Wholesale Turtle Tales and Team Triumphs in Bali. Be inspired. - AW Gifts Europe

Greetings from Bali, Indonesia.

Yesterday was Indonesian Independence Day. 78 years ago Indonesia was a diverse Dutch collection of places, cobbled together bloody conquest by bloody conquest.. Very different places stretching a very long way in a string of islands. Islands of different cultures, religions, and languages. Some called it the Impossible country. More below.

Last week I was telling you about some of the modern-day problems we face here and the story about the last artisan. If you missed it you can catch up here.

We have a Digital Marketing Team in Bali, regular readers will know how Tomas, Raul and I accidentally (almost) bought a beach bar.. and started a team.. now 15 strong.

Here they are.

So Debbie (top right in that picture) thought it would be a good team bonding idea to have a regional costume competition, the day before Independence Day. One hour in the morning we would show off a costume, stand up and explain the costume and then entertain us in some way. Our team is very diverse and comes from all parts of Indonesia and it turns out they have many talents. One by one with Ringo, Raul, Made (our export manager) and myself as X-factor-type judges they performed. Monologues, Dances, Storytelling and comedy.. all with great humour and enthusiasm.

Then back to work.. the serious business of marketing.. at the end of the day after work... Debbie organised games in the garden. Then to support a local charity that protects turtles in the sea. Let me explain.. the Turtle population in the sea around Bali has been declining - lots of problems, mostly tourist related. The adult turtles in the night crawl up the beaches and lay eggs in the sand. Beach dogs eat them, and tourists inadvertently stand on them... Well, lots of things happen and at one point only 1% of the hatching turtles made it back to the sea. So this Charity seeks out the freshly laid eggs, carefully transfers them to a secure hatching area, and then at a quiet time when the conditions are good, the baby turtles are released back into the sea. They raise funds by allowing supporters to do the release. So we wanted to release 78 turtles, one for each year of independence but they only had 50 so it was symbolic 78....

Then back to the office to announce the judges' decisions, best costume, best entertainment etc.. everyone got a prize in the

end. After we had food delivered from a local restaurant, cheap but very good, the party continued. By the end, I felt that I had got to know the whole team so much better and also come to understand Indonesia better.

The Impossible country made up of very different cultures thrown together, has actually made it work. The founding father of Indonesia had the difficult job of binding this strange set of people together. They came up with five principles, the most important: Unity in Diversity. And has become a slogan of the country. It's been a bloody and difficult journey with riots and deaths in living memory. Despite this (or some argue because of this and the lessons learned) the country has matured into one of the most friendly, respectful and peaceful places in the world. Personified, I'm proud to claim, in our diverse team here in Bali. And celebrated in our own way on the eve of Independence Day.

Meanwhile, despite all this excitement I have been super busy. This morning I was at the Chinese consulate in Denpasar to collect my passport now sporting a Chinese visa. So now I can make my travel plans.

Shortly I have a presentation from the Development Team. A new version of our website and backend is in the works, this should take us to the next level.

This afternoon I have three sets of samples from three suppliers to approve.. this evening (Europe time) I have online meetings. So all go.

And... Next week I will be on the next leg of this trip to India...

So from diverse marketing teams.. turtle rescue missions and the artisans of Indonesia... it's all happening here.

But I hear you ask... What can a gift trader like me learn from this?

I asked that jolly smart AI thing... and...

Team Bonding and Diversity: Just as the Digital Marketing Team in Bali found strength in their diversity, a gift shop owner can foster a diverse and unified team. Different perspectives and talents can lead to innovative product curation and creative marketing strategies.

Engaging Events: The costume competition and charity event underscore the importance of engaging events for customer interaction. Hosting themed events or collaborations can draw foot traffic, create buzz, and enhance the overall shopping experience.
Charitable Endeavors: Supporting a cause, like a turtle protection charity, not only contributes positively to the community but also aligns the business with social responsibility. Partnering with local charities can foster goodwill and attract socially conscious customers.
Online and Offline Integration: The mention of online meetings, website development, and backend improvements reminds gift shop owners to maintain a strong online presence. A user-friendly website and effective online marketing strategies complement the physical store's efforts.
Customer Engagement: The storytelling aspect highlights the value of engaging content. Sharing behind-the-scenes stories, customer testimonials, and product narratives can deepen your customer connections and make the shopping experience more personal.
Unity in Diversity: The concept of "Unity in Diversity" from Indonesia's founding principles can remind gift shop owners to cater to a broad customer base. Offering a diverse range of products that cater to different tastes, preferences, and occasions can boost sales.
Balancing Work and Enjoyment: The blend of work and enjoyment shows the importance of finding joy in the business journey. Incorporating elements of fun and passion into the business approach can contribute to a positive work environment and customer experience.

Wow.. did you feel inspired?

Great news - we have an Indian container just landed, Indonesia and a China container coming today - plus new products coming from AW-Aromatics... it's all happening!!

Wishing you an amazing week...

More news updates next week from India!

David