tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374886672024-02-19T02:09:21.771-08:00microfranchisingDavid Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-80841587786549803022012-07-17T11:30:00.001-07:002012-07-17T11:30:18.945-07:00Fairbourne Consulting: Jamaica Video Report<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mnv6IB4t2Wc?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Fairbourne Consulting, the innovative consulting firm that deals with microfranchising and for profit business solutions for the bottom of the pyramid, displays one of their projects in Jamaica in this video. It helps show how things are actually happening.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>tessa.farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590899719710564713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-17253934356314254382012-07-10T13:01:00.001-07:002012-07-10T13:04:07.085-07:00Fairbourne Consulting: For-profit Business Models for Development<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PYqRoVW80xc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In this video, Jason Fairbourne, founder of Fairbourne Consulting, discusses innovative ways to alleviate poverty through for-profit business models, such as microfranchising. Fairbourne Consulting is for-profit and for-good finding sustainable business models that they implement in developing markets. This video explains a lot of what they do and why it is so cool.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>tessa.farnsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590899719710564713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-77337511355140629692010-08-01T21:08:00.000-07:002010-08-01T21:18:43.491-07:00E-Health Clinics in IndiaThis is a <a href="http://e-healthpoint.net/">health clinic in rural India</a> using an interesting combination of clean water and e-healthcare. This business is being incubated by <a href="http://ashoka.org/">Ashoka</a>, here is the <a href="http://www.ashoka.org/press/6123">original press release</a>.<br /><br /><object height="300" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xksbDubjY4c&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xksbDubjY4c&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="300" width="500"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-73196483251760652062010-03-01T17:22:00.000-08:002010-03-01T17:43:51.569-08:00Recent Microfranchising News - Feb 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.templeton.org/templeton_report/20100217/images/frontier_markets.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 194px;" src="http://www.templeton.org/templeton_report/20100217/images/frontier_markets.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Vision Spring <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2010/march/205014.html">featured in March Entrepreneur magazine</a> and a <a href="http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/100214-a-shared-vision.html">recent Parade Magazine</a>. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.templeton.org/templeton_report/20100217/">Feb Templeton Report</a> leads with a story about a new report about <a href="http://www.templeton.org/newsroom/in_the_news/docs/091215_frontiers_markets_summary.pdf">franchising in frontier markets</a>. It deserves further review. It cites the rise of <a href="http://www.spotcitytaxi.in/SpotTaxiHomePage.html">SpotCity Taxi</a> in India as an example.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-28908265705048357032009-05-11T18:09:00.000-07:002009-05-11T18:42:14.599-07:00MicroFranchise Toolkit available again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/shop/images/MF%20Toolkit%20Cover.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 194px;" src="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/shop/images/MF%20Toolkit%20Cover.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I received a notice today that the <a href="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/shop/shop.cfm">MicroFranchise Toolkit</a>, published out of BYU's <a href="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/">Center for Economic Self-Reliance</a>, is available again for purchase after selling out of the initial printing. I do not receive any kickbacks for promoting it but I did think the announcement was post-worthy because of the apparent level of demand for this product. <br /><br />Have any of my readers used this toolkit? Any reviews or insights?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-73823906389303558722009-03-19T20:16:00.000-07:002009-03-19T21:00:08.204-07:00Skoll announces New Winners, VisionSpring among them<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.infodev.org/images/Thumbnail.Large.319.aspx"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 120px;" src="http://www.infodev.org/images/Thumbnail.Large.319.aspx" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />A special congratulations to <a href="http://www.visionspring.org/newscenter/news-detail.php?id=831">VisionSpring</a>, one of the most cited organizations on this blog (<a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2007/03/reading-glasses-for-poor.html">Intro</a>, <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2007/04/scojo-update.html">TeamwithPSI</a>, <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2007/07/in-news.html">IntheNews</a>, <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2007/08/vote-for-scojo-microfranchise-as.html">OnChangemakers</a>, <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2008/06/scojo-foundation-changes-name-to-vision.html">NameChange</a>, <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2008/07/visionspring-has-blog.html">NewBlog</a>, ), for being one of the <a href="http://www.skollfoundation.org/media/press_releases/internal/031209.asp">recently announced winners of the Skoll Award</a> for Social Entrepreneurship. Skoll is also to be congratulated for their willingness to give large unrestricted grants to those they have properly vetted, which I think is critical for growth.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-85125010593622647772009-03-08T18:35:00.000-07:002009-03-08T19:46:31.946-07:00Ashoka and Gates looking for Innovation in Rural Communities<a href="http://www.changemakers.net/">Ashoka's Changemakers</a> recently launched a competition looking for "<a href="http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/agriculture">sustainable change in rural development and agriculture</a>" sponsored by the <a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Pages/home.aspx">Gates Foundation.</a> They are asking for nominations and ongoing comments from the Changemakers community.<br /><br />I nominated the folks at <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2009/01/media-innovations-in-rural-africa.html">Open Air Cinema from my last post</a>; there is such great potential for them to inspire, educate, and shape rural communities through the power of film and media, particularly if they are simply providing the technology and empowering local filmmakers to create the content. <br /><br />I look forward to future nominations and the full spectrum of innovations, here are two of my favorites:<br /><br /><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2eLZAMv6kVU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2eLZAMv6kVU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="295" width="480"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-85654568032591860672009-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:002009-01-31T19:22:10.341-08:00Media Innovations in Rural Africa: Movies, Mobiles and the Web<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/openair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 169px;" src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/openair.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Springwise did a year end summary of innovative business ideas, here are a few that caught my eye:<a href="http://www.springwise.com/telecom_mobile/motopower_solar-powered_cellph/"><br /></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.springwise.com/telecom_mobile/motopower_solar-powered_cellph/">Solar-powered cellphone kiosks in Uganda launched by Motorola</a>. </li><li><a href="http://springwise.com/non-profit_social_cause/internet-in-a-box_for_areas_wi/">Internet in-a-box for rural areas by SolarNetOne.org</a></li><li><a href="http://springwise.com/non-profit_social_cause/inflatable_movie_screens_for_r/">Inflatable movie screens for rural Africa.</a> </li></ul>I was slightly caught off-guard by the movie screen business being on the list because I actually saw that particular team present at a business plan competition back in college and even watched an away football game on the inflatable screen but then watched them struggle to find a stable market in the area. I'm glad to see they have taken it to the bottom of the pyramid. I think there is huge potential there in terms of public education, journalism, and rural democracy.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-50123859022242605662009-01-19T16:53:00.000-08:002009-01-19T18:14:54.841-08:00Ashoka and Gates announce partnership<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.aiesec.be/organisations/images/logolearning/ashoka.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 128px;" src="http://www.aiesec.be/organisations/images/logolearning/ashoka.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.aviationptsa.org/newsletters/gates_logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 132px;" src="http://www.aviationptsa.org/newsletters/gates_logo.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>Over the course of this blog I have highlighted multiple models <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/search/label/Agriculture">focused on agriculture</a>. I tend to become excited about agricultural innovations because I believe enhancing agricultural productivity is one of the most highly leveraged points of investment when tackling rural poverty and the myriad of negative outcomes that stem from that poverty. I am not alone in that evaluation: <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-12/bc-et113008.php">research</a> continues to support those claims as do the entrepreneurial experiences of organizations such as <a href="http://www.ideorg.org/result/index.php">IDE</a> and <a href="http://www.kickstart.org/what-we-do/">Kickstart</a>. I think the <a href="http://www.influencerbook.com/blog/influencer/1201737360000.html">Gates Foundation also found</a> that it could not fulfill its global health goals without investing substantially in agriculture and rural development.<br /><br />Which brings us to this<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS187539+07-Jan-2009+PRN20090107"> latest announcement</a> of a partnership between Gates and Ashoka. Now that it is public I can likewise publicly share my enthusiasm for this opportunity and what it could mean for the sector. $15 million does not put this partnership in the top tier of grants made by the Gates Foundation by any means but I think the knowledge and models that can come out of this partnership could dramatically drive the spread of innovation across the entire Gates portfolio. Ashoka's expertise in grassroot, early-stage identification as well as pattern and trend identification across their network will be powerful tools for Gates who then has the resources to really bring those innovations to the rest of the world. It will be an interesting experience for both organizations.<br /><br />When it comes to franchising I'm anxious to see if it surfaces in the early rounds of identification by Ashoka. <a href="http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/depts/op_ed/2006/1006/clement.shtml">Traditionally</a> franchising has not been associated with agriculture and farming but that could mean innovation is right around the corner.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-10390627574259186522008-12-14T19:26:00.000-08:002008-12-14T20:06:36.387-08:00Difficulty of getting products in country<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjzk-Hn7dLSs7otmDYo5LWXia-Pa7zQ4JiHaxgseJuNfxQ6Kw5sipGVQFPeJrrotifoBzyN46aV5P49ZI6SkrFA8Zm2qZMLby2aNsMd2qs7C1TS9FFP70iP7eCS8QthoMzq2mqQ/s1600-h/trucks+queue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjzk-Hn7dLSs7otmDYo5LWXia-Pa7zQ4JiHaxgseJuNfxQ6Kw5sipGVQFPeJrrotifoBzyN46aV5P49ZI6SkrFA8Zm2qZMLby2aNsMd2qs7C1TS9FFP70iP7eCS8QthoMzq2mqQ/s200/trucks+queue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279861992481118130" border="0" /></a><br />This is another story from <a href="http://visionspring.org/blog/">VisionSpring</a>. I realize I just made a reference to them in my last post but they are simply the most active participant online in this space and they provide a level of transparency that I cannot access from other initiatives. I hope to continue to provide variety in the examples but in the end we're looking for principles--<br /><br />VisionSpring has been piloting with BRAC in Bangeldesh and are now about to "spring" into a full implementation of their program but they are <a href="http://visionspring.org/blog/?p=42">struggling with meeting the inventory demands</a> of BRAC, particularly in terms of getting product into the country from their factory in China.<br /><br />This is a very common problem, I was just on a call with an organization that ships high-nourishment food packets across borders and getting through customs is one of their biggest challenges. I see the <a href="http://bdoza.wordpress.com/2008/03/25/a-visit-to-grameen-danone-a-model-pf-social-business/">Grameen-Danone model of mini-plants</a> as an innovation that will help to overcome these challenges in the short term and I think the model should be attempted by more but not all products can be streamlined into mini-manufacturing. The challenge of low prices and high volume for the bottom of the pyramid may ultimately be best served by large plants with great distribution systems.<br /><br />Are mini-plants the engineering innovation needed for bottom of the pyramid products?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-39439028251040627182008-12-11T20:47:00.000-08:002008-12-11T21:28:47.276-08:00VisionSpring's model spreading to Water Purification<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.changemakers.net/files/DSCF3915.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 192px;" src="http://www.changemakers.net/files/DSCF3915.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.niparaja.org/uveta/proyecto/RESUMEN/main.htm">Florence <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cassassuce</span></a> was a <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/12/06/heroes.defend.planet.cnn">CNN Hero</a> finalist and a <a href="http://www.niparaja.org/uveta/productos/main.htm">World Bank Development Marketplace winner</a> and according to an<a href="http://www.changemakers.net/node/7002"> entry from a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Changemakers</span> competition</a> last year, her next step is to turn her UV water purification bucket into a micro-franchise business based on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VisionSpring's</span> model. <div><br /></div><div>At the time of the competition her idea was in its infancy so it might not have received a lot of attention. She's dreaming big and coming to the table with refreshing transparency but it's too early to tell what is real and what is emerging. She has a great product, now can she distribute it widely.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thefranchisemall.com/franchises/directory/10158-1-0-0-9999-AA-Water_Purification_Systems_Franchise_Opportunities.htm">Water purification franchises </a>have proven to be very successful models in the U.S. (perhaps too much so--producing incredible amounts of plastic waste from individual bottles of water) so there might be elements to borrow from the private sector in addition to someone like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">VisionSpring</span> who functions with a much lower price point and technology. Larger purchases such as a UV water filter might require options for buying on credit, savings plans, or collaborative purchases which could prove to be a model for many technology, productivity-enhancing products.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you know of other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">microfranchise</span> models for water purification and distribution? </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-51131082847959052008-11-16T17:03:00.000-08:002008-11-16T18:35:02.861-08:00Event: Ashoka Induction Ceremony<div><a href="http://usa.ashoka.org/fellowsinduction">Ashoka's North American induction ceremony</a> in Los Angeles, December 9th. (The pdf invite includes the <a href="http://usa.ashoka.org/sites/us/files/Induction_Invitation.pdf">full list of the new Fellows.</a>) <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One new Ashoka Fellow that caught my eye was <a href="http://www.socialedge.org/blogs/kiva-chronicles">Matt Flannery</a>, <a href="http://www.worldchanging.com/archives//007448.html">c0-founder</a> of <a href="http://kiva.org/">Kiva</a>, which <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2008/09/kiva-should-co-brand-with.html">I have argued recently</a> should spread into microfranchising. I find it interesting that Ashoka, which has a long track record of finding social entrepreneurs early in their development, picked up Flannery about two years after he and Kiva were discovered by the blogging community but at the same time the remaining 24 fellows are likely completely unknown in the blogosphere. How can these two networks cross-pollinate?</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPnSGLr-pqXhImdXZ8aJPJ5LElLAF9oS2KI6rq3eYYqszK0DNXla3mwbNqQZZRTqKeG1x06udJzlcjQ9TLjmESDQx32b-bvxsxPbdXUFyGl6lyEA3LBSSC50F43YtmIpfbIJIuw/s1600-h/Induction+ceremony"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPnSGLr-pqXhImdXZ8aJPJ5LElLAF9oS2KI6rq3eYYqszK0DNXla3mwbNqQZZRTqKeG1x06udJzlcjQ9TLjmESDQx32b-bvxsxPbdXUFyGl6lyEA3LBSSC50F43YtmIpfbIJIuw/s400/Induction+ceremony" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250145160713439874" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-13119531955634852612008-11-01T16:51:00.000-07:002008-11-01T17:52:14.714-07:002008 Ashoka Fellows in Franchising seeking supportWant to adopt a high impact social entrepreneur? <a href="http://ashoka.org/"> Ashoka</a> recently published a list of Fellows from their latest crop which include a few that are involved in franchising or have innovations that could be applicable to the training and financing of microfranchises. Ashoka typically provides a living stipend to the entrepreneur to allow them the flexibility to pursue their innovation full-time. You can support a whole stipend or give to a common fund. The average stipend amounts are calculated by regional cost of living estimates. For inquiries or to get started, contact supportfellows@ashoka.org. To see Ashoka Fellows in action <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbC15p3uP40">watch this video diary</a> from a recent trip to Argentina.<br /><br />Alice Freitas | Brazil, Connecting Informal Artisans with Conscious Consumers<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGiq9MFZXEJZ-DHBqQrUHGVI-07JKXZN29Uxa2vo4ClHlFnmzOMnrOaLP5XTjjnrVi4wzwySGzZ-mGl9aOAEeFzWpqkPa6XL9qda7fjQEcNGAGSwUIfXNVShmWhYTPSi3PUICLg/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGiq9MFZXEJZ-DHBqQrUHGVI-07JKXZN29Uxa2vo4ClHlFnmzOMnrOaLP5XTjjnrVi4wzwySGzZ-mGl9aOAEeFzWpqkPa6XL9qda7fjQEcNGAGSwUIfXNVShmWhYTPSi3PUICLg/s200/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263848925843173602" border="0" /></a>Alice has created a <span style="font-weight: bold;">direct sales catalog</span> to help informal artisans overcome the challenges of <span style="font-weight: bold;">large-scale distribution</span>. An estimated 50% of all Brazilian workers-many of them women-are currently involved in the informal economy, and consequently lack access both to valuable market information regarding prices and consumer interests, and to the financial resources and bank credit required to start a business. Alice <span style="font-weight: bold;">matches artisans’ groups with men and women trained as direct sales agents</span>, providing them with thorough training and an intimate understanding of the producers’ personal histories and social impact. Capitalizing on the growth of conscious consumerism, she thus enables consumers to exercise informed decision-making, and provides them with a direct communication channel to the women behind the products. Having launched the first catalog in 2007, Alice <span style="font-weight: bold;">is now developing a franchise model</span> in order to scale her approach throughout Brazil and beyond.<br /><br />Lilian Masebenza | South Africa. Fostering Income Generation for Women<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIi0DXS-EOw4qpOvGIPJY88NED5JTtTc5WS8tcAIQ9uRC0Ho-qlto2oILFeXMKZDHYWZTEnK019VnMgqFWg9pEFMe5jsKUPGDzQ9pmMh0L_Uvz5tAK3CG3vC0PJ0Bm_w0Caitvw/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIi0DXS-EOw4qpOvGIPJY88NED5JTtTc5WS8tcAIQ9uRC0Ho-qlto2oILFeXMKZDHYWZTEnK019VnMgqFWg9pEFMe5jsKUPGDzQ9pmMh0L_Uvz5tAK3CG3vC0PJ0Bm_w0Caitvw/s200/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263849125887541826" border="0" /></a>Lillian incorporates income-generation and entrepreneurial development <span style="font-weight: bold;">into traditi</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">onal village </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">collective models, called stokvels</span>, capitalizing on their inherent popularity among disadvantaged women and youth in South Africa. First formed by black South Africans -mostly women- in response to financial restrictions upheld during apartheid, the stokvels have historically been used merely as a way to motivate each other to save for specific short-term needs, such as weddings, funerals, and holidays. Lillian <span style="font-weight: bold;">has transformed these widely accepted savings collectives into an effective business model</span>, using the existing networks to conduct business trainings and skills development courses. By using indigenous models as a basis for business development, Lillian provides business training, skills-development, and mentorship to groups that previously focused on saving for special occasions, fostering a new sense of entrepreneurship among the country’s most disadvantaged communities.<br /><br />Vivienne Schultz | South Africa, Empowering Entrepreneurs<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iASJFGUptoSlsUGqFgSjx7jTDANcF7M-W5Q9voTPELxqhnhltDJCigNOMs8GtowO2CDgPvIgmFDzYKmC1KXYKNB5PvePNiT5l-IXfny065cTIuZjNwF8IXhtte3vGyi0mgEVAQ/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iASJFGUptoSlsUGqFgSjx7jTDANcF7M-W5Q9voTPELxqhnhltDJCigNOMs8GtowO2CDgPvIgmFDzYKmC1KXYKNB5PvePNiT5l-IXfny065cTIuZjNwF8IXhtte3vGyi0mgEVAQ/s200/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263849336082694386" border="0" /></a>Vivienne’s company, Biz Africa 1399, uses a three-part approach to <span style="font-weight: bold;">economically empower </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">marginalized entrepreneurs</span>. First Biz Africa 1399 identifies potential entrepreneurs and encourages them to develop their ideas. Then, these individuals participate in <span style="font-weight: bold;">E-Hub, a nurturing, resource-rich environment that provides work space and administrative services</span>. E-Hubs are supported by business partners who become incubators for aspiring entrepreneurs. Additionally, these relationships help create new markets and tackle the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. Vivienne realizes that she is working with a continent-wide problem and in order to tackle it she must create business networks for struggling entrepreneurs throughout Africa. In order to support her expansion plan, Vivienne has partnered with academic institutions and a continent-wide company. She is currently writing a book about how to use experiential, or hands-on learning, to foster economic<br />development.<br /><br />Ouattara Souleymane | Burkina Faso, Creating a Culture of Apprenticeship and Craftmanship<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmheTjJga7rMoJQG6PjmTWC1NGfFUxuJm1tACBVx8UNfq9E6eWELRtCEMlxSmDFH0d0UwC6EaQKXBfdP-jIpPni479c_Q5diapgy1yoVDVv23JWYfdXK6ysxdeL1Laq-kjn_Nwg/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmheTjJga7rMoJQG6PjmTWC1NGfFUxuJm1tACBVx8UNfq9E6eWELRtCEMlxSmDFH0d0UwC6EaQKXBfdP-jIpPni479c_Q5diapgy1yoVDVv23JWYfdXK6ysxdeL1Laq-kjn_Nwg/s200/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263849616841547810" border="0" /></a>Souleymane Ouattara is <span style="font-weight: bold;">transforming the way artisans and skilled laborers are trained</span> and, in doing so, is opening employment options to many young people in Burkina Faso. Through his <span style="font-weight: bold;">Association</span> of Tailors, Weavers, and Associates, Souleymane has enlisted trainers in a variety of fields who together create <span style="font-weight: bold;">workshops</span> and hold training sessions for young people interested in<br />their professions. Everyone involved in the trainings also receives <span style="font-weight: bold;">management training to ensure they understand production costs and processes, develop their marketing and creative capacities,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">and have the proper tools to see their businesses grow</span>. Today the system Souleymane has set up is not only effective, but also is expanding as even the government looks at ways of using elements of his engaging training model.<br /><br />Tamzin Ratcliffe | South Africa, Building Africa’s First Social Stock Exchange<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrK6PXXWpzwzkMVsWig0-SXlUNwg8vH4IbmOh6aDFVzKK3jp3OXygC1l0nJqDZbEfAXPX6sZBfJoZpSMzsVLjzSoYZqQxEpVLh3XnoJfhlzQmaGHXqI0Uskvty1Vg-rv8pWP-Mw/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrK6PXXWpzwzkMVsWig0-SXlUNwg8vH4IbmOh6aDFVzKK3jp3OXygC1l0nJqDZbEfAXPX6sZBfJoZpSMzsVLjzSoYZqQxEpVLh3XnoJfhlzQmaGHXqI0Uskvty1Vg-rv8pWP-Mw/s200/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263850205479605378" border="0" /></a>Tamzin has developed the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Global Social Investment Exchange</span> (GSIX), a <span style="font-weight: bold;">web-based</span> tool that links citizen sector organizations (CSOs) with donors by <span style="font-weight: bold;">mimicking traditional stock exchanges</span>. After successfully launching the Southern African Social Investment Exchange (SASIX) in 2006, which raised $800,000 for CSOs in Southern Africa, Tamzin is now preparing to create a global marketplace using GSIX. GSIX will publish a Quarterly Prospectus for investors to choose CSOs, and then investors can buy shares in GSIX through participating brokers. Funds will be transferred to beneficiary organizations through a transparent and accountable process, and investors will have the ability to track their investments and view their impact online. Similar to financial stock exchanges, GSIX will use specific, time-bound investment and by pushing CSOs to be accountable for investments, GSIX will push the social sector to develop ways to measure social impact and, thus the return on social investments.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-90815440657372103982008-10-22T21:28:00.000-07:002008-10-22T22:09:07.059-07:00MicroFranchising recent BuzzPrimarily due to <a href="http://socialcapitalmarkets.net/index.php">SoCap08</a>, <a href="http://philanthropy.blogspot.com/2008/10/socap-08.html">which was apparently bursting at the seams</a>, and <a href="http://blogactionday.org/">Blog Action Day</a> on Poverty, there have been a series of posts around the web referring to franchising or microfranchising at the bottom of the pyramid. Here are some of the highlights:<br /><br />A <a href="http://acumenfund.org/uploads/assets/documents/Microfranchising_Working%20Paper_XoYB6sZ5.pdf">working paper shared by David Lehr</a> of the Acumen Fund. This is the first major publication I have seen from someone outside of Brigham Young University, an exciting step if it means that research is moving out of academia into the private sector.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jocelynwyatt.com/blog/index.php?m=10&y=08&entry=entry081017-120537">Jocelyn Wyatt shared her overall impressions</a> which I think represents a good summary of the current pulse on the donor market and shows how well positioned microfranchises are to raise capital.<br /><br /><a href="http://nicedeed.blogspot.com/2008/10/today-is-blog-action-day-10-ways-to.html">Gonzalo Pena gave a hat tip to the concept of microfranchising</a> in his Top 10 list of ways to fight poverty and we were later able to have a good conversation together.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.microfinance.ws/weblog/2008/09/hapinoy_a_promising_microfranc.html">MicroFinance Journal blog</a> had a recent post about a microfranchise in the Philippines, <a href="http://www.hapinoy.com/">Hapinoy</a>, which represents another example of converting businesses in the informal sector into branded franchisees.<br /><br />Al Hammond the creator behind WRI's bottom of the pyramid initiatives, including the well-known voice in the blogosphere - NextBillion.net, is using the term franchising openly in regards to the <a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2008/05/07/taking-bop-strategies-to-scale-pt-3-world-class-healthcare-for-the-world-s-poor">pharmacy network he is now building</a> as a <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1485599870739945477&hl=en">senior entrepreneur-in-residence at Ashoka</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-30054949795536912662008-10-19T19:17:00.000-07:002008-10-19T19:35:54.958-07:00MicroFranchising Conference Nov 6-7<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ce.byu.edu/cw/esr/images/banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 62px;" src="http://ce.byu.edu/cw/esr/images/banner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I received an update from the <a href="http://ce.byu.edu/cw/esr/">2008 ESR Conference</a> folks with details about the MicroFranchising Sessions. The early registration/discount deadline is tomorrow, October 20th. Here are the descriptions for the MicroFranchising sessions:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Business Solutions for Development</span><br />Come listen to Jason Fairbourne and Steve Gibson discuss how microfranchising can serve as a bottom of the pyramid solution for development.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Branding a Microfranchise—VisionSpring, HealthStores, & Living Goods</span><br />Miriam Stone from VisionSpring, Scott Hillstrom from HealthStores, and Chuck Slaughter from Living Goods will join Jason Fairbourne and Steve Gibson in discussing specific challenges and remedies for creating a microfranchise brand.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Systemization of Microfranchises—Grameen Foundation & Mercy Corp</span><br />David Lehr of Mercy Corp, along with representatives from the Grameen Foundation, will discuss systemization, replication, and scale as it relates to global microfranchise initiatives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Research from the Field—Brigham Young University</span><br />BYU has spent two years studying microfranchise institutions around the world and collecting data that compares them with microcredit institutions and stand-alone businesses. Findings from Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Ghana will be presented here.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-33454889415033483382008-10-09T21:00:00.000-07:002008-10-09T21:47:26.740-07:00Popular countries for operations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.1worldglobes.com/images/StarterGlobeFSM_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.1worldglobes.com/images/StarterGlobeFSM_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gunderson</span> over at <a href="http://richesforgood.blogspot.com/2008/10/india-place-to-be-social-entrepreneur.html">Riches for Good </a>had an interesting post the other day analyzing the country site of operation of the organizations on <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/social/2008/index.html">Fast Company's Social Capitalist Award</a> list compared to World Bank numbers of # of individuals living on less than $1 a day. Although the data is not academic by any means it is illustrative:<br /><br />A couple things I noticed:<br /><br />1. Obviously India is a popular country for social capitalists. Demographically it makes sense: population density allows for certain efficiencies/cost per client etc., the large numbers are appealing to the donors backing the social capitalists, operation is relatively cheap in India, and there is also great need according to sheer numbers. Additionally, there is also a very vibrant citizen sector in India allowing for partnerships and synergy. Finally, I think English language is a big factor.<br /><br />2. China is lagging. Is this due to language and culture? Is the government not conducive to allowing social capitalists to operate? Are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">funders</span> of social capitalists not as aware of the image of the poor Chinese farmer as they are of the poor Indian farmer?<br /><br />3. It would be interesting to see this data according to % of the country living under $1 a day as opposed to overall population numbers. I think some of the more needy countries are not being served in proportion to their desperate circumstances.<br /><br />My conclusion: there is enough need out there that you can make a difference anywhere. We should not punish small countries with high poverty rates simply because the numbers to show our donors are not as impressive. Some of our efforts should go towards the areas of greatest need not only the areas of greatest ease of operation.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-89461328635582075562008-10-05T22:13:00.000-07:002008-10-05T20:59:08.333-07:00IDE-Cambodia's MicroFranchise Scheme: Winner at World Bank Expo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ideorg.org/main/images/pictures/cambodia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.ideorg.org/main/images/pictures/cambodia.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Congratulations to <a href="http://www.ideorg.org/work/cambodia.php">Michael Roberts</a> and <a href="http://www.ideorg.org/">IDE</a> for their Microfranchising work in Cambodia being selected as a <a href="http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/OPPORTUNITIES/GRANTS/DEVMARKETPLACE/0,,contentMDK:21915020%7EisCURL:Y%7EmenuPK:5265851%7EpagePK:180691%7EpiPK:174492%7EtheSitePK:205098,00.html">winner at the World Bank's Development Marketplace</a>. The IDE microfranchise scheme in Cambodia was one of 22 winning projects selected out of over 1,700 proposals. You can <a href="http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/OPPORTUNITIES/GRANTS/DEVMARKETPLACE/0,,contentMDK:21558344%7EmenuPK:174615%7EpagePK:180691%7EpiPK:174492%7EtheSitePK:205098,00.html">read full press releases and watch videos </a>from the expo on the World Bank website. I'll include their entry below. My commentary:<br /><br />1. Having the label of microfranchising showcased in such a high profile environment (the competition was sponsored by the likes of the World Bank, IFC, Gates Foundation, and Google.org) should be considered a major development in terms of the development and spread of this as an idea or concept.<br /><br />2. I had a chance to sit down with Michael while he was in town to discuss IDE's microfranchising work as well as explore connections with Ashoka, which could be many. There are so many natural points of overlap between IDE and Ashoka, particularly when it comes to identifying innovation in agriculture and rural development.<br /><br />3. The last comment I wanted to make in regards to this event was their use of the model of a competition to source the most innovative solutions. I think it is great to see the likes of the World Bank engaging in this very organic, grassroot type approach. Competitions have been a major recent trend in philanthropy and innovation in general, think <a href="http://www.xprize.org/">X Prize</a>, the recently announced<a href="http://www.project10tothe100.com/"> $10 idea competition by Google</a>, <a href="http://changemakers.net/">Ashoka's Changemaker's compeitions</a> as well as the numerous popularity/fundraising compeitions hosted by the likes of Parade magazine and American Express. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">IDE-Cambodia's Entry (my markings):</span><br /><br />Micro-Franchising Scheme for Agricultural Services<br />COUNTRY: Cambodia<br />ORGANIZATION: International Development Enterprises (Cambodia)<br />FUNDING REQUEST: $200,000<br />CONTACT: Michael Roberts<br />+855 23 223 541<br />mroberts@online.com.kh<br />www.ide-cambodia.org<br /><br />OBJ ECTIVE: To increase small farmers’ productivity and increase the net annual income of 1,800 small farm households by $150 by developing a sustainable <span style="font-weight: bold;">micro-franchise enterprise to provide</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">affordable horticultural services through Private Extension Agents</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(PEAs).</span><br /><br />RATIONALE: The majority of Cambodia’s poor live in <span style="font-weight: bold;">rural </span>areas and depend primarily on <span style="font-weight: bold;">agriculture</span> for their livelihood. Small farm productivity could benefit from the substitution of imported vegetables, which account for up to 60 percent of all vegetables consumed in Cambodia. Small holders in Prey Veng and Svay Rieng (Cambodia), the two targeted provinces located along the route for Vietnamese imports, cannot exploit this opportunity because they lack know-how in vegetable production and access to credit and market information. In response to these constraints, this project will develop profitable <span style="font-weight: bold;">micro-franchises to provide</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">agricultural inputs, technical advice, in-kind credit and marketing services</span> through a network of Private Extension Agents (PEAs).<br /><br />INNOVATION: This project will implement an innovative micro-franchising scheme for agricultural extension services <span style="font-weight: bold;">through private-sector providers</span> in provinces affected by imports. It will do so by <span style="font-weight: bold;">bundling information and know-how with agricultural inputs </span>and by supporting the private sector providers as franchisees and linking them in a micro-franchise network.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-22139856370645489002008-10-04T11:57:00.000-07:002008-10-04T13:05:03.540-07:00Sargon, my HeroRat, passed away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.herorat.org/sites/herorat.org/files/Sargon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.herorat.org/sites/herorat.org/files/Sargon.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Pardon the slightly off-topic post-<br /><br />Sad news to share. Sargon, my adopted mine detection sniffing rat, passed away of old age the other day. He had cleared mines since 2003 and served over 300 families in Mozambique. Honestly, I was surprised to receive the update as I just saw Sargon featured in the October National Geographic magazine (I can't find the picture online), but I guess that he went out with a bang, checking out at the peak of his career.<br /><br />I had met the visionary behind these mine-detecting rats a few months ago, <a href="http://ashoka.org/fellow/3845">Bart Weetjens</a>, when he came into the office (Bart was elected as an <a href="http://ashoka.org/support/criteria">Ashoka Fellow</a> in 2006). His organization, <a href="http://www.apopo.org/newsite/content/index.htm">Apopo</a>, just received a <a href="http://www.herorat.org/en/node/399">$1 award from the Skoll Foundation</a>. It was then that I participated in their <a href="http://www.herorat.org/">"Adopt a Rat" </a>program and selected Sargon as my wonder-pet.<br /><br />I received a touching and slightly humorous announcement in my email box informing me that this "detail-orientated" "quick learning" "reliable, professional, and effective alone or in a team" rat passed away of natural causes. It added that he was known to work "even harder for peanuts or bananas."<br /><br />There is an element of replication here, I was meeting with Bart to discuss his finances and he has received numerous pledges from other African governments wanting to replicate his operations in their countries but the wheels of African governments turn so slowly that he has not seen any of the money. In fact he has an over-abundance of requests for replication, only limited by his own operational budget and capacity. I suppose there could be potential for Apopo branding and franchising across the world but I don't think the local communities could completely sustain the operations as consumers, the model would likely have to be a mixture of government, individual philanthropy from the West and local contributions in-kind or cash.<br /><br />There are still many HeroRats working hard in Sargon's memory if you want to <a href="http://www.herorat.org/adopt">Adopt one of these HeroRats.</a><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f7M5g_uz7sc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f7M5g_uz7sc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-29444852623100655492008-09-26T10:00:00.000-07:002008-09-27T09:16:01.308-07:00Kiva should co-brand with microfranchises<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.kiva.org/images/logoLeafy3.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://images.kiva.org/images/logoLeafy3.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I have been a fan of <a href="http://www.kiva.org/">Kiva</a> from their early days. They had another recent surge of success when they introduced <a href="http://kivanews.blogspot.com/2008/09/having-hard-time-making-loan.html">Group Lending and Partial Loan Repayments</a>, both brilliant moves in my opinion on multiple fronts: driving consistent traffic to their site, engaging their citizen base in a frequent and meaningful way, and leveraging natural networks.<br /><br />However, I am still anxiously awaiting the day when Kiva moves into the next realm of innovation, when they are using their platform to <span style="font-weight: bold;">strategically</span> inspire change in the market. Right now they are focused exclusively on microcredit and simply support the normal activities of their partners and the microcredit borrowers. <a href="http://thegoodentrepreneur.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-problem-with-kivaorg-model.html"> It could be argued that that is their expertise and value-add</a>, however, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I do not see the innovation nor the value of Kiva as a funder of microcredit</span>, which is partly why I agree with <a href="http://kivaramon.blogspot.com/2007/04/paying-interest-to-kiva-lenders.html">people who say that Kiva should not be focused on providing a financial ROI for lenders</a>. Even if Kiva continues on their projected growth their financing of microcredit will be minuscule compared to the capital being raised for microcredit through <a href="http://www.microcapital.org/whitepapers/">integration in the financial markets</a> and through microcredit accelerator's such as <a href="http://unitus.com/">Unitus</a>.<br /><br />The innovation of Kiva is that they have created <span style="font-weight: bold;">a platform</span> that allows a <span style="font-weight: bold;">broad base</span> of <span style="font-weight: bold;">average citizens</span> to become <span style="font-weight: bold;">miniature philanthropists</span>. Kiva has never had to spend a dollar on marketing, people find Kiva and become inspired: <a href="http://www.socialedge.org/blogs/global-x/archive/2005/12/13/case-study-what-happens-when-a-social-entrepreneur-hits-the-blogosphere-1-4">bloggers picked it up early</a>, when people find Kiva <a href="http://converse-size3.blogspot.com/2008/09/kivaorggo-do-make-difference.html">they blog about it</a>, <a href="http://www.paulezimmerman.com/2008/09/kiva-20-im-on-lending-rampage.html">they showcase their loans</a>, Kiva even had to create an entire site, <a href="http://www.kivafriends.org/">KivaFriends</a>, to handle all the interest of their constituents to discuss the issues.<br /><br />Therefore, as a platform and in the position of inspiring and shaping grassroot philanthropy I think Kiva is extremely well-positioned to strategically shape the local marketplace of their borrowers. <span style="font-weight: bold;">One way they could shape the marketplace would be to partner with microfranchise operations</span>. Kiva could be the platform, the broker, that connects microcredit organizations with the best microfranchise solutions, and then together they offer a financing mechanism for the expansion of new business and innovatin in the marketplace.<br /><br />This would provide <span style="font-style: italic;">value to the microcredit borrower</span>, providing them a new business model, a great potential source of income as opposed to simply increasing their inventory in the same business as their neighbor. It would provide <span style="font-style: italic;">value to the community</span> in which the microcredit borrower lives, bringing a service such as <a href="http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/08/20/a-barefoot-optometry-business-at-work-interview-with-visionspring/">VisionSpring eyeglasses</a> or <a href="http://visionspring.org/blog/?p=16">HealthKeepers pharmaceutical products</a> or a technological product such as<a href="http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2008/07/23/a-water-pump-for-the-people/"> Kickstart's waterpump</a>. It could probably be structured so that the <span style="font-style: italic;">MFI gets a cut as a distributor of products</span>. Kiva could provide v<span style="font-style: italic;">alue to these fantastic innovations</span> by being a catalyst for the best models. It would provide <span style="font-style: italic;">value to the Kiva Lender</span> because they would feel they are being innovative in their lending and philanthropy.<br /><br />Kiva needs to think beyond scaling up microcredit and more about being a platform for change.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-71699666038947966182008-09-18T21:18:00.000-07:002008-09-18T21:41:50.393-07:00MicroFranchising book now available in paperback<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/shop/images/Creating%20Wealth%20Cover.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px;" src="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/shop/images/Creating%20Wealth%20Cover.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I just received a notice that the book, <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2007/05/definition-clarification.html">MicroFranchising: Creating Wealth at the Bottom of the Pyramid</a>, is available in paperback. It is included in <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/microfra-20">my recommended readings link; </a>the paperback version is the one without the picture. <div><br /></div><div> I'm excited and I know the authors are excited because it will make the information accessible to a much wider audience. I thought it was unfortunate that the original publisher put such a high price tag on the book as part of their strategy to target university libraries. Now, at a more reasonable price for the general consumer, I think the conversation can really begin. The book really is a great collection of theory based articles coupled with profiled case studies. The material in that book has been the starting point for many of my own wandering thoughts on this blog. Happy reading.</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-18264587469005532172008-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:002008-09-03T09:31:50.878-07:00SoCap08 Major Donors and Entreprenurs Mixer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lmR_lEbad-jE52eh1jEtdmt6ZaRhPKCNky6MaBhTbVVGhDWCdcg5qyF0qu8q_1eN9ekPYa-3rTGDdCKH5IhydJ_0acTnj5PEtC2KpZJ1xfynnNBvLd6Cji7fi-q6JiastziVoQ/s1600-h/logo_square_v1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lmR_lEbad-jE52eh1jEtdmt6ZaRhPKCNky6MaBhTbVVGhDWCdcg5qyF0qu8q_1eN9ekPYa-3rTGDdCKH5IhydJ_0acTnj5PEtC2KpZJ1xfynnNBvLd6Cji7fi-q6JiastziVoQ/s200/logo_square_v1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239411954102590338" border="0" /></a>There is a big-time event coming up in San Francisco for the social enterprise crowd, <a href="http://www.socialcapitalmarkets.net/index.php">SoCap08</a>- October 13-15. It appears that the <a href="http://www.socialcapitalmarkets.net/speakers.php">entire list of who's who</a> in the '<a href="http://nonprofit.about.com/b/2007/03/20/wealthy-donors-embrace-the-new-philanthropy.htm">new philanthropy'</a> in Silicon Valley will be there, both from the entrepreneur and investor sides.<br /><br />The registration fee comes across as a bit high for me but if one were able to secure a major funding relationship at the conference it would be well worth the investment, let alone the education available with such a lineup of speakers.<br /><br />As I look over the schedule of events, a couple panels that look particularly interesting in the context of franchising--<br /><br /> "Taking Social Enterprise to Scale" <span style="font-style: italic;">- Rick Aubry, Rubicon Ventures<br /></span><br />Obvious connection. <a href="http://www.rubiconprograms.org/">Rubicon</a> has bakery and landscaping social entreprises in the U.S.<br /><br /> "Social Investing 101" <span style="font-style: italic;">- Regina Connell, Good Capital;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> R. Paul Herman, HIP Investor Inc.;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Andrew Kassoy, B Lab;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Steve Godeke, Godeke Consulting<br /><br /></span>I'd be curious to see if franchising is brought up in the fundamentals class.<br /><a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2008/08/kickstart-and-donor-money-to-build.html"></a><br /> "Market Creators" - <span style="font-style: italic;">Deb Dunn, Skoll Foundation; </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Tim Freundlich, Good Capital</span><span style="font-style: italic;">; Elise Lufkin, Calvert Giving Fund;</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Andrew Kassoy, B Corp;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> R. Todd Johnson, Jones Day</span><br /><br />This topic has <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2008/08/kickstart-and-donor-money-to-build.html">been on my mind recently. </a>If I were there and the topic was not addressed I would bring up the statement by the CEO of Kickstart regarding his projected timetable and the need for donor investments to reach that tipping point in the market.<br /><br /> "Democratic Capital" - <span style="font-style: italic;">Melanie Swan, MS Futures;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Premal Shah, Kiva.org;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Mads Kjaer, MyC4;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Rajesh Jayaraman, Zopa;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Ben Rattray, Change.org<br /><br /></span>I have always felt there is enormous potential for microfranchising to partner with these democratic capital raising solutions. An investor making snap judgments on these sites may have greater confidence to support a new business in the third world if it is a proven franchise operation. These sites could help facilitate greater diversity in these markets by doing so.<br /><br /> "Design in the Developing World" <span style="font-style: italic;"> - Regina Connell, Good Capital;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Paul Polack, International Development Enterprises;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Tim Brown, IDEO<br /><br /></span>I would be on the lookout for products conducive to <a href="http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/product-franchising.html">product franchising</a>.<br /><br />Overall, it looks like a fantastic event. From the perspective of the entrepreneur I am struck by the collection of investors that will be present, all looking to be educated on how to spend their wealth, a great opportunity to showcase one's work. From the perspective of a new investor wanting to get involved in social enterprise I see this as a great forum to learn from some of the best and most experienced in the field.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-40928397192205997242008-08-30T09:12:00.000-07:002009-03-08T19:57:43.552-07:00Resources Around the WebThis will be a permanent page of major resources around the web on the topic of MicroFranchising:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/microfra-20">Relevant Books </a></div><div>My personal collection of recommendations that are available through Amazon.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/shop/shop.cfm?CFID=318988&CFTOKEN=52362447">MicroFranchise Toolkit</a></div><div>The only how-to toolkit of which I am aware. Published by BYU's Center for Economic Self-Reliance as part of their MicroFranchise Development Initiative.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/uploads/assets/documents/Microfranchising_Working%20Paper_XoYB6sZ5.pdf">White paper </a>from the <a href="http://acumenfund.org/about-us.html">Acumen Fund</a></div><div>A great overview written by David Lehr. The Acumen Fund has a number of investments in microfranchises and is well positioned to see the successes and failures of this emerging strategy.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://marriottschool.byu.edu/selfreliance/wiki/controller.cfm?home&CFID=1470966&CFTOKEN=68706893">MicroFranchise Wiki</a></div><div>Another resource of BYU. Hit enter on the search bar without selecting a filter to see all the microfranchises profiled. Additional links to relevant articles on the front page.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.socialfranchise.com/">Social Franchise Ventures, LLC</a></div><div>Specialized consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofit's within the US develop social franchises. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://microfranchiseventures.com/index.html">MicroFranchise Ventures, LLC</a></div><div>Parent Company of a family of microfranchise brands promoting economic development through enterprise in the developing world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Case Studies</div><div><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2008/08/27/drishtee-rural-health-franchising">Dishtree in India</a></div><div><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/activitycapsule/2015">HealthStore (CFW Shops) in Kenya</a></div><div><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/multimedia/2007/07/11/mi-farmacita-nacional-enabling-good-health-among-mexicos-bop">Mi Farmacita Nacional in Mexico</a></div><div><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2008/04/02/wri-releases-latest-what-works-case-study-on-careshop-ghana">Care Shops in Ghana</a></div><div><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/activitycapsule/1963">VisionSpring (Eyeglasses)</a></div><div><a href="http://www.grameenfoundation.org/what_we_do/technology_programs/village_phone_direct/">Village Phone Direct</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-48017172439516637372008-08-27T23:00:00.000-07:002008-08-27T23:00:00.715-07:00Microfranchising links of interestInterview with <a href="http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/08/20/a-barefoot-optometry-business-at-work-interview-with-visionspring/">VisionSpring at Acumen Fund blog</a>. Notice the same comments about market creation as being the unanticipated largest challenge as discussed in the last post about Kickstart.<br /><br />NextBillion talking about the potential role of <a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2008/08/19/business-students-can-change-the-world">business students in the BoP</a>. Notice the interest of students is outpacing the ability of the universities to deliver the education. <a href="http://ashoka.org/">Ashoka</a>'s <a href="http://universitynetwork.org/">University Network</a> keeps good tabs on the universities that emphasize social entrepreneurship.<br /><br />Another post at <a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2008/08/25/introducing-social-entreptreneurs-from-gsbi-2008-meet-david-okello-from-coast-coconut-farms-in-kenya">NextBillion mentioned microfranchising</a>, this time coming from the <a href="http://www.scu.edu/sts/gsbi/gsbi2008.cfm">Global Social Benefit Incubator</a> in conversation with an operation out of Kenya, <a href="http://www.coastcoconutfarms.com/">Coast Coconuts</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-13188436121357674582008-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:002008-08-27T18:52:09.361-07:00Job Posting: CRM Specialist for Social Franchise Network<a href="http://www.freedomfromhunger.org/">Freedom from Hunger</a> is looking for a <a href="http://www.freedomfromhunger.org/about/job6.php">CRM Specialist</a> to design and manage their client information system for their social franchises. Position would be based in San Francisco or Davis, CA. <br /><br />I worked with Freedom from Hunger as part of my graduate studies and can endorse them wholeheartedly. I've highlighted their <a href="http://microfranchising.blogspot.com/2007/11/freedom-from-hunger-pilots.html">HealthKeepers</a> social franchise previously. <a href="http://www.freedomfromhunger.org/blog/author/skline"> Sean Kline</a> tells me one of the clients they will be working with on the CRM solution will be <a href="http://web.reach-india.net/india/">Reach India</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37488667.post-61207945773611231872008-08-25T23:28:00.000-07:002008-08-25T23:28:00.863-07:00Kickstart and donor money to build marketsBritt Bravo over at <a href="http://havefundogood.blogspot.com/2008/08/tools-to-end-poverty-interview-with.html">Have Fun Do Good</a> recently posted a great interview with <a href="http://www.casefoundation.org/leaders/fisher/bio">Martin Fisher</a>, CEO and co-founder of <a href="http://kickstart.org/about/index.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kickstart</span></a>. For me, the most interesting part of the interview was the discussion regarding the challenges faced by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kickstart</span>, interesting because 1) I believe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kickstart</span> has molded and adjusted to those challenges extremely well and 2) the issue of having to create entire new markets when introducing new products or services will be a similar challenge faced by most of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">microfranchises</span> discussed on this site.<br /><br />It can be easy to talk about social enterprises as if launching a business were easy and success were automatic. Here we are reminded of the reality by one of the most successful organizations at introducing a new technological product at the bottom of the pyramid saying they expect it to take ten years of heavy promotion and reliance on donor funds to tip the market. That strikes me as a much longer time frame than is commonly presented in the industry. We like to talk about sustainability and revenue streams from social enterprises but we must not forget that there is still an incredible market failure in the funding for this market-creation stage. Even the most hard-nosed revenue stream proponents will need to understand the world of philanthropy and fundraising.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.digg.com">
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</a></div>David Stokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00885859888162958520noreply@blogger.com1