"I'd like to try my hand at a kind
of sports glove that Swany has not manufactured yet!"
With that spirit I went to the scuba-diving fair. I was about
to give up, when finally I heard "Why don't you make
a sample?"
In order to make a sample, I read up on the world of scuba,
and produced the first sample. But criticism was merciless:
too expensive, materials not good, badly made.
From there I had frequent discussions with the sample room,
changed the style, consulted our Chinese factory about reducing
the unit price, and procured materials that were both cheap
and of high quality. Through the collaboration of many, we
at last succeeded to make a product that satisfied the buyers.
To turn an idea into a product, the cooperation of many people
is indispensable. To market this article, that is the result
of the concentrated effort of everyone, is the responsibility
of the sales section.
When you're under such pressure, it is wonderful to see the
products that you designed yourself on the market. That's
the charm of this job.
“I’d like to make as yet unavailable
ski gloves for children”
Business
Story 2
During a business talk, I heard that
statement from one of our buyers. Concerning ski gloves, I
had used several techniques to attain functionality, stressing
warmth and ease of use, and considered myself a veteran in
the field. But, upon hearing that idea out of the blue, honestly
speaking, I had no idea what to do.
Our section chief backed me up by saying "Try to make
what you wanna make", and by giving me opportunity to
collect materials and study the market. Having made up my
mind to look at things from a different angle than I do in
case of sports gloves, I went to the children's clothes section
of a department store, where I was surprised by the brightness
of the designs and colours. Based on this test, I thought
that rather than focusing on functionality like up to now
when making ski gloves, wouldn't it be possible to produce
an item that would make children call out "I want this!"
as if they're picking out a toy.
However, information was lacking about such things as materials
that I hadn't used before, where to attach ornamentation,
and whether or not the sewing was technically feasible, plus
even after choosing some part I was still in the dark about
where to get it. The sample room and factory staff offered
ideas and suggestions about materials and methods, so that
I could make one new realization after another.
When I set out to have a look at the end product in the shops,
I encountered small children petitioning their mothers "Mommy,
these gloves are so cute, I want them!" I felt like running
up to them and embrace them.
For even one item, it takes many hands to plan, sew, dispatch,
and display. I feel responsibility and pride in my work, but
more than that I think that if there hadn't been a company
policy conducive to new challenges, this would never have
happened.
Based on this experience, I would like to reach out for other
new possibilities.
