MI-pac Bags

Concept and Vision

Concept and Vision:

‘MI-pac’ bags is the idea of our business. Several problems is being faced by the world with the use of plastic bags as it effects in various things like environment, animals as well as the cause behind poisonous subtances which are emitted into the open air, so after giving the required education to the people regarding the expected dangers, people began to think about using any alternative so that a large number of people will prepare themselves to use the bags which can be reuse. The idea is to create a reusable bags i.e. tote bags with much designs as well as many cooperation. Knowing the fact that the tote bags is easy to carry and if it comes to uniqueness then it is a very new and trendy as well. What needs to be done is that we have to create a website where we will show the reusable bags at a minor price as well as in a good looking sizes and shapes  so that it attracts the people of all sector of ages taking from children to the adults in order to stop using those plastic bags in step by step process and also we have to cooperate with the programs regarding shopping such as app of Namshi. We have to be cooperative with the big companies and help in the manufacturing process and designing of ‘MI-pac’ bags to cover up and fit all the needs and tastes of the consumer. It will gradually help in reducing the damage caused by the use of plastic bags.  Even though the percentage of change is small but this will help in the betterment of the people. The idea already exists but there are some people who are not known to this fact. But this project will work for sure and it will increase the opportunity and percentage of people to known about this fact, as we are putting it everywhere such as in the marketplace, pharmacies, associations and some programs in addition to our websites.

Our vision

To reach to the highest standards of environmental safety as well as to deliver a clear and explicit message in order to reduce the use of plastic bags which is harmful to animals, the surrounding environment and human beings. To reach to the highest standards of quality to satisfy all the customers and to suit all the aged people as well as the young people.

Our Vision

Our mission

To make people aware of the alternatives of plastic bags and to create a poison-free environment by not using the plastic bags anymore rather using the substitutes of plastic bags such as paper bags which can be reuse if we want in a modern and easily accessible manner.

Generating Knowledge and Awareness:

We all known about the harmful effects of the plastic bag to the environment. It can cause harm to the animals that they can got struck into it and they can be chocked because of it. However, it may affect the traffic movement in many cases such as it can block the site the driver which may lead to an accident, so we are suggesting to make the environment friendly tote bags as it can help everyone and fit with all tastes, so we have to start to make our own bags in several sizes and we suggested that it needs to be painted by the companies. We have to cooperate with big companies in order to get some suggestion about this and so that it meet the needs of the consumer. Our project will spread the awareness in many ways. As the owners of the project suggested to put a fingerprint everywhere and to contribute to the publications of the tote bags, so we will have to put brochures regarding the dangers of plastic bags, so that the consumer uses the environment friendly bags. In this way, we will sell, spread awareness, and most importantly help the environment and animals at the same time.

Generating Ideas (Brainstorming, Customer Interviews or Why? Why? Why?):

Our group used two methods namely brainstorming and interviews to generate ideas. Firstly, we brainstorm as a group where each one of the group come up with ideas for our product that can fit in our budget. It may help us to get the highest sales to reduce the use of plastic bags that are not reusable and damage the environment. Then, now the thing is how can we create a reusable bag that has a modern touch. At first, we have to find sponsor and programmer who can create our website. Secondly, we have to determine the cost and prices. Also we have to think about who will be our targeted customers. Each member of the group interviewed two people and asking them for their opinion about the product and how this product will benefit them and if they are come up  with any suggestion to change. We interviewed the customers for their feedback in order to understand what exactly the customers want and need, so we can proceed to build a product which will meet the customer’s need.

Our Mission

Approach to Innovation:

Our group is thinking about the solutions for our product so that it could help in solving our problem. By doing a section of brainstorming and a lot of discussions, we observe the problem with the plastic bags that most people are facing around the world. Especially the people who loves shopping and buy stuffs and many other things frequently. So, we made a decision of creating a website from where the customers can buy tote bags online, where the clear one will cost around 15Dhs, the one with our designs cost 25Dhs, and the one with customer’ design will cost around 30Dhs, and after selecting the right product we will deliver the ‘MI-pac’ bags to their home. We will put a stand for our tote bags in grocery store and infront of many malls. If all things goes as planned, then there will be no harm to the environment and human beings too.

Risks (Three Risk and how to overcome these risk):

There are several risks about which we are afraid. Firstly, the people who stay in our community have a very less or no knowledge and information about the causes of using a plastic bags and do not have knowledge to know the differences between using plastic bags and brand new tote bags. Secondly, we do not get enough support for our service and interest in our community. So, our project will be of less value in our community. Thirdly, sometimes the team is very reluctant to do their part of the assigned work, so we have to be sure that everything is on track. Few people do not know about our websites so we are planning to make a big advertisement campaign for our website to teach thiose people about it. Moreover, financial problem may arise, there is a chance where we may lose our money as there are no big financial partners.

Market Analysis:

Our target will be everyone who wants  to use ‘MI-pac’ bags and save the environment in which we all are living. The industry is in Abu Dhabi and we will have our own websites in order to sale the tote bags. Also, the tote bags will be available in the open market such as on the malls, shops, etc, and it will be available in different qualities as well. For example, the tote bags of lower quality will be available in grocery stores. We are mainly targeting everyone, there is no age limit, everyone should use it. We think that our product will surely help the environment, animals and human beings.

Generating Knowledge and Awareness

Customers and Customer Development:

The customers wants something that will be easy to carry and not so heavy. According to the conducted interview, they need these bags because plastic bags have a negative impact on the environment. Nowadays the tote bags turn out to be a trendy and unique thing. Most of the customers are willing to pay between 10 DHS to 30 DHS. We can reach out to the customers by visiting our shop or using our official website and there they can choose any design which they want or can manually personalize for their bags. Also, there will be an advertisement and related events to show the customers the ways of creating their own design at our official website.

The meaning of tote is ‘to carry’. Recently, the tote bags have been used as the eco-friendly product as it reduces the dangerous things that came from the plastic bags and other dangerous materials.

Competition and Positioning:

Since our store will be online, our competition will be online stores that sell tote bags, as well as actual stores in malls and in the city that sells brand name tote bags. However, we will be able to differentiate ourselves from them through the customization services provided as we will allow our customer to design their bags and select the material, in addition to the selection of the existing bags, which will provide us with a competitive advantage over our competitor. Also, we will provide customers with tote shopping bags, that are made with lighter material and help in reducing the use of plastic and paper bags such preserve the environment. In the future we might face competition from business who might try to imitate our business model, but considering that we entered the current market with this idea, it will not face much of a competition, however we can still overcome it through promotions and introducing new products such as purses and wallets under the same concept, while continuing to provide high quality products. One of the barriers of entry is reaching the customer base and creating a clientele, as well as differentiating ourselves from the competition and stand out in the market, which can be done through extensive social media campaign.

Business Model and Lean Start-up Philosophy:

In this project, the first step is to raise the capital, which can be done through investment from our team members. The second step is to find a manufacturer of tote bags who can make excellent quality product at a good rate. Subsequently, we will start marketing our products so that it reaches to our potential customers such as our colleagues at the university and their families as well as our families and friends too. Marketing will also be done through the use of social media apps such as facebook, instagram, twitter and snapchat. This things will require us to register our brand and get a license of e-commerce.

Generating Ideas

Additionally, we are going to invest in onlineads in the above mentioned social media platforms along with the pages and accounts, we have to be able to attract a large base of customers. Once we start selling our own products and get order for more products and specialized bags, we can expand the business as well as the quality of the product. Once we are able to collect the capital investment and start manufacturing from the funds that we get by selling our products. From there on we start to earn more and more profit. As a result, we can expand our business and open a store in Abu Dhabi without any tention, which will sell the tote bags and will receive orders from customers who want to customize their own bags. The risk that we might face at the beginning of the project is finding a reliable manufacturer who will produce the products keeping in mind of the quality wanted at a reasonable price. Another risk that we might face is assuring that we have the proper supply and delivery method in order to assure the customer satisfaction. We may also face risks related to the marketing in terms of selecting the appropriate customer base and adapting well to the changes made in economic conditions.

Learning and Adaption:

True business opportunities: We have heard about various websites for clothing, but does not seen yet any website regarding the tote bags. It is a great move to make a website for tote bags and we think that there is a big change of getting a successful results in this kind of business. People love new products if it designed with touch of art to turn around to be a attractive product to carried around. All that they have to do is to visit our website and choose a clear tote bags or a form of tote bags from our sidings or designs of the customers and then complete the purchase process. After three days of purchasing, the tote bag which they have ordered will arrive at their house. We have learned many things such as how to create a unique business and what the customer actually wants. Each of our members have taken two interviews and taken the feedback from them. In this process, we came to know about many ideas and solutions that will help us a lot to improve our products. We think that we can capture a big market only in one condition i.e. if the government and general people help us to spread the awareness about the disgress of plastic bags. However, our product is trendy and it will mostly attract all the girls and they will go for it for sure. As a result, we guess that it will be a great hit in the market and it will also have a chance to grow internationally.