12 August 2019

Distribution process: retailers or mobile sales force

Author/Compiled by
Raphael Graser (Antenna Foundation)

Executive Summary

Distribution process

Safe water enterprises have a multitude of options to deliver products and services. Important is to thoroughly reflect how the delivery shall look like and whether it is executed in-house, by outsourcing or pursuing a mixed approach. This factsheet provides different insights on what aspects to consider when developing and implementing a distribution strategy and discusses advantages and disadvantages that are coming along with the 3 approaches.

The case studies of TARA in India and Spouts of Water in Uganda provide distinct insights on how distribution processes can be designed and implemented.

What is a distribution process about?

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In the business model canvas (see factsheet on business model development) the distribution process is understood as the channels and customer relationships where the value proposition is delivered to the specific customer segment. At the end of any distribution process - often-called 'last mile distribution' to reach the end-customer, a water business will have to make a decision whether to distribute the water product, service or HWTS product itself, to outsource this task or to pursue a mixed approach. Both options come with advantages as well as disadvantages INCLUSIVE BUSINESS ACTION NETWORK, 2016; HEIERLI, 2008). Based on the observed businesses cases under the Safe Water Program Phase II, every firm not only struggled with its last mile delivery, but also the consequences of initially outsourcing this process. This handout presents different options for the last mile delivery and how to overcome struggles to reach the end-customer.

Why are distribution processes relevant?

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Safe water businesses can opt to provide safe water or household water treatment solution (HWTS) products through different distribution mechanisms. Multiple aspects can influence how the most effective and appropriate distribution system will look like:

1. the choice of water purification technology

2. the production process

3. the point of purification and

4. the available infrastructure or local circumstances

These aspects have to be considered in order to reliably and successfully cater safe water or HWTS to your BoP customers (ASHOKA, 2014).

Who is this distribution factsheet interesting for?

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The tool caters towards businesses that are about to launch their product or water service. It addresses also social enterprises experiencing difficulties with last mile delivery of their product or service.

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How can your company improve its last mile distribution process?

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Businesses have to decide whether to distribute HWTS or safe water by in-house staff, by outsourcing it to a third party or by pursuing a mixed approach. The table below provides an overview of the 3 approaches and discusses their respective advantages and disadvantages. These insights will help a safe water enterprise to conceptualise or remodel its distribution process.

 

 

Outsourcing

Mixed

In-house

Description

The distribution of HWTS products or safe water delivery services is sourced out to a third-party contractor.

The distribution is partly executed through a distribution system developed by the enterprise itself and through a third-party partnership.

The safe water enterprise is setting up an in-house distribution network, training sales force or setting up its own retail shops or water kiosks.

Example

The locally produced safe water product is sold through an existing retail company or pharmacies for example.

The safe water products are sold through an existing retail system and by door-to-door delivery executed by in-house trained staff.

Safe water kiosks are set up, water is treated and directly sold through a company’s own staff.

Advantages

  • Less front or field employees required
  • Cost efficiency as no sales infrastructure has to be set up
  • Benefitting from existing distribution network, customer base and experience
  • Cost efficiency and control
  • Medium level of customer relationship & feedback
  • Sufficient knowledge about the marketing and sales process, to re-educate the distribution partner
  • Possible to reach different customer segments due to dual distribution strategy
  • Control over education and marketing process
  • Better monitoring of sales and distribution process
  • High level of customer relationship & feedback possible
  • Clear responsibility of the company itself
  • Clear incentive system can be developed and directly managed
  • Value can be fully captured by the enterprise

Disadvantages

  • Low level of customer relationship & feedback
  • Cost for monitoring external sales staff (retailers, similar)
  • Incentive setting for external sales people is difficult
  • No direct control of performance
  • Captured value has to be shared
  • Costs and time -intensive partnership development process
  • Cost for monitoring external and internal sales staff
  • Incentive setting for external sales people is difficult
  • Performance depends on partner company also

 

  • Cost to monitor own sales people
  • Distribution network as to be built from scratch
  • Cost intensive
  • Knowledge intensive
  • Trial and error necessary

Overview of advantages and disadvantages of safe water distribution methods. Source: Antenna, 2018

 

In order to cater safe water products and services to the BoP there is a variety of last mile distribution methods that have been established and successfully executed over time. These methods can be used as single method or in combination and executed in-house, by a third party or mixed. An overview of last mile distribution methods can be found subsequently in Table 2:

Delivery process

Description

Illustration

Door-to-door delivery

A network of door-to-door sales forces or microfranchisees promotes and sells one or multiple products from one company (e.g. health, energy, agriculture). For more information please see tool on social marketing.

Door to door sales
Door-to-door sales in Nepal. Source: Antenna, 2014

Shared door-to-door delivery

Door-to-door sales forces are selling products from different companies and brands in a certain area.

Shared door-to-door sales
Shared door-to-door sales. Source:
Antenna, 2014

Local branch retailer

Products from a single brand or a single supplier are sold in a retail shop (e.g. franchise, branded kiosks, local branches).

local retailer
Local retailer selling Chlore C in Guinea.
Source: Antenna, 2015

Shared retail

Products from multiple companies and brands are displayed and sold in fixed retail locations (e.g. retail chains or small shops). Here a variety of products for different use and purposes can be sold.

Watasol shared retail
WATASOL and other products displayed in a Nepalese pharmacy. Source: Antenna, 2014

Institutional partnerships

Collaboration with a partnering organization. Can facilitate market entry as distribution can be built on existing knowledge and relationships (case study on smart partnering).

partnership
Partnership of Tinkisso-Antenna and
Unicef in Guinea. Source: Antenna, 2016

Microfranchising

Collaboration with local micro-entrepreneurs (women, self-help-groups etc.) leveraging “the basic concept of traditional franchising, but it is especially focused on creating opportunities for the world’s poorest people to own and manage their own businesses” (LEHR, 2011) Mixed form of distribution as training, sales material and basic salary is provided. Additional salary is based on commission. (Case study on distribution process)

microfranchisee selling aqua+
Microfranchisee selling Aqua+ in India.
Source: Antenna, 2017
Overview of last-mile distribution options (adapted from MIT DISTRIBUTION COMPASS, 2016, own illustration)
 

These insights can help your company develop and implement a distribution strategy. The accompanying case studies help you understand how other safe water business initiatives have been implementing their distribution process and what lessons learnt they acquired.

Factsheet Block Body

The case studies of TARA in India and Spouts of Water  in Uganda provide distinct insights on how distribution processes can be designed and implemented.

Library References

Marketing Safe Water Systems: Why it is so hard to get safe water to the poor – and so profitable to sell it to the rich

This book provides unique insights – from the varied perspectives of users, disseminators, producers and retailers – into the marketing challenges of point-of-use water treatment devices.

HEIERLI, U. (2008): Marketing Safe Water Systems: Why it is so hard to get safe water to the poor – and so profitable to sell it to the rich. Bern: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) URL [Accessed: 18.05.2019]

Access to Safe Water for the Base of the Pyramid – Lessons Learned from 15 Case Studies

The book provides insights on how innovative approaches led by social entrepreneurs, NGOs, and corporations have proven that sustainable solutions could provide safe water at the Base of the Pyramid. To illustrate these findings 15 case studies are provided of innovative social enterprises active in Africa and Asia.

HYSTRA (2011): Access to Safe Water for the Base of the Pyramid – Lessons Learned from 15 Case Studies. Hybrid Strategies Consulting URL [Accessed: 16.04.2018] PDF

Evaluating the Sustainability of Ceramic Filters for Point-of-Use Drinking Water Treatment

This study evaluates the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of ceramic filters impregnated with silver nanoparticles for point-of-use (POU) drinking water treatment in developing countries.

REN, D. et al. (2013): Evaluating the Sustainability of Ceramic Filters for Point-of-Use Drinking Water Treatment. In: Environmental Science & Technology: Volume 47 Issue 19, 11206-11213. URL [Accessed: 16.04.2018]

Business Linkages: Supporting Entrepreneurship at the Base of the Pyramid

This paper presents the interesting results of the Roundtable Dialogue in Brazil in 2008 that brought together approximately 40 corporate business linkage practitioners and selected operational partners from civil society and the international development community to discuss supply, distribution, and sales models that foster entrepreneurship and enterprise development among those currently living in conditions of poverty.

JENKINS, B. ET AL. (2008): Business Linkages: Supporting Entrepreneurship at the Base of the Pyramid. Report of a Roundtable Dialogue June 10-12, 2008, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Washington DC: International Finance Corporation, International Business Leaders Forum, and the CSR Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School URL [Accessed: 16.04.2018]

The last 500 feet

This essay discusses the question of the so-called last mile delivery and offers different insights and approaches to meet the basic needs of people in rural and remote areas through viable market-based approaches.

POLAK, P. (2013): The last 500 feet. URL [Accessed: 16.04.2018]

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