I was meant to be in Cape Town today, but no such luck as they are finalizing what else can be added to the to do list. This I was actually grateful for as it freed up my morning for much needed phone calls on the hunt for new clients.
Mondays and Fridays I have learnt are a waste of time so the week is condensed into 3 days. The first half a dozen calls were not great as all went to voice messages and I hate leaving details. Tomorrow I will be more persistent and they will answer. Only two phoned back which is at least something.
The one call I had been looking forward to the most was the most positive as it couldn't have gone any better. This account is a biggie as this one covers Africa and Dubai. 55 accounts under one account (54 countries in Africa) as they have centralized their buying which makes perfect sense.
The lady I am dealing with will introduce me to the middle man running the operation as he is only a systems guy and needs help. I am different in my thinking as the way I work is a two way street. I will gladly help wherever I can even on products I make nothing from. You have to be helpful in order to be helped and this is all coming together at the end of March. Hoping for this to kick into gear within 3 months or less as that is realistic by June. so much needs to be sorted and this will take time.
This company who is a giant in their industry currently outsources from all over outside the South African borders. This has to change as the one example highlighted today is manufactured and imported from Dubai with added import duties and is still sent back to Dubai as a part shipment. There is no financial sense in this and I have a factory in mind where I have the relationship allowing me Carte Blanche. They know me and trust me and have already said yes not even knowing what it entails. Blind faith maybe but I need them as much as they need me on this. Once the contract starts I will do a tour of the factory and possibly do it on 3speak if I can get help as it is interesting to see how things are made.
The deal we discussed is that we do a joint venture buying the moulds together which ties them in for life and possibly opens up supplying globally as these things will have been branded with their name all over them. The factory gets paid as a service provider and with the volumes forecast will be their biggest money spinner. Everyone wins and I tie them in for a very long time as the moulds are not cheap. This cost would be built in on the price and paid off over 5 years guaranteeing business for that long and why I am so keen on this style of business as there is no risk.
I haven't seen the entire list of things they need made locally yet and hoping their is more than 1 item requiring injection moulders. Capital won't be a problem as a joint venture with a household name you just find it and know many who would gladly throw money at it.
