Know-How Exchange : Other

Chris,

I strongly believe we are not whistling in the wind.If you ask me what exactly moved me most of all was this beautiful African woman who came onstage with Bob Geldof.All of a sudden all the the criticism this subtle and empathetic man was subjected to for making his dreams and noble acts come true proved to be unjust&ignoble.It works, it simply works.One man with a vision can do wonders.Think of it what all of us can do together.We have to start caring in earnest about other people.No matter where we are and what is the role we are playing in our life we can,all of us, make a difference.
As marketers we can also make things happen.The moment companies really focus on people's inner needs and feelings they are starting on a new way.A way that should,I hope, lead them to giving the business more human face.This transformation, I believe, will make a new era where companies will stand by unadultarated human values they hold dear.It will be these companies whose advocates of these same values will support all through their lifetime.Let us guide and support those going in that direction.

Adam

I thought that the objectives of Live8 were not remove poverty from the African nations, but to simply raise awareness of the issue:

1. ensure that globally everyone knows about the poverty issue, and just how serious it is.
2. ensure that the G8 leaders are aware of the public opinion

Live8 did a tremendous job of that, and I know that here in the UK, our politicians are discussing the issue and responding to the public and media pressure.
I doubt that Live8 will make a impact on the G8 this time round, although I would expect them to make an incredible gesture on Wednesday. I wouldn't expect them to wipe out debt, improve trade and bang the heads of the leaders of Africa during this week!

I agree with Adam, when Birhan Woldu appeared on stage, it was an amazing experience, like many I guess we all thought the little girl in the film had died, she was obviously close to death, and them to see what Live Aid had managed to do, what public opinion (and money) had managed to do 20 years ago, was a strong reality check that we can all do something.

Where next? is an interesting question .. I know Bob Geldoff doesn't want another Live Aid, I hope we will see more of this new breed of politician, all the 'celebs' that stand up and act as a mouthpiece for public opinion, they have no political gains to be made, just reinforce the moral code of a global society, its an incredibly powerful standpoint.

What can marketeers do? Not sure what we can do as a community, I guess we all have an audience (via websites/emails), I've used that to promote the "Make Poverty History" tag.

In New Zealand they had it on at 2am in the morning, and there was not much coverage in the news (as far as i could see).

Personally i think it is a waste of time, from the last Live aid concert only a small percentage of the money raised actually got to the people in Africa, and the money that made it was taken by all the corrupt officials which is most of the government to line there own pockets.

I agree that Live8 is a great PR event for the guy that organized it, but in the long run it is just publicity for AGEING rockers trying to relive the glory days.

Wiping there debt wont make a difference, take the last country that the debt was wiped from. They are buying WEAPONS and killing the native people, NOT helping them make schools or feed people. They just blame the white man for there troubles and grab what they can for them selves. Than ask for more, and promise not to do it again. Yar right!

So what is going to happen next? Another sex for food incident? I think so. While I agree that most people will try to help, they will not give the kind of help the Africans want eg MONEY, MONEY and more MONEY. Instead we send clothing, food, building supplies etc etc, they turn around and say, we don’t want that because we need money to buy these things.

Take the tidal wave that it India a few months back, there are people that have still NOT received ANY AID, while there are huge warehouses FULL of AID, food, medial supplies, clothing, and oh yes a lot of Money in the bank.

When we go in there with the intention of HELPING them we get shot at, killed, called Invaders and told to leave. If we just send money and don't do anything else we get told we are not doing enough to help them. So why bother they will just complain and say it all our fault.

In a perfect world, we would be able to help them, but it is not a perfect world. The Strongest survive and the weakest die.

In New Zealand 70% of the people with aids are AFRICAN immigrants. We had a case where an African had sex with 12 people and didn't tell them he had aids, now they have aids and are going to die. Then when we went to deport him back to Africa he claimed that he would die because he wouldn’t get any treatment for his aids. $12,000 per month so that a rapist can live? I would let him die, but that is just me.

From the part of live8 that I saw, it was bonno saying that there is a CURE for Aids, well there is NOT a cure, the drugs only add a few years to the lucky people that it works for.

Chris,

I DID NOT SEE LIVE8 but I did see Farm Aid and Live Aid. There great events but they are still just...

BAND AIDS (no pun intended).


BREAKING DOWN POLITICAL BARRIERS CAN HELP
The problem of poverty is so large that breaking down the walls of political involvement will be much further down the road than trying to break down the "Berlin Wall".


REDIRECTING THE FOCUS AND CHANGING MINDSETS...
are also a very important fundamental part of dealing with poverty.


POVERTY IS NOT A MONEY PROBLEM AS MUCH AS...
it is a Mental Problem or Mindset Problem. When people of any nation are entrenched in a way of doing things money can only help fight the problem to the degree people are willing to change their thinking about poverty.

On more than a few times a year I hear Great African men talk about the problems in Africa and they all resounding state that this battle is not just a lack of financial supports but a mental and still deeper yet a very challenging spiritual problem.

Even in America their are people whose financial conditions are not as challenging as those of African nations but they have willfully enslaved themselves to poverty in America because of a failure to appreciate, maintain and manage the wealth they have.

POVERTY IS A CONDITION OF THE SPIRIT...
Spirit is inspirationally motivated and can turn the tide of many of our problems. But failure to recognize ones negative spiritual condition makes it nearly impossible without a miracle of some type that creates a change of heart or mind.


BUT AFRICAN LEADERS ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM...
The greatest contribution influencing the poverty in Africa is coming right through the hands of the African people themselves. Great men like Dr. Mensa Otabil from Ghana are raising up standards to help African people overcome the challenges of poverty.

WHAT CAN WE DO AS MARKETERS?
I think participate to whatever degree is humanly possible. First more with our ideas followed by whatever financial contributions we can afford.

AS THOMAS EDISON SAID... success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. We must actively get involved in buying products that are being produced in Africa so that the efforts the people are actively creating are not only bringing residual income but also hope.


AFRICA HAS A LOT TO TEACH...
other countries about why it is important to respect the wealth that your country has and to not be quick to selling out the real wealth of your nation.


I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS BELOW...

But are we just whistling in the wind? Of course not. Whatever we plant we will harvest.

Can we - as humans REALLY make a difference? Of course. For centuries man has made a direct difference in not only their futures but also in the futures others.

If we can, then how can we AS MARKETERS contribute to making a difference? I answered that above already.

And what moved YOU most in the broadcasts? I did not see it. But I'm sure just the human concern and desire to come together to change the problem would have been moving.


CHRIS BLACKMON...what can I do for you?

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)

OR

C-reating P-assionate E-xhortation

hi Chirs

kudos to you for raising the topic, and i am replying from one of poorest nation of world, Bangladesh.

i didnt see the Live8 concert as it was not live here but caught a glimpse of Birhan Woldu when she appeared on stage in BBC news, it was an amazing experience, like many I guess we all thought the little girl in the film had died.

i agree with many of what has been said by experts, my 2 cents are....

WIPING OUT DEBT/GIVING MORE AID
IMHO, this will not do a single penny good to africa and the poor nations. whatever aid the world has so far given to all the poorest nations of the world, would have made the world GOLD-plated had those been properly utilized. But all those money ended up in Swiss Bank accounts of the corrupt govt. officials of those poor countries. this applies even for my country Bangladesh.

the aid agencies are not less, they spend millions of dollar of aid on buying luxury SUVs to "serve" the poor. so this is vicious cycle. have a look at Oxfam or USAID or any UN organization, in any poor nation operation, you will see hundreds of SUVs like Ford Explorer or Toyota Land Cruisers, luxurious bunglows and what not.

the most recent example in this regard is the tsunami victims. the world poured their wallets out for the victims but now reports are coming of victims not getting aid or so meager to even buy a loaf of bread.

WHAT TO DO TO HELP THE POOR
1. so the things to do, is not to give more aid, its more of Properly Utilizing Aid. I am not discouraging giving aid, giving aid is good but it needs to better managed. we have to ensure that whatever aid that has been pledged so far are released timely and utilized properly.

2. allow the poor nations a FAIR TRADE, not a so-called Free Trade. Give the poor nations a fair chance of trade without any "Glass Door" entry barriers protectionism of inefficient system of developed countries. Africa as well as all the poor nations are still mostly agri-based economies. Allow these nations to export their agri-produce to markets of Europe.

I find it hypocracy of the highest order, when the EU is pumping in millions of Euro into Firm subsidy while they are advicing the poor nations to stop agri subsidy, they even make this a condition for receiving aid or grants. the EU delegation in Bangladesh is a prime example of this kind of twisiting.

3. let the aid be not in money but in Education and Healthcare Infrusture. although i find this pretty challenging a task to do, as, if you give the money to the poor govts. they will siphon if off or buy weapons and without them you cant implement any infrustructure.

4. capacity building and developing proper corruption-free administration in the poor countries. but all these are basically reasult of education.

5. Wiping out Corruption should be the Priority, its the root of all problems. developed countries are playing a double game of talking of wiping out corruption yet patronizing corruption to acheve business objectives in poor nations. example is Nigeria, Sierra Leon, Uganda. all them are rich in Oil, Diamond yet they are the poorest nations. Developed countries in collusion with their business giants patronized corruption and wide-spread looting while creating media-hype about wiping corruption. these developed countries never took steps to prevent flow of weapons to stop the rampant killings when they have the ability, but not the willingness. this is preposterous.

ARE WE WHISTLING IN THE WIND
IMHO, to some extent YES and to some extent NO.

YES becoz, reducing poverty is not about listening to music and just donating money. a conscious person's responsibility doesnt, shouldnt end there. did my Developed World collegues of KHE ever wondered how their donation are going to be spent??? if not they should.

G8 citizens have to raise thier voice and excercise their rights in such a way that their govts are not engaged in hypocratic activities, rather engage in serious efforts to reduce poverty. these govts. should remember poverty and corruption breed disenfrachisement and leads to violence and terrorism.

NO, becoz this is the start. we have to take it further to make real dent in poverty. what started as a musical event should force the G8 govts. to really rectrify their misdeeds not just once in a blue moon pledge to wipe out debt.

WHAT WE AS MARKETERS CAN DO
1. practicing Fair Trade will do good to all, it will increase competitiveness as well as efficiency and skill development.

2. Also, IMHO, we, as marketers, can make the companies, for whom we work, to be better corporate citizens, engage in more Social Works to fullfill the Corporate Social Responsibilities. this is actually a win-win situtation for the companies as well the people of the host countries.

hope this sheds some light.....

cheers!!

virago
sorry to all my american friends, but obnoxious George Bush will do nothing, only shy away from committment for any concrete steps with regards to poverty or africa.

Mushfique, its great to get your input.

I've been thinking a little more about, what marketers can do, and I wondered if we couldn't try to turn these neglected countries into bigger brands!

Not the typical brand as we know it, but using branding techniques to add value (and wealth) to these countries. it is in fact something many countries could do with! For example, whats your view on the UK?
Probably little of what you think about actually adds value to the country and cannot be used to help sell tourism and products from here. But we do have some things, and they are used well to generate a brand image and hence additional wealth.

I wonder what we could do for the poorer African nations!

One thing I didn't realise (and I would guess something that has passed many by) is that with a cut in debt, the word bank reduces the same amount in Aid!

So we will remove your 20billion debt, but reduce your aid by the same amount!

It gets worse, the advice from the world bank to the then crippled country is to privatise its assets, so the poor them have to pay for basics like water! Unbelievable!

interesting response

To AndrewS:

your World Bank info is absolutely correct. i have seen that happening here in Bangladesh (we are in Asia). Aid Flow to Bangladesh has been decreasing and so is the aid & debt from World Bank. They have been and are increasing pressure on the govt. to sell off State-Owned Enterprises and reduce Firm subsidy and increase price of basic necessity in order to get the meager flow of aid & debt from WB.

the price of cooking gas, water and electricity has been increased in every 6 months by 10% due to the "Prescription of WB" here. just imagine !!! even worse, this prescription increases unemployment, inflation and marginalizes the poorest of the poor.

to Ekinyua:

the same practice is alse here in Bangladesh, also the excess i have mentioned. Why do there has to be an Expat associated with Aid??

To Ambidextrous:

under the prevailing scenario, the most beneficials are 1, 2 and 3

To all:

even friendly countries are exploiting poor nations. when a poor nation faces trouble of getting aid or loans from donor agencies or WB, IMF, ADB; it turns to its friendly countries. Interestingly, so called friendly countries then become the "Shylock of highest order". They give loans under "Supplier Credit Scheme". what this means is that, the loan money will be of High Interest and will be given only if the actual project work is awarded to a company belonging to that Friendly Country, who take unnecessary long time to complete, cost considerably more than any other firms. Call it "Friendly-Colonialism" !!

will get back later in this regard. keep it coming..

cheers!!

Hey Chris,

check this out. I found it on this blog...

https://joelcomm.com/

see date July 4

Thanks for this great question. Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Checking People Excessively)

Tony Blair has made a very important statement, that the root cause of Terrorism has to be identified in order to tackle/uproot terrorism.

also a good news is that G8 has given $50 Billion in Aid and waiving debt of 18 african countries.

thats a start. lets see what the future holds...

cheers!!

You asked if humans REALLY make a difference...most definitely, yes. Even if most of the money went to less than honorable individuals, even if people seem unmoved by the plight of impoverished families around the world, and even if it's difficult to gage the exact benefits reaped by this event or others like it. We make a difference by paying attention to the problem. We make a difference by opening our collective eyes to see outside our usual personal boxes and into the eyes of someone who feels marginalized.

So, since we can, we AS MARKETERS, as the announcers of these events and as individuals who can MOVE OTHERS...by our words, ad campaigns, and press releases...to action. Whether that action is a single dollar, a single tear or word, these contribute to making a difference. We can encourage our clients, friends, and colleagues, to also make a difference. Problems of poverty, hunger, and disease, did not arise overnight. These took decades. It will likely take many years, at least, to come to begin turning around these trends.

Personally, I was moved most by outpouring of love, caring, and, yes, money, that were the results of the broadcasts. Purely and simply, there is no downside to awareness. It's so much more than a show filled with beautiful people and lovely music. The love is palpable. And, as the classic Beatles song intoned, all you need is love. It's not that love solves the problems. It's that love is the first step and the driving purpose, leading us by our hearts and minds, to right action. This would not have been shared as widely...by millions in countries around the world...if it were not for the marketing of this and other similar events.

This is our noble mission as marketers, to spread the news, and with it, the awareness of the world around us. No matter what the G8 leaders do, no matter what the money raised goes to, no matter whether most the people who watched will go back to living their lives pretty much as they did before, we made a difference. We will continue to make a difference as long as we continue to make these issues known. That is what we do, as marketers, and as people, who care.