Insight India 2008 Conference

The Insight India 2008 conference is coming up in November, with a focus on design and getting to know the consumer. While the goal may not be to get to know base of the pyramid consumers, the conference will highlight new trends in Indian consumer insights. Perhaps some of us from the BoP-focused community can attend and share the brilliant importance and potential of the BoP market. If you're able to make it, do tell us about your experience!

Recently in Nepal

Riot police marching toward local protesters; the protesters were upset that the Nepali government was not funding the purchase of animals to sacrifice for the upcoming Deshain Festivals, as they normally do.


Garden of Dreams, also known as Keshar Mahal or "Kaiser" Mahal, is an old Rana palace. Keshar traveled to Europe, later became known as Kaiser, and brought back Austrian-influenced ideas for a dramatic garden of his own. After many years of neglect, it was restored in 2006.







Views of the Himalaya from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.








Advertising in Nepal. "Springwood: Everyday a New You" and Surya, whose "24 Carat" cigarette ads display large text warning of health effects.

Master of Design: John Maeda at RISD

FastCompany featured John Maeda in their Masters of Design Issue, with a focus on his new appointment as President of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). I've known about Maeda for some time now, as my sister, Sami Nerenberg, is not only a recent graduate of the Industrial Design Department but also the first RISD Professor of Sustainable Design. (Her class website can be found here).

The FastCompany article explores the intersection and challenges of bringing someone on board from the "techie" world of MIT. I couldn't be happier about the appointment. I agree with a thread of the article insisting that the blend of the digitally-conscious, technologically motivated, systems-thinking world of MIT with the fine arts-appreciating, design-conscious, detail and product-oriented nature of RISD is a powerful concoction. Furthermore, I don't think that the depiction of RISD as only a creative-focused, fine arts appreciating environment is entirely accurate. Such traditional "arts" appreciation might be the focus in the Foundation Year and I could be biased by the fact that my sister was in the ID Department and is, along with Maeda now, trying to influence the School in a more "systems"-thinking direction, but I think that there is a receptiveness already inherent in designers and in the design world to thinking holistically and ecologically about products, how they are designed, and how they fit into the greater ecosystem that is our global society.

I am absolutely looking forward to seeing where Maeda takes the School and I am so proud of my sister for being such a positive force in RISD's historic change.

Private Enterprise in Nepal - Bhat Bhateni Superstore

Bhat Bhateni is a local superstar in the newly arrived "supermarket industry" and today saw the opening of their second location, "Bhat Bhateni Superstore." Superstore it is, with 2 large buildings connected by a bridge, with an underground parking lot, a rare find in Nepal. We were taken on a private tour by one of the owners, Kamana Gurung, who recently returned from her studies abroad in the U.S. She explained that Bhat Bhateni Superstore is aspiring to international standards, with uniformed staff, barcoded inventory, central air conditioning, a butchery, and more. The store certainly stands out as such and is a welcome additional to Kathmandu.

Update

Jenara is now a Marketing Columnist for Nepal's top business magazine, THE BOSS. If you have story ideas you want to see covered in the magazine, please share your ideas in the comments section below or email her at jenara@bopsource.com.

"An Asia that is shimmering and an Asia that is shivering..."

George Wehrfritz wrote an article in the September 8th issue of Newseek about the redefining of Asia's poverty line. With the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank raising the per day measure to those living on $1.35 and $1.25 respectively, it is expected that hundreds of millions of people will join the ranks of the world's poorest. The changing definitions raise numerous concerns, especially as many Asian countries attempt to reach the Millennium Development Goals as codified under the old definition of $1 per day. Additionally, the UN's goal to halve the global poverty rate by 2015 is significantly hampered. Of course the greatest tragedy is that more people than previously thought are still scraping to get by and as the article indicates, the bulk of the world's poor remain in Asia, despite rapid development in many regions.

Bop Source looks forward to your comments.

Sustainable Innovations at the Base of the Pyramid Sept. 26-27, 2008

I'm sorry to miss this conference in Helsinki. Send a report if you're able to go!