CRASH COURSE SEASON 5 EXAM 01

A Tong Dokan: Is there any SC???

Do you know Rafiq Mama from ECB Chattar, Matikata Dhaka? Probably not! He is a
Tong Dokan owner at ECB Chattar, Matikata, Dhaka. I'm a regular customer at his
shop. Do you know the shop's Customer Service Level? - it is consistently 100% for past
5 Years. Never my favorite Ginger Tea and the Biscuits were out of stock in past years.
Let's find out the Tong Dokan's Supply Chain nuances and secrets of success.
Note: Rafiq Mama had completed Class IV in 1968. The interesting part is he has an FB
account and his third wife is class IX pass.
A: The Tong Dokan: Rafiq Mama's Tong Dokan is a total of around 20 Square feet. The
Tong Dokan serves a total of 60+ SKUs and all stocked neat and clean. Each SKUs has a
clearly defined area and a right-sized container; 'People who come here, will come in a
specific time and in a group; only by having a neat set up I can service all of them
quickly' He said.
Question: What are the techniques or concept Rafiq Mama Used??
B: I asked him how He doesn't have any stock-outs? How was He able to manage this in
a small area? He said "Initially I struggled a lot but gradually I learned and understood
what will sell, when and how much. Accordingly, I will plan my stocks. I work with a
total of 5 different vendors and each vendor has to be notified by 'x' days in advance.
Accordingly, I have marked on the product levels (He showed the marking on boxes,
wood etc) when I have to call them for the product. Just by looking around, I can tell
which product is needed. If any delays from the vendor side, I will start rigorous follow-
ups and also I will ensure they don't delay again. As years go by, now myself and also the
vendors know how frequently they have to visit my shop and with what products".
C: In the Tong Dokan, 4 different flavors of tea/milk along with 3 types of Vada is served
in the evening time. Rafiq Mama adds the flavors only at the end before serving or
serves plainly as needed by Customer.
D: Since most of the customers are from nearby offices and working people, Vada is
served only on the weekdays and not on holidays and He perfectly plans it; Vada is
served hot every time and I have never seen any.
E: At the Tong Dokan, there are products like Candy, Cigar, Biscuits which are stocked
New Stocks always goes back in Helf Green Tea which is made this if asked Singara
arrives at Shop only at the right time when it will be sold
The chat ended with the last question,
Do you know about Technology? He asked 'eida ki? (Meaning: What is that?) This Tong
Dokan doesn't even have a trace of Tech but exhibits key SCM Concepts and World class
process controls implemented in the simplest way which 'Breaks-even' for the Tong
Dokan. But, whenever you see him, he is talking over phone or checking Facebook (he
shares whatever pictures he see in FB or take selfies and upload)
With clear vision and skills on effectively managing Customers, Vendors, Products and
Cash Flow, Rafiq Mama is truly an 'Entrepreneur' and an Inspiration to me.
As a result of this due diligence and engagement, Tong Dokan maintains a consistent
healthy P&L past year and makes a Monthly Profit of around 40K BDT even on leaner
months. ----