Opportunities for the Majority manager Luiz Ros announces the launch of the Corporate Leaders Program for Success in Majority Markets. Through a workshop and a competitive application process, the program seeks to identify and nurture innovative new business models for the BOP in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Early this year the IDB presented a proposal to Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs to conduct a reasearch project to measure the "Poverty Penalty" in the region. This blog was prepared by the "Columbia Poverty Penalty Group" that worked on the assignment.
A look at megaretailer Walmart's approach to expanding into underserved areas in Mexico -- not in its familiar "big box" format but as a chain of smaller stores offering products geared toward low-income customers.
News from around the Majority Markets community: New projects, upcoming events and recommended readings, including a tool for companies developing inclusive business models, a University of Michigan workshop on evaluating impact and a series on social entrepreneurship.
Luiz Ros, manager of the IDB's Opportunities for the Majority initiative, pays tribute to C.K. Prahalad, a leader in the field of developing business models that engage the BOP. Prahalad recently passed away at the age of 69, but his legacy will be seen for years to come.
Following the pledge of billions of dollars by the international community toward the recovery of Haiti, staff blogger Francisco Mejía offers some insights on how market-based strategies and private sector business models can contribute to the effective deployment of some of this aid.
Staff blogger Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen recently attended the IDB's Annual Board of Governors' Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, and reports that new partnerships are forming between several companies involved in the Opportunities for the Majority Dialogue.
Read about an innovative project being launched by a Peruvian social entrepreneur who hopes to involve citizens in the work of investing in their country's future.
At recent conference, the "Engineering for the Developing World Summit," scientists and academics heard about the important role technology can play in engaging with the base of the pyramid. Staff blogger Elizabeth Terry shares an account of one panel and looks at what the audience might do with this new knowledge.
Opportunities for the Majority's Johnny Jiron describes a successful partnership between a Trinidad resort and some nearby farmers. If you know of any Caribbean tourism companies that might be interested in trying to engage with local majority markets, let them know about the IDB business plan competition accepting applications until April 9, 2010.
