The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Development as Social Transformation

http://www.amazon.com/Fortune-Bottom-Pyramid-Eradicating-Poverty/dp/0131467506

Learning Expectations:

          I expect to learn more about the social benefits that the BOP produces.  

Quote:

                “I have tried to depict a picture of the possibilities. I am sensitive to the fact that the illustrations that I provide are but islands of excellence in a sea of deprivation and helplesness. The important question for us is, ‘Do we see the glass as half full or half empty?’ There is a long way to go before the social transformation leading to the elimination of inequalities around the world will be accomplished.”  

Book Review:

               C.K. Prahalad identified 4 drivers of Social Transformation namely, access to information, community, patterns of interaction and access to knowledge, and ability to make choices. The growth and evolution of the citizens of the BOP is emerging fast.

            Humans are constructed to be a social being. The purpose of BOP marketing is to promote people to utilize economic resources, specifically the less-fortunate population. The author cited a lot of business strategies that employ the core values emphasizing the alleviation of poverty. Casas Bahia, CEMEX, Annapurna Salt and Jaipur Foot are some of them.          

What I have learned:

          Social interaction is a necessity for BOP business to bloom.      

Integrity Questions:   

1.      What will happen if you refuse to implement social transformation in your business?

2.      Who are responsible to do social transformation?