31 Bits Features their Supply Chain

Anena Flavia was wrongfully accused and after one year and seven months in Gulu Main Prison she was released. After her recruitment in Bits, she was able to forgive the people who imprisoned her on baseless accusations. She started growing spiritually and started to embrace positively.

Laker Kevin feels like everyday her work is valuable. She grew up in a difficult way, but her life is changed. After her first paycheck from 31 Bits she was so happy she couldn’t even walk. She sat under a tree and kept opening and closing her purse to see if the money was there.

Every product has a story – and the company 31 Bits is using social media to make their story transparent. Anena and Laker’s stories were featured on 31 Bits Instagram feed with so many other women and lives the company has changed. 31 bits is a company that not only makes their supply chain transparent, but they make it as important as the products they sell.

Thirty one bits was started by five college friends who had an idea for a mission based business to help the artisans in Uganda by selling their necklaces that were made from bits of paper. Now, they are working with artisan communities throughout Uganda and Indonesia to bring unique and ethically made accessories and home goods. They care both about the how the products are made as well as the products themselves and of course the consumers who are purchasing them. Their company’s slogan reads, is “How its made that matters” and speaks volumes for their company.

Their website has pages dedicated to learning more about the artisans making the products, their mission and how they support their artisans, and many more.  In their social media pages, these cornerstones are also reflected as well giving their consumers the dialogue that not many companies provide.

Throughout their feed they showcase their products, themselves as well as their supply chain. By using the hastag #bitsofgulu, they are featuring stories of the women who are making the products and the way the company has impacted their lives.

31 Bits is utilizing their Instagram stories to highlight their products and the process that goes into making them.  They are informing and showing the consumer how their textiles are dyed, information about their zero-waste sustainable practises in an engaging way.

They also have a Bits life where they integrate fun stories about both the founders and the artisans. Mixed together the stories flip between the two and showcase different stories the consumer can swipe up to read or learn more about. Having the two intertwined is a fun way that really shows the collaboration 31 bits has with their supply chain.

 

Gone are the days of not caring how the products you consume are made. Consumers expect to know that their products are ethical, and people involved are paid fairly and are treated well.  The more an organization can provide the transparency in their supply chain, the more you can establish trust and a reputation for being ethical.

Every product has a story and social media allows the perfect opportunity for you to tell it.

Lessons for Others

On 31 Bits website there is a quote from one of the founders Kallie Thomson that reads “31 Bits has proven you can be transparent about how your products are made without loosing quality and design.”

• Consumers want to know about how their products are made so offer details and add transparency
• Utilize all the social media features to incorporate transparency, create a hashtag which will feature stories/changes, incorporate supply chain transparency in Instagram stories, live chat on facebook etc.
• Get personal. Sharing stories, behind the scenes, quotes as well as incorporating this into images and videos is an excellent way to showcase your companies supply chain in your social media strategy.

If you have concerns as to the accuracy of anything posted on this site, please send your concerns to Peter Carr, Program Director, Social Media for Business Performance.

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