C. K. Prahlad: A Development Guru

Sad and untimely demise of C. K. Prahalad, Professor, Stephen M.Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, USA is a great loss to the world of business, academics, and of course for all those poor about whom he has talked in his most popular book " The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid- Eradicating Poverty through Profits". People call him a management guru, a strategy man, a business visionary....but for me he was a great "Development guru". I am among those who have not read most of his writings but have read all the edition of his above mentioned book.
The book gives us probably the most potent approach of eradicating poverty. His consideration of poor at the bottom of pyramid had many implications for the business and for the development. For him the people at the bottom of pyramid were not to be moved upward so that the pyramid either gets upside down or becomes a flat structure; but, they need to be considered for development and for building their capacity. He opined that those who are at the bottom need to be made active players in the business. For him business complements development and vice versa. This very thesis is enough to call him a " Development Guru".
The concept of inclusive growth, inclusive business, inclusive profit.... all have their root in approach suggested by Prof. Prahalad in his book. There was also criticism .....His views were considered to be extractive, exploitative, and were meant for profit . However, when it became clear that his 'Bottom of Pyramid' is not meant for making profit but for its inclusion in business processes , and once they become the part of business the empowerment is bound to come. He showed the world that empowerment does not come by charity or by the allocated fund meant for empowerment. The true empowerment comes by participation and by inclusion.

Further, the bottom of pyramid approach changed the thinking of development professionals. The paternalism (of giving away or doing things) is not the right approach because it further creates dependence and we miss the bus of true development. The examples and the cases given in the book clearly indicate that out of box creative thinking and innovative approaches, this not only provides opportunity (to those at bottom of pyramid) to use products and services which were hitherto available to only those higher in the pyramid but also, take care of underdevelopment by making corporations partner in development.
There are many more reasons to call him a "True Development Guru". We will certainly miss him.
May His Wisdom Continue to Benefit All Including Those At Bottom of The Pyramid.

Niraj