Tuesday 21 April 2009

Harnessing the power of Business for Development Impact

I'm sitting at my computer waiting for a live feed to start about Business access to markets. You bored?

Not me. I've been attending this very exciting series called Harnessing the Power of Business for Development Impact". It has been addressing the hard questions of the role of business in development.

Increasingly, the work that I am involved in revolves around those that are seeking to help. All too frequently I hear the words: "is there anyone that can help?" or "does anyone out there need this kind of help?"

Just this past week alone, I've spoke with some very large brands about similar questions just rephrased as "Market Access" or "Partnering Options".

Collaboration is often a difficult concept where the language is competition. This series has really allowed businesses to be honest and not just churn out success stories but genuinely add to the debate.

Sunday 12 April 2009

surviving the slums again



last month i was in hong kong.

last month i took part in slum survivor again. 24 hours. simple conditions. forced relocation. family separation. rebels. land mines. refugees camps. border crossings. family reunion. dodgy trinket salesman. building your shacks. standing up to soldiers. finding business opportunities and so on.

it only lasted 24 hours. it was hard going but there's something extraordinary about it.

good friday walk