Win-Win donation system for retailers, NGOs & customers.

Solidarity Cents

When you pass at the checkout, the amount it’s seldom «round». The idea is to give the opportunity to the customer to round it up donating these few cents «not useful». Collected founds will going straightly to a NGO or to an humanitarian project.

This system already works within success in Chile since years.

Concept

With an amount of 32,67 Euros.

The checkout counter offers to the customer (after announced the purchase total) to donate, those 3 cents (who makes a check round) to the NGO “X”.

This is a win-win system.

Example

- partnership with an NGO is a powerful communication tool,

brand image reinforced.

- creation of an informal link (the donation generate a positive feeling between customer & retailer).

=> client fidelity strengthened.

Win – Retailer

Today no-one can ignore the inequalities but a lot of people don’t know how to help.

Have the opportunity to donate “almost nothing”, frequently, “without doing anything » seems to be an interesting compromise.

Thanks to this simple act, almost free (1,2,3…cents) and quick => any customer can participate and support a relief agency.

Win – Customer

Two scenarios are possible :

1. The cashier announce the purchase amount and offer to the customer to round up with a donation of 3 cents to the ONG « X ». 

2. Thanks to a prior communication (TV, in-store ad etc.) the retailer let to the customer to take the initiative

In Chile=> the cashier request isn’t automatic.

Rule at the checkout

The donation becomes a reflex and sums tend to increase.

The customer used to take the initiative and its round up are bigger (10, 20 o 50 cents).

After several purchases

Not everybody joins :

- it’s why the request must be done with lightness,

- the frequency of the request decrease with the time.

Reluctant customers

- Information technology => basic. The check out machines are easy to program + possibility of benchmark with Chilean retailers.

- Waste of time => minimal. Donation request with a standard sentence during first months, then customer reflex.

Issues / Solutions

- Automatic check out => easier ! The machine calculates the cents of the round up and gives the choice between « yes », « no » or « other amount ».

-Method of payment => no problem. Credit card => round up is done before the payment. Cash => time saving, cashier do not have to look for the « 3 » cents.

Issues / Solutions

- The cashier => gratifying.

He’s the first link of this solidarity chain => he will not consider this change as an issue.

Cashiers will have a short training : - sentences request to customers,

- technical (check out keyboard).

Issues / Solutions

I’m looking for an NGO or company support to :

1. Carry out a survey on current system used in Chile : IT, cost valuation, calculate donatives, launch etc. Duration : 1 month – Cost : flight + fixed term contract/per diem.

2. Carry out a feasibility analysis in Europe : IT implementation, fiscal concerns etc => propose a step-by-step solution for retailer quick implementation or trade test . Duration : 1 month – Cost : flight + fixed term contract/per diem.

Remaining tasks…

3. Launch a Full-scale test : plan the launch in several stores or a region and analysis after few weeks => cost, cashier & customer feedback, donatives full-scale estimation.

Duration : 2 months – Cost : depend of the test size.

Remaining tasks…

4. Internal communication : training plan development to guarantee the maximum implication of cashiers.

5. Mass advertising : marketing campaign (mass media, in-store ad etc.), humanitarian aid feedbacks.

Remaining tasks…

6. NGO : once selected, set terms for advertising campaigns etc.

7. Monitoring : definition of criteria for certification & traceability policy.

Remaining tasks…

My role would be, thanks to the partnership with an NGO, a retailer or a sponsor :

- to work on these 7 tasks/modules in order to deliver a turnkey project ;

- after a successful launch, my job should consist in doing a reporting, improvements and assure the security and the transparency of donation cash flow.

Proposal

Efficiency of the system=> donate “almost nothing”, frequently, “without doing anything ».

Benefits for retailers => client fidelity, brand image.

Cost => low with a quick return on investment.

My mission => open to any proposals (please find my résumé on the next slide).

Thank you for your time.

In conclusion

If you’re reading this presentation it’s because you can help me to achieve this project successfully.

We will appreciate every involvement (contacts, patronage, advices etc.). Do not hesitate to contact me :

solidaritycents@gmail.com

Contacts

Anthony Le Minoux August 23rd, 1978 – France

Professional experiences

Since 2004 : Key Account Manager in charge of Spain, Portugal and Maghreb – based in Barcelona REXAM DISPENSING (n°2 in the world for beauty packaging)

Responsibilities : management of 3 world major customers (Coty Spain, LVMH & Puig), project development (briefs, management of technical teams, build offer), negotiating contracts, reporting, prospection new clients & opportunities. . Management of 2 agents and 1 sales assistant.

Results : TO increase of 35% and 25 new customers (3 in the top5).

2003 : Buyer (then Key Account Manager) - Bubble Brothers (trading wine & champagne) – 12 months – based in IrelandPurchase negotiation (France, Spain, Italy & Chile), prospecting, sales management with specific accounts (Tesco, Airlingus).

2002 : Market survey manager - HLT SA, Spain (baker industry) – practice of 6 months – based in Chile Analysis of local resources (cultivators, industry & distribution) and opportunities development for the organic agriculture.

Education

2001-02 : Master’s degree specialized in project management and business setting-up - I.A.E. of Rennes – France. 1999-01 : Bachelor’s degree of business administration - IAE. de Rennes with 6 months in the university of Siena – Italy.1997-99 : Associate degree of business administration Management – IUT of de Saint-Malo – France

Languages & computing

English  : fluent. Italian : working knowledge. Spanish : bilingual. Software: SAP, Sage, Pack Office.

Miscellaneous

Interests : Travels, politic & international solidarity (amnesty international, green peace, élevages sans frontières), sports (soccer, footing, squash).