Beyond the Spreadsheet

For example, a handwritten letter from a disappointed consumer can be much more poignant than a spreadsheet showing an unacceptable quality fallout percentage for a shipment. Share the glowing customer letters, too. People on the front lines at the factory will love to see that their hard work is appreciated not just by your business, but also by real-life people who buy the merchandise.

Rob Behnke is co-founder and head of merchandising and sourcing for Fair Indigo, a fair trade apparel cataloger based in Madison, Wis. He previously worked at Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Co. and Macy’s. You can reach him at (608) 824-8974 or rbehnke@fairindigo.com.