If you asked me to find some lessons/experience for you at work this week, I would say: "At the beginning of anything, there may be many details that are not done well. It doesn't matter. First, focus on doing the most important thing well, and then slowly fix the details later." My main task this week is to fix the "details".
A "Chat Box" has been added to the bottom left corner of the website to make it easier for guests to search.
We've added a Chat Box in the bottom left corner of the website. Customers can click on frequently asked questions in the chat box to see the answers instantly. Alternatively, customers can leave their contact information directly in the chat box without leaving the website, and our staff will reply as soon as possible during their work breaks. Currently, with our limited manpower and scale, we can't provide "Live Chat," but this method allows customers to easily leave their contact information without having to open email/WhatsApp/Facebook/IG accounts, which should be convenient for many. Actually, we had this chat box a long time ago . Back then, only a few dozen people might visit the website a day, which I could handle myself. However, as more people became aware of it, I became too busy with daily operations, so I closed it. Now, we've gradually been able to get one or two more colleagues to help, so we've reopened it. I think this website inquiry dialog box is essential, but I've always done everything by myself. My primary tasks are shipping, daily operations, product development, etc., so I couldn't add a customer inquiry method on Facebook/IG/EMAIL before. But now I think we can give it a try.
Computerized inventory system
Yes, it might be hard to believe, but we only got a proper computerized inventory system when we got here. Starting this Wednesday, we officially implemented a computerized inventory system (except for the Yat Tin shop in Sha Tin, since it's not our own). With a computerized system, we can check our inventory, making daily operations much easier. Before, we had to use WhatsApp and pen and paper to write down how much we sold, how much we shipped, how much we produced, and how much we still had, which made our daily routine very chaotic and prone to errors. Now that we have a computerized system, it should at least look like a proper shop again… Why didn't we do it sooner? There are many reasons, but the biggest one is that I didn't think I would need a system when I started, and I didn't have much money (we have never had funding or sponsors). Therefore, the website system was just for simple buying and selling, and I couldn't do inventory storage. When I needed it, it was too late and difficult to switch. But recently I've finally mustered up the courage to do it and prepare for the future.
Eco-friendly packaging
We've recently been gradually replacing our product packaging with more environmentally friendly alternatives. The first step was with the packaging boxes for different products. We want the packaging to be smaller (reducing carbon emissions from transportation) and the materials to be more environmentally friendly. This week, we received some samples of the custom-made environmentally friendly boxes we ordered from a cardboard box factory earlier. The results are good, but there are still some areas for improvement. We hope to implement this as soon as possible. In addition, we've contacted suppliers to provide information and quotes for other internal packaging accessories (plastic bags, cardboard cards, etc.), hoping to use more environmentally friendly alternatives without significantly increasing costs for consumers.
The working hours are getting longer and longer, but I'm still very happy.
I used to think that after I finished all my exams and graduated in June 2022 (which is now), I would have more time to make pillows. Since it's my own thing, I could set my own working hours and work whenever I wanted. I thought I would have more time and wouldn't have to work so hard on both studying and making pillows. Of course, not having to study anymore gave me a lot more time, allowing me to focus on making pillows without having to try to balance everything like I used to do acrobatics. But actually, my working hours are very long; I make pillows whenever I have time. However, I'm still happy. I'm really fortunate to have this kind of life where I can do what I love every day. I know it's not inevitable.
Product Development
This week we've also been working on new product development, which should be available next year. Personally, I think things like website search, inventory systems, and eco-friendly packaging are relatively secondary; the most important thing is that the product is truly good and of high quality. However, I'm sorry I can't share this with everyone here, because we recently discovered that some of our product's design elements have been copied. Some designs are unique to us; I came up with them myself, and I've never seen them on other products before. But these people copied us, and they didn't even acknowledge it as reference, not giving us any credit. At first, I was indeed a little angry because when I designed them, I didn't have the money to apply for patents, and I never even considered that I might need one. I've come to terms with it now; maybe it's a good thing, proving that what I'm doing is right. But whatever happens, we just need to keep doing our best and not worry about so much. I believe that if we make good products, everyone will eventually see it.
Okay, that's all for this week. I hope everyone stays healthy and cheerful. Don't worry too much (we all need to learn from this...)! Let's all keep going!
#002 (12/6/2022)
#004 (26/6/2022)