Quenching the thirst- similarities between coffee growers & garment manufacturing
It’s now been four months, not including the small relapse, in early February, since I have been off coffee- see blog of 22nd February 2015. That smell which drags you into the coffee shop first thing in the morning. The caffeine that your body just can’t wake up without. Those extra spoons of sugar, in my case, which makes it just that sweet with that special taste of coffee to gulp down and feel invigorated to start the day.
No more for me. None of that. I took what can only be called ‘cold turkey’ and went off it totally and absolutely. I knew that was the only way. I liked the smell, the taste, the sugar the rush it gave me too much. I was hooked on it.
It initially started after a chance viewing of a TV programme on coffee growers of Vietnam, the 2nd largest exporters of coffee in the world. Did a bit of research. Saw some similarities to the manufacturing of garments from Bangladesh. Was interested in the lessons learnt about the development of the supply chain and were they transferable or not from one to the other. And thought it was a good excuse to see if I can cut coffee out of my system. Win / Win.
Four months on, the smell of coffee stirs the taste buds without question. However the taste of coffee I find more difficult. Mind you I know it wouldn’t be difficult to get back on it because the brain still remembers pleasure one got from sipping a nicely made frothy late.
I have come back to my personal quest of not having coffee at a time when I am looking to see what next for myself. What have I learnt? How will that help me choose my next appointment? How will that help me complete the next set of tasks?
For the last few years my work has been around creative industries, textile development, fashion, garments, manufacturing, supply chain, ethical sourcing, sustainability and supporting individual creative practitioners as well as working with the various industries.
I was fortunate enough to be asked to be one of the panellist to discuss, ‘How can technology shape a sustainable future for Fashion?’ at the recent Source Summit organised by Ethical Fashion Forum. Other panellists were, Caitlin Bristol, Global Manager, Social Innovation at eBay Inc. and Cyndi Rhoades, CEO of Worn Again. The session was Chaired by, Russ Shaw, Founder of Tech London Advocates. The various sessions from the Summit can be viewed online.
It was really enjoyable to be part of such an event to hear and find out the amazing developments and progress that has been made in this sector and what more is to come in the future you can also check out the Just-Style article of the event by Miche...
What I took away from the event and the last four months of not partaking coffee were not that far apart.
- Lesson 1: Must understand what the jargon means and how it is understood and applied e.g. sustainability, ethical, CSR, compliance etc by the various sectors one is trying to connect with. All language carries a meaning. Some more loaded and previewed in a negative manner than others. Thought not meant to. So all those words become an obligation and a task to be completed.
- Lesson 2: Having understood the jargon, we then need to make sure we don’t make generalisations and lump the end user, the brand/ retailer, supplier, the manufacturer, policy makers, interest groups and others and all that they do all together.
- Lesson 3: Having access to the right information, facts, figures the analysis of what really is going on so that I, as an individual or as one of the other players involved in the sector can make informed decisions and actions which can make a difference.
As I continue my journey with coffee, garments & co I hope to continue to apply the lessons learnt at an individual level but also at a more strategic level.