The quote is from an interesting NYT Magazine article I just read and got me thinking about successful models to scale the impact of socially minded initiatives. Freakonomics authors Levitt and Dubner discuss innovative models implemented by Smile Train and the Prevent Cancer Foundation to scale impact on the ground level and provide incentives to attract potential donors.

The Smile Train model was specially thought provoking, as it lies on the power of fostering local talent and capacity to deliver benefits where they are most needed, as has been discussed by Abigail, Grace and Moses in recent NextBillion posts.

I hope you enjoy the read! Stay tuned for upcoming posts on strategies to scale impact at the BoP level.    

I ran across this Fair and Lovely ad on YouTube recently. For those who don't know, this product is a skin-lightening cream that was at the center of a debate last year over the value and impact of a BoP approach to poverty alleviation.



The ad is in Hindi, but the message is clear: lightening your skin with this HLL product will open doors for you, leading to a happier more successful future. I support BoP initiatives in general but don't believe that every successful attempt to market to the poor should be lauded.

This ad crosses a line for me and last year I found myself personally agreeing with the BoP critics' point on this specific product. As a consumer who has wasted a few dollars of his own on useless items, I can say that we often get goaded by ad campaigns with empty promises into irrationally buying products that do not serve our best interests.

But it got me thinking about how we draw the line between BoP initiatives that deserve our support, and general market activity involving the BoP that it may not be our place to condemn, but that we should neither hold up as a model example.

(This post continues past the break; click "Read More" to continue)