Comment

Comment by Anderson Mbiha on July 8, 2013 at 2:35am

You venture into the market with sweet words about the products suddenly the poor village people do not see your representatives.

When asked when or where can we get the products, then hard time to say.... and you remember sweet words spread in the poor and unprivileged fellows. It is bad anyway....Manufacturers/organization should set up proper management to sustain the distribution and services for the entire products. It is hard for those who venture into the market to meet with the needy communities.

Comment by Yotam Ariel on June 11, 2013 at 4:38am

Interesting views, Seth. Thanks.

Comment by Seth C. Addo-Yobo on June 11, 2013 at 3:27am

I think you correct about sharing failures.  In my opinion, this industry is tough because most organizations are looking to the village.  The village approach sounds good and might get some public money initially but in the long run the industry has to have products that are quality and designed for the middle class in developing countries.  I think the key is getting the products to be respected by the middle class in all the countries we deal with.  Right now, people do not trust the products and that is what creates the struggle.  It should not be an industry where they only market is people who have never had any light before and are willing to accept anything.  That model will only go so far.  

Comment by Yotam Ariel on June 11, 2013 at 12:15am

Thanks, Patricia! Great example.

Comment by Patricia Lai on June 10, 2013 at 10:30pm

we learn the most from our mistakes, so we should be open and publicize them in hopes that others can learn from our errors

engineers without borders, canada has been issuing annual failure reports for just this reason http://legacy.ewb.ca/en/whoweare/accountable/failure.html

Specifically for development orgs: "Admitting Failure is an open space for development organizations to admit and learn from failure for more effective aid."

http://www.admittingfailure.com/

Comment by Hans Mutzbauer on May 15, 2013 at 12:46am

Up to now, we do not now facts and so it is just a rumor at the present.

Fact is, that our industry is pretty young and most of us do not have sufficiant working capital.

Comment by Rajaram Khanolkar on May 11, 2013 at 1:17pm

I do not know whether the news is true or just a speculation. But ToughStuff products are not seen on retail counters.

Channel is still evolving and every company tries for unique & innovative product and channel strategy to build their business model. But inspite of all uniqueness...challenge is to sustain and survive.

Comment by Yotam Ariel on May 9, 2013 at 11:08pm

Ha! No comments..
Exactly my point. We too often are afraid to talk about what doesn't go right.

Why?

Everyone knows and understands that it's a journey, with many challenges.
But if we only put online positive things, then, less people understand our difficulties.

The more people understand the challenges regarding bringing solar to rural poor,
the easier it is to develop solutions.