Bottom of the Pyramid

This term describes the world's poorest as a potential economic market constituting two-thirds of the world's population. Despite the fact that 4 billion people subsist on annual per capita incomes of less than $1,500, this "bottom of the pyramid" represents a multi-trillion-dollar market.

BIT 646, Social Enterprise (Business School)

From the course description: BIT 646 Social Enterprise 1.5 hours Elective Terms Offered: F06(A) Course Prerequisites: No credit in BIT 645/STRATEGY 645 Cross-listed with: STRATEGY 646 Social Enterprise: Innovation in the Information Society --- Social Enterprise roughly means making the world better through the efforts of for-profits or non-profits and broadly covers problems in the areas of poverty, health, education, the environment, and other social issues, such as treating women and children better. We will pay significant attention to how companies working at the economic bottom of the pyramid in the developing world and the West can develop successful businesses, though we will focus on other opportunities as well. We will see how many innovations in this area embrace new business approaches supported by information and communication technology (ICT).

Positions available at Gates foundation - for global library project -- very cool!!

itle: Research Analyst – Global Libraries

Summary
Global Libraries (GL) supports efforts to bridge the digital divide in developing and emerging countries by increasing free access to computers and the Internet in public libraries, and helping to ensure that the technology is useful and used in the local context.

The Global Libraries Research Analyst will support members of the program team by:
• Managing research to identify developing world countries that meet established criteria for the GL program
• Tracking current economic, political, social, and other trends important to inform current grantmaking to existing grantee countries
• Managing information resources for the GL team, especially to act as a contact point for consultants working with GL on research, as well as country and program evaluators
• Tracking information, communications and technology-related development (ICT4D) activities in the field that may be relevant to GL grantmaking
• Tracking other funding initiatives in targeted countries from multi-lateral institutions, foundations or other donors


Responsibilities
• Provide ongoing research, background information and analytical support for the GL program team. Work with the GL Director and Senior Program Officer to:
o Develop, execute, and manage external partnerships and contracts for landscaping analyses
o Manage consultant contracts focused on country research to identify developing countries that meet foundation criteria for investment
o Assist program team in identifying opportunities for the development of strategic alliances and contribute to the development of program area strategies with other foundations, multi-lateral institutions, private sector funders, NGOs, other donors, and/or US and foreign government officials in target countries
o May assist program team with in-country research and analysis in targeted regions to perform due diligence and ongoing tracking of grants

• Identify and engage qualified thought leaders, technical experts, and consultants in priority areas for meetings, technical consultation, review, and other program activities
o Survey current information through literature reviews and other sources related to country grantees to assist program team in tracking relevant economic, social, political and ICT4D trends and developments
o Review literature to synthesize good practices related to implementation and sustainability of global efforts to provide public access to technology and information
o Identify relevant conferences, convenings and meetings for possible program team engagement

• Work with program team to coordinate external evaluation activities and reports with third party evaluation partner and internal foundation Impact, Assessment and Improvement Department
• Coordinate monitoring and internal evaluation activities for portfolio of initiatives, including the dashboard (a framework for tracking progress against approved strategy)
• Assist in developing reviews, briefings, summaries, and informative reports for the Director, President, CEO, and Co-Chairs
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences, summarizing developments and recommendations for key program areas
• Work with program team and serve as GL lead for finalization of Sharepoint migration
• Travel occasionally up to 15%


Additional Qualifications:
Qualifications:
• A minimum of 5 years experience in a business analyst role or equivalent ideally with exposure to international and developing world issues
• Demonstrated experience in research and analysis related to business, technology or global development projects
• Demonstrated success in roles requiring logical, systematic thinking while managing multiple priorities in a highly dynamic environment
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, in positions requiring communication with a broad and diverse audience
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and show initiative in projects and work assignments
• Experience in a role requiring collaboration in complex internal and external organizations, as well as a demonstrated ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy, particularly as part of a team effort

Reports to:
Director, Global Libraries



How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please visit http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/WorkingWithUs/Jobs and submit your resume online.

We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated and focused on diversity.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills for this job.  … Read more »

Wikipedia and MITs $100 Laptops

Re-posted from Yahoo's Information_systems_forum@yahoogroups.com

Today at the second annual Wikimania conference, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales announced that MIT's $100 laptops will all include a copy of Wikipedia. He also announced the launch of Wikiversity, an online community for generating learning materials, and Wikiwyg, a easy-to-use interface for editing Wikipedia, developed in conjunction with SocialText.

CIC and MAP in India: Jessica L'Esperance's blog

Jessica L'Esperance is recently back from her trip to India on the MAP program with the Ross School of Business. Her blog of that journey is at http://www.l-esperance.com/india/blog.html
She writes in her introduction to the project:

Imagining What is Possible

"We start with a simple proposition. If we stop thinking of the poor as victims and start recognizing them as resilient and creative entrepreneurs and value-conscious consumers, a whole new world of opportunity will open up. Four billion poor can be the engine of the next round of global trade and prosperity. It can be a source of innovations."
--- C.K. Prahalad, The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Rethinking Urban Poverty: Forms of Capital, Information Technology, and Micro-Enterprise Development

Dr. Lynette Kvasny is an assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University College of Information Sciences & Technology. She will be visiting SI on April 3rd, noon-1pm, to present a case study on information technology (IT) and enterprise development being conducted within the framework of a partnership between PSU and community-based groups. Personally, I can't wait!

Reception w/ Light Food and Refreshments to follow from 1-2pm.
Open to the campus community Hosted by UM@SI
Co-Sponsored by Dean Frost, CIC & CREW … Read more »

Syndicate content