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

by C.K. Prahalad and Harvey C. Fruehauf

Book Overview

Prahalad describes how the world's low-income markets offer opportunity for the world's wealthiest companies to seek fortune and bring prosperity to the poor. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0131467506
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Wharton School Publishing
• Length: 401 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 1.4" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

The Top Of The Pile

I think it is fair to say that it is rare that a book falling into the business category can also be one that can also be inspiring. This book falls into that category. The books main premise is that the worlds 4 billion plus people that live in rather dismal poverty are never going to be able to claw their way out of that poverty based on insufficient charity. The author believes that what is going to get these people a better quality of life is business investment. Global organizations can profit by establishing locations in these under serviced markets, sell a base product at a marginal profit and increase the well being of the community. The more of this investment, the more wealth is generated within the community and the more business opportunities there are. The author gives a basic volume business case study for how to make a profit in these rather depressed markets. He also claims that even though the populations are so poor, there are so many of them that any consumer staple product could provide sustainable revenue. The author wraps his whole premise up with dialog around how major global organizations are hitting the wall within the western world in total sales and to obtain real growth they are going to have to start looking to the less attractive parts of the globe. The author finishes by stating that business can not only increase share holder value, but also make meaningful and sustained improvements in the life's of literally billions of people. Overall I found the book well written and enjoyable. I got carried away in the optimistic win / win scenarios the author was detailing. Hey why can't this work I thought, look at all the good it would do. Well time will tell, the pessimist in me sees a good amount of risk that would keep a good chunk of the business world at bay. Regardless, the book is a compelling, interesting and inspiring book that is well worth your time.

"Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day...

...Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime". A famous Biblical quote, one that resonated with me strongly, and profoundly influenced my thinking on international aid, but more broadly, the problem of poverty, and the reticence of Capitalism in addressing it. I'm a strong believer in capitalism, this wonderful book reinforced my belief in that system. It did so by showing how world poverty and consistently non-functional economies aren't because of capitalism, but for lack of capitalist attention. Times have changed, technology and it's rapidly increasing efficacy in efficient delivery of products and services, necessitates that we change our attitude about heretofore neglected markets, and the nearly 5 billion people in them. "Inclusive Capitalism" as the author calls it. Rich with important concepts like "Installment Sales" (which address the needs and constraints of low-income consumers), this book is a virtual blueprint for companies, as well as entreprenuers, who are interested in serving low-income consumers around the world. The hardcover book also contains a CD. I usually skip viewing those, but I'm glad I didn't in this instance. Prahalad gives the introduction, then roughly a dozen case studies follow. From Appliance sales companies in Brazil, to a Cement company in Mexico; seeing the passion on the faces of their customers, how the companies have changed their lives, it is incredibly touching. You aren't watching customers, you're watching "evangalists" that would make your most devout American iPod fan seem like an unsatisfied customer. I recommend this book highly. Enjoy, Christian Hunter Santa Barbara, California

Doing well by doing good

This book examines at the global level what retailers are beginning to see at the local level. Markets that have been overlooked because of per capita income are fertile fields for the entrpreneur. The book looks at how you can help lift a community while finding excellent markets for your products or services. Excellent "outside the box" thinking recommended for business people and educators.

Excellent methods proven by example

This book is not about idealogies that are great on paper, but could never actually be effecient in real business life. This book proves by example the possibilities of doing good business, while helping the less fortunate at the same time. This book addresses the needs of both businesses and society, and how it can be a win-win situation. This book is a must read. It will change the way you do business.

Holy Grail for Corporate Global Growth

Employees at corporations that are hitting the wall when called upon to grow should own and read this book. It is indeed an eye-popper. The win-win formula of innovation here dares nothing less than helping the world's poorest poor while making a profit! This is not an abstract idea, but one sustained by actual examples of how this has worked in numerous cases and it should be a springboard for how it can happen in many others. Doing business in the global economy will be an inevitable charge for those businesses that will survive, and this book unveils the largest untapped market of all, and one when addressed properly will do incredible good. Read this book! It may well change your life as well as the way you successfully do business.