Entrepreneurship Development Institute Internship 2014 – Third Week – Alex
Chanderi Week 2:
It was during our second week in Chanderi, when things really began to heat up, literally and figuratively. Not only were the temperatures warmer-than-average temperatures–due in part to the delayed arrival of the monsoon season–but also this week we really bit our teeth into our primary research. We had set out to interview the following stakeholders within the Chanderi Handloom Cluster:
- Weavers (Shareholders and Non-Shareholders)
- Designers (Head and Local Designers)
- Local Association Managers
- BVS Director
- BVS Dyers
- Chanderiyaan
- Chanderi New Design Center (Raw Mango Producers)
- Government Officials
- Traders (Silk, Cotton, and Jari)
- Board of Directors
- CEO
We wanted to get access to every level of the value chain from raw material to the finished good. Our mission was to evaluate the operations of the PCL so that we could identify and correct any inefficiencies within its structure. We did so through objective surveys, case studies, and personal interviews. We knew that we would be leaving Monday morning of the next week, and fitting in all of the interviews was a challenge in itself. Jordan and I had taken a 7 day work week, but we were able to fit it all in and even began to formulate a few great recommendations for the PCL. I will reserve those for next week’s post. Wish us luck on the train ride back!
