamp
Three years ago Mondoro registered the UL certification for our Hanoi Vietnam lamp factory. We are so far the only lamp factory with the Portable UL Certification in Hanoi. Our factory is located in the center of the Porcelain Village of Bat Trang, Vietnam. Our specialty is producing UL certified lamps for our Medium to High End clients in the United States—which as you know requires UL certification for imported electrical items.
Mondoro produced UL certified lamps in China long before opening our Vietnam factory. We were not new to the issues of lamp production when we first opened our factory, and we were prepared to meet strict inspection standards required by the UL certification agency who routinely check our factory. Our experience in China provided us with a head start, and has helped us overcome the usual start up issues. Vietnam offers many very unique materials and unusual craftsmanship that has challenged our designers to provide our customers with ever evolving products not available anywhere else.
Most of our UL parts are imported from China, so our China Office must source and purchase these parts. Some non essential UL parts can be found in Vietnam. Since UL certification is quite new to Vietnam, the supply and sources for UL certified parts is limited. Many who come here are surprised at how few UL parts are sold within Vietnam. This may change, but since China is the main supplier for UL parts it is hard to see Vietnam becoming a major supplier anytime soon.
This is a key advantage that Mondoro has with our UL operation in Vietnam; we are able to source and purchase qualified parts in China for our UL operation in Vietnam. Since we custom produce a wide variety of lamps we must sometimes quickly source and ship in from China a style or part not carried in our stock.
We are well located here in Hanoi next to the small factory craftsmen producing our non-UL parts, the bases and other items needed for our lamps including lamp shades. If you are interested in finding out more about how Mondoro can help you to supply unique and interesting UL certified lamps from Vietnam, please contact us at sales@mondoro.com
| March 2010 |
Product Updates |
Inlaid Mother of Pearl vase
with Black Lacquer
Vietnam has a wonderful technique that is called Inlaid Mother Of Pearl. This is a complicated process that requires high skill and special techniques. Not every factory is Vietnam is able to do this because it takes years to master the process. Producing Inlaid Mother of Pearl is also a long process that includes over 5 to 6 steps which are as follows:
Step One: Design the product you want to make for inlay Mother of Pearl.
Step Two: Cut the Mother of Pearl pieces into the design you require.
Step Three: Cut into the base the same shape and size as the mother of pearl pieces you just cut.
Step Four: Glue the mother of pearl pieces into the base. This is where the high skill comes in since the pieces must match almost perfectly just like fitting a piece into a puzzle..
Step Five: Spray or paint the color you require for the base. If the base is lacquer it has already been through a 12 step process prior to inlay. So you can see the inlaid Mother of Pearl adds on quite a few steps to the lacquer process making a lacquered inlaid mother of pearl item total about 17 to 18 steps for the entire process.
Step Six: Complete the finishing of the piece. The manufacturer has to wait for the paint to dry between several steps of sanding and painting, until there is a completely smooth finish.
In laid mother of Pearl is an ancient art that is over 1,000 years old. Many of the villages that produce this outside Hanoi have been producing for hundreds of years. They normally pass down the technique, skill and secrets from generation to generation.
At Mondoro we have taken this ancient art and used it to make modern designs. Please contact us at
sales@mondoro.com if you would like to see more designs with this in laid mother of pearl technique. This is a great example of how an ancient art can be used for modern day designs.
Earth color lacquer vase
Europe has just finished several major furniture and furnishing design shows located in Cologne, Milan, Paris, and Stockholm. You were unable to make it to Europe this winter? Join with us as we embark on an on-line tour to see what is happening in Europe.
Color and Design: Color and Design is everywhere. The European shows this winter are filled with a full array of colors. Yellow is emphasized from Stockholm to Paris to Milan. As is Pink, purple, mauve, grays, green, white and a host array of other colors. A great virtual tour of the Milan Show is here, this three minute internet tour should not be missed. There are also two short video clips on youtube.com that highlight some products, color and design from the Stockholm in Febuary 2010. When you view these look for the colors that are being shown at both the shows as these colors are a key to some important color trends. Stockholm Furniture Show Part 1, Stockholm Furniture Show Part 2.
Earthly: From the Olympics to China, the world is on an eco trend that is here to stay. The European shows continue to show this trend in everything from Fashion to Furniture. Take for example these brown toned ceramic bathroom accessories from Johan Golv that was shown at the recent Stockholm Furniture show, to this great Antelope chair designed by Monika Forester for Swedes. The Stockholm Furniture show has many of the brightest young designers from Northern Europe displaying their designs. They have a large section for design schools from all over Northern Europe. Take a moment and go to the Wallpaper website to view the 40 plus slides from this show.
Cardboard Overflow: Cardboard, I mean who would think of cardboard to be used in our industry? At the recently Maison and Object show in Paris, they had some cardboard made and inspired items. Here is a great website called Trend Bible to give you a peek at what went on at the Maison and Object show in January 2010. This site has some great must see photos and ideas. I love the ideas with the cardboard. Here is another great example of someone also using cardboard for something as a fold away child’s chair. The Belkiz a Melbourne based company has fold away baby feeding chairs made entirely out of cardboard. This could be a great find for grandparents who need to have a high chair for their grandchildren when they come to visit but don’t want the expense or have a place to store a regular high chair.
Today in design you not only have to out design your competitors but look at innovative and new materials that no one else has. Join with us next month for another inspiring trend blast.
Time:
Author:
IKEA in China is not for shopping
The Chinese use IKEA more as a Disneyland than for shopping. Anita explains that for the Chinese shopping is to enjoy in the store the Western luxuries they do not have in many of their own homes. Thus taking pictures or lounging around rather than shopping is a common site on weekends
Anita talks of how marketing in China differs greatly from the West. In Asia many shoppers go to stores just to look and buy very little. She describes their behavior in IKEA that is certainly not what IKEA expected. She also compared Walmart in China with a similar large chain store.
| March 2010 |
Legality Bites |
Presently, Partnerships are for only Chinese citizens and Chinese entities, but very recent change will give foreigners the partnership enterprises, as another option of an investment vehicle in China. This change is stated below:
On December 2, 2009, the State Council, China’s central government cabinet, announced the “ Measures for Foreign Entities or Individuals to Establish Partnership Enterprises in China,” which will become effective on March 2010. The Measures, carrying the legal effect as a Chinese central government administrative regulation, will permit foreign enterprises and foreign individuals (or the “natural persons”) to establish or invest in partnerships inside China.” [i]
Many feel this could be good for Equity Firms, Venture Capital Firms and Professional Service Firms. Foreign individuals and entities will have the same requirements as their Chinese counterparts for the partnerships.
In China there are two forms of partnerships, General Partnerships and Unlimited Liability Partnerships
General Partnerships:
The General Partnership is a partnership engaged in an unlimited liability partnership. All partners must contribute capital, and will receive profits according to their partnership agreements. Article 2(2) of the law states:
“A general partnership is composed of general partners who bear unlimited joint and several liabilities for the debts of the partnership. Where there are special provisions in this Law on the forms of liability borne by general partners, those provisions shall prevail.” [ii]
All partners will bear unlimited liability for the debts of the partnership. All partners must contribute capital, and will receive profits according to their partnership agreements.
There are several distinct advantages for a partnership, in particular Foreign Companies to look at a General Partnership. One is the ability for capital flow and investments. Unlike the Wholly Owned Foreign Investment Law, the General Partnership Law is more flexible in this regard to capital flow. The law is also more flexible for how the capital will be distributed to the partners. The third clear advantage is that there is no requirement to pay Enterprise tax.
The obviously disadvantage is the unlimited liability of the partnership and that the partners are individually liable for the debit of the partnership. Another is that many of the other forms of business have specific tax incentives which partnerships will not receive.
Limited Liability Partnership
The limited liability partnership is similar to the General Partnership but the partnership is composed for general partners and limited partners. The General partners have unlimited joint liability, but the limited partners has a limited liability. Due to its limited liability aspect, this partnership allows for partners to be able to raise funds into their business easier as they maybe to raise capital from individuals who want to invest but without the unlimited liability. A limited liability partners must be managed by a General Partner (who will have unlimited liability), not by unlimited liability partners.
This form of partnership is generally used for to Venture Capital and other knowledge based professions and technical know-how and high tech industries.
There is no doubt that as China continues to open up more business vehicles and forms of business operation for foreigners this will not only be beneficial to China but also to the many foreigners who are looking to invest and enter the Chinese market.
| February 2010 |
Trend Blast |
Unique and
interesting materials for a Status Quo Plus!
Last month we wrote about two trends, the Green Trend that continues to explode in countless ways, and On-volution, defined as the ever connected, online evolution. Neither of these trends will stop anytime soon and like so many trends, each of these trends in some way becomes connected to other trends. This month we have another two new trends we call Status Quo Plus and Try-vertising.
Status Quo Plus:
-
The Trend: Status Quo Plus is as the name states, is the familiar (status) plus more. People want something different, unique, something that gives them status, but also gives them plus more. Take for example a mobile camper coach. Now Country Coaches has a camper with an extendable veranda that allows campers to fish or sit without ever leaving the comforts of their camper. Think of how jealous the other fishermen will be when you drive up and fish right off your porch! This is luxury of a camper plus the comforts of your at home veranda. Products like Chocolate have even gotten on the band wagon of the Status Quo Plus. At Chocomize you can design your own chocolate and have it shipped directly to you or your friend. Are you missing a certain chocolate combination, or you love chocolate with a mix of a lot of exotic and strange combinations, well this is the place for you. You will have chocolate that no one else will have! Uniquely yours!
-
How Can You Apply? Our industry is generally a design oriented industry, so there are many ways that this trend can be implemented. A great example of someone who is building a status quo plus while also looking at the Green Trend at the same time is the Gus Design Group with their new Upcycle Ottoman which is essentially an ottoman made from reused fair trade coffee bags. A great way to use an everyday product and make it extra ordinary Status Quo Plus. This is taking something that can seem ordinary, but doing something unique with it to make it extraordinary in every way and sense. This is a design function, and at Mondoro we can help you to achieve this through our talented group of Designers and Product Managers.
Try-vertising:
-
The Trend: The Try-vertising Trend is a trend that suggests that consumers are looking for ways to try things out before they buy. For example, Mark’s Work Wear, a company that specializes in work clothing, put freezers in their Edmonton Store so customers could see how the clothing felt in the cold temperature. That is a great example of allowing your customers to try before they buy. Plan B a hair salon in Massachusetts is offering customers a free 15 min hair consultation via video Skype to discuss their hair before they come into the salon. It is hard to get out of salon chair once you are in and say, sorry I do not want you to touch my hair. What a great way to be able to talk to someone before you make the decision if you are going to have them cut and style your hair.
-
How You Can Apply? There are several ways you can apply this trend. Consider offering services either online or via Skype much as the hair salons do. Or why not have a web site giving out information to allow stores to try and see before they buy? Consider making it easy for them to use and understand your product. Show them how and where they can use them in their stores and sell them to their customers. Consumers want to see how that lamp or mirror looks in their home. If you do not want to do a complicated program on your website, on a simple level you could take a photos and edit in Photoshop to show the product into the room setting. Try-vertising can also mean teaming up with others. Muji the Japanese home brand has teamed up with Whotells a short term apartment service in Spain which offers their customers the entire lifestyle of Muji and Muji line of products. What a better way to get people to become customers when they actually try a product? This becomes a win win for everyone involved. I know from experience that several years ago I tried some new bath products from a Thai Company called Thann at the United Lounge in Bangkok, Thailand when I took a shower after a long flight. Since that time I have been purchasing their products.
On a large or small scale you can find a way to make these trends work for you. Many of these new ideas are simple, cost effective but yet ingenious in how they can offer better resources for marketing.
I have been watching some conversations on a Home Furnishing Link I subscribe to. Recently someone asked the question as to whether the marketing at Trade Shows is an outdated method of marketing. Personally I feel there are many ways that customers can be reached, and as I have said before, it is not always by attending or showing at a trade show. It comes down to what the best way to spend your precious is marketing dollars.
| February 2010 |
Product Updates |
Chinese antique reproduction
Among all the popular styles of furniture available in China one of the more popular ones is Chinese Antique Reproduction Furniture. Many companies prefer to buy the Chinese Reproductions rather than the real antiques for several reasons:
-
Quantity: For the reproductions you can get the same item in quantity. This is important for many of the wholesalers or importers who have a catalogue and who need a steady supply. For a real antique normally what you will find is the only item of its kind. Obviously single items have only a very limited market for most resellers.
-
Technique: Antique Chinese Furniture uses the same reproduction techniques as the original “real” antiques. An antique piece of Chinese furniture may have a door with a serviceable authentic hinge rather than the more usual modern type. Following authentic style is important, but may be improved or “updated” to fit modern requirements such as a place for a TV or accommodation for electrical cords, for example. Since they are made to order any improvement is done under customer authorization.
-
Design: Our designers can be given leeway to suggest totally new designs taken from the inspiration of the original antiques pieces. There is no limit to the creative possibilities this allows. The final result may be “authentic” on the outside but fully functional and “modern” on the inside.
-
Supply: It is getting harder and harder to find 100% authentic antique furniture in China. One reason simply is that the Chinese themselves are starting to understand the value of the furniture, so they are not selling the items or they are demanding higher prices. The days when great bargains for real antiques can be found are over. On the other hand the potential supply of manufactured antiques is unlimited.
-
Authenticity: It is hard for an inexperienced buyer to see the difference between many of the reproductions and real antiques. So clever are the antique furniture manufacturers that it is hard to tell what is authentic and what is not. Many of my foreign friends have purchased furniture in China from retail stores that claim they are antiques. In my opinion, most of them are very good reproductions. Many of the antique furniture manufacturers are also using old wood for their production. This helps add to authenticity.
-
Export Issues: China has been cracking down on the export of the authentic antiques for quite some time. The reason is they want to keep the antiques, or at least the most valuable antiques, in China. The reproductions do not have this problem and will not have the same export restrictions.
Good antique reproductions are highly recommended for those who want to have an authentic look of the Chinese antiques, but who want quantity and at a reasonable price. Mondoro can help you with your Chinese antique reproduction furniture needs and designs.
| February 2010 |
Mondoro News |
Mona
dresses up in a Tiger Outfit to celebrate the Year of the Tiger
February is the time that Asia celebrates the Lunar New Year. During this period our China and Vietnam Office will be closed starting Thursday, February 11th, 2010. We will reopen more than a week later, Monday, February 22nd, 2010. The Hong Kong Office will be closed from Saturday February 13th, 2010 reopening the following Wednesday, February 17th, 2010.
Many of you may wonder why the offices close for such a long period of time. Why is the Lunar New Year or as they call it in Vietnam TET so important. Most Asian factories continue to work during our Christmas season. With this in mind perhaps you can appreciate the need for a long Lunar New Year celebration in Asia. I have chosen for this Newsletter an explanation of why we close for such a long period of time. Here are a few of the more important reasons:
-
Travel: Both China and Vietnam have a migrant labor pool. Simply stated this means that people from the countryside have traveled some distance to the larger cities to work. For many of them the only time they go home to see their families (for some this is their wives and children) is during the Lunar New Year. In China, in particular, the travel can be long and difficult up to 3 or 4 days. For this reason once they get home they do not want to have to turn around to come back so they tend to take extended holidays. Most of the factories in China and Vietnam prepare to close down long before the official holiday actually starts..
-
Calendar: One of the most frustrating things for westerners who are doing business with Asia is that each year the holiday dates change. The reason is that the New Year dates are determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar and not the traditional western calendar. This year, for example, the New Year is considered late, next year it will be a bit earlier. Also with the calendar each year brings with it a new zodiac sign. This coming year for example will be the Year of the Tiger.
-
Tradition: The Lunar New Year is also called the Spring Festival or in Vietnam it is called TET. It is the most important holiday of the year, and is considered a time to make a fresh start for the coming New Year. Houses will get their spring cleaning because it is believed that a good cleaning will sweep away the bad luck of the last year and bring in good luck for the following year. New Clothes, new shoes and a fresh new hair cut can also symbolize a fresh new start. Lai See or Red Packets with money in them will be handed out to the children or to those people not married. During this time people traditionally wear a lot of red and have a lot of red in their houses. It is a family time, and time to be spent visiting with families. Below is a breakdown of the various days of the new year and the major traditional events that take place:
a. Last Day of Lunar New Year – All the families will get together for a very large meal. This meal will usually include fish and chicken. Extended families will gather together, and sometimes these can be a very large gathering—usually in the evening.
b. Day 1 – Is normally a more casual day, where families will spend time together visiting and eating.
c. Day 2 – This is the visiting day of the Chinese New Year. Families will visit the oldest person in their extended families. On this day the married daughters visit their birth parents. In traditional China, once a girl was married she left home and became a permanent part of the husband’s family. She may not have a chance to see her own parents frequently. On this day they pray to their ancestors as well as to other Gods.
d. Day 3 – On this day it is not considered appropriate to visit anyone. It is also considered not a good day to get into a fight. Traditionally this is a low key day and everyone is careful not to aggravate anyone else.
e. Day 4, 5 and 6 – These days continue to be visiting days for families and friends. You should note that it is appropriate that you visit everyone and not intentionally or purposely leave anyone out. And when people come to visit, you need to be ready to serve them with some food or drinks.
f. Day 7 – This is a day known as renri or the common man’s birthday. On this day everyone is thought to get another year older. Traditionally individual birthdays were not celebrated in China as we do in the West, though this has changed over the years. Families will have fireworks on this day as a celebration.
g. Day 8 – This day marks the end of celebrating and is the getting back to work day. All the government agencies will be open and the families will get together for another last meal.
h. Day 15 – This is the lantern day and is considered to be the Chinese Valentine’s day. Everyone will eat a sweet soup with sticky rice. A lot of people will put lanterns out during this time.
As you can see, the New Year celebration is a very important family holiday. All throughout Asia you will see families getting together during this holiday—welcoming their loved ones back home. It is also an important time to eat together and meet together as a family. In summary, this holiday is important because it allows all family members to reunite and celebrate family life together at least once a year.
| February 2010 |
Mondoro Charities |
Only 10 USD will help
an underprivileged child get a school supply kit
Mondoro Charities needs your support to help us supply needy children in Asia with a school backpack kit. Each school backpack kit will cost you only 10 USD per child, which will consist of a backpack, markers, pencils, pens, paper and other school supplies. Most of these children have never owned their own marker sets or drawing paper. We are now raising money for 400 children to receive these school backpack kits in both China and Vietnam. Find out more on our website and help us by donating money for this very worthy cause.
| February 2010 |
BlogSplatter |
How to get full points?
I have been enrolled on-line in a degree program in Chinese Law with a University in Hong Kong. Their system of grading is based on Hong Kong and UK practices which has severely bruised my ego. You write a paper and they tell it can earn 100 points, but in reality they will only give you half that amount. An American University Professor I met on a United Flight coming back to Asia recently told me, “In the Hong Kong University system only God or the Professor can get the full points, they will never give it to the students.” This philosophy has been very hard for me as an American to handle. I expect an A paper that has a 100 point value to be 90, 95 or 100 points not 55, 58 or 60 points. Each time I see the lower scores I take a huge gasp, my blood pressure rises and I write an email to my tutor to ask them why I failed my paper when the only comment I got was “you covered all the points and did a very good job.”
All this demonstrates a deeper hidden philosophy between Asia and the United States, and how we each view positive re-enforcement. For example when I speak Chinese to someone I get a response ‘bucuo” or OK. To me as a westerner OK, just means OK. It does not mean great, but is just OK. But when someone who speaks very little Chinese and can only manage to say just a few words, the Chinese may exclaim Oh your Chinese is “hen hao!” Which literally means your Chinese is very good! I have often noticed this unstated cultural phenomenon.
The Chinese are generally modest in nature and will not come right out to say “look at me, look at how great I am,” so when they tell you that your Chinese is OK, what they really mean is your Chinese is acceptable or good. But to the struggling Chinese speaker when they say your Chinese is very good, what they are really saying is keep it up, your Chinese will become better. They are giving encouragement to keep trying to learn more Chinese. This is the same thinking that I am getting in my University courses and how they grade the papers. I will never write a 100 point, or even a 90 or 95 point paper. It is not possible and will never be possible. At the Master’s Level of study in Hong Kong, it just does not exist. It is a way to keep us all humble and remind us that no matter what we write it will never be worth the 100 points, never – ever. So between the 58 paper scores - the “you speak Chinese OK, - and the bad economy, my ego is bruised and broken—there there is no pride left all at all. The blessing in all this is that it continues to keep me very humble.
| February 2010 |
PodSplatter |
Time:
Author:
Culture differences
Anita expands on cultural differences that can be found in management in Asia by relating an experience she had with a Spirit Box in her Vietnam Office.
Anita also reviews some of the implications for the US and the World resulting from the determination of China to rapidly expand infrastructure and expand provided employment.
Recycle material
Among the many advantages of working in the Home Furnishing Field is that major trend changes happen more slowly than in other product lines. This gives our industry the advantage of first looking at trends in other industries before applying them ourselves. This Blog is part of a series on Trend Sweet Spots!
1. Are you Green?
a. The Trend: The Eco movement is not a new movement; it is one we have spoken about many times in this newsletter. But now it is reaching into many companies, not just the most trendy companies. For example Chrysler recently decided to launch a DVD owner’s manual for their cars. For those of us who are car illiterate the DVD owner manuals will include some Video presentations. They estimate by switching to a DVD owner’s manual this will save over 20,000 trees per year. Sony has jumped into the recycling trend by using material from recycled advertising banners from their Tokyo store grand opening to sell a limited edition of a new jean collection. Only 170 jeans were produced, and a part of the proceeds will go to the World Heritages sites.
b. How can you Apply? Start to think eco friendly when using materials, things like earth-friendly porcelains that go back into the earth after it is broken up and placed in the ground. Use bamboo, or an earth friendly product as alternative materials and then market them to the public to show them your company is eco friendly. You can use old wood to create and make a furniture collection. An example of using this trend in our industry is a company called House of Wonder. They buy old African sailing vessels and make them into furniture pieces. Things like this have been done in the past by several furniture manufacturers and will continue to be done in the future. Mondoro has access to some of the recycled woods for you to do your own recycled collection.
2. On-Volution:
a. The Trend: There is no limit to how companies are using the internet to promote their business. Can’t live without fresh baked bread? Farinha Pura is on Twitter where you will get a tweet each time there is a fresh loaf of bread out of the oven. They will tweet you a number and you can use the number to get a 5% discount. DesignYourDorm.com has taken one single concept and worked it into an online business. This online company has an online interior design tool that helps perspective students to design the living space for their dorm before they get to college. They can then go on to their website and purchase furniture specifically for their dorm room and it will be delivered to their dorm via Amazon. It just goes to show that the U-Haul trailer or the station wagon stuffed with things for your college dorm is outdated. Do you think all this online stuff will just start to quietly go away? Well think again. In February 2010 a new wrist watch called Inpluse will be marketed to not only automatically sync with your blackberry phone, but will also allow you to read your emails, check text messages and calendar appointments.
b. How can you Apply? Be a tech friendly and tech savvy company.
i. Is your website user friendly?
ii. Do you use social networking sites to communicate with your customers, reps and others about new and exciting products that have come out? Use them to build up your own hype and excitement!
iii. If you are technologically illiterate, hire a consultant to help you to make the right tech moves.
iv. Are you using all the freebies online that are out there to help promote your business?
v. Why not have online presentations of how people can use your products? Be your own online advertiser.
The simple truth is that technology is here to stay and will not be going away anytime soon. Companies who are accustomed to thinking that just having a website alone is sufficient are already outdated in their thinking. The on-volution has moved on to be more than just a website, it is using social networking sites, online tools and being a friend not a foe to technology.
Stay tune for next month where we will continue with some fresh trends such as Status Quo Plus and Try-vertising.
| January 2010 |
Product Updates |
Product made from crystal
Crystal has been around for thousands of years. In 1892 a revolutionary way using a new machine to cut crystal was invented by Daniel Swarovski. Thus began the story of crystal as we know and think of it today. Crystal can be used on many products from garments, candleholders to lamps and lighting. Mondoro has been developing crystal products for lamps and lighting. We use some imported crystal but due to price also Chinese crystal. Over the years, the Chinese have continued to improve their crystal quality. Crystal quality is measured by the lead content of the crystal. The more lead in the crystal the better the refraction rate, or in other words, the more light is able to refract. To check or test the lead content you can simply take a crystal put it up to the sunlight and then see if the colors or the light shows through. The more lead in the crystal the more you will see a rainbow of light. This is what makes crystal chandeliers so beautiful, their ability to refract light into colors.
Lead crystal will usually have over 18 to 35% lead oxide content. Anything over 24% is considered full leaded crystal. Crystal can come in a variety of colors, shapes and forms, and can be cut, engraved or molded into a variety of shapes. The Swedes have been known to produce crystals in a variety of interesting shapes, setting a standard for creativity when producing crystal products.
Crystal has many applications for lamps and lighting. It can be hung together with metal string to form accents on a chandelier; or an entire light can be made from crystal for a crystal chandelier. Crystal can be molded into various forms to make crystal finials, lamps or lamp bases. Whatever your application for crystal, it is a beautiful way to accent a chandelier or lamp because the beauty and elegance of the crystal can never be overly exaggerated.
| January 2010 |
Mondoro News |
FDI inspections are important parts of the inspection process
All Mondoro products have two inspections. We discuss here the second inspection which we call the FDI, or Final Detailed Inspection done after production and packing and just before goods are shipped. The first inspection was discussed in our last issue and is called the DUPRO or During Process Inspection. All Mondoro Products must have both inspections.
Here are 13 basic steps that we train our inspectors to follow for a proper FDI or Final Detailed Inspection:
Step 1. VIEWING AREA:Adequate light is necessary to make sure you are able to properly inspect. Similarly, the DUPRO inspection (discussed previously) required good lighting. Move the product if necessary for adequate inspection—perhaps to an outside area. Open up the carton and lay out the pieces or have the factory provide a table. Color checking is best done under northern natural light, if practicable. Artificial light is NOT reliable although color comparisons may be useful using both types of lighting. Handle some items with white gloves to avoid damage during inspection.
Step 2. CHECK DOCUMENTATION: The inspectors should check the documentation they have received from the office and in particular check the following:
a. Their DUPRO forms (made earlier during the in-process inspection).
b. Product Forms provided by the Product Manager.
c. Other special details given to them by the office.
Step 3. RANDOMLY CHECK CARTONS: It is important that cartons be randomly checked. The inspectors should not pull all the cartons from the same area, but should randomly pull cartons from various areas of the pile. Some should come from the top, others from the middle and some from the bottom. Some should be from the front area and others from the back area. It is important that the selection process is random and objective. A random list of computer generated numbers calculated ahead of time may also used to insure arbitrary selection when quantities warrant it.
Step 4. DROP: Drop test the sample as it is packed for shipment. If the packing has previously been checked during the DUPRO process there is no need to repeat the test.
Step 5. CHECK PACKING: Open the carton and check all parts of the carton, taking photos of any important issues. Also check the quality of the carton, the foam and other packing components.
Step 6. CHECK PRODUCT:
a. Check the piece itself. Is there any damage? If so where is the damage?
b. How can we change the packing to ensure there is no damage?
c. Does the product have a dry packet packed inside it?
d. Does piece match the original sample?
Step 7. ASSEMBLE AND CHECK: If disassembled put the piece together to make sure all the parts fit and check the piece carefully. Make sure it is straight, level and will not tip over, etc. Push, pull, stand and do what ever you need to do to ensure the piece is stable.
Step 8. DETAIL COMPARISON WITH APPROVED SAMPLE: Carefully look at the piece. View from all angles slowly and carefully every surface inch by inch. See if the color or surface looks different in different light. If in doubt try different types of lighting (indoors, outdoors, fluorescent, etc.) Check it against the original sample provided the factory and read through all documents or changes that may have been made on the item.
Step 9. MEASURE: Compare the measurements of the product against the sample, and the specifications provided by the office.
Step 10. PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION: All FDI inspectors should provide adequate photographic documentation with as many photos as necessary.
Step 11. WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION: Make notes in a notebook or immediately record any problems on your computer. Officially notify the factory in detail of any problems and suggest ways they can correct them. Type a final report for the office. Good documentation requires complete and accurate details on the Inspection Certificate.
Step 12. COMMUNICATE: Communicate with our Product Managers and the factory management to discuss any important inspection issues you find. The determination whether to ship should involve our office and the factory management.
Step 13. TEST: Test elements of the product (if you have not done so already). Randomly bring back goods to be tested.
As you can see shipping quality products is more involved than it may first seem. All of Mondoro inspectors are required to follow these basic steps for all the inspections. We strongly believe that shipping quality products is one of the most important things we can do for our customers.
|
Don't miss an issue!
Sign up for our monthly newsletter!
|
