New Approaches to New Markets: How C.K. Prahalad\'s Bottom of the Pyramid Strategies Are Paying Off Comments

yogeswaran

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:58:08 +0000

The authors of the book “Fortune at the bottom of the Pyramid” , C.K. Prahalad and Stuart L. Hart, (2002, pg1 ) mentioned, “If we stop thinking of the poor as victims or as a burden and start recognizing them as resilient and creative entrepreneurs and value-conscious consumers, a whole new world of opportunity will open up. Four billion poor can be the engine of the next round of global trade and prosperity”. 1-Among sources of innovation, in your opinion, which source of product innovation is suitable for poor consumers? Choose only one best source of innovations and elaborate your answer.

kanda007

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:37:47 +0000

I hope that the same principle applies when it comes to health and education groups for BP.

Rakesh Mallick

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:24:38 +0000

Well all of us knew that this idea would be a superhit, but whats more surprising is that it has been a source of ideas and innovation in the developed world as well.

amit

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:11:09 +0000

i have not read the book.......but the reviews are exciting though..... looking to grab my personal copy very soon.

Bob Obebo

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:50:21 +0000

congrats CK you are a great thinker

apk

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:22:38 +0000

here's a short post, inspired by prahalad's interview, on designing for the bottom of the pyramid, and the pyramid's relation to product innovation and user experience design: http://designsreloaded.blogspot.com/2009/10/desig...

Merrin Kurian

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:47:26 +0000

I would say the most impressive takeaway is this: "So the cycle is experiment at low cost, learn fast and scale rapidly so that you don't make investments hoping to learn. " The idea of 'low-cost experiments to fail fast' is a good way to be innovative in the emerging markets.

srihari

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:01:37 +0000

I really excited about the diffrent business models discussed. The lively way of grabbing the opportunities. Thank You CK Prahlad

Shrikant Ashar

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:27:33 +0000

Fifty years back as a young boy I used to travel through rural India with my family and was surprised to find that the walls of the houses at the entrance of even the tiniest villages were painted Red advertising Brooke Bond Tea Similarly Lifebouy Soap and Sunlight Washing Soap of Lever Brothers was prominently displayed in the remotest places all over India. The Brooke Bond Management knew even in those times that poor villagers would not be able to buy a quarter pound package so they had come out with a tiny one called "Chataki" a smallest weight measurement of that time in an ordinary paper packing instead of cardboard box. Credit must be given to the strong Distribution Network of these two companies that their products were available in every nook and corner of India. It may be noted that Brooke Bond Tea is now acquired by Unilever. Prof. C.K. Pralhad's name will also be remembered for his brilliant Bottom Of Pyramid Theory when there will be end of Poverty in the world.

venugopal

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:56:54 +0000

Very interesting management thought for big business houses to think beyond rich. I wish the same principle to apply in the case of Health and Education for BOP groups. Will some one take up with a pinch of social responsibility , seriously , not for fame and publicity. Thanks venugopal Hyderabad ,India

anupam

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:59:34 +0000

The people at the BoP are not fundamentally different from those 'above', they just happen to be in a different context. Its just a matter of providing them with the right tools at the right price, so that they could help themselves. Good to hear validations that a act of providing these tools and services could be a sound business case :).

Mark

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:06:47 +0000

I am so glad that CK wrote a new version of this book. The Jaipur Rugs case study sounds great! have heard of them before as well. Good to see CK capturing such a great business model. I am excited to read this book!

Lisa Antolino

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:59:40 +0000

Lisa this might be useful for your meeting with Rao's friend.

Sivachidambaram V

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:09:13 +0000

Certainly Bottom of the Pyramid Strategies are paying off. In Late Dhirubhai Ambani’s words, “Make the tools of information and communication available to people at an affordable cost. They will overcome the handicaps of illiteracy and lack of mobility.” Today, internet & mobile technologies revolutionized the way people connect and interact. There is a huge opportunity, in rural emerging markets, for companies across the industries where they can run a profitable business while addressing the public issues.