Discover "A Secret Worth Learning" about data and financial inclusion
In the recent New York Times article, "How Companies Learn your Secrets," Charles Duhigg discusses how companies can use demographics and data on personal consumption behavior to manipulate shopping habits and attract new customers. Target, for example, can predict if a customer is pregnant, what trimester she is in, and, with this information, target baby-related advertisements to her.
Social Enterprise, A Disruptive Innovation
In 2010 SKS Microfinance went public with great excitement from the financial markets and a hail of criticism from some in the industry. The criticism centered around the idea that profit is NOT a proxy for success and an aggressive focus on growth is bad for the poor. SKS disagreed.
When the poor need information, mobile phones can be the right tool for the job
It is important that we take the lessons we have learned from micro-credit and apply them to any new poverty intervention. I got to thinking about this after reading an article titled: "Mobile Phones Will Not Save the Poorest of the Poor." In general, the micro-credit industry focused too much on the existence
Two acronyms every pro-poor business and investor should know
The worlds of social entrepreneurship and impact investing are widening as more people let their heart compete with their wallet in business decision-making. But success in these fields will require more than good intentions – players must stay smart with strong social performance metrics.
Solèy at MCS: Fonkoze and the Seal of Excellence
Solèy means sunshine in Haitian Creole. At the recent Microcredit Campaign Summit (MCS) in Valladolid, Spain, social performance in general (and the PPI specifically) were front and center, shining brightly. To that point, here is an excerpt from a blog post by Grameen Foundation President and CEO Alex Counts on the sunshine that the MCS directed to Haitian MFI Fonkoze and the Seal of Excellence.
Keeping the Meaning in the Market
Our director, Steve Wright spoke at a plenary on 'Keeping the Meaning in the Market' at the SOCAP11 Conference organized by SOCAP this week in San Francisco. View the entire plenary discussion and let Steve know what you think - swright@grameenfoundation.org.
Steve Wright is the Director of the Social Performance Management Center (SPMC) at the Grameen Foundation. Prior to joining us, Steve was the Director of Innovation and Technology at the Salesforce Foundation. Steve has also been a high school administrator and teacher as well as being a Peace Corps volunteer in Micronesia. He is based in Oakland, CA.
