article thumbnail

Can Impact Investing Avoid the Failures of Microfinance?

Harvard Business Review

Early adopters of microfinance wanted to prove that it was a commercially viable product, deserving space in an investor’s portfolio alongside real estate and the stock market. Making something wildly profitable will of course attract the attention of financial markets, and thus increase the chances it will scale effectively.

article thumbnail

Before You Link Pay to Customer Feedback: Five Essentials

Harvard Business Review

Your CFO and finance team can take a leadership role here. Unless line managers and finance really believe in the link between customer feedback and business outcomes, your incentive system won't last long. Truly reliable feedback and metrics. And if your metrics aren't trustworthy, then your compensation system won't be either.