Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

A few weeks ago, I attended a lecture about microfinance, and got sucker-punched. Expecting to hear a litany of pros and cons about the business, and an exploration of good and bad models, I was instead greeted with a knockout punch: Microfinance doesn't work, at least not in the way we think it does. That's nice.

Microfinance 14

Microfinance Due Diligence Cost-Benefit Analysis Industry 14

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 13, 2012

Prahalad and his colleagues more than a decade ago in a series of articles and books, and it has stuck in the minds of businesspeople, policy makers, and nonprofits despite results that can only be described as dismal. The microfinance industry is a rare D and E success story. It's more than just conventional wisdom.

Microfinance 14

Microfinance Prahalad Bottom-up Banking 14

Harvard Business Review

MAY 2, 2014

You can find the answer to the timing question nestled among the facts that David Bornstein lays out in the preface to his book, How to Change the World. And Bill Gates announced he was shifting his priorities from software development to social impact by moving full time to his foundation.

Entrepreneur 13

Entrepreneur Microfinance NGO Mission Statement 13

CO2

JUNE 4, 2012

This question is at the heart of Jacqueline Novogratz’s inspirational book, The Blue Sweater. Over time, she learns that “solutions to poverty must be driven by discipline, accountability, and market strength, not easy sentimentality.” Jacqueline starts off as a young woman who was determined to save the people of Africa.

Microfinance 121

Microfinance Travel Open-book Education 121