Join DC Net Impact and author, Ted London, for a discussion about how businesses can grow sustainably while simultaneously alleviating poverty.
As economic growth slows in the developed world, the base of the pyramid (BoP) represents perhaps the last great, untapped market. Of the world's 7 billion inhabitants, around 4 billion live in low-income markets in the developing world. These 4 billion people deserve—and, increasingly, are demanding—better lives. At the same time, the business community seeks new opportunities for growth, and the development community is striving to increase its impact. With these forces converging, the potential for mutual value creation is tremendous. Ted London’s book, The Base of the Pyramid Promise: Building Businesses with Impact and Scale, provides a roadmap for realizing that potential.
The book offers concrete guidelines for how to build better enterprises while simultaneously alleviating poverty. London provides impact leaders and their stakeholders with the tools and techniques needed to succeed in the unique, opportunity-rich BoP.
The night will kick-off with networking and light refreshment. At 7:00, London will present for 45 minutes. The talk will be followed by Q&A and discussion with the audience.
About the speaker:
Ted London is vice president and senior research fellow at the William Davidson Institute and a member of the faculty at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. An internationally recognized expert on the intersection of business strategy and poverty alleviation, his research focuses on enterprise strategies for low-income markets, capabilities for cross-sector collaborations, and poverty-reduction outcomes of business ventures.
He has published numerous articles, reports, and teaching cases, sits on several advisory boards, and shares his research in venues across the globe. He has also advised dozens of leadership teams in the corporate, non-profit, and development sectors. Before coming to Michigan, London was on the faculty at the University of North Carolina. Prior to that, he held senior management positions in three continents.