Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade Inc. (APFTI)

Cost savings through better co-operation with the Philippine Fair Trade organisations

As a follow up of the APFTI-case in 2006 and the FFTV-case in 2007, the Fair Trade organisations APFTI and FFTV asked SharePeople for advice on how to be able to work together more efficiently. SharePeople helped the organisations by making them more decisive and resolute and by improving the efficiency of the production flow. Expert John van de Winkel, Owner of Vandewinkel Consultancy & Interim Management, visited APFTI and FFTV for about 2 weeks.

About APFTI

The Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. (APFTI) is a non-governmental organisation seeking to end poverty through Fair Trade in the Philippines. APFTI supports and upholds producers, workers and communities struggling to find their way out of underdevelopment through trade, business, co-operatives, income-generation projects, entrepreneurship and other socio-economic community-based initiatives. APFTI is responsible for fair trade awareness, technical design and business training with producers and sales to the domestic market. Within AFPTI, there is also an international trading organisation for fair trade products called FFTV, which partnered with SharePeople. APFTI employs 20 members of staff and has supported more than 1,000 households over the last 10 years.

APFTI and FFTV have become alienated from each other, however, in the future they will have to join

forces in order to maintain their market position. APFTI and FFTV ask SharePeople for advice about a plan of action that must lead to better co-operation. They also have issues in the management and organisation area.

Results

• APFTI and FFTV must improve their production process in such a way that they can manufacture their products more efficiently and focus more on the market.
• In order to be able to work more efficiently, the organisations have to combine product development, finance and administration.
• As a niche section of APFTI, FFTV is able to gain access to the international market of Fair Trade products. For this, FFTV must co-operate with APFTI on a commercial basis.
• Dutch expert John van de Winkel completed the assignment on the spot and got the plans for changes in both organisations going.

Impact on the overseas partner

• A new approach/plan has been formulated for APFTI and FFTV in co-operation with all the members of the management. The implementation scheme has also been established.
• Since the international demand for Fair Trade products far exceeds local demand, it has been agreed to focus more on the international market.
• Sales perspectives have improved considerably and the cost reduction has been realised.

‘The expert had excellent skills in interviewing /probing/ getting information. Therefore, the expert was able to identify the areas, which needed improvement in efficiency. I have learned various tools and techniques in consulting.' Mr. Rommel Agustin, Executive Director at APFTI

Impact on the European professional

‘This experience has changed how I interact socially. I have become calmer and more patient. I am now utilising these skills in my company, Vandewinkel Consultancy & Interim Management.' Mr. John van de Winkel, Owner of Vandewinkel Consultancy & Interim Management

Follow up

FFTV has become incorporated within APFTI and internal management has changed. Furthermore, last July, Marketing Manager Arnel Astillero from APFTI participated in the SharePeople Experience Programme and gained new insights and contacts from Dutch and European Fair Trade shops and goods. This will assist him in the marketing towards the EU.