Thought for today

“One of the huge mistakes people make is that they try to force an interest on themselves. You don’t choose your passions; your passions choose you.”
- Jeff Bezos

My Journey 2 (Out of my Comfort Zone)

Today i did not go for my planned visits as i had to consult my supervisor with my project due for submission in the next few days as part of fulfillment of my Masters studies. I value education and believe that this will benefit and boost my management skills tremendously and hoping to add one to the number of women sitting on Boards of Management in Kenya both NSE listed and Government parastatals, besides motivating women and girls that education is important.

I will tell you about the past 2 weeks since i started my journey and the experiences, as my Journey 1 was about yesterday only. I will post 2 editions of the journey every week to summarize the week in two parts and let you in on my experiences. I welcome your comments, proposals and insights on what i did well, what i did not not do and what i could have done better to help me make better decisions.

I have always harbored major issues and biases towards Sales and Marketing activities since this was not my career path and i considered them then as out to confuse me to buy what i do not need. I leave the house knowing what i want to buy an that is what i go for anyone in my path even samples (unless its chocolate) has always been a nuisance. My path was set on Humanitarian logistics that required planning and execution with sales and marketing people being part of the chess pieces on my board and a necessary evil as they were supposed to prove to me what value they were adding to my process. 

I am now on this side of having to prove what value my product add to my clients and that i am not a nuisance but out to ensure that someone sees my product, tests it out and returns to be a constant client otherwise how will i grow mu business? I am slowly learning that it is not so bad after all doing what i love most and talking about the fortified porridge (Philani and Philani Yabantwana), Entral feeding (Nutri Mil and Nutrimil Junior), RUSF, RUTF.

Other products are non food Items including agricultural Items, Hygiene kits,health kits,kitchen sets,water treatment, shelter supplies, blankets, mosquito nets, etc

The first week of April i decided let us visit several organisations that i felt were my primary target, and as i have come to learn that family is important, i decided to tell my husband (who equally you can not sell to easily unless he has decided  to buy) and my son the plans for the week and none of them believed i would go through with this part of setting up and making contacts. Justifiably so they were all anxious and the first thing they all asked was "are you fine" and "what happened" like i was going to say "you were right, i chickened out".

The first NGO that we visited, we did find a good team of nutritionist who were my main target. Based on my experiences i have learnt that the acceptance and approval of the technical team is core to a product being accepted and in this case Nutritionist are core to my marketing strategy then procurement department will be my next port of call after the product is accepted to see how we can get qualified or be given a chance to quote.

TO BE CONTINUED.....................

Setting up my Bussiness-The Journey 1 (Information Gathering and Introduction)

Today we had a good day meeting different clients including Nutritionists, Dietitians and Health officers in both hospitals and donor funded projects with nutrition programs. We also had a chance to visit several government regulatory bodies on food and fortified foods standards and requirements and was glad to note the consistency with which they are ready and willing to share information and i felt very reassured that we are in good hands as a country in terms of information sharing on requirements

The only difference is in the requirements required by different institutions for approval before they consider our products as part of their portfolio for use in their various programs. The question i would ask is what is the perfect combination for approval for a "borderline" supplementary food that lays no curative claim is, is it KEBS, MOH or pharmacy and Poisons Board or all at the same time? This i am yet to figure out completely as we go along as this is new to me but at the same time important if i have to move forward in this line of business.

One challenge that i found a bit interesting is the patenting issue that affects one of the products (RUTF/RUSF) that we are working with meaning that we can not sell in the countries that the patent is applicable but can sell to other countries (Somalia and South Sudan) which are part of my major targets. However since most of the decision makers are here in Nairobi then that makes it easy- but how do you talk to them without samples (someone enlighten me). Major organisations are using these in non patent countries but staff in patent countries are not fully aware of the product thus a challenge and i hope this will soon be an opportunity for me to create awareness on this particular one for countries not affected and yet face the most shortage of the RUTF and RUSF as an alternative that can be used to fill in the gap. http://www.nutriset.fr/Downloads/PFE-RUTF-Increasing-access.pdf

On the same issue it is interesting to note that one national institution was not aware of the patent and could not understand what i was saying and the question was "who, why, how, when" but i am aware that this has been a discussion on a global level.

Tomorrow is another day and even as we soldier on i am hopeful that this will work out. At times i am not sure if i made the right decision but meeting potential clients for the last two weeks gives me hope and a reason to go on. I am also hoping that more organisations get on board and support me as we introduce a new product into the East and Central African market....

You can contact  us on 020 2306839 or info@bradchelinvestments.com for samples or purchase of the products. We deliver to your field location.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brad-Supplies-Logistics/281950418634064

Combating Malnutrition at County Level

Malnutrition in Kenya  exists in different forms including acute malnutrition,, chronic under nutrition, micronutrient deficiency which primarily affect pregnant & lactating mothers and children under 5 years.

I have been looking at various documents that are being drawn up as plans by our counties as they  address various issues affecting their counties. Overall the plans are good even though generic and almost the same on most of the concepts. There are also very good strategies developed by the government that if implemented would go a long way reducing the chronic malnutrition including http://scalingupnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kenya_KNN_Action-Plan_2012_2017.pdf

My major concern is that I have not seen any plan especially from regions that are mainly affected by malnutrition and have high levels of infant mortality, stunted growth as a result of lack of proper nutrition both for the mother and child that seeks to address the issues at probably early pregnancy stage and follow through after birth to ensure that the child gets the required nutrients and foods for  proper growth.

There has been good awareness on exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months for infants and this has its own great benefits, however given the lifestyle and the fact that most women have to work outside homes being bread winners then this becomes a challenge.

It is high time that counties in the most affected areas especially the arid districts come up with short term policies to address the high levels of malnutrition and long term policies including capacity building for their communities such that they are prepared well in advance to respond to the chronic crisis that is malnutrition.

What would you like to see your county do in terms of addressing issues around malnutrition? Lets engage.

FundRazr Campaign- Join Our Campaign

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/8jpp5/ab/93CTRd

I am a business woman who has started up a business that aims at providing cheaper nutritional supplements to children affected by malnutrition, patients with low immunity boost their immune and help restore their body mass.
The money will help me as follows usd 2,000 acquire an office and warehouse, usd 1,500 for salaries, administration and office expenses for the first 3 months, usd 1,500 for distribution and delivery costs and usd 10,000 for bulk stocking to leverage on bulk purchasing and lower the final costs.
I need your help to help touch and transform the lives of children affected in particular so that we can give them a chance at a longer life span and protection in their formative ages so as to create a circle of life around them.
My target children are in East and Central Africa and with your contribution a child will be given a chance at life and a chance to access a fully equipped, comfortable, modern reading room in one county in Kenya for every usd 10,000 i receive from my dear contributors in return.
Giving life and education to a child helps set them up for greater and bigger success in the World. Lets take the step and change lives one small step at a time........ Welcome to my journey and together we can do it.https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/8jpp5/ab/93CTRd

Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients-by WHO

I Came across the following guidelines developed by WHO for fortified foods.

We do appreciate that in the developing Nations nutrition and more so getting a balanced diet is still a challenge It is really encouraging that experts are developing guidelines on fortified foods so that we are able to get the required micronutrients and that the standards are clearly defined such that we provide a practical and uniform solutions in fortified foods


http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/micronutrients/9241594012/en/

NUTRI-MIL JUNIOR

Nutri Mil Junior

   

Product Description

Nutri-Mil Junior is a complete soy based drink that is mixed with cold water. Nutri-Mil Junior supplies 100% of the National Reference Values (NRV) per 1litres. Nutri Mil Junior  contains  Prebiotics ( Fructooligosaccharide) and  Pro-Biotic (lactobacillus acidophilus ) , the  product was  developed to have a  shelf life  of 18 months  in  powder  from however  when  mixed the  product  should  be  used  within 24  hours. 

Mixing Instructions

Mix 6 level scoops of product with 200ml Cold water, this will yield 240mls of product with 16% of the NRV’s.

Packaging

Nutri Mil Junior is packed in 1Kg sachet these sachets are made of UV resistant aluminum foil and packed in double walled boxes of 24; each packet contains a scoop for ease of mixing. The packaging has been designed to protect the product even under extreme delivery conditions.

10 sachets x 1 kg per box

Allergens 

Soy, Milk (present as an emulsifier in spray dried creamer)

Ingredient statement 

Spray dried  creamer ( Palm Oil, Maltodextrins, Emulsifier (Milk), Soy Protein Isolate (Soy), Sucrose, Glucose Solids, Fructo-oligo sacharides, Flavourants, Salt, Tri Calcium Phosphate, Di Potassium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Sulphate, Potassium Iodide (1%), Sodium Selenate (1%), Manganese Sulphate, Calcium D Pantothenate, Chromium Chloride (5%), Copper Sulphate, Colorants, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Sodium Molybdate(10%), Thiamine(10%), Ascorbic Acid, Ferrous  Lactate, Niacinamide, Vitamin E Acetate (50%),lactobacillus acidophilus  Folic Acid (10%), Vitamin A Acetate, Biotin (1%), Vitamin D3(0.25%), Vitamin B12(0.1%)

Quality Control and Food Safety

Production is based on internationally recognised ISO 22000 principles. The Company is ISO22000 certified with SGS and complies with Codex Alimentarius. Procurement of the raw materials and storage of the ingredients both before manufacture and the finished product are strictly regulated. All finished goods and raw materials are fully traceable. Prior to release the product is organoleptically and physiochemically tested. The company also have an Allergen prevention program in place. 





 

Voluntary Nutritional Information	Unit of  Measurement	Per 100g Dry Product	Per 100ml	Per 55g(240ml)Serving	%NRV
Energy	kJ	1951	447.10	1073.05	**
Protein	g	17.8	4.08	9.79	17.5
Total Carbohydrates of which	g	48.8	11.18	26.84	**
Sugars	g	27.5	6.30	15.13	**
Total  Fat of  which	g	23.5	5.39	12.93	**
Saturated  Fats	g	12.1	2.78	6.66	**
Trans Fatty Acids	g	0	0.00	0	**
Mono Unsaturated fats	g	9.1	2.09	5.01	**
Poly Unsaturated  Fats	g	2.3	0.53	1.27	**
Dietary Fibre	g	2	0.46	1.1	**
Total Sodium	mg	200	45.83	110	**
Vitamin A	ug	409.1	93.75	225.01	25
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine	mg	0.5	0.12	0.28	25
Vitamin B 2 or Riboflavin	mg	0.6	0.14	0.33	25
Nicotinamide or Niacin	mg	7.3	1.68	4.02	25
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine	mg	0.8	0.18	0.44	25
Folic Acid	ug	181.8	41.66	99.99	25
Vitamin B12 or  Cyanocobalamin	ug	1.1	0.25	0.61	25
Biotin	ug	13.6	3.12	7.48	25
Pantothenic Acid	mg	2.3	0.53	1.27	25
Vitamin C or Ascorbic  Acid	mg	45.5	10.43	25.03	25
Vitamin D	ug	6.8	1.56	3.74	25
Vitamin E	mgTE	6.8	1.56	3.74	25
Vitamin K	ug	54.5	12.49	29.98	25
Calcium	mg	590	135.21	324.5	25
Chromium	ug	15.9	3.65	8.75	25
Copper	mg	0.4	0.09	0.22	25
Iodine	ug	68.2	15.63	37.51	25
Iron	mg	8.2	1.88	4.51	25
Magnesium	mg	190.9	43.75	105	25
Manganese	mg	1	0.23	0.55	25
Molybdenum	ug	20.5	4.70	11.28	25
Phosphorus	mg	568.1	130.19	312.46	25
Selenium	ug	25	5.73	13.75	25
Zinc	mg	5	1.15	2.75	25
Choline	mg	250	57.29	137.5	25
Other  L acidophilus = 10⁸ per  serving
All data contained on this specification is subjected to normal sampling statistical variance.

Osmolarity = 250mOsm/L

Calcium: phosphate ratio = 1:0.96