ETWA’s Business Development Initiative (BDI)

NEWS: A warm welcome to Taryn, ETWA's new BDI Coordinator!

If you're interested in supporting this strategic project, please send us an email to: sales@etwa.org.au

BDI Mission

To support the socio–economic well–being and self–sustainability of East Timorese women
through community oriented programs, particularly in the handcrafts industry.

Values

Although ETWA and our East Timorese partners participate in the capitalist economy, our values are aligned with solidarity or alternative economies. We are not promoting individualism, profit at any cost, or wealth for a few. Key values consistent with our overall mission and relevant for this project include:

· Prioritising the needs and aspirations of our East Timorese partners (rather than prioritising profit)

· Cooperation and mutual support

· Respect for the cultural integrity and intellectual property of East Timorese weavers

· Accountability and transparency in our stakeholder relationships (including East Timor and Australian commercial partners).

Vision for the BDI

That Australian consumers and retailers:

· Purchase East Timorese products in quantities, and at a price, sufficient to sustain Cooperative members (and ultimately contribute to sustaining a premium–inducing handcrafts industry in East Timor); and

· Value East Timorese products for their cultural integrity, quality, functionality and contribution to a sustainable handcrafts industry in East Timor.

Strategy

ETWA is facilitating a business development initiative to improve bookmark (initially) and other product (ultimately) sales. Business development is both a launch project and an ongoing modus operandi. As well as maintaining solidarity markets, we acknowledge that entering mainstream markets expands the customer reach of East Timorese products and increases the potential for sales turnover. Therefore, our sales expansion strategy is to connect with commercial retailers and appeal to mainstream consumers – i.e. consciously work within free market principles without compromising our values and goals, and broaden our retail/consumer base to include buyers who do not necessarily have an emotional tie to East Timor’s plight. Nonetheless, research shows that mainstream consumers are open to ethical consumption and that this is largely untapped in mainstream markets. This is a strength of ETWA’s relationship with East Timorese women.

sales@etwa.org.au

Click here for information about ordering East Timorese handcrafts

Our BDI also links to our commitment to Social Marketing