Factors of Production:
The Creation of Tea
By Chandhini Friedey
Natural Resources 🍃
Resources that come from the Earth and are used in the production of tea.
Raw Materials 📦
Goods used up in the production process to make the final product.
Fresh Tea Leaves
Picked from the top of the tea plant (often the bud and the first two leaves).
Cotton Cloth Bags
Used for packaging individual servings of tea and kneading.
Labels
For packaging and branding the finished tea product.
Information
The knowledge, research, or data used to make smart business decisions.
Market Trends
- Tea industry trends
- Tracking seasonal popularity
- Recognizing shifts toward sustainable and eco-friendly packaging
Consumer Preferences
- Surveys and feedback used to understand what flavours are most popular.
- Research into demand for organic- caffeine-free, or herbal options.
- Info about cultural tea habits
Competitor Information
- Checking prices and packaging styles of competing tea brands
- Observing how competitors advertise
- Learning from successful brands' strategies to stay relevant
Government and Legal Information
- Importing/export regulations for international sales
- Information on fair-trade standards or pesticide regulations
- Health guidelines for labeling
Customer Reviews and Feedback
- Online reviews on websites
- Complaints help identify weaknesses or areas for improvement
- Helps decide what new flavours or formats to launch
Production Knowledge
- Data on ideal harvest time for different types of tea
- Knowledge of oxidation, withering, rolling, and drying techniques to produce different flavours
- Weather/climate information used to plan harvesting and planting cycles
Capital
Money invested in the business.
Liquid Capital - Asset can be transformed into cash at any time with minimum effort.
- Wages for workers
- Buying packaging and supplies
- Paying for electricity, water, and fuel
- Advertising the final product
Non-Liquid (Capital Goods) - Part of the everyday operation and cannot be converted into liquid capital easily.
- Tea factories and drying buildings
- Machines (rollers, dryers, fermenters, packaging machines)
- Trucks and shipping containers
- Tools like baskets and trays
Intellectual Capital/Property - Business's trade secrets or ideas.
- Recipes for signature blends
- Knowledge of processing methods
- Branding and packaging innovation to appeal to markets (eco-friendly, herbal, luxury, etc.)
Management
Decision-makers who coordinate resources and guide business operations.
Planation Manager
Oversees/supervises tea growing, harvesting, and fertilizing.
Factory Managers
Ensuring machines and workers are running smoothly during production.
Marketing Managers
Designing labels, running ads, and promoting the tea in stores or online.
HR Managers
Hiring workers, setting schedules, and ensuring worker safety.
Sales Manager
Overseeing sales to stores, cafes, or international buyers.
Finance Managers
Controlling how the business spends money and stays profitable.
Labour
The human effort (physical or mental) used in the production of goods or services.
Tea Pluckers
Skilled workers who pick the freshest leaves by hand.
Factory Workers
Operate machines, monitor drying/oxidation, and help sort and package tea.
Tea Testers/Quality Control
Check for he flavour, strength, and smell of tea before it is sold.
Packaging Workers
Place tea in boxes and bags and ensure proper labeling.
Delivery Drivers
Transport raw leaves from farms to factories or finished tea to stores.