Fashion For Profit

Tis the Season of Craziness and Layoffs! Let's hope the "New Economy" will happen fast!

We are giving Thanks this weekend for many blessings and reflecting on our upside down global financial situation and trying to plan for our “New Economy”.  Most small and medium sized apparel business owners are focused on developing next seasons collection, collecting payment from last season, production issues and shipping this seasons collection, while trying to meet next payroll. The idea of promoting online sales, new technology to help with daily business, or producing open to buy is a BIG challenge.  Who can do all this and survive one of the worst global economic situations since the Great Depression?

To add to this mix of demands on a modern day apparel manufacturer the “human factor”, employees, vendors, buyers, sales reps, etc. ALL human contacts in any business can be a challenge! Without them there would be no business and with them there is often more management issues and demands on the owners time.

Particularly in this business, which is driven by human contact, dealing with personalities and understanding what motivates us is sometimes an ongoing complication to becoming profitable and successful.  This maybe a reason why the apparel industry has a reputation for working with A.D.D. types and having to put up with some very strange behavior from various levels! Are they really A.D.D. or just too bloody busy?

This week I have learned of three close friends who have lost their jobs. I hope that they find the time to rest and move onto new opportunities. Unfortunately, I do not feel our economy will improve for at least one more year. I hope I am wrong but I think the “New Economy” will take a time to rebuild and reform on a global platform.

Finding the right person for your company can be a BIG challenge.

Here is a little advise from Fashion For Profit: “Sooner or later you will have to deal with an employee who doesn’t live up to your expectations. It maybe a bad attitude, tardiness, laziness, or just plain nastiness, but for one or more of these reasons, the arrangement isn’t working out. Everyone deserves a second chance, unless, of course, they have knowingly committed an infraction that constitutes grounds for immediate dismissal.  Company policies should be outlined in the employee policy manual. Allow employees an opportunity to correct the error, but make it clear that failure to do so will result in termination. Never reprimand an employee in front of other employees, it is better to take care of business behind close doors, one on one. Explain the problem and how you would like to have it changed. Any employee worth keeping will take the hint. If you feel the infraction is serious, then it should be recorded and documented. If you feel the person is unstable or emotional, it would be in your interest to have another person in the room as your witness.”

Is Green the New Black?

Organic Fibers, Organic Dyes, Sustainable, Recycled, Green, Carbon Footstep, Reusable………

These are new buzz words surrounding the clothing and apparel industry along with most other industries.  Of course it is really positive that we are at last beginning to respect our beautiful earth and what is offered us daily free for us all to enjoy.  The Sun, the Moon, our oceans and water ways, the rain and wind, trees and flowers…….  

But, what do these new buzz words really mean? Are they really being produced using less chemicals and less processes than traditional textiles need? Are they less toxic to us and our environment?

Let’s start with Bamboo.  I hear it from many new companies that..”they are using bamboo and that it is a natural organic fabrics.”  Wrong! It is derived from a natural product. But to take sticks of bamboo and process it into a soft fiber takes many process and uses many different chemicals to achieve that final soft hand that is enjoyed by so many.

Then there is organic cotton which requires much more water to grow than regular cotton. This process depletes many rivers of valuable water needed by natives to grow other crops and for their own survival.

I think it is important that we educate ourselves as to the true meaning of ORGANIC and the other buzz words surrounding the green movement and not let the blind lead the blind. But none the less, I think we will all agree it is a movement in the right direction.  We need to teach our children and others less fortunate that we have a human responsibility to the future survival of the World that we not take for granted what is offered to us as we enter and leave this wonderful, amazing world we live in.  

Frances Harder 11/11/08