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Learning Histories
Growing Pains Growth is always exciting, but also an organizational consideration. From our experience with the B.A.B.E. program, several areas were considerations that needed attention as we became larger. Keeping these issues in mind might give you the structure you need to grow right into! Staying stocked. Obviously, redeeming coupons requires baby items that are high quality, safe, and there. As the number of B.A.B.E. shoppers increases, so must merchandise. Community education about B.A.B.E. and store items can be raised together. The B.A.B.E. program goes to service clubs, church, or other community groups to talk about what the program has accomplished and how it has evolved. The price for such a presentation? Everyone attending is asked to bring an item that can be "sold" at a B.A.B.E. store. Making space -- storage. Keeping store items that might not be on the shelves right away means that space is important. Things that move quickly, especially if they're large -- bassinets, car seats, strollers -- need to be restocked often and available. Many stores just simply might not have the space, and warehouse or extra storage space is necessary. Accepting trade-ins. In the past, B.A.B.E. stores offered shoppers coupons in exchange for used baby clothes or items they brought in. As more B.A.B.E. families brought trade-ins, it was difficult to organize and standardize the process, plus many items required repair or extra attention. Every program should make their own trade-in policy based on what works for them, but with growth, trade-ins may become numerous, time-consuming, and not always be something that "sells." Coordinating coupon distributors. Every B.A.B.E. coupon distributor, or "vendor," must have an accurate idea of how the program works. These important partners are usually a shopper's first introduction to how the program works. All vendors are required to let the B.A.B.E. program know what their clients can do to receive coupons, and then distribute coupons accordingly. New employees, staff turnover and other organizational change can impact whether families who might benefit from the B.A.B.E. program receive information about what it can offer them. Keeping coupon distributors aware and a part of the program is a hefty task that increases as new vendors are added. "More isn't better," said Judy Decker, current B.A.B.E. program coordinator. Keeping vendor numbers under thirty allows more effective partnerships to form between the program and its coupon distributors. Prioritizing incentives. Patti Meuninck, WIC Clinic Nutrition Supervisor, explained that as a vendor it was important for their organization to use the coupons as effectively as they could. Clients couldn't earn coupons simply for keeping regular appointments, where they received food vouchers through WIC. For B.A.B.E. coupons, clients go "above and beyond," learning something new in a class about breastfeeding or nutrition - "anything extra beyond what is required to be on WIC. That way we feel like we're actually using the coupons as an incentive." |
