[Stoves] Defining the "last mile"

Alex English english at kingston.net
Sun Dec 9 06:45:41 CST 2012


Richard,
How about the first mile? If we start from a different place the last 
mile might be on a completely different road.

Many moons ago I experienced the Institute of Cultural Affairs. They 
tried to start with a highly consultative approach in public meetings, 
acting as facilitators with an eye to their ultimate absence. Laudable. 
At the time they suffered some suspicion  from their cryptic name that 
was to close to the CIA. That was during the ex-patriot hey-day.

However this fellow Sirolli, suggests that the people you want at those 
meetings, arn't there.
"Entrepreneurs never come, 
<http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html#434026>and 
they never tell you, in a public meeting, 
<http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html#437732>what 
they want to do with their own money, 
<http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html#440904>what 
opportunity they have identified. 
<http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html#444520>So 
planning has this blind spot. 
<http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html#448349>

http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen.html

For low band width folks, the full transcript is available at the base 
of the video window.

Alex



On 08/12/2012 11:56 PM, Richard Stanley wrote:
> Crispin,
> Te acuerdo, completamente.
> Richard
> ===========
> On Dec 8, 2012, at 10:45 PM, Crispin Pemberton-Pigott wrote:
>
> Dear Richard
>
> I really like the description of the challenge 'at the end' as the
> 'ultimate' one in the sense of if being the 'last one' (penultimate,
> ultimate) but fear the word will be misunderstood.
>
> There is another way to analyse the distribution chain and that is from a
> more philosophical perspective. I am hoping Cecil (who is new to this group)
> will rise from his slumber couch - it is amazingly comfortable - and comment
> on this.
>
> There are all sorts of challenges to the provision of improved and cleaner
> stoves. One is suitability, another is a good fit into the transportation
> network. Suppose the last mile is not a distribution problem, but is rather
> the last mile of interactive design informed by a deep study of the cooking
> culture and aspirations of the users?
>
> In other words the last mile is the distance between the mouths of the
> customers and the ears of the stove program managers. Words may not travel
> that far whereas stoves can if you push them.
>
> Another distance I find is long is from the hearts of the users to their
> mouths. They may say very little, intimidated by the presence of the
> economically powerful or extremely polite to the foreigners. When offered a
> product claimed to be a step up, they may not have the will to say 'no.'
> They speak with their feet.
>
> The products may deliver exactly what the policy managers want, but isn't
> that what all vendors think? So, given the colourful history of stove
> projects around the world, it may be worth the effort to consider the last
> mile to be an mental rather than material gap.
>
> Regards
> Crispin
>
>
>
>
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