MANUFATURING IN CHINA -Getting it Right

Posted by Gillian on February 8th, 2010 — Posted in News

On a recent trip to Hong Kong & China to check on products we have made here, Amanda and I were yet again astounded by the size and scale of China. Checking samples with the production manager

This becomes obvious in the hours spent getting from place to place, exhaustion and lots of road and train travel. It is nothing to drive 2 hours through fast heavy traffic to go to a meeting and spend another 2 hours going in another direction to a half hour meeting etc. . . . .  Stressful at times especially the traffic density but always interesting. There is so much to see and learn from this energetic nation.

Visiting the Guangzhou fabric Market to select fabric to print on

This season we changed from one supplier to another mid production. This was a big risk (it may have even been a bigger risk not to). Fortunately we decided to do this with the support of our Chinese business associate who managers our production in China. So far this decision seems to have been the right one.

View from the roof of the new factory where we are having our lifestyle products made

When reflecting on the challenges of manufacturing in China (or else where for that matter) it comes down to good relationships, trust, honesty, fairness, transparency, clear communication and having something in the transaction for everyone.

We are very grateful for the 3 major relationships with have developed in Hong Kong and China. We could not even attempt to work in this part of the world without the mutual understanding that has developed working with people who all share in the outcome.

What makes Corban & Blair frames so much better?

Posted by Gillian on January 29th, 2010 — Posted in Carbon Neutral

When you hold one of these frames in your hands the differences to other frames is obvious. The construction is solid, the design is unique and the colour ranges are on trend.

What you can’t see is that they are made in New Zealand, from plantation timber and are certified Carbon Neutral by the Carbon Reduction Institute

This means the carbon created in every step of the manufacture and transportation of each frame has been offset by carbon credits and paid for by us. We do not pass this cost onto our customers; it comes directly off our bottom line.

Why?

Well, quite simply we believe businesses, especially those involved in manufacturing, are some of the highest contributors to carbon emissions. We decided to take a stand and play a part in helping to achieve reduced carbon emissions. Even the little carbon generated in the manufacture of our frames can make a big difference.

Also, when a customer is deliberating over which frame to purchase, making them aware of the zero emission features of our frames makes the decision much easier for them.

It is important we think through the implications of all our purchasing choices as there are always many options to consider.

ED (Technology Education & Design) - Ideas Worth Spreading

Posted by Gillian on January 15th, 2010 — Posted in Recommend

When you have a moment and want to be inspired visit http://www.ted.com/ to listen to short talks of about 10-12 minutes by remarkable people for FREE.

I occasionally dip into these when I want a different perspective on life and work.

I spent an afternoon this week listening to TED speakers on a range of subjects. One of these was recommended to my by Suzi Dafnis of the Australian Business Women’s Network and was presented by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the best selling novel Eat, Pray, Love. It was about creativity - cultivating it and respecting it.

If you are interested in creativity and want to be entertained you will enjoy it.

Thoughts for the NEW YEAR.

Posted by Gillian on January 8th, 2010 — Posted in Thoughts

The past 18 months have been difficult- sales have been ‘softish’, colleagues & friends have gone out of business, while others have been slow to make the adjustments necessary to keep up in changed circumstances. This made for a challenging work environment.

In order to keep up we have reached higher, kept positive, taken risks, invested in new ways to do things as well as new products and processes. Thank goodness we have lots of passion, energy and commitment.

I recently heard a quote from Li Cunxin- Mao’s Last Dancer, who when asked, how he managed the extraordinary journey of his life  (international ballet dancer, defector from China, best selling author, a movie made about his life by one of Australia’s most respected directors, stock broker and father of a profoundly deaf child while supporting his Australian and Chinese families) said if you want to be above the ordinary and stand out it is only possible by pushing just that bit further, it is about vision, will, effort, emotion, commitment and discipline – the road to success is hard and always painful- but worth it.

At Corban & Blair this is what we try to do. Thankfully we do not put sand bags on our legs then jump up stairs for 2 years to strengthen our leg muscles as Li Cunxin did- although sometimes it feels like it.

Good luck - as there is never much comfort or rest when you run a business.

Seasons Greetings

Posted by Gillian on December 18th, 2009 — Posted in Uncategorized

It is the end of the working year (for many of us) at last. Seasons greetings to all.

Corban & Blair wish you a relaxing break and an exciting 2010.

Corban & Blair celebrating

Reading for 2010

Posted by Gillian on December 14th, 2009 — Posted in Thoughts

It is always good to start the New Year refreshed and intellectually stimulated.

Our business book club met last weekend and have compiled a list of books to read over the next few months.

Reviews of the following books suggest they should interest our group of creative, intuitive, entrepreneurial business owners.

Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation by Tim Brown

The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter by Juanita Brown

The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All by Tom Atlee

Trade-Off: Why Some Things Catch On, and Others Don’t by Kevin Maney and Jim Collins

Who Controls the Internet?: Illusions of a Borderless World by Jack Goldsmith and Tim Wu

Changing the Game: How Video Games Are Transforming the Future of Business by David Edery and Ethan Mollick

The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace by John Paul Lederach

I will let you know which are worth the time, effort and money.

Do you have any other suggestions?

End of the Year Stress

Posted by Gillian on December 4th, 2009 — Posted in Ideas

Each December life becomes frantic as we try to get; our work done, family festive things sorted and have strategies in place for the following year.- not to mention the parties.

After a ‘softish’ 18 months we are reeling from people needing products NOW- even made to order items that of course cannot be made NOW for Christmas, however much we want them or hard we try.

We are product developers, which means we are selling our current ranges, completing February 2010 and have already scoped and started on Christmas 2010. All this madness can get things out of perspective.

To de-stress we took some time out for a little creative input and amusement.

Click below if you also want to be inspired.

Piano Stairs a way to change behaviour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

Getting the most from Ebay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd6-n7MhVg8&feature=player_embedded-

Clever story telling and branding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

Interesting facts to be consider

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

POETRY –for those interested in things creative

Posted by Gillian on November 27th, 2009 — Posted in News

Last night I attended an event of THE RED ROOM COMPANY to celebrate the conclusion of their SEA THINGS project.

Imagine five poems making a journey from five Australian ports; a poetic sea cargo carried by private, commercial and naval vessels. Imagine those five poems being opened up on board, and their readers jotting down an observation or illustration that happened as they read.

SEA THINGS has seen four new poems commissioned from poets in Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane and Darwin, and from secondary school students in Perth, Darwin and Thursday Island, as the project charted a seafaring odyssey up the East and West coasts of Australia.
What Johanna and her team do is truly creative.

If you are interested in poetry or experiencing very high levels of creativity across many disciplines.

Click here to learn more
http://redroomcompany.org/projects/sea-things/

HAVE A TREAT- with elegance and a hedgehog.

Posted by Gillian on November 20th, 2009 — Posted in Thoughts

I read a lot, mostly to do with business especially new media, things online, marketing and how remain relevant and creative in the 21st Century.

Recently I read a book that I just loved (apparently 2.5 million other people did also). The Elegance of The Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. If you enjoy art, culture, psychology, philosophy and ordinary people you will enjoy it.

‘Muriel Barbery . . . commands the sophistication, polish and mental agility that often distinguish French fiction … Barbery has a warm heart and a heart moreover that knows that great art and the best philosophy may (just possibly) possess redemptive qualities, or at least make life bearable in a materialistic and self-indulgent world. Sydney Morning Herald’

Making Emails WORK for you.

Posted by Gillian on November 13th, 2009 — Posted in News

Cleverly written, attractive, even funny email communication can of interest to our clients (potential clients) and efficient for us.

This week I went to EMSA an Email Marketing Summit at Darling harbour. Masses of people attended from around Australia and New Zealand. The sessions were thoughtful and well presented with lots of ideas and case studies. It was certainly worth attending.

Above is an example of  an email we sent out recently. We will enhance the layout and words for future campaigns to hopefully capture a wider audience.

Current research and testing indicates that if you have genuine contacts, say who you are, where you are from, with a few words about what is in the email in a ‘clear” way, people will more often than not, open the email to read its contents- after that of course that are many more communication devices we all need to use.
For more information on Vision 6 and further summits see below
http://www.emsaustralia.com.au/2009/index.html