The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently published a report entitled “Creating Value for All: Strategies for Doing Business with the Poor”. The report is comprised of 50 case studies investigating both small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and multinational corporations. It examines social and financial results on both local and international levels. There are eight chapters: Opportunities to Create Value for All, Constraints Standing in the Way, Adapt Products and Processes, Invest in Removing Market Constraints, Leverage the Strengths of the Poor, Combine Resources and Capabilities with Others, Engage in Policy Dialogue with Others, and Taking Action.
Geared towards informing governments, the private sector and civil society organizations, the report focuses on strategies for doing business with the poor in order to expand markets. Specifically the report used UNDP’s Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative’s “strategy matrix” a tool that shows the frequency and viability of strategies used in various countries and case studies. In the report, the matrix highlighted possible solutions to current constraints. Additionally, “heat maps” are included that color code geographical areas depending on level of access to water, credit, electricity or telephone service. The heat maps were made with the aim to identify opportunities, supply structure and current access. Already countries such as Zambia and the Ukraine have responded to the report, looking to use the report to facilitate national achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
The report was initiated by the UNDP’s Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, launched in 2006. With an advisory board of private sector professionals, the initiative aims to develop and expand inclusive business models. The initiative partakes in research, analysis and development of strategies in order to raise awareness and educate about the possibilities of expanding opportunities to the poor.
By Sarah Knapp, Research Assistant
Additional Resources:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): “Creating Value for All: Strategies for Doing Business with the Poor”
Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative: Heat maps, Strategy matrix
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