My Week 15 Reading Response

I really enjoyed this week's reading, "Business Basics at the Base of the Pyramid," and I was intrigued by the business concept of microfinance. I had heard of microfinance before, but I had not realized how "micro" it truly was. It was most surprising to learn that they will give out loans as small as $20 and will work with people indivudually to meet their specific needs.

I was most confused when DDS denied a poor woman a loan, even though she was clearly in need, simply because they had reached a quota. While this was sad, some good came out of it as it is what inspired Vikram Akula to start his own microfinance venture.

If I were able to ask the author two questions, I would ask him "What have been some of the biggest hurtles you have encountered in your business?" and I would also ask "What has been your greatest reward thus far?"

There was nothing I disagreed with or felt the author was wrong about.