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Where Free, Profitable, Impact and Scale Intersect: Insights From the Story of Aravind
Aravind Eye Care is a self-sustaining and profitable organization that treats most of its patients for free or at a deeply subsidized rate. A new book, "Infinite Vision," provides insights into the man who put Aravind into motion, and chronicles the strategic decisions, growing pains, innovations and efficiencies behind this BoP success story.
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- Health Care, Social Enterprise
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The 2012 ‘Doing Business’ Report: A Traveler’s Guide
Access to credit, reliable electricity, reasonable tax codes and other factors key to a business’s long-term success?for better or worse?often lies with a country?s government. The World Bank ranks these factors in its annual Doing Business Report. This year?s survey also provided intriguing insights for developing world entrepreneurs.
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- Education
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Lessons Learned, Using Livelihoods to Combat Extreme Urban Poverty
Partners in Prosperity is the non-profit affiliate of Mimo Finance, a microfinance institution. The pilot project in Dehradun, India focused on livelihoods; training such as candle-making, small shops, and snack stands. PnP’s training and "starter kits" gave participants the jumpstart they needed without relying on government programs.
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- Uncategorized
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How to Scale Community Impact With a Market-Based Approach
"In a social business, community impact comes first," was one of the fundamental insights at the first Community Impact Development Group meeting hosted by Ashoka and the Siemens Stiftung last year. But, what do we understand by Community Impact? Why is it so critical to systems change? What are the diverse strategies that best achieve it?
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- Impact Assessment
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“Hot” and “Bright” Business Models: Bringing Energy to the BoP
’We have technology - we just need a business model’ is the rallying cry for a whole lot of promising BoP projects. Many of these look good, but still face major difficulties in getting their products in the hands of people, and getting the people (or someone else) to pay for it. The "Energize the BoP!" business model generator provides support.
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- Uncategorized
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In Ahmedabad, Dharavi’s Redevelopment Model of a ’Slum-free’ City
In keeping with the forward-looking innovation that runs through the city’s blood, a new project launched in July aims to make Ahmedabad a "slum-free city." But a top-down approach leaping from slums to high-rises misses the need for incremental steps to integrate the urban poor - how they live, work and socialize - into the formal housing market.
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- Impact Assessment
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Africa Election Watch 2011: Zambia
Was this the referendum on Chinese business in Africa? In a somewhat surprising turn, perennial opposition leader Michael Sata secured victory this week against incumbent president Rupiah Banda in Zambia’s national election. Sata is known as "King Cobra" for his often vituperative statements that have targeted Chinese business practices in Zambia.
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- Uncategorized
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Why Should a Mainstream For-Profit Company Pursue an In-Kind BoP Partnership?
Many entrepreneurs and funders at SOCAP11 are skeptical about partnerships - and rightly so. But sometimes all the work to make partnerships click pays off. In the case of an ongoing partnership between UNICEF and for-profit Frog Design, the impact results in Malawi and Zambia include a 30% increase in early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in children.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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