I was sent this email by partner Teilo and wanted to share it:
In one country, as part of a ubiquitous custom called “five–six” lending, poor people borrow five pesos from informal lenders and repay six, usually within a week. The annual interest rate works out at roughly 13,000 percent.

This is hardly the only place where low-income people suffer from a lack of choices and information. Their options have been limited because legitimate companies have been reluctant to enter the markets that serve them.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Marketing/Strategy/A_grassroots_approach_to_emerging-market_consumers_1866_abstract

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Financial_Services/Personal_Financial_Services/Extending_financial_services_to_Latin_Americas_poor_1955_abstract

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Financial_Services/Banking/Financing_Latin_Americas_low-income_consumers_1956_abstract?gp=1

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Financial_Services/Banking/Succeeding_in_Latin_American_banking_An_interview_with_Banco_Itaus_CEO_1868_abstract?gp=1

Some interesting links for you:

A way to monitor your competitors website for changes using Page2rss.

A commentary on Google’s investment in a genetic mapping company and the possible implications.

A home ethanol system (by the guy who invented the Wii fit system) which reduces the cost of fueling you car to around 50 cents per gallon.

And, finally, a way to instantly print your digital photos

The worlds largest online directory of company issued CSR, Sustainability, and Environment reports is available the CorporateRegister

If you love lists, and I do, then you will love this online app:

To do

There is an excellent article at Fast Company on conflict rising within a workplace or business and how to deal with it - basically as soon as possible.

John Baldoni writes “When managers sense a conflict brewing they must act quickly and decisively.“

There is an interesting article at Fast Company that argues matching your businesses’ values to your team’s values will make people want to stay and work for you, far more than money. It’s funny that companies DO create mission statements, talk about visions, company values etc, and yet never actually see if these values are aligned with the values of people who work for the company. I believe focusing on your employees within a business is one of the most important things you can do - without a happy team, it’s going to be hard work.

A friend sent a link to this site:
http://www.babesinbusiness.com.au

This might be interesting to any professional working woman.