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Fair Trade versus Premium Coffee?

Had an interesting conversation the other day with a cafe owner I am good friends with. I want to know what you think about his comments, so please comment below :)

I asked whether he was fair trade. To which he responded “No.” So I asked him whether he would convert to fair trade. He answered with something along these lines:

“I already provide coffee that pays the producers a wage higher than market value, they are essentially fair trade. However, the coffee I supply is premium quality. The label of fair trade is not often associated with premium quality beans. I have thus chosen to steer away from fair trade labelling. However, the producers are payed a fair price, and thus the coffee is essentially fair trade.”

I thought this raised a very good point. Fair Trade does have a perception of lower quality, which is strange, considering we are paying the producers more, and often this is a great motivation to do their jobs better and work harder. The perception may be incorrect, but it is there.

What is your perception of fair trade, the label? And what are your thoughts about cafe owners with this view on fair trade coffee?

July 22, 2010 Ethics 93

I'm engaged…to social media

Over the last few weeks, I have procrastinated myself away from studying more than I ever have in my life. It’s just so easy to do something more interesting, fun and engaging than study. I have five exams to do, and have barely put an hour in. What have I dedicated myself to then?

Social Media

Not just Facebook, in fact hardly Facebook, but rather everything else that can be imaginable under the term social media. The web is the most valuable source of education and learning, the perfect tool to do research about the things that INTEREST you, not just the stuff you have to know. I have dedicated myself to reading blogs, watching vlogs, watching videos on youtube, reading articles, keeping up with the news (mainly in the techosphere), reconnecting with some people I haven’t spoken to in some time, but most importantly starting new connections with vital people for me and the business.

Let me take the opportunity to mention that Gary Vee (Vaynerchuk) is my idol. I see so much of myself in him, that I am starting to believe in myself more, as a result of his success. Gary Vee is an entrepreneur who started his career by turning his family’s wine store into a website service called winelibrary.com, he turned it into a $60million business! WOW. He took his expertise in wine to new levels, starting a video blog to educate us about wine. But that is where it all started, Gary has built an amazing personal brand around himself, now with his own media company he does talks and shows around the world. He is a respected wine professional, business professional and personality! I hope to be like you soon Gary.

The most inspiring speech I have had the pleasure of watching was his most recent one at RailsConf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QWHkcCP3tA&feature=player_embedded). What inspires me is his way of getting his point across, his recognition of his limits and mostly his engagement with the audience. Its a long video, but so worth it. If you really want to get to know Gary, check out his website http://garyvaynerchuk.com/

There are a few other key people in my life right now, and they will be mentioned in future blogs. But the people who teach me the most about myself, are Sam Dalton, Medha Ghatikesh, Amrita Lal, Declan Kenney and Surya Seger. These people are my friends and business partners; day-to-day they inform me of new things, they teach me about myself, they give me advice, they show me respect. It is them that I am thankful!

Thanks guys!

June 16, 2010 Musings 87

Welcome to my new blog

Hi everyone,

Decided that I would start writing my own blog. For anyone interested in keeping tabs on me or Vital Link, or Vital Gifts you are in the right place. I will put any information about me, the companies’ developments and just anything in general. I hope to keep you all informed and interested.

If not, then there is always YouTube, or Facebook. If on facebook, go check out the new application, Vital Gifts.

http://apps.facebook.com/vitalgifts

Its a gift giving application for Fair Trade products. If you aren’t aware of Fair Trade that okay. Fair Trade is amazing, its an initiative to stop the exploitation of third world producers. If you buy a Fair Trade branded product you know that the producer who made it was given a fair price for his time and effort.

That is what you are doing when you buy a gift through Vital Gifts; making a real difference to a struggling third world producer. Plus you get a sweet gift for your mate! Most of all, every single one of your mates will know about it (tell them with a wall post).

So go check it out, become a fan, tell your mates to join, and when it your mate’s birthday make him happy, buy him a gift.

That is it for now. Stay strong

Peace.

P.S. Fair Trade to the People!

May 21, 2010 Uncategorized 78