Archive for April, 2011

If you have a fetish for footwear then head to the Stoffa flagship store in Mumbai for your Stoffa fix.

 Sisters, Priyanka Tejwani and Malini Kotecha are the ladies behind the funky wedges, satin flats with ethnic hand embroidery, Swarovski-studded jute footwear and brocade chappals that retail under the Stoffa brand name.

Stoffa began retaining at Mumbai’s Oak Tree in 2003 and now have their flagship store in Colaba, Mumbai.  The store is 1000 sq ft of sheer delight for any shopaholic and shoe horse. 

Their signature style combines Italian corks, shiny metallic patents and structured heels with traditional Indian beads and stones while the Stoffa Gal and the Stoffa Bride collections represent two different perspectives, each with its own brand of allure.

Stoffa Gal, targeted at the under-20s age-group, has a fabulous funky feel. Whacky designs in young and perky colors, the palette ranges from melon and strawberry to fuchsia and acid green. On the other hand, the Stoffa Bride range is all about elegance and sophistication, metallics and intricate embroidery on plush fabrics.

To get your Stoffa fix head to: Stoffa flagship store: 6/12, Grants Building, 1st Floor, Arthur Bunder Road, Opposite Cafe Basilico, Colaba, Mumbai; Tel: 022-22826619.

Also available at Ensemble, Kimaya, Ogaan, Samsaara, Aza and Mai in Delhi and in Evoluzione and Samsaara in Bangalore

E-mail: mail@stoffastyle.com.

Image: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659

Product, price, physical distribution and promotion…the 4 P’s of the marketing mix but I’d say…people, people, people and people are the 4 P’s revisited. All that talk about cash cows, stars and dogs simply doesn’t make sense if one were to take away the “people” factor from business.

In my earlier post, “People, Passion, Perseverance and Purple Cows: The 4 Pillars of a Great Business Plan” I touched upon what I consider the tip of the iceberg in this regard.  Here’s a long hard look at people…those who have the power to make or break a business…

In The Beginning & In the End It Is All About People

When Philip Kotler said, “Marketing is the beginning and end of all business activity” many agreed and even today I feel that is the best definition of marketing that anyone could have given…clear, concise and comprenehensive.

Taking a cue from the Father of Marketing I would say “Business in the beginning and end is all about people”.  Here’s how…A business exists to serve products and services to people, it is founded by a person or group of people, employs people and people aid its conduct in various ways.  Is it then possible to do business without people?  No…even if manufacturing is automated and you are running an online store you need people to buy your products and services.  So there you have it!

Promoters 

A business begins with an idea and the idea occurs to a person or a group of persons.  Very often that idea is born out of the promoter’s own experience or passion to do something different or create wealth (in most cases).

At other times ideas are born out of observation (observing other people’s behavior or products offered by existing business owners) and in some cases ideas come out of unmet needs that other people have.

The big question that needs some figuring out by a promoter/s is “WHY?”  Why should people buy my product or avail of my service?  Why am I doing this? 

This is an important question as products or services that are solutions by themselves are well received in the market.  Ensuring a successful launch or reception for the product or service is the penultimate responsibility of the promoter. 

To kick start a business it usually takes one person and his or her ideas, motivation and vision.  Soon other people join him or her as partners and employees and thus the tribe grows.

Buyers

The people who turn products in to stars, dogs and cash cows and in some cases are the reason behind question marks are prospects, buyers and consumers.  You bet…there is a difference but I’m not on to that now.

When a business is set up the first step should be customer profiling to find the target market that one wants to service.  Prospects and clients are induced, informed and educated by the sales force.

A satisfied customer is your best bet as far as publicity goes.  He or she passes on their experiences to other people who may try the product or service simply because word of mouth is more powerful a medium when compared to other media of advertising and promotion.

Very often, hard core marketers and theorists propound that the product is the core of a business plan but I would like to take that a little further.   Any product or service that is designed and developed keeping the customer in mind is in fact the core of any successful business.

All the talk about brand loyalty amounts to nothing without people.  Brand loyalty develops only because people are loyal to the brand. 

In the end I would say…people power business…they propel an idea, fuel business growth and purchase products and services.  The business of customized products and services is in fact more people centric.  Revolving around individuals, their tastes, preferences and aspirations, customized products bear the signature style of the maker.

Truly a business that starts with people and ends with them!!! 

Image: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2125

If you are among those who frown upon cloth bags and think they are “not happening” then one look at Tote-ally’s cotton totes will prove how wrong you are.

The brainchild of Shreya Shanbag, a young management graduate, Tote-ally (pronounced as totally) offers a range of biodegradable totes made from fair trade cotton.  Embellished with screen-printed logos, illustrations and catchy slogans at INR 350/- onwards, these totes are the coolest and greenest style statement that you could make.

There’s something for everyone:

• “For the love of groceries” with an illustration listing essential items including sugar, onions, salt and milk just in case you choose to go shopping for groceries very often.
• “Almost everything can be recycled” tote that has a picture of a recycle sign shaped as a heart to perk you up post break-up.
• Other totes that display slogans such as “Bring your own bag, bugger” and “Give green a chance”.

Shreya’s graphic designer friend, Friyan Sutaria has joined in to churn out some quirky, kick-ass designs. Friyan’s designs include a Hot and Chic collection that depicts a sketch of a young girl in blue and dark green stilettos, respectively.

If you’d like a customized tote, Shreya is open to designing for individuals, corporates and brands. Log on to her page on Facebook or even suggest an idea for a design. Placing a bulk order takes care of the economics though.

On the anvil: Totes for weddings and bachelorette parties.

What are you waiting for?  Grab your eco-friendly arm candy at Tote-ally…Call 9819233367
Email: toteally.shoppers@gmail.com
Check out Tote-ally on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/toteally

Image: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=151