How does the volunteering can impact the Business ?

By Coline Le Bourhis

The question of the link between volunteering and business is really interesting but not a lot of people interest by it. In order to learn more about this, my class and I went to the west side of Chicago with Valerie Beck our teacher. 

We’ve visited Beelove which just moved in new house because they are growing up.

Basicaly, Bee love tally seven employees. All the employees have a thing in common: they have a criminal past. Beelove help them to begin a new life with a process named « the sweet beginning ». They obtained this job by the usual process: resume, application and interview. Some of the employees didn't get a job before to work for Beelove. The employees can work for Beelove  during 60 working days and in the same time, they can be ready for a new departure by themselves. For exemple, during our visit to Bee Love, we met a lady who take class in the same time that she works. After her period with Beelove is done, she would love to open her own cooking business. All the employees are really passionate about their job and do a little bit of everything (productions, packaging, honey extraction etc).

This company is based on the west side of Chicago. This area is 20 minutes away from downtown by CTA Metro. When we arrived, the neighborhood was almost empty, the half of the house are unoccupied. This is a very poor -but not dangerous- area but the people there have a nice heart and mind. The city didn’t want to invest into this area since 57% of the people who leave there have a criminal past.

For Beelove, their is severals interests to do volunteering. First for the human side. And also because it bring to bee love good publicity such as article or interview about Brenda Palms and her company. Also, for people who want to shop bee love product, the fact to help old criminal and contribute to their new departure could be a good sell argument. The Beelove product permits to the employee to begging a new life. 

Brenda palms, is and ambitious CEO. In the first time, people was laughing at her project but she persevered and proof to the people that we can succeed with nothing at the beginning: it’s call the American Dream. The only key to succeed in your American Dream is to be honest and ambitious. 

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE SWEET BEGINNERS!

Chocolate Business : ethics, passion and networking

~ CHOCOLATE BUSINESS ~

Even before they declared their independence from England, the American colonists were making chocolate. Americans love it, in all its forms. Chocolate makes part of their life and became a staple which benefit the famous firms that have become today Nestlé, Mondelés or Hershey’s. For these companies, the ultimate goal was to make profit from something successful. Fortunately, we met entrepreneurs like Robert Untiedt (Graham's fine chocolate & icecream) or even Michelle Adam’s (The Sugar Path) who just built their own success from their passion for chocolate and pleasure to please. Today, the chocolate industry is worth an estimated $110 billion a year. Nevertheless, these big companies and small shops who promote “home-made” have each one thing in common: cocoa!

From Cocoa to chocolate, and from poverty to profit, the supply chain knows today some complications, what are they? How to fight them? What are the different networking strategies between Robert and Michelle? At last, what is the best way that businesses can help each other? These are things that I learnt in Geneva and that I want to share with you today.

In reality, the chocolate supply chain meets today 3 problems.

  CHILD LABOR

For starters, the cocoa necessary for the manufacturing of chocolate in factories is mainly harvested In Africa. The problem is that, to look no further than Ivory Coast and Ghana, 1.5 million children are working in plantation. It goes against ethics and is totally forbidden. The grand Nestlé has been for example cited. Purchasers of chocolate from Nestle, The Hershey Co. and Mars Inc. have filed three class-actionlawsuits against the food companies for allegedly using child labor in the production of their best-selling chocolate candy, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat, Twix, MilkyWay, Butterfinger, BabyRuth, M&Ms and many others, according to Hagens Berman. By this way, they are losing their value, their credibility, and their reputation. Such a bad brand image is communicated because of this. They have responsibilities, now they are trying to stop the child labor and help the African’s workers. With the 11 Billion Swiss francs that earn Nestlé every year, they could put more of the corporate money on education, new school, build roads…

  CUSTOMER EXPACTATIONS ARE CHANGING

Moreover, these big companies will have to meet customer’s expectations. People are nowadays awarded of the child labor’s practice and don’t want to be ashamed, eating some cookies or chocolate. People are more and more encouraging the fair-trade and choosing chocolate that lists the country of cocoa bean origin. On top of that, citizens are more and more careful with their health: they don’t want preservatives and artificial ingredients anymore, they want a pure taste. “The global chocolate is in a time of change”. Solutions today are to promote fair-trade, benefit farm facilities and communities.

  COCOA CRISIS

Furthermore, the upcoming problem for the Chocolate’s market at this time is the cocoa crisis, which is arriving in West Africa, due to the unsustainable farming practices, the climate changes and the Ebola’s virus. In a time were chocolate demand is strong and increasing, were the quality is essential, and the way of producing crucial,  the best way to resolve all that problems would be to invest in South Africa, Latin America, Ecuador, Peru or Colombia.

Linking all these information, I can now much better understand why little shops and “home-made” have more success from day to day. There is just no way to compare the way they select their cocoa, their process, their workers, their ethics, their mind, their product and their quality. Now, let’s talk about how Robert and Michelle make a difference (ambitions and networking strategies).

  COMMUNITY AND WORD OF MOUTH

Robert and Michelle have respectively created their shops by a passion been born from their childhood. Indeed, while Robert was growing in his mum’s bakery and sold home maid “kool aid” in streets at the age of seven, Michelle and her sisters helped their fathers in his farm and tested recipes with their Italian mother who loved to cook. By this way, for them the first word associated with “cook” was “family”; and, their dream coming true little by little, “family” became “community”. The main purpose for each of them was to grow like they wanted to: don’t do something big, but do it with quality and good product in a community’s spirit. So, they choose Geneva which is more peaceful than downtown and allow them to keep a family atmosphere. They try to be connected with their customers, everybody know them and come into their bakery with more than the pleasure to buy, but the one of share and live. Thus, every people who leave, talk about their chocolate, their pastries, and bring them new customers. That is how their businesses started and is running today: networking by word of mouth. They really don’t care about not being downtown, they did what they wanted and succeeded. Moreover their concept permits them to make the difference and to be at least equally successful than a well-known bakery for example In the Michigan Avenue! (Trip advisor gave them a 4,8 out of 5 raking!!). The difference that we can note between Michelle and Robert at their beginning is that Michelle started her business in Farmers market and salon, there is where she met her first future clients. None the less, both of them knew an immediate success as soon as their shops opened.

  GIVE ANG GET

As their concept is much more about community than business, their strategies to get more customers and notoriety (in addition to word of mouth) are not to use the press or other Medias. They get involved in citizens life, their devise is: “Give, and what you get back will be even more”. In one hand, they are giving their help. For Michelle, it is more  about school donations. It is really important for her to volunteer and know to be generous, as it is for Robert. He is more involved in donation to organizations and to churches. He said: “Stay connected tightly with people works better than newspaper.” On the other hand, they are involved in events. Robert and his team know how to advertise themselves and donate at the same time. For example, they organized the event “Graham’s sundae 5K run and walk” this August 16, it permitted them to gather their community, but also to gain more customers and donate to the Mikey Wunderlich foundation. They can also volunteering in events and represent Graham’s with a simple tee-shirt. Moreover, both Michelle and Robert are proposing their high-quality service for weddings. It will make parties pretty much amazing but will also benefit to them as hundreds of people will taste their pastries/ chocolate, will want to know where they are coming from, and place an order for them.

   GET SOCIAL

With the emergence of social network, be present in it is not part of a choice. It is the best way to communicate on your concept without paying. Graham’s and Sugarpath have a Facebook page but are also active on Instagram andTwitter. Michelle tells us that they are good deal to advertise businesses for free and grow up more. To increase their sales, they also have their own internet page. It presents their history, their products, but permits also to contact them and to order online, isn’t that beautiful?? Finally, you can share Robert’s passion threw little videos that explain some of his recipes.

/>

BUSINESSES HELP EACH OTHER

In the United States, it is rare when businesses don’t help each other. Indeed, If Michelle could start her career it is thanks to a lady working in a restaurant who accepted to LEND her during the night, her restaurant’s kitchen. Then, this same generous soul, proposed her to sell some pastries she made, to help her at the beginning.  Michelle explained us, like Robert, that in business, it is really important to have a mentor. They advice you, they get you your the first relationships, and they know that you will do the same one way or another. This woman was thus, Michelle’s mentor and there are still in relation today.  It is primordial to allow people to learn, like during internships. Moreover Businesses  should share their experiences and expertise so they can improve their products and their services, becoming together the best’s ones. Partnerships and sharing is stronger than war and competition.

Get more informations and order online :

http://www.grahamschocolate.com/

http://www.thesugarpath.com/

THE NETWORK = THE SUCCESS !!

Hello, my name is Quentin , I am 20 years old . I study in French business school.

Actually I am in academic exchange with The Columbia College.

I am going to share with you, what is networking, why networking is important in the US , aspects of networking easiest and hardest. To finish, I shall illustrate with one example of an American company: Toni Patisserie.

What is networking?

The network is a relation between people .Generally it is a friend’s network, family or professional. The network allows an exchange of service or experiences between the people. It is important to have good relations with its professional network because it is the key to make a success in the business.

Importance in the US ?

It is obvious that any company has a network. In fact, it is that who allows the company to obtain customers, suppliers, partners….It is similar that the money, it is the blood of the company. More a company has a network more likely it is to succeed in his sector. The goal is not to have a network but to know when we have to use it and at which moment. It’s very important in the US because the relations still a lot on the confidence. A company you trusts to you rather than has other company if it is network spoke to him about you. It is always necessary to have a business card in the US because every person to meet can help you in your business. So do not hesitate to give his business card for one person to meet during evening, a meeting... This person can remember of this exchange later and you contact again for a business.

Aspects of networking easiest and hardest

I think that the network has two aspects, for me there is a launch of the network which is easiest and the preservation of the network which is hardest.

For create a network it needs to be sociable ,go to the meeting, speak with a lot people, go has particular events….This network builds up easily during our life .But most hard it is to stay in regular contact with the network.

To guarantee the success of a company, the network has to be always on the long term. To maintain this network it is necessary do not hesitate to use him as often as possible. It is fundamental to have the vision that the network does not have to be always in our interest. We must also be able to help the members of our network and not use him that when we need it.

To maintain a relation it is important to take a regularly news with the members .The many parties (Christmas, the new year…) allow to send a postcard or e mail and thus to keep in touch.

I thus think to make a success its network it is necessary ready to help the others and in return they will help us.

It is the key of the success !!!

With my class we are go to meet Paul Pell .He has we to tell the story of its Patisserie: “Toni Patisserie”. Twenty years ago, he opened with his wife Toni Marie their first Patisserie in suburb of Chicago for 30000 dollars. Today they have a big Patisserie in the center of Chicago which costs 2.2 millions of dollars. To make this success they are very present on the social networks in particular on Facebook. They use a lot of network in particular the hostels which their bring many customers of the whole world. Their products are high-quality, indeed they provide in Belgium and in France. To maintain their successes they organize event on Thursday, they sell macaroons to 1 dollars. The customers thus comes to taste, buys and returns because products are of very good qualities.

I wish to thank my professor Valerie Beck for have allowed to meet Paul Pell and to know the story of its Patisserie.

PS : Go to enjoy products you will not be disappointed.

The business of Networking

Networking, Crucial Element for your Company

By Thomas Brossard

Hello everyone! My name is Thomas, I am 21 years old and I study in business.

Today I am going to explain what is the Network and why this is so important to succeed in business.

To do this I will take an example of a American company called Toni Patisserie  owned by Paul Pell. I am actually studying at Chicago and one of our courses is to discover companies and ask them question about their beginning and how they grown in the U.S.

What is Networking?

Your network is one of the most important part to begin a business, not only in the U.S but everywhere around the world. The term Networking means persons you met or worked with for example.

In one hand it is very easy to get a good network but in another hand it is very difficult to keep it. Everybody has a network (friends, family etc..) but it is more or less difficult to maintain. One of the best tip I can give you is:" DO NOT BE SHY". Some persons are comfortable to speak with an unknown person, others are not. 

Why is so important?

When you begin a company, obviously you need costumer. Costumer give you money, the blood of your company, and you can evolve. Getting customer is so difficult but your network will give you a base where you can bounce to promote your business and IT IS FREE!!! It is very easy to get network but it is harder to keep relation with. If you do not focus in, your network will disappear and you will develop a new one.

Paul understood that and I will explain to you his story.

 

The 7th of October, We met Paul Pell, the owner of Toni Patisserie.

He told his story and key to succeed in business in the U.S.

Everything began 20 years ago in Chicago suburb. Toni and his wife get an idea: open a Patisserie & Cafe. Unfortunately they had only 30 000$. Renting a local in Chicago is too expensive and competitors are already implanted. 

Today they are located in the Loop, the biggest and the most popular district in the Windy City.

This shop cost them 2.2millions$. This important investment is due to the location of the shop but is due to machines and products. He only sell hight quality products as french chocolate. His products are expensive but really good (trust me). 

Now you have an idea of Paul shop lets talk about the creation of his network. Every week he give chocolate, cakes to concierges in hotel. Concierge give to visitors and obviously love it and go at Toni Patisserie. 

Why? Easy, concierge talks to visitors respond to questions and a customer ask for a restaurant etc... With this method Paul does advertising for free and get new customers. He creates event every Thursday: all macaron at 1$ only. This event intended to catch new customers and, as macaron are good, they come back. One more time a smart idea and a cheap idea. 

Thanks to our excursion I visit and discover amazing places and shops and the most important I develop my own network.

I hope I helped you to get a clear idea about what network is and having read this blog I could become a part of your network, this how it work!

Thank to reading my post and good luck for you future experiences.

P.S: Just for eyes pleasure:

 




 

Networking, the key of success In U.S.A

By LENGLET Gauthier

Nowadays most people wish to change their career and for that there is a mean old as the world, and still effective is the "networking".

The networking is  a way to creat new profetionnal relations who allow to find some unsuspected opportunities. It is an very importante tool in business in america because it is an exchange of services and knowledge. Firstable the networking allow you to evoluate in the society. The importance in the networking is not to know people is to be known, the idea is when people have opportunity they have to spontaneously think about you and thi is how you will increase your experiences and your career.

In U.S.A people prefer the contact and people you are trustworthy this is why they will entrust their projects to their networks

Create an networking seems very easy but you have to respect an certain order, some steps to know :

            1) Develop your approach = create a link : Do not start your introduction with: " I'm looking for work." Employers constantly hear this sentence and that exasperate . Instead, try to create interest through knowledge , of information or a common interest that makes you contact your representative. In this way you encourage your partner to be interested in you and what you have to say. Conclusion : Prepare your introduction by researching the company or the person and keep an indirect approach by highlighting your expertise

            2) Set a goal : Why do you contact this person? Is it to ask for information , an email , an appoitment? Each approach is different. You can not approach someone in the same way if you want to inquire an information or if you want to meet him ... etc. And it is importante to remember , you must leave with the desired information (mail, phone,...)

            3) Know your strengths and weaknesses : In this type of approach it is important to have a preconceived speech about your background and your strengths and weaknesses . You are your own product and you have to sell yourself . You are the book cover and the contents inside. You must be able to disclose enough information to make them want your interviewer to go further .

            4) Listening : you are on the phone or face to face, "the listening is ESSENTIAL ! ". You must be able to listen without interrupting and bounce on important information. Even if the speaker seems not to be interested , do not pull the discussion just on you. They will lose interest for you.

            5) Conclude your approach : This last step before may seem strange, but many forget networker conclude and summarize what was said during the exchange. Confirm your appointment, contact your shed or need assistance. Please do not leave the choice to the caller : " So when are you available to meet : Wednesday, Thursday? "

            6) Maintain your network : It is not when you are looking for work you need to maintain your network but rather before and during your good times . Furthermore , maintaining its network is not simply to meet professionals . It is also to be of service , of interest to you.

we have visited a compagnie « toni paticerie ». And the kind Cole Pell tell us the story of him and his wife toni. 

At their beginning, in chicago twenty years ago, they opened a shop in the suburbs of chicago for 30 000 dollars to spend less in advertising and it was working but know they have a paticerie in the center of the loop wich as cost  2.2 million dollars. This is an business who use the networking now because they need it to continue to growth but they use a companie of net working who help them to communicate with biggers customers as hotel. With this systeme they can be more concentrate on the products they offer to their customers. For that they play on the good quality of their products and they provide at « european import » this how they find some belgium chocolate for example. Also to benefit their customers of a lower price they organize little regular event like every Thursday they sell macaroon for only one dollar.

Networking, one of the most important key of success

by Jean-François JOUVINROUX

Why networking is important inn the us ?

« NETWORKING is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization! » Adam Small

Networking is about making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships.

In the US networking is very important if you want to create or just taking part to a business. It’s in a way one of the most important key of success in the business world, in fact people do business with those they like and trust. They can help us like resources or to succeed, it’s for that networking is so important. In our life, at our work, we always meet some new people and build some connection or relationship with them. The question is how you leverage your network? In business you have to take advantage of all the things you do and all the people you meet, you will help someone one day and he will remember it and if you need him too help you he will.

The networking allows us to establish your business contact, accelerate you professional development and create your Knowledge resources.

There are two things we have to know about networking. The easiest part and the hardest part. The easy part is to establish our network, for that all we have to do is to be sociable and to leverage all opportunity we have to meet new people. There is a lot of opportunity in our life to meet other people, during meeting, special event and in everyday life. But the harder part is to maintain this network, to keep contact with someone.

 Networking is one of the most fundamental necessities for long-term success. Your career depends on networking from the time you are in school until the time you retire. People need to understand that their entire career is dependent upon networking, and longevity is not possible without it. If you do not network, and do so consistently, you will likely eventually be in trouble.

  

 Business in USA

We have the pleasure to meet last week Cole Pell, we went their to see a business that her wife started 20 years ago, when they took the decision to open their first shop in a Chicago suburb. They maked this decision because of the price, in fact they started this adventure with only 30 000$ and this place was perfect to spend less money in advertising and to be known. It was a success 20 years after they choose to open an other one for 2.2 million$ in the center of the loop in Chicago.

After a long interview with Cole, he told us the to thinks which had build their success. The first things you have to know about Toni Patisserie is about the high quality of their product. In fact they bring all of their chocolate of all the best place you can find, using for example the famous European Import to bring the best quality product for their famous macaroon, chocolate cake….

The second thing is their network. To extend their activities they had to touch more people. For that they took the decision to hire a company which was specialize in networking, to touch and to be in contact with more people. But they understood very well the fact that they can be known with different other way. That’s why every week Cole bring some chocolate patisserie to all concierges of famous hotel around the store, with that every time tourism or other people come and ask for a special location in Chicago, concierges speak about Toni patisserie as one of the best place to discover Chicago. He didn’t just do that they give some free product at the end of the church and many sociable things like that which have build there strong an beautiful success

That is networking a present for free advertising with that we can easily understand that networking is one of the most important things to succeed in business. If you are interesting to see what that look like I invite you to see them on Tuesday when they make their special offer for their delicious macaroon for just 1$.