After teaching English to the young weavers, one day, one of them asked me if I knew anything about computers, and specifically accounting and website design. I said that I knew a little and asked if he had a question for me. He proceeded to show me some html code that he had written out as he was learning to design a website. I told him I was a little familiar with html. Then I asked if they had internet and was told that there was no internet service in the village. I also asked them if they already had a website and was quickly told that www.exploreruralindia.org was their website. I also mentioned that this website was for all of the cooperatives and they could design and create a link to their own personal “Nepura Village” website.
The young weaver then asked me about marketing. I told him that was not my background, but that Deepak has a degree in business. They all shook their heads in assent and knew that Deepak was an expert in business and marketing and told me that he had already helped them greatly. I then queried them as to who their clientele was, who were they selling silk to? They said the local people in Nepura and the neighboring villages. I was told that the production of handwoven silk was good, but that marketing was not so good because they were too poor to market to a wider audience. This young man said that it took money, which they didn’t have, to travel to other places in India and the rest of the world. He mentioned trying to get a loan, but that the collateral from their farms was not enough.
And so, they were asking my help regarding marketing of their handwoven silk. Since this is not my field of expertise, I told them that to start with, they needed to write down a plan for marketing. Who do they want to market to and how do they want to market their silk fabrics? I pictured them needing to hire some of their villagers to travel around to sell their silk. That would take money and would have to be factored into the cost of production.
I mentioned to them that they might want to start with fairs in Patna. I went to a Mahilla fair (women’s fair) where stitch work, Madubhani painting, and sari fabrics were being sold. I also mentioned another event that I had visited that was displaying and selling handmade fabrics from all over India. I remarked on how I had not seen Nepura Village being represented at either one of these events. But of course, to have a booth at either one of these events costs money, money that the weavers don’t have.
Perhaps they need to start with ideas for marketing. Do some brainstorming and create a plan from these ideas. Then they might want to pool their money together to start some new marketing. Having a plan, they then might want to consult with a business expert, like Deepak!
These young weavers have their work cut out for them!!!!
~~~~~~~
Speaking to them a couple of days later, I had them brainstorm where they market their silk. They told me that they market to the local areas, all of India, and even a little worldwide. They do this through larger weavers who buy their silk and sell it all over India.
I'll do more brainstorming with them to find out more of their ideas for marketing. It's a great exercise for them to practice their English and for me to learn all about the silk/weaving industry.
The young weaver then asked me about marketing. I told him that was not my background, but that Deepak has a degree in business. They all shook their heads in assent and knew that Deepak was an expert in business and marketing and told me that he had already helped them greatly. I then queried them as to who their clientele was, who were they selling silk to? They said the local people in Nepura and the neighboring villages. I was told that the production of handwoven silk was good, but that marketing was not so good because they were too poor to market to a wider audience. This young man said that it took money, which they didn’t have, to travel to other places in India and the rest of the world. He mentioned trying to get a loan, but that the collateral from their farms was not enough.
And so, they were asking my help regarding marketing of their handwoven silk. Since this is not my field of expertise, I told them that to start with, they needed to write down a plan for marketing. Who do they want to market to and how do they want to market their silk fabrics? I pictured them needing to hire some of their villagers to travel around to sell their silk. That would take money and would have to be factored into the cost of production.
I mentioned to them that they might want to start with fairs in Patna. I went to a Mahilla fair (women’s fair) where stitch work, Madubhani painting, and sari fabrics were being sold. I also mentioned another event that I had visited that was displaying and selling handmade fabrics from all over India. I remarked on how I had not seen Nepura Village being represented at either one of these events. But of course, to have a booth at either one of these events costs money, money that the weavers don’t have.
Perhaps they need to start with ideas for marketing. Do some brainstorming and create a plan from these ideas. Then they might want to pool their money together to start some new marketing. Having a plan, they then might want to consult with a business expert, like Deepak!
These young weavers have their work cut out for them!!!!
~~~~~~~
Speaking to them a couple of days later, I had them brainstorm where they market their silk. They told me that they market to the local areas, all of India, and even a little worldwide. They do this through larger weavers who buy their silk and sell it all over India.
I'll do more brainstorming with them to find out more of their ideas for marketing. It's a great exercise for them to practice their English and for me to learn all about the silk/weaving industry.
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