Marketing Workshops

Thirty five participants were chosen from San Andres. The schedule was set to work around Fiesta, Easter and the Agricultural Fair. A letter of invitation was printed and  a member of the Ministry of Agriculture took announcements around to the selected persons on a motorcycle. 
 April 4 - Introduction         - Marketing Strategies & Planning                                                                                                                                                      -               Produce & Agro Product in San Andres

April 10 - New Product Innovation
Agro Processing in 3 Developing Countries                                                  
(Cameroon, Africa, Guyana, Caribbean)
April 11 Marketing Strategies :The 5 P's of Marketing
April 13 Branding, Logo, Packaging, Promotion
April 16  Food Safety
April 18  Labeling, Gift Tags, Display Planning
April 23  Assembly of Displays, Wrap-Up.

Using a collection of photos taken on during our introduction to San Andres, we examined local products available at the Airport and Local Markets!  Some participants were fluent in English while others neeeded translation assistance provided by Agricultural department personal who were present.

Participants grouped according to their business:
Fish Processor
Brooms Makers
Furniture Making, Mats, Hand Woven Purses
Baked Goods, Peanut Butter Manufacturer and Condiments
Food Vending, Snack Foods, Restaurant, Water Bottling

Groups were given activities. Participants were eager to present group findings.  Here Ronnie presents his group's evaluation on product packaging. 

Over the six full day seminars, momentum grew. 
Personalities quickly began to emerge.  The Tiger Grass Broom Makers quickly formed a group they called ROTA (Ronnie, Ontoy, Tony and Alvin).  When it came time to design their logo, they artistically drew the extinct bird that is the symbol for San Andres.  They superimposed this on the flag of the Philippines.  Most unique.  Off to a good start!

When the observation was made that their brooms could not fit  into a suitcase for travel,  their imagination set to work. That it how the Tiger Grass Broom family was born!  From the drawing board to the shop, the first baby tiger grass broom was made.  This broom is firm and will have jobs that are different from the larger, softer tiger grass brooms.   Onward and beyond, next came Mama broom and Papa broom ready to fit in a suitcase.  The full story will be available in a future blog and is now a movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fDNAZ2GUqY

The Fish Processors surprised us in another way.  They began to realize that instead of giving their fish away, they could package, label it and sell it for a price.

Vills who operates a restaurant arrived with his locally famous marinated stuffed fish.  Here is Vills with his  hot chili coconut vinegar and marinated fish:

Whether it be Tamarind, Squash or Coconut Candies, Atchara, Bakery Goods or Peanut Butter,  participants proudly display their new labels developed in the workshops.

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  Spices tend to define a country's culinary uniqueness.  In the market in San Andres, 

the spices were unidentified, not labelled. This presented a great subject for discussion for the labelling workshop. It was great to have a ‘spice lady’ as part of the workshop.

Outstanding weavers make hats, baskets, purses and bags.  Hang tags, posters, and labels were developed for handcrafters participating in the workshop.

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Below, a furniture maker who took part of our seminar, stands by shelving made by her company.

Lilia of Almohed's Hollow Blocks hold the banner designed to advertize her concrete block business.

Great diversity.  Lots of good laughs.  Great help from the staff of the Municipal Agricultural Dept.