Relational Manufacturing

Have you heard of Relational Manufacturing? Me neither. I'm thinking we may have coined a very important phrase. 

Relational + Manufacturing = Community Transformation 

Aristotle said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Synergy. 1 + 1 = 3.
Think on that for a few hours (hurts my brain, need a cup of chai....)

We believe that Relational Manufacturing is one of the best ways to alleviate poverty in emerging countries. Why do we couple the terms Relational and Manufacturing? If simply manufacturing is the key to bringing transformation to needy communities then all we would have to do is set up countless factories, sit back, and watch the change happen. But that's not happening, as you can see in many countries. If simply relationship (education, awareness) is the answer, how does that feed a hungry family today?

Relationship is one of those words that is powerful and scary, especially for Westerners who tend to be more process and project-oriented (another topic for another day?). The implications of relationship are huge. What will this relationship require of me? What do I need to do to meet the poor where they are at? Wouldn't it just be easier to throw money at these situations? How messy is this going to get??

Relationship with economic opportunity empowers the poor to start believing in themselves. To realize that there are ways for them to take control of their lives and make trajectory-changing decisions. To know the pleasure of a good day's work and its wages. And to know that there's somebody walking with them on this empowerment journey.

This is the heart of Dekko Trading - relational manufacturing. Have you thought about relational manufacturing before? What are some of the benefits and drawbacks to this type of social responsibility strategy?