Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid : Eradicating Poverty Through Profits

Synopsis:
Explaining that the world's five billion poor make up the thefastest growing market in the world, Prahalad shows how this segment has vastuntapped buying power, and represents an enormous potential for companies wholearn how to serve this market by providing the poor with that they need.

From the Back Cover:

The world's most exciting, fastest-growing new market? It's where you least expect it: at the bottom of the pyramid. Collectively, the world's billions of poor people have immense entrepreneurial capabilities and buying power. You can learn how to serve them and help millions of the world's poorest people escape poverty.It is being done—profitably. Whether you're a business leader or an anti-poverty activist, business guru Prahalad shows why you can't afford to ignore "Bottom of the Pyramid" (BOP) markets.In the book and accompanying CD videos, Prahalad presents...Why what you know about BOP markets is wrongA world of surprises—from spending patterns to distribution and marketingUnlocking the "poverty penalty" The most enduring contributions your company can makeDelivering dignity, empowerment, and choice—not just productsCorporations and BOP entrepreneursProfiting together from an inclusive new capitalism"C. K. Prahalad argues that companies must revolutionize how they dobusiness in developing countries if both sides of that economic equation areto prosper. Drawing on a wealth of case studies, his compelling new bookoffers an intriguing blueprint for how to fight poverty with profitability."Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect,Microsoft"The Bottom of the Pyramid belongs at the top of the reading list forbusiness people, academics, and experts pursuing the elusive goal ofsustainable growth in the developing world. C. K. Prahalad writes withuncommon insight about consumer needs in poor societies andopportunities for the private sector to serve important public purposes whileenhancing its own bottom line. If you are looking for fresh thinking aboutemerging markets, your search is ended. This is the book for you."Madeleine K. Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State"Prahalad challenges readers to re-evaluate their pre-conceived notionsabout the commercial opportunities in serving the relatively poor nations ofthe world. The Bottom of the Pyramid highlights the way to commercialsuccess and societal improvement--but only if the developed worldreconceives the way it delivers products and services to the developingworld."Christopher Rodrigues, CEO, Visa International"An important and insightful work showing persuasively how the privatesector can be put at the center of development, not just as a rhetoricalflourish but as a real engine of jobs and services for the poor."Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme