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On Monday, July 19, 2010, Opportunities for the Majority held a "BOP Modeling Workshop" to teach executives from a range of companies about the elements of base of the pyramid business models.
On Monday, July 19, representatives from dozens of companies gathered in Miami for a Base of the Pyramid (BOP) Modeling Workshop organized by the Inter-American Development Bank’s Opportunities for the Majority Initiative and Dalberg Global Development Advisors. The participants came from a wide variety of sectors, including construction, manufacturing, agro-industry, financial services and business consulting. But they all shared an interest in learning more about BOP business models – that is, how companies are finding new ways of engaging with low income communities.
A guideline to participating in the financing of the Inter-American Development Bank's projects in majority markets through the IDB's A/B Loan program.
Since launching, Majority Markets has received a number of requests from socially driven investors looking for investment opportunities at the base of the pyramid. The truth is that there is not one answer for these requests, the opportunities and channels to connect are many, and the outlook is looking even more promising as awareness of BOP projects grows and market participants are increasingly eager to explore investment opportunities which have social impact along with financial returns.
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.
If you’re reading this blog, it’s unlikely you spend a great deal of your time waiting for things – perhaps several minutes in line at the grocery store, or longer in a doctor’s waiting room. But what if you had a long wait ahead of you each time you needed to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water?
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.
Not too long ago, a colleague wrote a blog post titled “Supermarkets for Majority Markets,” which highlights both domestic and international efforts to create jobs and improve community health by opening supermarkets in low income areas.
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.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development: WBSCD introduced a presentation and simulation tool, “The Inclusive Business Challenge.” This Power Point-based tool is designed to help guide companies through the process of understanding the risks and rewards of developing and launching inclusive business ventures. It was produced by the members of its 2009 Future Leadership Team, a WBSCD program that brings up and coming business professionals together, both to develop leadership skills and to deepen their understanding of the role busines
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.
I was very saddened to hear over the weekend that C.K. Prahalad passed away. An Indian-born management expert, businessman and professor, he could be called “the father of the base of the pyramid” thanks to his unique understanding of the needs and potential of our world’s poorest people.
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.
I recently spoke with Guillermo MacLean, a social entrepreneur with a background in banking and finance. He is founder of a company called Social Futures Exchange Corp. (SFFX), which has the intriguing motto, “Anything a society truly wants is financeable and achievable.” He is developing a set of financial products and a system through which average citizens concerned about social problems in their country can play a direct role in solving those problems.
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.
Late last year we told you about a workshop held in Santiago de Chile for engineering professors from leading Latin American universities, which was all about introducing them to the important role technology can play in making new products and services available to the base of the pyramid.
The second in a series of IDB-hosted Strategic Partners dialogues proposes a forward-looking agenda centered around the topic of market-based strategies and the results they can deliver for the base of the pyramid in the region.
The second in a series of IDB-hosted Strategic Partners’ dialogue proposed a forward-looking agenda centered around the topic of market-based strategies and the results they can deliver for the base of the pyramid in the region. Mixing strategic stock-taking with practical discussion on current issues, a lively dialogue was created that touched different topics, ranging from strategy and innovation to the role of multilateral institutions in this new space.
IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno highlights the Bank’s commitment to working with partners to promote private sector investment in majority markets in Latin America and the Caribbean at the second Strategic Partners’ Dialogue, organized by the Opportunities for the Majority Initiative.
It is gratifying to see all of you gathered here today, representing diverse organizations, approaches, ideas and structure of resources. Many of you have been pioneers and innovators in what is now our common endeavor. The IDB is fortunate to count you among its allies and is proud of its association with all of you here today.
