The latest from Tanzania

July 20, 2008 by Simon Berry · 1 Comment

I’ve just found this fantastic set of photos by tielmann on Flickr with images of Coca-Cola’s ‘Manual Distribution’ from around the world.

Meanwhile, here’s the latest note from Adrian Bristow, who’s now working with
Coca-Cola in Tanzania, where he’s collecting local opinions and ideas.
On the way, he’s been in the USA, talking to experienced development
agencies to learn about what they’re doing. The local research in
Africa will lay the groundwork to take forward some ideas on using
Coca-Cola’s local distribution networks. Our group’s proposal to
distribute rehydration salts and related educational materials will be
part of the mix that local Coca-Cola distributors will look at.

“It’s been pretty hectic since I left Ethiopia: I have had some
interesting travels and met a lot of really helpful people. In
particular, I spent some time in New York speaking to people in the
development community, where I found an incredible passion for work in
Africa. There are a lot of really good initiatives on the go, although
the one thing that struck me was how we could potentially be working
more closely together for an even bigger impact.

“On the way back out into the field I grabbed a bit of time at home in
South Africa. Then this week it’s off to Tanzania. Here I’ll complete
the initial data gathering from more local Coca-cola distributors - the
Manual Distribution Centre owners. We are really trying to get a good
understanding of their key needs as well as their views on how they
could be part of the solution as a partner of Coca-Cola to address what
they view as key community needs.

“I’m looking forward to Dar-es-Salaam: a great place to visit, a hive
of activity and being on the coast adds a special relaxed feel to the
place. That’s where I’ll be when I send you the next update and
hopefully - if I can just make some time to sit down at the computer -
a bit more detail and some pictures!”

Further information:
All of the Coca Cola campaign posts

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Coca-Cola Research, Tanzania
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6th Facebook Newsletter - 17/7/08

July 17, 2008 by Simon Berry · Leave a Comment

17/7/08 - 6th Newsletter

Simon Berry sent a message to the members of Let’s talk to Coca Cola about saving the World’s children.

——————–
Subject: 6th Newsletter – Coca-Cola Rehydration Campaign

Dear All

Well it’s been another exciting couple of weeks: a slot on the BBC
World Service; interest from the makers of the Life Straw; an update
from Coca-Cola’s man in Tanzania, and over 3,350 supporters and
growing! Thank you all for your continued support to the campaign.

Here is a summary of progress since the 5th Newsletter update on 6 July.

Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested in joining the Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18947780476

1. BBC World Service Interview
I went to Bush House last Sunday at 5:45am to be part of The World Today programme. You can listen to the interview here:
http://beamends.typepad.com/simons_blog/2008/07/bbc-world-servi.html

2. Ethiopia and Tanzania Research
The story of the frontline research into Coca-Cola’s distribution
network is slowly developing. Have you got any questions? Please
comment on the blog posts here:
http://beamends.typepad.com/simons_blog/cocacola_research/index.html

3. Are Life Straws part of the answer?
Through the Facebook Group contact has been made with
Vestergaard-Frandsen who manufacture the amazing ‘LifeStraw’ - a
personal water filter that you carry around your neck!
http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/

4. WaterAid Report
WaterAid released a report on 8 July to coincide with the G8 Summit
which highlighted the issues we are concerned about here. A key point
is that the most cost-effective activity that we can engage in is
awareness raising in the areas of hygiene and sanitation. This
highlights the importance of the educational aspects of what we are
trying to achieve. You can read more about it here:
http://beamends.typepad.com/simons_blog/2008/07/one-reason-why.html

5. Aims, objectives and activities of this group
A smaller sub-group has been set up using Google Groups to enable
discussions, file sharing etc. It is open to everyone to look at or
join. We’ve been discussing our aims and objectives with a view to
different people taking on different activities. You can join or view
here:
http://groups.google.com/group/colalife

Finally, please do forward this email to your friends and ask them,
please, to join the Facebook group (and invite their friends):
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18947780476

The continued growth of the group means people are taking notice and offering help: we continue to make amazing progress.

Onwards and upwards

Simon

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Newsletters
Tagged:

Ethiopia - innovation against the odds

July 14, 2008 by Simon Berry · 1 Comment

This message comes to us from Adrian in Addis Ababa, where he
recently spent a day meeting some of the independent local distributors
working on the Manual Distribution Centre (MDC) model that Coca-Cola has promoted. Although their main focus for analysis is Tanzania,
they were guided to gather some comparative data from Ethiopia where
the distribution model seems to be working best. Hence Adrian’s trip.

“Mubarek is an MDC owner and his team in Addis Ababa were all
previously unemployed. I met them at their distribution centre and
heard all about their successes, the issues they face and their opinion
on how we could improve their lives and the lives of the communities
they serve. It may come as some surprise that Ethiopia is where this
distribution model was conceptualised: really exciting, as it breaks
some stereotypes about where models usually get developed. Ethiopia is
one of the toughest markets to operate in, but our Ethiopian Coke
Bottler colleagues have shown that it’s possible to rise above the
challenges!

“You get to meet so many interesting people when you are out in these
countries. The harsh realities of what faces people living in areas
decimated by poverty hits you hard. However, I also get so inspired by
the resilience of the people and the lengths that they will go to to
try and better their lives and the lives of their families. I am also
really motivated by the positive intent of most employees at corporates
to play a constructive role. They often just don’t have the necessary
channel to do this and their lives are so busy that they don’t have the
time to create this themselves. That’s why projects like this are
really important.

“We know that this system is creating many new entrepreneurs and many
new jobs, but we also feel that there is a lot of untapped potential in
this means of distribution. One of the aspects which I know has created
the interest in Simon’s Facebook group is around how the distribution
system could be used for ‘greater good’. I am discovering that it’s a
bit more complicated than I initially anticipated as we are dealing
with independently-owned businesses. Local needs and conditions vary
quite a lot. However, the ‘in-principle’ commitment and level of
support is fantastic both from the Coca-Cola bottler side and the
entrepreneurs. It will take a bit of time to find a workable model
but we are exploring far and wide, and I’ll bring you more news as
possibilities unfold.”

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Coca-Cola Research, Ethiopia
Tagged:

BBC World Service Interview - 13/7/08

July 13, 2008 by Simon Berry · Leave a Comment

Here is today’s interview on the BBC World Service. I was expecting something much more linked up. During the week we’d talked about linking it to the WaterAid publication (Tackling the silent killer) that came out last week to coincide with the G8 Summit. In the end it was a standalone slot just 4 minutes long.

Thanks to The World Today weekend team for setting this opportunity up.

Download BBC_WS_Interview.mp3 (4745.9K)

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Interview
Tagged:

Coca-Cola Campaign to be discussed on the BBC World Service

July 11, 2008 by Simon Berry · Leave a Comment

On Sunday (13/7/08) at 5am (BST) I’ll be on my bike on my way to BBC Bush House for the Weekend edition of The World Today on the BBC World Service. I’ll be discussing the Coca-Cola Campaign with a panel of people which includes a Professor of Econmic Development from Kenya who will be in the Nairobi studio.

You should be able to hear the programme live here at 5am GMT (6am BST). I’ll try and get a recording.

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Interview
Tagged:

So, what is the intrepid Adrian up to?

July 11, 2008 by Simon Berry · Leave a Comment

Last week, we heard from Adrian Ristow, an independent contractor now working
with Coca-cola in Africa, doing some on-the-ground research into what makes local distribution
models work. He’s now going to look at whether there is mileage in our idea to
distribute rehydration salts as part of his work, as the research in the field
gets underway. Here he explains the model that Coca-Cola is interested in, and
how the programme came about.

“Over the last year or so, Coca-Cola became interested in a model for local
distribution based on the work of Coca-Cola Sabco and some other bottlers in Africa. This model is known as the Manual Distribution Centre (MDC) model. Seeing that it had a lot of potential, Coca-Cola wanted to understand how it works, what makes it successful, and what promise it might offer. Our ultimate goal is to build an enhanced and replicable model that supports the commitment to the Business Call to Action.
Big ideas - but it all starts with small steps, some real understanding of what works locally, and lots of involvement from the people that really matter: the local communities, the local businesses, and their customers.

We’ve decided to research the model with a specific focus on its socio-economic impact. In other words, what difference is it really making to how people earn and live?

Tanzania was chosen as the research and pilot market, and I’ll be reporting to you from there shortly.

Through the past year we have been collecting information about the Manual Distribution
Centre system’s overall impact as well as focusing on Tanzania specifically. We have just entered into a partnership with the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard (download PDF), as well as with the International Finance Corporation.
This will help us to complete a more structured research process and to bring in an independent perspective. As we speak the core data collection phase is taking place, and I will bring you more stories from the front line as I gain more insights.”

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Coca-Cola Research, Ethiopia, Tanzania
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One reason why WaterAid are reluctant to engage

July 9, 2008 by Simon Berry · 1 Comment

There has been a lot of activity going on behind the scenes recently in our efforts to get an international NGO to engage with the Coca-Cola Campaign. As I have indicated on the Facebook Group this is going to be a challenge.

The biggest leap forward came yesterday from an extremely helpful person in DfID who highlighted a WaterAid Report that was published on Monday (7/7/08) to coincide with the G8 Summit.

Above is a scan of page 6 of the report. As you can see, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are the highest cost intervention when it comes to extending children’s lives BUT hygiene and sanitation promotion are at the top. We have always said, and I have said it in all of the interviews I have given, that education and awareness raising are just as important in this campaign as anything else. Now we have the data to show that.

LESSONS LEARNT: We need to be far more careful in our approach to NGOs. The two-sentence description of what we are doing is not enough. We need to spell out that we are not just about distributing ORS, we are about raising awareness of hygiene and sanitation issues as well. And ORS through Coca-Cola crates is potentailly a very effective way of doing this.

In my interview with Eddie Mair, I said (and I paraphrase) “It’s not as if people in the remote parts of Africa are crying out for rehydration salts. Many would not know what they are or how to use them. But ORS salts arriving in Coca-Cola crates would generate questions. ‘That’s not Coke? What is it?’”.

For this reason we have said that the ORS needs to be _inside_ the crates and they need to carry messages. They should be the UK equivalent of the plastic toy in the cereal packet. In addition, Coca-Cola agreeing to do this in a particular locality, may just be the stimulus that the local institutions need to form the foundation of a local campaign.

Right. WaterAid. Here I come again . . .

Filed under: Background Data, Coca Cola Campaign, NGOs
Tagged:

5th Facebook Newsletter - 6/7/08

July 6, 2008 by Simon Berry · Leave a Comment

6/7/08 - 5th Newsletter

Simon Berry sent a message to the members of Let’s talk to Coca Cola about saving the World’s children.

——————–
Subject: 5th Newsletter – Coca-Cola Rehydration Campaign

Dear All

Thank you all for your continued support to the campaign. Here is a summary of progress since the 4th Newsletter update.

1. NGO Support
Contact has been made with WaterAid and Oxfam, however neither are yet
to agree to engage with the campaign. It is going to be a challenge to
get an international NGO on board. However, through the Facebook Group
we have contact with some very senior people in both the aforementioned
organisations and these links are being followed. In the meantime NGO
research continues.

2. BBC iPM Interview
The BBC’s iPM Team contacted me for a follow-up interview. A video of the interview can be seen here: http://beamends.typepad.com/simons_blog/2008/07/a-video-of-the.html

3. Ethiopia and Tanzania Research
The research in Ethiopia and Tanzania has started and we have contact
with the frontline. A regular blog on this has been started here.
Please comment with any questions/clarifications you have:
http://beamends.typepad.com/simons_blog/cocacola_research/index.html

4. 2gether08 Festival
I gave a presentation at the 2gether08 event and this can be viewed here:
http://beamends.typepad.com/simons _blog/2008/07/workshop-presen.html

5. ColaLife Google Group
We have set up a Google Group to enable email-based discussions between members who want this. You can join the group here:
http://groups.google.com/group/colalife?hl=en

6. Facebook – Kate Andrews
Kate Andrews has volunteered to help with the management of the Facebook Group. Thanks Kate.

Finally, please do forward this email to your friends and ask them, please, to join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18947780476 The continued growth of the group means we continue to make amazing progress.

Onwards and upwards

Simon
——————–

Filed under: Coca Cola Campaign, Newsletters
Tagged:

Meet Adrian Ristow

July 6, 2008 by Simon Berry · Leave a Comment

The research into Coca-Cola’s distribution network in Ethopia and Tanzania, first mentioned here, is now underway and Adrian is the man on the ground. Despite the inevitable connectivity issues that we will face, Adrian has undertaken to keep a dialogue going on the work he is doing and the people he meets. This picture was taken on 3/7/08 when Adrian visted Mubarek, a distribution centre owner and his team in Addis Ababa.

This is going to be a fascinating series of reports I think and to kick things off, here is Adrian’s background in his own words:

Let me first give you some personal context. I worked for nine years
for a bottler (Coca-Cola Sabco) where I saw first-hand the reach and
impact of Coca-Cola into the local community. Most of the countries for
which I carried responsibility (Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya,
Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Vietnam)
are emerging markets facing many of the challenges outlined in the
Millenium Development Goals (MDG’s), with poverty right at the
forefront. I reached a stage in my career at the end of last year,
where I really wanted to focus my energy more specifically on the role
that large corporates can play in these types of markets, although I
have a particular affinity for Africa specifically. So I proposed to
make a career change to give me the opportunity to pursue this passion
(as well as some others), which includes some further study in this
area.

At about the same time, The Coca-Cola Company was looking for a
project that not only truly demonstrated their commitment to the
Business Call to Action, but also showed the ways that they were already
committed to making a difference around wealth creation through local
economic empowerment.

As things turned out, their needs and my passion overlapped and together we identified a project focused on an innovative distribution system, called the Manual Distribution Centre (MDC) System, being utilised by Coca-Cola Sabco and some other bottlers in Africa as something to pursue. I was, therefore, appointed as an independent contractor to manage the project from earlier this year.