A Fistful of Rice: My Unexpected Quest to End Poverty Through Profitability

Vikram Akula

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Around the globe, poverty has held too many people in its grip for too long. While microfinance-small loans to impoverished individuals initially attracted attention in the press, it didn't achieve the scale, scope, and profitability necessary to substantially combat poverty. All that changed with Vikram Akula's creation of SKS Microfinance. In this highly personal narrative, A Fistful of Rice, Akula reveals how he pieced together the best of both philanthropy and (to his surprise) capitalism to help millions of India's poor transition from paupers to customers to business owners.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Microfinance as a Tool for Poverty Alleviation: Highlights the role of microfinance in providing financial inclusion to individuals and communities living in poverty.

  2. Empowerment through Financial Inclusion: Discusses how access to microloans and financial services empowers individuals, particularly women, enabling entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency.

  3. Social Entrepreneurship: Explores the concept of social entrepreneurship, combining business principles with a social mission to address poverty and improve livelihoods.

  4. Impact on Rural Communities: Illustrates the positive impact of microfinance on rural communities, stimulating economic growth and enabling access to education and healthcare.

  5. Challenges and Lessons Learned: Addresses the challenges faced in implementing microfinance initiatives and the lessons learned in creating sustainable and impactful programs.

  6. Role of Innovation: Discusses innovative approaches and technologies used in microfinance to reach more people and make financial services accessible to underserved populations.

  7. Ethical Considerations: Explores ethical considerations in microfinance, emphasizing responsible lending practices, transparency, and the importance of avoiding over-indebtedness.

  8. Empathy and Understanding: Stresses the significance of understanding the needs and challenges of the impoverished communities served by microfinance institutions.

  9. Scale and Sustainability: Addresses the need for scaling microfinance operations sustainably to reach a larger population and ensure lasting impact.

  10. Measuring Social Impact: Explores methodologies and frameworks for measuring the social impact of microfinance beyond financial metrics, focusing on improving lives and reducing poverty.

Language English
ISBN-10 1422131173
ISBN-13 9781422131176
No of pages 208
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Harvard Business Review Press
Published Date 09 Nov 2010

About Author

Author : Vikram Akula

1 Books

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