Divide et impera

Scottish-extracted husband in training (SHIT) and I are arguing.

And for once it has nothing at all to do with rugby, food or the television remote control. Nope this time our bone of contention revolves entirely around what SHIT likes to refer to as "that bloody mutt".

Seemingly growing more human and less canine every day, it seems Dog hasn't taken too kindly to the winter chill that has descended upon Sydney. Able to emerge unscathed from between the tyres of moving vehicles and frequently seen leaping six foot plus fences in a single bound, it would appear that when it comes to keeping warm Dog's super powers have deserted him.

When we head to work each weekday morning we close the door on a animal whose head is held high, whose chest is puffed proudly and whose every pore, excuse the pun, exudes masculinity. Neither of us are clear on what transpires during the day. All we do know is that when we return each night we do so to a simpering shadow of a canine who has got the art of 'pathetic-ness' down so pat the only noise loud enough to match the rattling of his bones is the wail from his throat.

But in his bid to get equal share of the duvet, the heater and the bed, Dog has used his many hours alone wisely and plotted to find an ally for his cause.

Only too aware any response he is likely to get from SHIT will be unfavourable, it is my side of the bed Dog tugs at when he awakes alone and shivering in the middle of the night. And it is I sacrifices her own warmth to ensure he gets pole position around the hot water bottle.

Meaning, of course, it is also I who is leading the charge to get Dog his own jacket, doggie scarf and canine electric blanket.

In short, Dog has discovered that he has a much better of chance of getting his needs addressed if he takes a more strategic approach to instigating change.

Which is what really frustrates me about the industry in which I write about and the one in which you operate.
Perhaps it's just me but I find the number of industry groups seemingly servicing the sector completely and utterly overwhelming.

At last count there are more than eight of them including the Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA), its sub-group the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), international charitable outfit Fashion Group International Sydney (FGI), Melbourne-based Technical Textiles & Non Woven Association (TTNA), the Fashion Technicians Association of Australia (FTAA), state-based organisations the Textile Clothing and Footwear Association of Queensland (TCFAQ) and its WA counterpart (TCFWA), the TCF Technology Network and the International Fibre Centre (IFC). On top of this you have further industry-specific organisations such as Fairwear and the Textile Clothing Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA), then more generic groups such as the National Retailers Association (NRA) and the Australian Retail Association (ARA) who also lobby state and federal governments on behalf of their members.

Now I can only speak for myself but if I was in charge of a fledging label, was at the helm of a small manufacturing business or owned my own retail store, I'd find it extremely hard to decide where my limited membership dollars would be best spent.

I am not - for a moment - suggesting all the groups above are not relevant. But what I am suggesting is perhaps there is room for improvement when it comes to laying aside personal agendas and working together for the greater good.

By Tracey McEldowney