Standard Operating Procedure

Kandil Vikri

Table Of Contents:
1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Responsibilities
4. Procedure
5. Supporting Documents
6. Future Recommendations
7. Conclusion

1.Purpose:
The purpose of this SOP is to outline the processes and procedures
followed by our group in organizing and executing a Diwali lantern-selling
initiative. This document serves as a guide to ensure consistent
operations, from procurement to sales and helps to maintain quality and
efficiency across various departments. By documenting each phase of the
activity, we aim to enhance future initiatives and build a replicable
framework for similar events.

2.Scope:
This SOP applies to all group members involved in the planning,
preparation, and execution of the Diwali lantern sale. It covers aspects
such as finance management, product purchase, lantern manufacturing,
market research, stall setup, sales strategies, inventory management,
firte stalls, and public relations. The SOP is designed to be used by
department heads, and team members involved in the activity.
3.Responsibilities:
・ Finance Team: Budget allocation, expense tracking, and ensuring
financial efficiency.
・ Purchase Team: Sourcing high-quality materials for lantern
manufacturing within budgetary constraints.
・ Manufacturing Team: Producing lanterns as per design specifications
and demand forecasts.
・ Market Research Team: Analyzing customer preferences and trends to
guide product and marketing strategies.
・ Stall Setup Team: Organizing and setting up the sales stalls to create a
welcoming and safe shopping environment.
・ Sales Team: Handling customer engagement, sales transactions, and
offering product information to buyers.
・ Inventory Management Team: Tracking stock levels, managing
storage, and ensuring that popular items remain available.
・ Firte Stalls : Finding appropriate space to setup stall, oversee the
transport and operation of the stall.
・ Public Relations Team: Managing publicity efforts, engaging with the
community, and responding to media inquiries.

4.Procedure:

Contents-
A. Market research
B. Finance
C. Purchase
D. Manufacturing
E. Inventory
F. Firte stalls
G. Stall setup
H. Sales
I. Public Relations

A. Market Research-
・ We researched the market to understand the preferred designs.
Surveys were performed and best shops to purchase materials were
identified.
 ・ Trending styles of the lanterns were also identified using the internet
and social media.
・ Competitor analysis was completed to evaluate pricing strategies and
sales locations, ensuring our products were competitively positioned.
・ Shortlisted locations were then checked for the feasibility of setting up
a stall.
・ The quantity and variety of purchases were decided based on the
research done.

B. Finance-
・ The Finance team successfully planned, monitored, and managed all
financial activities associated with the project. An overall budget was
established at the onset, with clear allocations for materials, labor, stall
setup, advertising, and other key categories.
・ Expenditure was carefully tracked to maintain transparency and
control over spending.
・ List of all the people with contact numbers who have invested in year
2024
Date No Name Amount Interest Mobile number

06/10/2024 1 Sushant karekar 10000 0% 9423552638

07/10/2024 2 Yash pokarana 15000 1% 9689892995
08/10/2024 3 Ninad prabhune 10000 0% 9657373007
09/10/2024 4 Jaydeep shete 5000 0% 8600464726
20/10/2024 5 Yash pokarana 10000 1% 9689892995
total 50000

・ At end of day after closing sales, expense, sale and profit were
calculated and all the receipts were cross checked. This reduced the
workload at the end.
・ This work was done manually by hand.

Sale Expense Profit

183,693.00 109,903.00 73,790

・ A rough template to be maintained everyday.

Date Location Gpay Cash Excess cash Total

 ・ A rough template to be maintained for all the expenses made.

Date Srno. Item Cost Payment Receipt Remarks

method

C. Purchase-
・ To start with the purchase, an estimate of required materials was
made which included Stucture paper, Medium-kite paper, tread, glue,
stapler, plastic bags, metal wire, ready lanterns along with different
varieties.
・ Rough budget required to purchase and transport was calculated.
・ We went to Bohri Aali in Pune, Croford market in Mumbai, to procure
the required materials.
・ All the shops in the area were surveyed for cost and quality and
accordingly materials were purchased.
・ The following list includes details of purchase.

Kandil type Vendor Phone number /

address

Azad special kings paper 343, Raviwar Peth Rd, near

(paper and material) Jumma Masjid, Borali,
Rameshwar Chouk, Raviwar
Peth, Pune, Maharashtra
411002
Karanji Bangad

Aakashdeep Bangad,Joy 9619531910

Creation(mumbai)

Bamboo Velhe 95270 29470

Star Joy Creation(mumbai)

bangad

Velvet Joy Creation(mumbai)

Kapdi
Kandil type Vendor Phone number /
address

Dozen Joy Creation(mumbai) 9619531910

Mamta(Gujrat Colony)
Hanuman embroidery(
Gujrat Colony)

・ On demand last minute purchases were made for Kapdi Fancy

lanterns. Price was higher as purchases were last minute.

D.Manufacturing-
・ During the Manufacturing phase, the production team executed the
plan with precision, meeting both quality and quantity targets.
・ Everyone was taught how to make and assemble the lanturn(kandil).
・ Making it involved-
○ Folding the structure paper inwards except for the fold between
triangle and strips.
○ Pasting the medium or kite papers onto the frame like structure
paper.
○ Stapling square to corresponding triangle and strip to strip.
- Not to staple square to square.
○ Stapling a thread to diagonal vertices of one of the two ends of
the lanturn(kandil).
○ Stapling the Jhirmulya to the other end. At last tucking them
inside for efficient transport.
○ https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/160Mdgw79iWc03x_l
0A9xq6eOHD7189o2
・ Materials required for manufacturing-
○ Structure paper 4 piece per lanturn(kandil).
○ Medium or Kite paper 3 sheets per lanturn(kandil).
○ Glue
○ Stapler
○ Golden thread
・ Each lanturn(kandil) took around 10 min in optimum condition to make
from start to end.
・ Reviewing the stock in hand, which variety of lanterns to be
manufactured was decided. At least 7-10 pieces of each variety were
kept in stock.
・ Repair work of damaged lanterns was also done to minimize expense
cost.

E. Inventory-
・ Inventory Management was crucial for maintaining control over raw
materials and finished goods, ensuring smooth production and sales
processes.
・ At the start and end of the day a survey of the stock was done.
Difference in the stock was verified with the sales.
・ This was done my manual counting.
・ Assessing the manufacturing to be done required items were listed out
and sent to purchase team.
・ For the storage of the inventory Arya’s building stairwell was used.
・ Opening stock for next year-
○ Ready Kandil: 0
○ Azad Kandil sets:
・ Bifurcation of types:
・ ..\..\..\Arya Personal Folder\JP Files\Kandil Vikri Stock Summary.xlsx
・ Refer to this sheet for the stock bifurcation in case of spreadsheet
record as well as in any Inventory Management software. You can add
new types as well record the new color combination for the next year.
・ This sheet has to be updated everyday right from the first Purchase till
the closure day.
・ Template-

Opening Stock:

Azad Kandil Ready:

Azad Kandil Sets:

Quantity Manufactured till date(Sum of both Azad Kandils

and Kandilsbrought from other vendors) :

Quantity Sold till date:

Quantity Damaged:

Stock in Hand:
F. Firte Stalls-

➔ Stall No. 1 - Gandhibhavan:

・ The First Stall was set up near Gandhibhavan by paying a rent of
Rs.500 to the athavdi bazar pramukh. For the set up two poles
were chosen and each variety of kandil (single piece) was on
display while the rest were stored in the car parked besides the
temporary set up.
・ The stall was set up in early morning hours(6am to 9am) in
order to tap the people who visit the Athavdi Bazar and morning
walkers. The stall closed with a sale of around 5k – 6k.

➔ Stall No. 2 - Pandit Farms Exhibition( Sakal Shopping Festival):

・ The Stall was set up in an Exhibition on Sunday and Monday. The
location of the stall was on the exit point of the exhibition which
played a favorable role.
・ The stall saw robust sales figure and people preferred the
foldable kandilsmore(Bamboo Kandils) over the traditional ones.
Overall the stall ended withcombined sales of over
42000/-(Sunday + Monday) and the rent paid was Rs.5000/-
・ The Exhibition was on for four days but to late info set up was
possible only for 2 days (Sunday and Monday) .Set up all four
days or on Saturday and Sunday instead would have pushed the
sales figure significantly. Setting up on all days creates a
presence

➔ Stall No. 3 - Gharkul Lawns Exhibition:

・ The Stall at Gharkul Lawns exhibition was for a single day on
Sunday .The owner having a good association with Jnana
Prabodhini offered a stall place at a minimal cost that is 3000/-
・ The stall here was set up using PVC Pipes and joints forming a
U-Shape structure. The stall ended up with a good sales figure of
around Rs.8000/-
・ Early contact with the authority could have helped better with
stall location at the exhibition.

➔ Stall no. 4 - Ruturang Society:

・ The stall was set up in the Ruturang building ‘A’ lobby as the
previous year. JnanaPrabodhini has a significant presence due to
 Ganeshostav and residence of people associated with Azad Dal.
The stall had no costs and we had a sales figure of Rs.17000/-
・ Besides stall Personal (Door to Door) Marketing can help a lot as
it accelerated sales but was tried late. Ruturang should be
continued next year as it has an established customer base.

➔ Stall No. 5 - Balewadi High Street:

・ Balewadi High Street stall was a new experiment in expanding
the reach. The stall was set up in an Athavadi Bazar in the
morning hours(7am – 11am)
・ The sales figure achieved was 10000/-
・ Observations:
I. Very less Rate negotiations, hence exploring similar areas
such as Baner, Hinjewadi would help as Kandil vikri stalls
don’t have a convenient presence in such areas.
II. In Balewadi High street the Athavadi Bazar was for a full
day and hence setting up a stall for a whole day can be
beneficial to cover more crowd.

➔ Stall No. 7 - Rohan Tapovan Society:

・ Setting up a stall at Rohan Tapovan was also a new experiment
towards expansion. The stall was set up in the evening hours.
・ Total Sales Figure achieved- 26000/-
・ Observations:
I. Less rate negotiations as these societies have less
convenient access to KandilVikri stalls and hence more
such socities in the vicinity can be explored.
II. For the next year keeping the prices uniform all over is
advisable as it was negative feedback from the society. For
that tag system can also be implemented.

➔ Stall No. 7 - Mesh Exhibition, Siddhi Banquets:

・ The stall at Mesh Exhibition was setup on all the four days on
weekend just before Diwali. Setting up on all the four days
created a presence and a good association with Jnana
Prabodhini.
・ The stall Ended with a combined sales figure of more than
60000/-

RESOURCES:
 Necessary Contact information for the setup of Firte stalls in the next
year:
・ Athavdi Bazar Pramukh: 8888434345 (Gandhibhavan, Balewadi
・ Sneha Ambedkar(Gharkul Lawns) : 9420214824
・ Ruturang Society Stall
Swaraj Jahirabadkar: 9921575432
Avinash Shrotri : 9822844680
・ Mesh Exhibition:
Mayuri Madam : 8856888129
・ Rohan Tapovan Society:
Varsha Madam: 7020480082
・ Pandit Farms(Sakal Shopping Festival):
Datta Bhadkumbhe: 9011079057

G. Stall setup-
・ The stall design was carefully planned to create an inviting and vibrant
display. Lanterns were arranged by size, colour, and style, with the
most visually striking pieces positioned prominently.
・ Stalls were strategically set up in a high-footfall area.
・ Space was allocated in front and to the sides of the stall for customer
engagement, where we could answer their question, provide
recommendations and demonstrate lantern features.
・ A list of things required to set up a stall was made beforehand. The list
included the following items.

1. Gazebo 12. Scissors

2. Wire 13. Gloves

3. Bulb 14. Carbon Paper

4. Table 15. Receipt book

5. Table cloth 16. Pen

6. Metal wire 17. Electricity

7. Rope 18. Plastic bags

8. Hooks 19. Golden Threads

9. Blue 20. UPI Barcode

10.Stepler 21. Cash box

11.Rubber bands 22. Stationary

・ By using some of these materials structures were made to display the
Indian lanterns better.
・ The stall was arranged to ensure that additional stock was readily
available behind the display area. This helped to quickly replenish the
sold stock.

H.Sales-
・ The sales were managed in shifts by 2-3 people per stall at a time.
・ We implemented a target-driven sales approach deciding the target
according to the sale amount or the sale quantity. Most of the time
achieving it but also failing due to insufficient advertising or footfall.
・ The customer’s needs were considered and recommendations were
given to them. The features of the lantern were demonstrated to the
customers along with answering their questions.
・ To accommodate all customers we offered flexible payment methods
including cash as well as online payments.
・ Anticipating high footfall times additional people were allocated to
reduce wait time and ensure prompt service. Also, extra stock was
kept ready to be provided to the stalls in case of deficiency.
・ Figure of sales of different categories.

Kapdi 105

Dozen 69

Bamboo small 54

Bamboo large 41

Azad kandil 34

Akashdeep big 23

Chandani 21

Karanji 21

Chandrayan 14

DIY sets 8

Velvet 3

Aesthetic kandil 1

Total 386
 I. Public Relations-
・ The Public Relations (PR) strategy was a vital component in creating
awareness and building a positive image for the Diwali lantern selling
initiative.
・ To increase outreach Social media(Instagram, WhatsApp) was used.
・ A series of engaging social media post were made which included
Reels, Banners, Posters about the innovative nature of the initiative.
・ Live updates regourding the stall locations and timings were posted on
Stories and Status.
・ Poster designs were made inhouse by a few people.

5.Supporting Documents:
・ Kandil making:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/160Mdgw79iWc03x_l0A9xq
6eOHD7189o2
・ Finance sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10pj2EiOkndjG4MDzXihkhXk
DjAm6ctScrGm75uHHxzM/edit?gid=0#gid=0
・ Poster designs:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGUc_DBLnk/zlUNmKUlIhp2kTdGHlS
KiQ/edit?utm_content=DAGUc_DBLnk&utm_campaign=designshare&u
tm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
・ Drive link
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aePVr-BcJY69zt8KhtrXKW2db
wzw9Wgx

6.Future Recommendations:
A. Market Research-
・ Conduct customer surveys to gauge preferences for lantern (kandil)
types and designs before production begins.
・ Identify the most appealing designs through trend analysis on social
media and competitor evaluation.
・ Regularly update surveys to keep up with changing customer
preferences and refine product offerings accordingly.
B. Finance-
・ Update budget forecasting based on previous sales and expenditure
trends.
・ Redesign receipts to streamline accounting and improve clarity for
customers.
・ Use an accounting app to track transactions and expenses more
efficiently.

C. Purchase-
・ Explore Mumbai markets for competitive pricing and quality materials.
・ Consider bulk purchasing ahead of time to secure better rates and
avoid last-minute price hikes.

D. Manufacturing-
・ Evaluate outsourcing options for increased production capacity during
peak demand.
・ Set a daily production plan to meet sales targets and manage
inventory.
・ Design new lantern styles to keep product offerings fresh, while
ensuring quality with carefully selected materials for jhirmulya.
・ Use paper or cloth like materials for Karanji lanturn(kandil).

E. Inventory-
・ Conduct end-of-day inventory checks and track stock levels using
digital tools, such as Zoho Inventory.
・ Keep a record of stock data to facilitate real-time inventory
management and forecasting.

F. Firte Stalls-
・ Build early connections with local event coordinators to secure
premium stall locations.
・ Expand outreach efforts to boost visibility and attract new customers
to stalls.
 G. Stall setup-
・ Plan PVC pipe structures for stalls in advance to enhance stability and
visual appeal.
・ Conduct location surveys to secure high-footfall areas and optimize
stall placement.
・ Consider adding decorative elements to enhance the aesthetic appeal
of each stall.

H. Sales-
・ Train staff on product features and sales techniques to improve
customer interactions.
・ Implement a tagging system for easy identification and pricing of
different lantern styles.

I. Public Relations-
・ Try social media advertising like youtube, instagram, etc.
・ Make more relevant and relatable reels and posts.
・ Post real time updates.

J. Technology-
・ Showcase products on a dedicated website, updating it regularly to
reflect current inventory and designs.
・ Automate data collection and sales reporting processes to streamline
operations and minimize manual errors.

7.Conclusion:
The 2024 Diwali lanturn(kandil) vikri initiative was a successful activity. It
provided a platform to showcase our creativity and business mindset.
Everyone who participated in the initiative used this opportunity to
strengthen their project management, problem solving, collaboration
skills. Each department contributed meaningfully adhering to a structures
process, maintaining quality at each step. Assigning roles and
responsibilities for certain tasks helped to hone their skills of leadership
and decision making.
Keeping the 2024 initiative in mind some future recommendations were
put down. This will help us to increase efficiency next year by working in
these future recommendations.