| ZC PULSE: Building a Movement
 Collaboration is so powerful. We have all heard Margaret Mead quoted many times, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." This newsletter brings us a story about what a village business leader, social entrepreneur, commercial product designer, and marketers at an accounting services firm decided to do. We hope you will enjoy the story as each actor enters the stage and plays their role.
At the tail end of last year one of our partners, Mercy Abraham Imondi from Dharmapuri in India visited Canada. She shares a common vision with ZOË and while she was here we got down to business. Mercy's tenacity and commitment is unbelievable and she is 1,000 percent committed to the people in her community. We talked, learned, laughed and dared to imagine a future with greater and greater impact on lives in rural India. A country that unbelievably, is home to 40% of the world's poor and over 1/3 of the world's malnourished children.
As you might imagine, one of the key factors to success in this endeavour is coming up with market-based ideas that are well designed and cost effective so that they will be of interest to many customers. To do that we need the input of many people. Enter Ranee Lee of raneeleedesign.com. Ranee is an accomplished commercial designer and educator who lends her design services pro bono to ZOË
Customer feedback told us that we needed a competitive summer product, something not too expensive, fun and that would be good for golf tournaments, trade shows, employee picnics, etc... We had all been collaborating and while Mercy was here, she, Ranee and Angie met for a design meeting. The initial sample turned into a product concept that everyone thought would be a great fit AND the numbers lined up.
Now all we needed was client feedback, enter Travis Gardiner and Alexandra Garant of CA Source. CA Source purchased the recycled paper pens that Mercy's team makes last year as one of their trade show giveaways and we had planned a meeting during Mercy's visit. We decided to get their feedback on the lunch bag concept, largely because Travis had previously mentioned that this would be an item of interest. It was such a valuable conversation, and their input helped shape the final product. So much so that we are happy to share that the lunch bag is one of their trade show gifts this year!
Much of what the ZOË Alliance has done to date has been accomplished just like this. All it takes is an organization like CA Source to share their creativity and experience over a coffee and powerful things happen.
So what can a village business leader, a social entrepreneur, a commercial product designer and marketing people at an accounting services firm accomplish if they put their heads together? Apparently, they can help change a village with their trade show giveaways.
This year we are working with several organizations on some pretty big village changing initiatives, stay tuned for the updates AND give us a call if you have a half hour or so to roll up your sleeves on a project. Ask any of us, you will have the time of your life.
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SEASONAL SPOTLIGHT:
Trade Show Giveaways with a Difference!
Have an upcoming conference or association meeting? Imagine the impact you will achieve with your delegates or associates when they read the story of life change being achieved by these attractive and environmentally conscious alternatives. Not only are they memorable gifts, they incorporate a "give-back" into your event all within your existing budget.
 | | Price Range for Pens: $0.75 - $1.15 |
Nambikai Organic Lunch Bag and Recycled Paper Pens Hand made in the village, Lunch bag includes an inner pocket for an ice pack; machine washable
 | Lunch Bag Price Range:
$5.75 - $6.95 |
ZOË Alliance works with a broad range of fair trade producers to find just the right solution for your event. Our goal is to make it easy for your company to take the ZOË Challenge of socially sourcing 10% of your gifting budget. In addition to our 15 core products we have access to hundreds of items that make truly memorable gifts.
Contact us at (647) 477-4377 or online at info@zoealliance.com with your next requirement and let our team quote a solution for your event. |
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FROM THE FIELD:
A Video Blog Update from Mercy Abraham
India, while a prospering and growing nation, continues to be home to 40% of the world's poor and 1/3 of the world's malnourished children. Mercy Abraham is a strong national leader standing in the midst of that reality and her registered charity has helped train and develop over 200 women who are now earning incomes and providing for their families.
They also provide a home for 75 orphaned girls, and 25 destitute women. Her approach to development is extremely well thought out, providing food and shelter, emotional support, education, training and even work opportunity. We are very proud to be partnering with Mercy and her team.
While Mercy was here late last year, we took advantage of the opportunity to tape a video update so that you could meet her too! In it she provides background on how business is benefiting the rural community she serves and how she hopes to expand the impact to include HIV/AIDS affected and disabled women.
 | | Mercy's Video Blog |
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You Can Take The ZOË Challenge Too!
In North America alone, $895 billion is spent on gifts, promotional items and donations each year. The ZOË Challenge to spend 10% of that on fair trade options represents an easy way to generate an $89 billion dollar investment that creates trade opportunities and dignity for indigenous business leaders. ZOË Alliance's message to achieve this change is simple. Think 1.1.1: 1 Event Choose 1 event each year where gift spending reflects approximately 10% of what is spent overall; 1 Approval Get executive approval to buy items produced in accordance with fair trade principles for this event's gifts from a reputable vendor; 1 Time a Year Repeat every year - make this a part of annual CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) plan. If you like the idea but don't know where to start, give us a call at 647-477-4377, or drop a line at info@zoealliance.com and if we can't help you, we'll recommend someone who can.
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Some Thoughts from Our Blog
Have you been following the ZOË weekly blogs? It's a great way to keep in touch with the current activities of both ZOË Alliance and our founder, Angie.
Enjoy a couple of Angie's more recent blogs:
The Little Movement that Could
Business or Charities to the Rescue?
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Who is ZOË Alliance?
ZOË Alliance Inc. is a social enterprise that harnesses what we spend to help developing nations break the cycle of poverty.
ZOË Alliance helps people and companies transform impoverished villages with their regular purchases. We stretch each dollar spent on a personal or corporate gift three ways: to purchase a gift that tells the stroy of hope; to create jobs with dignity in villages; and to donate funds toward a school or village project.
We also help companies link their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to the bottom line by making it easy to source high quality, profitable products from producer groups in villages around the globe.
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Contact Us
ZOË Alliance Inc.
15-75 Bayly Street West, Suite 279,Ajax, ON Canada L1S 7K7
(647) 477-4377 info@zoealliance.com www.zoealliance.com
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