The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid—Bonus Content

"Five years is not a long time to evaluate the diffusion of an idea, much less its impact on the ground. It has been less than five years since the book The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits was published. The first article on the subject appeared in 2002. At the time, the proposition that the private sector has a critical role to play in alleviating global poverty was generally met with skepticism. The idea that they could have the greatest impact through creating profitable businesses serving the 5 billion people who represented the 'invisible, unserved market' was even more radical. I am profoundly grateful for the people in government, nongovernmental organizations, and large corporations who were willing to listen and experiment. The poor, of course, have long been hungry for change. Their enthusiasm and insights have been a huge inspiration to me."
Continue reading C.K. Prahalad's new introduction, "Private Sector and Poverty: Progress During 2004-2009"

The Beat Goes On: Jaipur Rugs
Produced by Jennifer Anderson, Nina Henning, Marion Ntiru, and Shara Senior

Jaipur Rugs provides a unique example of how a global supply chain, built around developing human capability and skills at the grassroots level and finding steady and well-paying jobs for rural men and women in the most depressed parts of India, can connect rural poor with markets of the rich, such as the United States.

 
The Market Exists at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Casas Bahia
Produced by Andrew Wilson and Sami Foguel

In fifty years, Casas Bahia has grown from one man into the largest retail chain in Brazil, offering electronics, appliances, and furniture. With its emphasis on serving the poor customer, its low prices, and credit determined by payment history rather than formal income, Casas Bahia grosses over US$1 billion, and has invoked deep loyalty in its customers.
 

CEMEX
Produced by Ajit Sharma, Sharmilee Mohan, and Sidharth Singh

The third largest cement manufacturer in the world, Cemex decided it needed to move from selling materials to selling solutions. With low fixed prices, materials on credit, pre-costed housing designs, and even supervised construction services for Mexicans working abroad, Cemex makes housing affordable and possible for the poor in Mexico.
 

Known Problems That Have
Known Solutions

Soap—Hindustan Lever Limited
Produced by Mindy Murch and Kate Reeder

Around the world, 2.2 million people die from diarrheal disease every year. Children are especially at risk—one child dies every 30 seconds. India alone contributes thirty percent of the world's diarrheal deaths. By teaching and demonstrating the benefits of handwashing through both UN and branded programs that reach into the villages, Hindustan Lever Ltd. is reducing infectious disease and improving soap sales.
 

Known Problems That Need
System-Wide Solutions

ICICI
Produced by Michael Hokenson and Todd Markson

ICICI Bank has led multiple initiatives to provide banking services at affordable costs to the poor, partnering with others to co-locate ATMs with rural Internet kiosks and explore SmartCard technology for secure, low-cost transactions and loan management. The bank has created a network of 8,000 Self Help Groups, each with twenty women, to create successful, microfinanced businesses—giving these women the means to transform their social and economic lives, their families, and their villages.