Hi, todays newsletter is going to be a bit longer due to it being time for deeper explanations regarding Oikos.
Recently we have been receiving emails from parents inquiring as to why we have made the changes regarding the online store website and the supply and distribution of the books.
Here are some facts.
Oikos e-commerce online store was becoming increasingly difficult and costly to manage and while that was happening the site was hit by hackers. On the third hit we took a good long look at what was going to be required to continue running the site and it was decided that we must not be swept up in e-commerce requirements, such as next level site security and new software (which was changing at a rate) etc. etc., because all this was resulting in increasing time, energy, management, staff and so on, just to keep our heads above water.
While this long hard look was transpiring we were also hearing how other suppliers were changing their distribution structures, one such example being how MathUSee were working on going digital with some of the products. While this was also happening the pandemic hit and we were no longer able to keep our printing and manufacturing operations running in the way it had been up to that point. Our printer service providers then offered to continue with the printing for us even though this is not their business because they sell and service printers, they don’t have or run printing plants themselves. However, we were all suffering the consequences of the pandemic, which included us being unable to continue with the people who were working at Oikos to keep that aspect operating. So to put it plainly, the writing was on the wall, but even so we put it to prayer and seeked council and watched and waited for the answers.One answer came and that was of our print providers helping to take on the printing and the other was this.
While all this was unfolding it happened to be that the courier service we were working with at this time and whom we were very pleased with regarding the service and support they offered, were amalgamating with another company whose focus was e-commerce. Due to our site having been hit by hackers three times at this point and due to all the other considerations and realities we had to factor into keeping an e-commerce store going, and due to the development of our courier services company amalgamating with an e-commerce company, we saw the writing on the wall once again. On investigating the options the doors flung open wide for us to walk through, one such door being that the people we were dealing with had understanding and hearts for service and ministry, in fact our main contact person was raised on the mission field. So the process began of the move from running our own e-commerce site to a larger, stronger, safer place for the books to be distributed from. We were pleased about this as there was a time when the situation was quite dire and it was very near the consideration that we would have to close the doors and no longer be able to offer the services at all. Due to these other doors opening we were very pleased to be able to make the necessary changes and adaptions to make this work.
We spent time going through what our existing online store offered and how we wanted to make the transition to a larger platform as seamless as possible as well as to keep the service and support in place. This was all doable, we could group the books, have the support videos with them for help and guidance and keep the prices as they were. This was a big one because we did not want to incur increased costs, yet again, which would result in price increases. In fact we did the maths with regard to the percentage which was going to be deducted from the e-commerce company, namely Bobshop, and when we looked at that result versus what the Oikos online store costs were, we realised the facts, and that was we were simply replacing one set of costs for another but what was resulting from this was necessary due to what was being required of us to run an online store. In fact this move was going to mean that we could get back to more focus on the core, the heart, the calling of the ministry.
So the balls were rolling and the doors were opening. It was not a smooth easy road by any means, there were many bumps and ditches along the way but even so it was worth it due to being able to keep offering the service, though it be in a different way. Additionally the move to Bobshop came with it an entire customer service team, this we did not have.
We know you have travelled this road with us and so you too may also have experienced bumps and ditches, even though we were doing all we could to smooth the road, so we thank you for your understanding and patience through this transition time. Some families have been on this journey with Oikos for many, many years, we were very aware of that hence doing what we could to smooth the road however and wherever we could. Thank you again for adapting as and when has been required.
We were however also working on the Oikos Family Ministries site while these massive e-commerce changes were happening. We wanted to keep as much support in place as we could. Which became more vital due to certain aspects of moving over to Bobshop changed, the biggest one being that we could not group the books on BobShop as we had understood was going to be possible. The second one was that we spent hour putting the supportive videos in place on Bobshop for them to one day just dissapear. We then learnt that Bobshop had instigated a policy of not having links which take people away from the site! So we had to scramble to find solutions. Which we were doing via the Oikos Family Ministries site but at the same time being careful to not turn it into a store but to keep it as help and support only. All this time we were grateful that the Oikos YouTube channel was consistent, no changes there, and so we knew that even though we could not group the books in BobShop or offer the videos with them, all that was on the Oikos YouTube channel, so we added links to those video from the Oikos Family Ministries site.
Well, we are now heading into our eighth month of distributing the books through Bobshop and keeping the Oikos Family Ministries site going and of course we have had the teething problems that go with changes and new structures, and also, while traveling this road we have not stopped exploring other options for solutions to areas in which we would prefer to align more closely with the heart and vision of Oikos. As I mentioned earlier, the move over to Bobshop has been a tremendous support to enable us to keep providing the books for families but there have been rapid changes in BobShop own operations and developments so we continue to pray and seek ways to keep the availability and distribution of the books for the families. If Bobshop was aligning all the way then we would not need to be seeking but it so happens that their changes are causing us to keep seeking. We are however very grateful that Bobshop has been a tremendous support in helping keep that ball rolling which, even though it has resulted in such big changes and mountains to traverse, we are glad for it because it’s been better than the alternatives. And it has give us some time to put our focus on the ministry due to BobShop having taken on most the admin that was previously demanding our attention. Once again, we are thankful for your tolerance while we travel this road and hope for this service of providing the books to continue to be possible, one way or another.
All this has been on the topic of the e-commerce and manufacturing, importing and distribution of the books for the families choosing this learning lifestyle at home but as we all know there is a lot more to it than the books. Education is much more than what is learnt from books and so even though we keep doing our all to keep making the books available we also are very passionate about keeping the even more important elements in place. That being the ministry and what God has given for us to share in that regard. We know how quickly things change with regard to what education requirements are, for example computer coding is a subject for children to be learning now and so it is an ever evolving, rapid progression, into the unknown. However, we were called to share and impart the message of the importance of training character to equip the children entrusted to us to be ready for whatever their individual unique callings are. That is why we are so pleased to have all the YouTube videos produced so this message can continue to exist in spite of the rapid changes because one thing we know is the same yesterday, today and forever and that is the life giving Word of God. It is this that we shall continue. The books come and go but His Word remains the same, and it is this constant that we can keep giving. The rest we do our best to continue to give that which can serve to support and help in this journey but ultimately the best most consistent help and support is the knowing the importance of sharing that which is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.
Now that was a long newsletter this week! As you have gathered by now that these newsletters are for keeping you updated and informed and hopefully also bringing you encouragement and support. That is our objective, to keep encouraging you to press on loving and caring for your children and having fun while you learn together.
We continue in hope
A few fraction overlays arrived from USA.