The Kearny Alliance

The Kearny Alliance is a Scottsdale, Arizona based non-profit 501 (c) (3), non-partisan, foundation that partners with other international organizations to further its mission of ‘Aid through Trade’. Its aim is to advance sustainable global prosperity through trade-related business education and training, and applied research.

The Kearny Alliance is headed by Dr. John E. Walsh, Jr., as chairman of the board. Dr. John E. Walsh, Jr. is Professor Emeritus of Management at the John M. Olin School of Business, Washington University. He has been a consultant to the Agency for International Development, the Asian Productivity Organization, the Asian Sources Media Group, the Ford Foundation, the J.M. Huber Corporation, the Monsanto Company, and the Seven-Up Company.

Alexander Boome is program director of the Kearny Alliance, managing the day-to-day operations and responsible for program oversight. He is a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer and Corporate Marketing Manager of Global Sources Ltd.

Organization Mission

The Kearny Alliance is focused on providing advancing 'Aid through Trade' via the following initiatives:

• International trade & commerce
• Skills-based development and training
• Global marketing & management
• Information technology
• Cultural exchange

It is the belief of the Kearny Alliance that international trade creates jobs, increases local incomes and brings people together in work that crosses borders and cultures. Also, that trade produces a peace dividend that knits nations together in bonds of peace by means of commercial exchange and interaction.

The Kearny Alliance is involved in building partnerships with other like-minded organizations ranging from educational and government institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), grass-roots groups, corporate, and private entities. This collaboration leverages its efforts, both financial and analytical, with the resources and expertise available from other organizations.

“Sustainable development” is defined by the Alliance as balanced economic, social and environmental progress that meets the needs of present and future generations through the creation of lasting jobs, increased efficiencies in business, and greater cross-cultural understanding. This builds on the term used by the Brundtland Commission, which noted that sustainable development is development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The Kearny Alliance believes that global prosperity must be accomplished with a focus on sustainability — not only economic, but social and environmental as well. As quoted from its philosophy statement:

"There is little question that we live in a global community. We are dependent upon each other’s resources, energy, technology and security, and we share the same environment. Therefore, to sustain our global economy, we must join forces, establish common practices and opportunities, and respect one another."

Investment Model

Focus: Development models that can be replicated
The Kearny Alliance grants seed money to programs within its scope of interest and supports the implementation of proven models that can be scaled up, and replicated to effect sustainable development. The assistance, coordination and facilitation of resources provided take the form of loans, stipends, grants, consulting, and program support.

Investment Model
The Kearny Alliance strives to ensure that the programs it supports contain processes for on-going evaluation to ascertain success and impact. Measurable outcomes and on-going evaluation deliver best-practices for the replication and the scaling up of projects.

Its desired program outcomes include:

• Lasting jobs created
• Income generated
• Trade conducted
• Life skills developed
• Knowledge exchanged
• Capital invested in communities
• Self reliance advanced
• Partnerships formed
• Tested models replicated

Support Criteria
The following criteria is used to assess the potential for support from the Kearny Alliance:

• Asian presence, experience, and expertise
• Organizations with sound track records and experience in program country
• Programs that match the Kearny Alliance objectives and focus areas
• Programs that demonstrate elements of international trade/commerce leading to lasting jobs and sustainable income development
• Programs with models to pilot that are replicable through best known methods
• Organizations that have already formed alliances with other entities
• Programs must demonstrate how financial self-sustainability will be achieved
• Three – five year exit strategy

Example of Exit Strategy

• Year One – Seed money to launch program
• Year Two – Support provided in conjunction with other organizations
• Year Three – Assess possibility of model being replicated in other regions

Examples of The Kearny Alliance Support
Below are various programs and projects that the Kearny Alliance would consider for possible support.

• Assistance to schools and universities to build and enhance curriculum, infrastructure and programs focused on international trade, information technology and e-commerce. Assistance may also include student stipend support.
• Skills training and assistance for small and medium enterprises in developing countries to gain access to the global marketplace for their products by providing:

- Education on trade, commerce, business management and marketing

- Technical infrastructure to gain access to new markets through e-commerce

- Access to capital

- Technical training and computer skills

- Other new business support services

• Underwriting of conferences and symposia focusing on economic development with the goal of bridging understanding between people and nations and promoting cultural exchange.
• Micro-lending and other aid to entrepreneurs to help in establishing new businesses and employment opportunities in global trade.
• Sponsorship of individuals conducting academic research in international trade and sustainable economic development with an emphasis on Asia.
• Support and funding for implementation of a sustainable business model and plan in a developing country to generate income and additional employment opportunities.

Export Service Centre

Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
The Export Service Centre (ESC) is the result of collaborative efforts between the Kearny Alliance and the International Finance Corporation’s SME division – the private sector development arm of the World Bank, with in-kind support of Global Sources. Established in 2003, ESC’s mission is to create lasting jobs by aiding low-income entrepreneurs to promote and facilitate export development. Its primary goal is to source, market and export the finest Indonesian home decor, gifts and jewelry items, to provide product order facilitation and to ensure timely order fulfillment to buyers’ requirements. This program encompasses training, marketing, linkages and trade facilitation and seeks to assist entrepreneurs in overcoming the barriers to global commerce. The ESC estimates that it created 2,300 jobs among its low-income beneficiaries in 2007.

Complete service
The Export Service Centre provides international standards and complete sourcing, quality control labelling, packing, shipping and replenishment services.

Product sampling
Provides qualified buyers with sample products. The Export Service Centre orders samples specifically upon buyers’ requests. Buyers are charged with all related product and shipping costs.

Supplier network
It works with a network of screened and qualified small-scale producers and committed medium-sized suppliers. As a result of these close relationships, the Export Service Centre is able to assure buyers that products they order will have the same quality level as the samples provided.

Export procedures
Assists buyers with Indonesian export procedures and requirements, recommends freight agents if requested and aids in all documentation.

Transparent business transactions
All business transactions between buyers and suppliers are completely transparent.

Quality control
The quality control team oversees buyers’ order through production to the final packaging and shipping procedures. The staff and managers are experienced in the production and export of a wide range of products manufactured in Indonesia. Management has lived outside of Indonesia and are familiar with international buyer demands. The team works closely with factories to ensure that production meets buyers’ requirements.

You Shop We Ship

Working in close partnership with the Kearny Alliance,You Shop We Ship is a non-profit endeavour focussed on creating sustainable livelihood for artisans in Indonesia. It is also an affiliate of the Export Service Centre.

You Shop We Ship enables tourists to Bali to enjoy worry-free shopping for home décor and other hand-crafted products, as the You Shop We Ship team will pick up the items from suppliers’ shops and deliver them door-to-door in Europe. This enables tourists and small retailers to buy more products as they do not need to worry about shipping, and in turn helps local shops sell more, providing more employment for the craftspeople who supply the stores.

By offering one stop door-to-door service to European Union countries, You Shop We Ship removes the uncertainty, hidden costs and complications of exporting and shipping merchandise to buyers’ homes or stores in Europe. It provides more security in the buying process and helps encourage greater sales — resulting in more jobs for the small producers who supply local shops.

For European buyers in Bali, there are three main steps to the You Shop We Ship Door to Door service:

1. Buyers shop and contact You Shop We Ship – buyers collect all original invoices, call You Shop We Ship and provide the team with the invoice delivery address.

2. You Shop We Ship collects all items bought – the team will check goods and prepare packing list, pack the goods, calculate shipping volume in cubic meters and ready the shipment.

3. You Shop We Ship processes the delivery – the team will ship the goods, prepare transport invoice and send it to the buyer by email. The distribution centre in Europe will inform the buyer when goods can be delivered, and within 3 days of clearing the goods will be delivered to the buyer’s door.

Other Programs

Developing Country Export Assistance Program
This program aims to help create job opportunities for workers engaged in the production of hand-crafted products. It is designed to promote experienced export manufacturers in developing economies in Asia to overseas buyers, with the objective of increasing export orders and creating jobs. By receiving more sales orders, suppliers are expected to hire additional workers, or provide more, and more regular, employment to underemployed individuals, which in turn will boost job opportunities in the countries in which this program operates, including but not limited to the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

As part of the Developing Country Export Assistance Program, the Kearny Alliance has partnered with Global Sources in publishing the Developing Country Sourcing Reports, which feature export manufacturers from developing economies across Asia. These reports offer buyers new sources of handmade products from quality exporters to create jobs for people in need.

Stipend support for scholars in journalism and business
To enrich students’ theoretical business and communication education, the Kearny Alliance supports numerous scholars from mainland China, Vietnam, Cambodia and other developing economies in Asia through stipend support for BA and MA studies in International Journalism,Hong Kong Baptist University. It also has partnered with Global Sources to offer on-the-job training in business-to-business international communication.

Through these internships and on-the-job-training, class theory is leveraged, as the students are able to work with real problems in international development, lend their expertise, while thinking strategically to devise appropriate solutions.

It also offers matching funds in support of TAFAS, the Thunderbird Assistance Fund for Asia Students, which awards tuition scholarships for students from Greater China to study international business at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona.

Training Programs
To increase opportunities for more people around the world to participate in the global marketplace through vocational, skills-based training which includes access to market linkages, the Kearny Alliance is partnering with organizations focused on strengthening business acumen and enhancing opportunities for export trade thereby fostering economic independence.

Partners

Digital Divide Data
Cambodia, Laos
Digital Divide Data, a social enterprise established in 2001, creates jobs and educational opportunities — for disadvantaged people, including polio and landmine victims, orphans and trafficked women—by securing international, outsourced data services contracts. This financially self-sustaining organization, managed by local staff, provides its employees with above-average wages, technical expertise, health care, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement. The Kearny Alliance facilitated DDD’s expansion into rural Cambodia and Laos and sponsored a Thunderbird MBA intern, Savvy Him, to assist with the opening of these offices.

The Crafts Center at CHF
Washington D.C.
The Crafts Center at CHF is a non-profit organization working in 55 countries to empower artisan entrepreneurs to compete in the global marketplace and improve the quality of their lives. The Kearny Alliance has partnered with the Crafts Center and the World Bank's Small and Medium Enterprise Department to sponsor the development of training curriculum for the Artisan Entrepreneur Training Program. This module curriculum includes hands-on business instruction, market linkages to expand global trade opportunities, and information and technology resources. It is designed to support the transition of small businesses into sustainable enterprises.

Opportunity International
China urban micro-development program
For over 30 years, Opportunity International (OI) has been an innovative leader among non-profit organizations in economic development and micro-enterprise creation. With activities in 32 countries, OI works through indigenous partner organizations that provide business loans, training and counsel. The result is stronger communities and the creation of sustainable income and lasting jobs for low-income entrepreneurs. The Kearny Alliance has joined other individuals and foundations in a China urban micro-development program that encompasses loans, business training in regional and potential export trade, and capacity building to stimulate the growth of small businesses with low-income Chinese entrepreneurs.

Thunderbird School of Global Management
International Business Information Center
(Thunderbird) is the world's leading source of international management education. The graduate - level business school is based in Glendale, Arizona and operates business partnering programs in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America.

In collaboration with other private and corporate sponsors, the Kearny Alliance helped the Thunderbird International Business Information Center (IBIC) become a reality.

IBIC takes the concept of a library into the Information Age. The center provides fully automated resources and access to databases around the world. IBIC also provides training and instruction for future business managers to develop and enhance their information competency skills.

Applied Research
The Kearny Alliance works in association with several non-profit research groups to support on-going studies, conferences, and information dissemination on issues related to Asia, trade, policy and economic development. These organizations include:

• Economic Strategy Institute
• Japan Information Access Project
• Library of Congress
• Pacific Basin Economic Council
• World Resources Institute (WRI)

Sources

• Organization website- http://www.kearnyalliance.org/
• Press release: about the company-http://www.1888pressrelease.com/kearny-alliance-3649-company-pr.html
• Press release: about new Program Director-http://www.pr.com/press-release/83973
• Press release: about Spirit Award received-http://www.prleap.com/pr/60238/
• Info in wise earth: about the company--http://www.wiserearth.org/organization/view/b1dd04660f7645e1d99f1b44ecfaf709
• Information about Hong Kong Baptist University scholarship--http://www.myanmarstudyabroad.org/kearny_hkbu_schol.html
• Partnership with Global Sources --http://www.corporate.globalsources.com/CR/COMM.HTM
• Digital Divide Data – ICT e-entrepreneurship--http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict_stories/themes/entrepreneurship.html; http://www.digitaldividedata.org/Social_impact/Partners.asp