The phrase "Bottom of the Pyramid" [BoP] was coined to draw attention to the 4-5 billion poor who are unserved or underserved by the large organized private sector, including multinational firms. The introduction of the term, at the turn of the century, marked a renewed interest in the potential of the private sector to complement the public sector's efforts to alleviate large-scale poverty. C.K. Prahlad proposed that businesses, governments and donor agencies should stop thinking of poors as victims and instead start seeing them as resilient and creative entrepreneurs as well as value-demanding consumers. This would, the thought leader believed, remove the structural exclusion and begin to integrate the poor into the economy.
That being said, we are yet to see a major corporation emerge whose purpose is not merely the blind pursuit of profit [or the fortune at the base of the pyramid], but rather to proactively engage with a social cause as its rationale for existence. Nonetheless, there are a few bright-spots which shouldn't go unappreciated. Firstly, potential changemakers from various sectors - politicians, academia, investment bankers, engineers, journalists, businessmen, etc. - have expressed and demonstrated their keen interest in the BoP. Secondly, a large number of non-government actors - philantropic foundations, social enterprises, social businesses, inclusive businesses and other impact organizations - have started making their presence felt in the sector. Thirdly, a lot of research is being undertaken to come up with disruptive solutions to some of the most stubborn problems faced by those at BoP. And lastly, a lot of efforts have gone into creating a salubrious environment for delivering these solutions to those who need it the most.
Meant for both casual and serious readers alike, arre BoP re!! is an attempt to present the latest from the mystic world of BoP. I'm going to write about whatever I think is interesting, and at the same time try and cater to the demand of a wide range of readers. I'll write about organizations, business models, case studies, research work, publications, books, raging debates, technological innovation, financial tools, impact measurement and everything else BoP. Additionally, I'll provide links to interesting articles, blogs and videos. My goal is to communicate my ideas and perceptions to the readers in a way that is engaging or even inspiring. Moreover, I wish to share my findings from the sector with everyone and build a personal informational repository. I'm no expert, so please help me improve by sharing your thoughts and questions in the comments. Please feel free to get in touch in case that you want me to write about a particular topic.
The world is on the verge of a major breakthrough. Every additional child who completes her education, every additional mother who delivers a healthy child, every additional family havng access to power supply and every additional adult brought into the mainstream economy will take us one step closer to creating an ideal world. Though a distant goal, the mankind has never been placed better to achieve it.
That being said, we are yet to see a major corporation emerge whose purpose is not merely the blind pursuit of profit [or the fortune at the base of the pyramid], but rather to proactively engage with a social cause as its rationale for existence. Nonetheless, there are a few bright-spots which shouldn't go unappreciated. Firstly, potential changemakers from various sectors - politicians, academia, investment bankers, engineers, journalists, businessmen, etc. - have expressed and demonstrated their keen interest in the BoP. Secondly, a large number of non-government actors - philantropic foundations, social enterprises, social businesses, inclusive businesses and other impact organizations - have started making their presence felt in the sector. Thirdly, a lot of research is being undertaken to come up with disruptive solutions to some of the most stubborn problems faced by those at BoP. And lastly, a lot of efforts have gone into creating a salubrious environment for delivering these solutions to those who need it the most.
Meant for both casual and serious readers alike, arre BoP re!! is an attempt to present the latest from the mystic world of BoP. I'm going to write about whatever I think is interesting, and at the same time try and cater to the demand of a wide range of readers. I'll write about organizations, business models, case studies, research work, publications, books, raging debates, technological innovation, financial tools, impact measurement and everything else BoP. Additionally, I'll provide links to interesting articles, blogs and videos. My goal is to communicate my ideas and perceptions to the readers in a way that is engaging or even inspiring. Moreover, I wish to share my findings from the sector with everyone and build a personal informational repository. I'm no expert, so please help me improve by sharing your thoughts and questions in the comments. Please feel free to get in touch in case that you want me to write about a particular topic.
The world is on the verge of a major breakthrough. Every additional child who completes her education, every additional mother who delivers a healthy child, every additional family havng access to power supply and every additional adult brought into the mainstream economy will take us one step closer to creating an ideal world. Though a distant goal, the mankind has never been placed better to achieve it.
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