Site designed by Elaine Bellezza
MAP
PROJECTS
Mia Mali
Consulting
Cameroon
ACTIVITIES
Design
Full Cycle
Mudcloth
Metal
Build
Training
Virtual Trg
Link to Mkts
Local
Intern'l
Web
CASE STUDIES
Fatim
Ladji
Elaine Bellezza
Design, Build Capacity, & Link
Link to Markets
Once products are market-ready and entrepreneurs are
trained in market readiness, then it is crucial to link them to appropriate markets. It is also important that they have multiple market streams and creative, cost-effective marketing strategies.
Market opportunities include:
• Local retail & wholesale sales (this can include decorating
services)
• Tourism sales
• Corporate gifts
• Regional wholesale and retail sales
• Retail fairs; local, regional and international
• Internet sales, wholesale or retail with individual site and/or part
of a web mall
• Wholesale sales of partial products (such as drawer-pulls to
wholesale furniture manufacturers)
• Promotional events and trunk shows
• Collaboratively sponsored buyer tours
• Marketing skills rather than products (such as selling weaving
production capacity rather than a woven product)
Careful assessments must be made for what are the most profitable and appropriate markets, taking into consideration local and international constraints. Transport costs and restrictions are often key considerations when assessing international market options.
Currency can play a major role as well. For example, in Mali our currency was stable against the Euro but not the dollar. So as the dollar fell and had less buying power we focused our marketing efforts on Europe. Likewise, as the dollar rose, then we focused our efforts on the US where our products were more competitive.
Local Markets
International Markets
Web Markets