Fresh Global is as the name implies is a fresh look for the global design. This trend will be still ethnic in nature but less tribal than we have seen in the trends past. A great addition will be to find things which will tell not just a global story but also a story with a local social dimension. The bowl we have shown is made from spun paper in the slums of Cambodia. The production of this bowl by the parents helps ensure their children stay in school. It also gives a great fresh global look and tells a great social story. The Fresh Global Trend has a handspun appearance such as patchwork, piercings in patterns that are less than perfect in nature and look such as this bowl.
Here are some other examples of the Fresh Global look:
1. Crochet will continue to be strong, and will be used with patchwork. I have seen crochet being used in a lot of creative ways, recently as a cover for a bike wheel by Simelihttp://www.simeli.nl/welcome/page.php?ID=761&lang=1That patchwork is coming back as it the crochet look, even for bicycles.
2. Look for other patterns such paisley, plaids, strips coarsely done and zigzags, circles, dots, checks and even triangles. Patterns and shapes will be a keyfeature; they will be less than perfect in nature and design.
3. Details will be important such as braids, ribbons, applique, embroidery, quilting, scallops, beads and other small details. All these kinds of details will make a difference.
4. Floral will also be important but will be smaller in scale and will used for an overall design.
5. Leather, snakeskin, suede and hair on hide will be used in new ways such as cut in or woven.
6. Worn paint plays an important role, as will woods that look old and distressed. Gone are the days when fake distressing will work, these woods will need to look like real antiques.
7. Copper, antique gold and also silver all with a look of age to them will be important. As will tinted glass or ceramics with worn edges.
As you can see this look is built upon similar looks we have had in the past, but it also shows that people now are moving toward ethnic or global looks in their house even if they have never traveled to see them locally. They are embracing the world more as the world is truly becoming more global and your customers will demand the best that the world has to offer.
China presently has the ability to manufacture some very high-end crystal and solid brass. The lamp in this photo is an example of this kind of fine work that China is doing for Crystal and solid brass lamps. There are two main kinds of crystal that are available for lamps and accessories, here is the difference between the two:
Man made Crystal – Most of the crystal you see out in the market place is a man made crystal. What this means is that the crystal is made in a controlled environment and is not what is considered to be from a natural form which is then cut and polished. The advantage to this is the availability, the ability to reproduce it again and again without any variation and also the cost. Most of the consumers will not know if the crystal is man-made.
Rock or Natural Crystal – This is a crystal which is at the name implies is a rockcrystal. For this kind of production they take a crystal stone and then cut and polish it in the shape and size that you needed This kind of crystal because it is a natural material will have some natural defects which will be hard to control. The lamp would need to be sold as being a rock or natural crystal and therefore it would need to be understood that these natural defects can arise. The advantage is that each piece would hold some value and that it will be natural or unique.
At Mondoro we have both of these kinds of crystals that can be used for lighting or accessories. The man made crystal is generally clearer and easier to find, but for those customers who desire to have the rock or natural crystal this can also be found and made into lamps and accessories.
If you are interested in our crystal please contact Anita or Sammy at sales@mondoro.com.
Each year when I attend the High Point Market one question I am always asked is “what is the news you have heard from others about the show?” Or what were my general observations or impression? Each day when I attend the show I will park my car at the Oak Hallow Mall and take the bus in. The bus gives you a surprisingly great place to talk to people and get a pulse on the show or how they feel about it. Here are my observations or things that I heard:
1. Happy times: Most people I spoke to told me they were generally pleased with how High Point was going. They said it was not a blow out market or record setting market but the sales were good. They also said that the customers who were there were buying and seemed to generally be in a better mood than in markets past.
2. Attendance: Attendance is something that is very hard to gage. I normally gage it by seeing how many lots filled up at the Oak Hallow Mall. That is of course not any kind scientific accounting, but just a general one. I also felt like at least in the IHFC that on Wednesday and Thursday there were quite a few people roaming the halls. In many of the past markets I had seen the halls completely empty on Thursday morning. But it seems that those days had a steady flow of people. Despite this the attendance was not as good as it has been in shows past. One reason that many people gave was that the Milan show was going on at the same time so many people were attending that show.
3. Location, Location: Of course the best building for traffic by far is in my opinion the IHFC, but I also found that several other locations were looking up. Most notable was the C&D which seems to have improved over the years. I also heard that 200 Hamilton will get in some new key major tenants this coming October market, which may also help that building and surrounding areas. Market Hall seemed to be thriving at least on the 1st few floors.
4. Products: I overhead one lady say that this was her first time back to market in 9 years and she did not feel like much was new. Obviously I feel like she was not looking in the right places. The market has consistently changed over the years and as always the array, kinds, types and colors of the products always surprises me. There are a lot of great creative companies out there—some even change their showroom every single market. In my opinion the markets continue to get better as the selection of products continues to improve.
Let’s all hope that we can build upon this market and that the October market will be more optimistic and positive and the economy will continue to grow. We can all hope that this will be the case.
| May 2012 |
Mondoro Charities |
I recently saw an inspiring documentary called Angels in The Dust about a South African couple who have given up a lucrative careers in order to set up an orphanage for orphan children with aids. It is people like Con and Marion Cloete at Botshabelo Orphanage who inspire us to do more than we are doing. They help us to realize that even our small program of Project Sprouts for helping kids with school supplies is a worthwhile cause.
There are several reasons why Mondoro strives to have a very clear policy and tries to stick by that policy. The reasons are clarity, communication and legality. They are as follows:
1. Clarity: The first and perhaps most important reason for a policy isfor clarity. Clarity helps everyone know what must and cannot be done. This is a very important reason why a company will set up a policy in the first place. Without clarity there may be chaos and confusion and then rules can be made up along the way. At Mondoro we strive to have a policy that is cleared and followed so that this will not happen.
2. Communication: Communication is at the heart of having a good policy. Written policy for our customers helps avoid surprises and unexpected problems or confusion. This we feel is important for our relationship with our customers.
3. Legality: Just as a country must have laws they ask their citizens to abide by to keep order; so a company must have a policy in place to ensure that everyone has a set of rules that they must abide by. A policy is important to ensure that there is order and not confusion. When there is confusion then problems can and will arise, and that is something we strive to avoid at all costs.
A policy is important for both the buyer and the seller because a written policy will help to give clarity and communication while giving a legal base and set of rules to work from if problems should arise.
All kinds of human endeavors have risk associated with them. Business is of course no exception. Risk is part and nature of business. Risk in business can be classified in 4 general areas: strategic risk, change risk, operational risk, and unforeseeable risk. These risks can be defined as:
1. Strategic Risk: Strategic risk is risk associated with the strategy and development of an organization. An example would be a company that decides to put their development in CD players just as the market for them declines.Predicting future market performance can be hazardous because an incorrect assessment of the direction of the future markets or trends. This risk will affect the long term performance and development of an organization. Managing this type of risk can be very hard becauseit may require that a company understands and is able to implement the strategic change or direction when such change is forced on the management.
2. Change Risk: Change risk operates at various levels within an organization, and it can force the organization to change. The company may plan for change, i.e. for example a change that is implemented due to anticipated events. Or change could be forced because something that happens not under managements control. I believe the financial crisis of 2008 is an example of this type of change for many of us in our industry. With an economy falling so quickly we were all placed in a situation where we were forced to make changes and adjustments to our organizations. That is an example of a forced change risk.
3. Operational Risk: Operational risk relates to the operation or the production process of the organization. This can be due to assets, markets, people or even legal issues. Events which force internal change often result in some kind of loss to an organization. An example of this would be if a sales manager left an organization and took a large part of the sales team with them therefore causes a loss to the organization.
4. Unforeseeable Risks: These are risks which cannot generally be seen or accurately forecasted. One extreme example of this is the recent Japanese Tsunami and Earthquake. It was unforeseen that a nuclear disaster, Tsunami and Earthquake would all hit all at once—clearly an unforeseeable risk. Another example was the recent housing crisis, that most Americans and companies did not see coming. There are also weather related risks. These are examples of unforeseeable risks.
These categories can be expanded and will encompass most major risks that an organization will face over the years. Companies need to learn to look at this for the future strategy and to look and view all the risks that can be associated with each of these areas.
By choosing Mondoro you gain a partner in Asia with experience in the home furnishing and accessories industry. Mondoro help you design, develop and manufactures products in China and Vietnam. Visit our website or contact us for more information about Mondoro.
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Nothing says Asia, quite like Hong Kong, so there is no surprise that a new trend for 2013 will center on this exciting city that has a style quite all its own. Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most modern cities, so it is also no surprise that this trend will have modern overtones. For inspiration one of the best designers to look at is Asia’s own Shanghai Tang, http://www.shanghaitang.com/en/shop/. Shanghai’s Tangs use of colors is very close to the color palette for this Hong Kong trend. I have always loved how they have not been afraid to use bright colors—many times as a surprise or for a pop appeal. For the Hong Kong Trend here are a few things to consider:
1. Asian styles that will pop or be in new trendy, modern colors. Note how we have taken a classic chair and painted it in a color that pops and says “this chair is Asian, but also modern,”
2. Traditional elements like Blue and White are updated with other colors such as grey.
3. Look to use traditional Asian elements like small flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, even grasshoppers or Ming vases.
4. Influence of IKATS (fabric patterning using dyed yarn or thread) will be strong. Either actual weaves or IKAT like patterns being used. One of the best places to look for IKAT designs is Cambodia and Laos—they have been weaving IKAT patterns for a long time. Also look at applique and embroidery, all traditional Asian art forms that will be updated into fresh new looks.
5. Asian elements used in a modern way, ie umbrellas, hats, fans, pagodas, Asian flowers, Mandarin Collars, Mao Hats – all of these being used with a new modern, eye catching twist.
6. Asian Glazes for porcelains and ceramics, now updated in new shapes. Many of these will have a touch of metallic to embellish.
7. New materials such as bamboo, woven grasses, jade, marble and even stone,incorporating stainless steel or other modern metals. For a higher end look try petrified woods or even horn used in an interesting way.
This trend can have companies going in a series of directions, anything from Ming Styled vases painted in soft yet trendy colors,or pop art photos of Mao which say everything Asian. Most of all this trend will show Hong Kong – a modern, glitzy, brash, fashion centered place that has just enough irreverence to make it all work – that is at the core of this great city and trend.
| April 2012 |
Product Updates |
Recently I have made several trips to Cambodia to start to develop products for Mondoro. Cambodia is becoming a new destination for foreigners, not only as a place that badly needs outside investors to help uplift their country, but we also see native Cambodian products as an underappreciated resource.We have found interesting Cambodian artifacts or works of art that can be effectively used for today’s modern looks. We have found there silverware that can be used as artifact piecessuch as this group of fish that we have found a way to mount on the wall, or old rice cutters, loom shuttles, buffalo bells, wooden pieces from old houses that can all be placed on a stand, and original beetle nut boxes that can be waxed and used as an artifact.
One of the great things about these artifacts is that even though they are similar, many of them are truly a work of art and can be sold as such. Almost all are handmade, and show the skill of the original craftsmen. When they are mounted they become art. Some of them are considered to be antique pieces since they were once used commonly, but which are not used so much anymore. They all have an antique or handmade charm. But most of all they tell a story about a country and place that has long been forgotten by the world.
We are convinced that once you are introduced to Cambodianproducts you will share our enthusiasm for the country. If you are interested to see our full range of artifacts, please Contact Us ( sales@mondoro.com) for more information.
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Chinese Girlfriends & Money
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The other day I was speaking to my driver Ho and I teased him by asking him, if while he was waiting for me in Guangzhou,he was going to go visit his girlfriend. He then said “Oh no, I have no money for a girlfriend, my wife is enough. But then he added if I had money I would have 10 girlfriends!” There was no question there if having a girlfriend was morally wrong or if it would hurt his wife, children or marriage. The issue was simply there was not enough money for him to have a girlfriend. This I am afraid can be a common sentiment in China.
I have been in China a long time, but this logic in thinking of love, girlfriends and money baffles me. The question or whether or not to have a girlfriend should be a moral question not a question about money. There is a saying by many Chinese girls that they would rather cry in the back of the BMW than to be laughing on the back of a motorcycle!
This is not at all new to me. Years ago myHong Kong boss named Patrick, who had a lot of money, was also well known to have a lot of girlfriends and prostitutes. It was common knowledge in our company as he even bragged openly about it in front of his wife. His wife never really seemed happy, because she was after all one of those women crying in the back of the BMW.
I think the Chinese should change their saying and should instead say I would rather be happy on the back of a bicycle with a man I love peddling away than to be crying in the back of a BMW. Love can never really be bought or sold, it is something that must be freely given.
| April 2012 |
Mondoro Charities |
During the month of March Project Sprouts (Mondoro Charities), joined with LDS Charities to help supply over 185 backpacks for under privileged schools in Phu Xuyen Village outside Hanoi and the Ha Nam Floating Village, Vietnam. The students were very happy to receive these backpacks filled with school supplies. We hope that you will continue to support us to help to continue to supply these backpacks to these underprivileged students. Find out more.
Top 10 Benefits that can be gained by working with Mondoro. At Mondoro, we feel we are morethan just a company that designs and produces products for the Home Furnishing Industry, we hope to offer you much more such as:
1. We Know Asia – We live here, we work here, we are a part of the local communities. This means that we will be your eyes and ears here – your office here in Asia. We speak the local languages and understand the local cultures.
2. Quality is important to us. In fact we are proud to call ourselves quality fanaticswho understand that quality requires extra effort in everything we do for thehome furnishing industry.
3. Quantity Considerate: Though quantity is important to us, it is not the only consideration we have when doing business.
4. Passionate Designers and Developers: We are a company that is passionate about design and development. .
5. Manufacturing Experts:Asia is a challenging place to do business. We have long experience in overcoming a wide variety of unexpected problems.
6. Fair Pricing: We will always work with you our customer to get you the quality and reasonable or fair price for the product that you need.
7. Trustworthy Custodians of your confidential designs and products to protect your business plan.
8. Experts who utilize Asian sources to assist our staff so we can create products using the best Asian talent that is available in China, Vietnam and Cambodia to respond to your special needs.
9. Service Oriented: We are service oriented. We strive to always give exceptional service to our customers.
Understand You.We are a small business dedicated and set up to help small to medium size businesses.
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F,S,N,P of Team Leadership
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Most leadership courses will deal with the Forming, Storming , Norming and Performing or F S N P’s of teams. The Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing has to do with stages of team development and behavior of the team membersas:
1. Forming – At this stage as the name implies, the team was just formed. There will be courtesy between members and a get-to-know-you type of Introduction to each other. Information will be shared and stereotypes will be formed. Some in the team will have a “why am in here” attitude? There will be very little conflict but productivity is also low. At the same time there is little trust or commitment between the group members. Obviously most leaders recognize this is not a good stage for a team to be stuck in.
2. Storming – The storming phase is when individuals start to push for influence or can become passive. Cliques and groups are formed which may hide agendas from view. Goals can be set, changed, questioned and then reviewed again. Conflicts may arise, including those of a personal nature. Group accomplishments are quite limited. Again because the accomplishments are limited, most leaders also understand this is not a good stage for any team to be stuck in.
3. Norming – As the name implies the norm is starting to be established and the team identity is being established, but there are still cliques in the group. Creativity emerges and team achievement starts to become evident. Asort of “groupthink”will start to appear in the group and at this point new member entry is extremely difficult. This stage is obviously better than the previous two because achievement and creativity are high.
4. Performing – In this last stage team members are motivated and team morale is very high. There is a high trust and loyalty and there are no cliques. Team members are willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. Confrontation, usually considered negative, is shown to be a positive way for the team to improve. All members are accepted and valued as part of the team. Superb goals are attained. The drawback is that any new member entry may cause regression back to a previous stage. The performing stage as the name implies will result in higher performance for the team.
Of these 4 stages of team development, the ideal and the most difficult to obtain is the performing stage. Obviously this last stage requires the least amount of supervision and gives the highest level of performance.
By choosing Mondoro you gain a partner in Asia with experience in the home furnishing and accessories industry. Mondoro help you design, develop and manufactures products in China and Vietnam. Visit our website or contact us for more information about Mondoro.
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The Flowing trend is a trend that is starting to show up in fashion and will be important for 2013. Check out the collection of the new hot designer Mary Katrantzou at Style.com Her fashion demonstrate this bold, yet flowing designs and color. This is also why Vogue Magazine and other fashion magazines are raving about her new collection. Mary Katrantzou gives us a glimpse of things to come in this new flowing trend, Here are some considerations:
1. Flowing is about soft to bold and intoxicating colors that are fluid and flow while having a sense of a randomness.
2. There will be some black outlines but not all areas will be painted, some will be just black and white. You can see with Mary Katrantzuo her use of black and white with the colors.
3. Blossoms will be the key, but they will need a loose technique. . The idea is not to over burden the look with flowers but to give it a nice free flowing feel with a balance between all the designs.
4. Imperfections which are strategically placed are key. This is not a look where the painting must be perfect. Almost like the mis-painting is part of the design charm.
5. This trend will reach out from just botanicals to include things as tie-dye effects, blurred effects, swirling and irregular lines, irregular dots and stripes and plaids. Again the affect is not perfect lines but in fact with bits of imperfection that flow freely.
6. Look at some of the Japanese Contemporary watercolor artists for inspiration. Some of them leave entire areas white and black. Also look at dragon flies and butterflies as an accent.
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