Posted by David Smith, March 19th, 2009
Designing business models
Recently, Stuart L. Hart of Cornell University gave a talk as part of Rotman’s Wicked Problem series. Hart gained notoriety for his robust discussions on the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) originally made popular with author and professor C.K. Prahalad. BoP thinking explores models of sustainable business that serve non-tradition market segments – namely those overlooked by capitalists of past generations. In Hart’s latest thinking about Capitalism at the Crossroads the story has not changed much, but his call to develop new business models that profitably engage the under-served is still relevant today. However, are developing economies the only fertile ground for this line of thinking?
Posted by Ahim @ MaRS, February 19th, 2009
The advantages of technology
It’s no surprise that computers and technology have become an essential element of our lives. Technology has shifted our primary method of acquiring information and dispersing it, transforming how we interact with the world and how the world interacts with us. Accessible and intuitive, computers have literally connected us to the world. Now, at our fingertips we have the ability to learn a new language, educate ourselves on current events and global issues, and even find remedies to illnesses. Having access to this means education and technology is a privilege we take for granted.
Last month, I attended a speech by Harvard University Professor Calestous Juma outlining the dire need for improved economic development strategies and plans for survival in the global south. His solution: education with the integration of technology. So what does this mean for you?
