In Next Generation Business Strategies for the Base of the Pyramid, Ted London, Stuart L. Hart, and six leading BoP thought and practice leaders show how to apply today’s most significant BoP innovations, techniques, and business models. London, Hart, and their contributors go beyond providing low-cost products and extending distribution reach by demonstrating how to promote market development, innovation, and capability creation “with” BoP new customers, not “at” them. This publication is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The base of the pyramid (BoP) domain is at an important crossroads. More than ever business, and market-based approaches in general, are seen as part of the solution to global poverty. But substantial challenges remain. Built around a prioritized set of initiatives for the future development of the BoP domain, the BoP Roadmap is intended to be a catalyst to generate a stronger and more robust BoP community.
Speaker: Robert Fregolle, Jr., Global Customer Business Development Officer, Procer & Gamble.
Bob Fregolle is Procter & Gamble’s Global Customer Business Development Officer. Prior to his current position, Bob was Vice President – Customer Business Development for various regions: Asia – based in Singapore (2008-2009), Central and Eastern Europe, Middle-East and Africa (CEEMEA) countries while based in Geneva (2003-2008), Greater China (2000-2003), and Europe, Middle East and Africa based in Belgium (1997-1999). He has also been active in local and national activities such as American Chamber of Commerce Governor, Guangdong Province, China; Geneva Youth Baseball League Commissioner; and Co-Chair of the “New Ways of Working Together” initiative with the Consumer Goods Forum (2009-current). Bob is a graduate of the University of Michigan Business School (BBA ’79) and joined P&G the same year.
Global Water Challenge (GWC) is a coalition of 24 leading organizations creating a global movement of transformational change around water and sanitation. GWC focuses on collaborative learning, connecting leaders, and investing in sustainable, scalable and replicable projects. The coalition’s goal is universal access to clean water and safe sanitation. On this particular project in Ethiopia, World Vision Ethiopia was acting as GWC’s implementing partner. Student intern Brock Redpath worked with the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program at World Vision Ethiopia and conducted an assessment on the efficiency of their project implementation.
Currently operating in India and East Africa, Nuru Energy was seed-funded in 2008 and has an enduring commitment to solving the global problem of energy poverty, which affects over 2 billion people worldwide. Nuru Energy has developed a one-of-a-kind robust and simple-to-use, off-grid recharging platform, the Nuru POWERCycle™ pedal generator. The POWERCycle™ provides reliable clean, sustainable power anytime, anywhere and is hundreds of times more efficient than current solar-based solutions at a fraction of the cost. Student intern Therese Miranda-Blackney formulated a social media strategy and operational improvements for Nuru.
Since 1981 Land O’Lakes International Development has applied an integrated approach to international economic development that capitalizes on its 90 years as a leading farm-to-market agribusiness. The company uses its practical experience and in-depth knowledge to facilitate market-driven business solutions that generate econonmic growth, improve health and nutrition, and alleviate poverty. Student intern Ebony developed curriculum for a Land O’Lakes incubator aimed at empowering women in agriculture.
Krishi Star seeks to end poverty for small farmers in rural India by giving them ownership of a larger part of the food value chain and access to higher margins. Student intern Madelene Hoe examined Krishi Star’s existing product lines, as well as opportunities for new products.
Simpa Networks is a venture-backed technology company with a mission to make modern energy simple, affordable, and accessible for everyone. Simpa had introduced a product and business model that would make sustainable energy choices “radically affordable” to the 1.6 billion, Base of the Pyramid consumers who currently lack access to electricity. Student intern Rahul Tapariya developed new business models to reach new customers at the Base of the Pyramid in India and mapped Simpa’s customer expereince.
Not For Sale fights modern-day slavery worldwide by using business creation, supply chain evaluation, and aftercare aid. The organization creates enterprise opportunities for vulnerable communities, offers social services to survivors and those at-risk to human trafficking, and evaluates the use of forced labor in mainstream supply chains. Student intern Jessica Hill researched causes of child trafficking in Northern Thailand and conducted a landscape assessment for Not For Sale.
A leader in healthcare for over 80 years, Baxter manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. Student intern Jenny Simonson was part of Baxter’s business model innovations group and developed an expansion strategy for the emerging markets of India and Indonesia.