Reading Reflection Week #15

Vikram Akula: Business Basics at the Base of the Pyramid (Harvard Business Review, June 2008)

What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

·         Wow! The entire article renewed my faith in humanity. Although I consider myself well-read, I would consider this the most interesting and most inspiring of anything I have read in a very long time. I did not know this type of social entrepreneurship existed.

Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

·         The entire article was confusing, but not because I did not understand it. I would probably use the word, marveled, as opposed to confused. I have never heard the term, micro-finance, except of course my personal financial situation has always seemed at micro-financial level. As I mentioned above, I consider myself well-read, so my confusion comes from my thoughts as to why don’t we utilize this in America? I work in an industry where I come in contact with HUD/Section 8 recipients, and I have often wondered why we don’t do more to insist they get off these programs and take ownership of their own lives.

If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

1.    What were the reasons you decided to take this concept as your own? I ask because this combines social entrepreneurship with profit-based concepts.

2.    Why do we not utilize this concept in America? The reason I ask is relatively obvious – our welfare programs are broken. We need programs that help created responsible citizenship to ease everyone’s burdens and thus, creates success for all. Those who are on welfare/poor, can now take ownership of their lives, and those who work to support the welfare programs so grossly out of control, can enjoy the fruits of their own labors.

Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

·         Wrong? Hardly. I would love to just hang out to see a day-in-the-life. What an amazing idea and opportunity for all. This is what they call win-win. Capitalism works when the government leaves people to create their own success.