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Ted LondonScientist and educator advocating the principles of BoP
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Ted London
- Advocating for the Bottom of the Pyramid
- Conference on BoP Theory
- Education and Career Path
- International Development Experience
- Research and Publications
Biography of Ted London
Ted London is a scientist and educator who advocates for the principles of BoP. His teaching program is called "Business Strategies for the Bottom of the Pyramid." However, it is not about simply collecting money. London is a senior research fellow at the William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan. He also teaches at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, where he is responsible for the Master of Business Administration program.
Advocating for the Bottom of the Pyramid
London's program aims to uplift the 4 billion people with limited resources, mainly from third world countries, who are at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP). His assistance programs are designed to empower the poor and transform them into full-fledged consumers. As the leader of the "Base of the Pyramid Initiative" at WDI, London and his colleagues believe that combating poverty requires a BoP business model and an expanded understanding of values.
Conference on BoP Theory
In 2007, the William Davidson Institute held a major conference on BoP theory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The conference brought together approximately 400 business leaders, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, scholars, non-profit experts, and development agency specialists from over 30 countries. In 2009, WDI organized another conference in Ann Arbor called "Creating a Common Roadmap: Advancing the BoP Community." The goal of the conference was to unite leading thinkers and development agency leaders interested in the BoP issue to exchange the latest ideas and approaches that accelerate new thinking.
Education and Career Path
Ted London graduated from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He earned a doctoral degree in strategic management and was a faculty member in entrepreneurship, strategic management, international business, and sustainable enterprise and poverty alleviation at UNC. Before dedicating himself to BoP, London worked as an engineer at General Motors after earning a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1985. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Peter F. Drucker Center at Claremont Graduate University and worked as a senior business valuation consultant at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells.
International Development Experience
In 1989, London joined the Peace Corps as a volunteer in the African aid program and became one of the leaders of the business development program in Malawi. After three years, he moved to Asia and served as the general manager of an Indonesian joint venture managed by McCormick Spices. In 1993, London led several development programs that brought together representatives from different countries in Asia and the Pacific Region. These programs were created to assist the non-profit organization Conservation International in environmental conservation efforts.
Research and Publications
In May 2009, London published an article titled "Improving Investments in BoP" in the Harvard Business Review. In late 2010, he co-edited a book called "Next Generation Business Strategies for BoP" with Stuart L. Hart. The book focused on the second wave of innovation in BoP and outlined pathways for creating an ecosystem for innovative business and transforming entire industries through partnerships.
