I was glad to be invited recently to participate in two events. I have known the organizers for several years, and I am sure they will be interesting.

1. Online classes for startups that need to source from China

Liz Long, founder of Bag the Habit and one of my clients, is offering a series of online classes called “Design, Source and Manufacture Your Product Idea”. Here is part of the description:

You’ll finish knowing how to design, source, and manufacture your product in a step-by-step process. You’ll learn basic manufacturing “speak”, prepare for “sticky spots” like vetting factories and ensuring quality control, and hear from a range of guest experts in this field. You’ll also have access to Vendor and Supplier referrals from myself and my team. You’ll walk away with your very own Production Plan that you can use to take your idea from concept to finished product.

I am sure there is some excellent advice because I am one of the interviewees! More information here.

2. Forum about export strategies, for Chinese suppliers

Global Sources is putting together a series of forums to offer advice to suppliers. The forum’s description in English is here: Forum intro_EN.

The good surprise is that the focus won’t be on marketing and sales tactics. I was asked to speak about quality control. I will explain a few fundamentals from the buyer’s perspective… It should be fun.

I will also take this opportunity to insist on the importance of improving manufacturing operations constantly. If factories want to survive in the long term, they will need to abandon their good old ways.

This series of forums starts in Fuzhou and Shantou (where I will speak), and will cover all the main production areas later in the year. I can only encourage Global Sources to continue with this type of initiative.