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Weblog Nathalie Pennings

21 June 2010

Monday, 7th of June

 

I was picked up by the airport by Benju, ANP's finance manager. He had told me per mail that he was wearing a blue barong and was driving a green pick-up. I had no clue on what a barong was, but to my relief I did see a green pick-up.  When I was about to get into the wrong green pick-up, Benju came up smiling to me, and took me to ANP through a beautiful scenery of smokey sun-dawn, palmtrees and many green plants.

That evening he and Kathleen (ANP's marketing  manager) took me out to dinner. They had me tasting a nice and unpronounceable fish, we drank some margarita's, met the local governor and headed home where I caught up with my jetlag.

 

 

 

Tuesday, 8th of June

 

The next day I met the other consultant who was at ANP - Brian (‘now warries man') from Australia, who is a food labeling expert and came to ANP through ABV (Australian Business Volunteers), the Australian equivalent to Sharepeople.

I went through some data on ANP (finances, procedures and guidelines) and sat down with Benju and Kathleen to discuss the case I would be working on. I was curious if all the recommendations of the previous consultant had been implemented. Many of them were.

One of the problems was the discrepancies between stock/goods delivered and goods sold since there appeared to be more goods sold than delivered (which is technically impossible).

The other issue was that ANP wanted to sell its products through its new e-commerce site (actually a Dutchmen !) but being unfamiliar with the risks this could entail wanted a second opinion on the contracts, legislation, procedures, guidelines, design.

 

Wednesday, 9th of June

 

On Wednesday I spoke with Ronald the inventory analyst and we went through his analysis reports to find out exactly how big the problem was and what could cause/prevent this problem.

We were invited for dinner by Ina Gaston, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of ANP, her husband Joey, family and friends. They own sugar plants and a restaurant (where we ate). People in the Philippines are very social, easy- and outgoing and we had a great evening and many laughs. One of the guests had actually been working for Unilever for 13 years and we discussed the stereotypes the Dutch have about Philippines and vice versa.

 

Thursday, 10th of June

 

It seems that a number of issues can cause overages/shortages in stock such as wrong barcodes, shoplifting, guidelines that are not followed strictly enough. But everyone I speak is really motivated to get the inventory process right which is a good starting point.

I discussed the e-commerce site with my colleagues at Capgemini, Remko Reinders and Nina Fijen from our department OnLine Services, Nina promised to take a professional look at the site.

Also spoke with other consultants from Capgemini with knowledge of the legal/deployment aspects of e-commerce sites.

 

Saturday & Sunday 12/13 June

 

Went diving in Sipalay over the weekend. Somewhat scary bustrip of 5 hours squished intimately between co-passengers and going with speeds over 150 km ph through small and crowded villages.  Wonderful diving spots, saw a big turtle and many harlequin fish.

 

Monday 14th of June

 

Today was Bulawan - a contest for all the product categories, Gifts and Houseware, Furniture, Food and Jewellery. Judges from all over the Philippines came to judge the ANP members'products.

1st draft report on inventory problem. Received some nice input from my dear colleague Nina (Capgemini colleague) on the e-commerce site, spoke with Nina (ANP colleague and inventory clerk) about the process of receiving/withdrawal of goods to see if they were strictly followed.

Went through all the processes.

 

Tuesday 15th of June

 

1st draft report on e-commerce site.

 

 

 

Thursday 15th of June

 

Spoke with Benju and the (Dutch) ICT supplier about the e-commerce site and several questions from ANP about the risks involved, the division of tasks and responsibilities. And important issues such as a good backup, software, deliveries, how to manage risks involved with e-commerce, costs etc..

Brief introduction

06 June 2010

 

From 6-22 June, Nathalie Pennings will assist Association Negros Producers in the Philippines to improve the operational excellence.

 

As the company I worked for - Capgemini - started the initiative to send out consultants through Sharepeople, I am now in the Philippines, with ANP - Associated Negros Producers.

ANP was founded in 1988. It represents,promotes and lobbies the interests of small and medium scale producers in Negros and sells their local products in the ANP showroom. ANP is currently preparing for their 25th anniversary at the fall's Tradefair.

Another consultant from Sharepeople - Judith Lamers - had been there in 2009 to set up guidelines for the showroom inventory.