In each issue the ZC Pulse brings you an interview with a corporate leader who has taken the challenge.  More companies are taking the challenge every day.  This issue we have the opportunity to meet Anna Eliopoulos, President & Founder, Peter & Paul's, Baskets and Gifts Inc.

Anna Eliopoulos

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Peter & Paul's, Baskets and Gifts Inc., www.peterandpaulsbaskets.com offers the latest unique gifts, boutique baskets, and corporate promotional items with innovative ideas for any occasion or event.  Peter & Paul's, Baskets and Gifts Inc., has enjoyed many successes over the last 28 years in business, and is one of Canada's largest gift giving companies. We are continuously evolving and growing to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients and always looking for ways to be leaders and innovators. 

Q:  What attracted you to the idea of purchasing/representing fair trade products and taking the ZOË Challenge?
I found The ZOË Challenge to be a perfect blend enabling us to promote social responsibility within our organization (click to read full response) 

Q:  I can see how it benefits the producer and it sounds like a nice "warm and fuzzy" idea, but how does it benefit your business and your clients?

Don't get us wrong. The product has to be different, great quality and at competitive price points to attract our clients.   Incorporating it into our CSR program is a bonus and makes Peter & Paul's stand out 

Q:  In many businesses there are barriers to taking on a new supplier or a small supplier, is this concept worth the headache of taking on the system?  Why?

Big or small, it is how the supplier runs their infrastructure that is the most important.  Are the quantities available, production and delivery seamless, quality exceptional etc.  All of the above has been exceeded with All of the above has been exceeded with ZOË Alliance... (click to read full response)  

Q:  Your company is already giving donations and you already have significant activity in contributing to the community.  What is the reason that you chose to include impoverished and marginalized producers in your supplier pool?

The possible outreach that it symbolizes on a global scale.  The movement must start somewhere and if we can be a part of the many corporations to participate it helps lend to that movement. Plus as a staple in the gifting sector we make a statement and a presence by offering products that can be incorporated into a CSR program.  As I have developed P & P over (click to read full response) 

Q:  How does it feel to know the names of the people who are directly benefiting from your order?

Clients are more and more looking for that personal gift.  Knowing that the gift is not only hand crafted but comes with a 'face' to it only helps justify and reward the impact that that gift has made. 

Q:  Any other comments about the possibilities of this movement if everyone took it on?

We have done our own market research and the gifting, promotional and donations sector does have staggering numbers even through tighter times and diminished budgets.  Never would we have thought about the impact that only 10% could make until ZOË Alliance came on the scene.  Promoting CSR with clients is one thing but truly understanding the numbers and possibilities is another.  

Thank you to Anna and the whole team at Peter & Paul's for joining the Alliance and Taking the Challenge! We are all another step closer to our goal because of you.  

This issue we have very exciting news from the village.  The medical

clinic that Mercy Abraham Imondi, General Trustee of Mahalir Aran

Mercy & Vinci Looking at Plans with Architect

Trust, has dreamed of providing for the community is fast becoming a

reality.   

In November of 2010, the building began and just recently the well was established to supply the centre.  It was incredibly successful, as many know the water table in India is dangerously low and the entire team was delighted when the first sign of water was found at only 55 feet in depth. 

Water Spouting from Drill

Drilling a bore-well is a very expensive proposition and sometimes, it can result in no water.  After a full day of drilling a 500 foot well, it was declared a resounding success with plenty of water for the medical clinic. 

The clinic should be finished up for May with the grand opening in September of this year.  All in all it will serve over 400 families whose next closest medical option is a 15km walk away.  There will be two doctors, an eye surgeon and a general practitioner as well as a full time nurse. 

The team sends best wishes to all of us here. 

There are many more women waiting

Team at Work Drilling

to be trained to work in the Flowering Desert Production Unit of

Mahalir Aran Trust and thanks to the clinic, they'll soon be able to have their families medical needs tended to near by as well.

Congratulations to our friends Janet Rogers of VIA Design and Mercy & Vinci Imondi for making the dream come true.

UPCOMING COVERAGE:

Look for coverage of ZOË Alliance in your next issues of:

Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine 

Ignite Magazine or (Link to pdf version of article) 

KEY LINKS:

ZOË Challenge Video (I Can Do That!) 

Press Release Take the Challenge (Think 1:1:1) 

TV News Segment November 23, 2010 

Interview with Chris Chopik of Evolution Green