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Madhu Viswanathan

This course focuses on understanding subsistence marketplaces and designing business solutions for the billions of people living in poverty in the global marketplace. To develop understanding of these markets, we use exercises to that enable learners to view the world from the eyes of subsistence consumers and entrepreneurs, facilitate bottom‐up understanding generated by participants, and provide insights from extensive research. More broadly, the course uses the context of extreme resource constraints to learn about the bottom-up approach pioneered through the Subsistence Marketplaces Initiative and apply it in broadly. A parallel project will focus on understanding a specific need in a subsistence marketplace, and designing a solution and an enterprise plan for implementation.

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This course focuses on understanding subsistence marketplaces and designing business solutions for the billions of people living in poverty in the global marketplace. To develop understanding of these markets, we use exercises to that enable learners to view the world from the eyes of subsistence consumers and entrepreneurs, facilitate bottom‐up understanding generated by participants, and provide insights from extensive research. More broadly, the course uses the context of extreme resource constraints to learn about the bottom-up approach pioneered through the Subsistence Marketplaces Initiative and apply it in broadly. A parallel project will focus on understanding a specific need in a subsistence marketplace, and designing a solution and an enterprise plan for implementation.

You will be able to:

• Develop an understanding of subsistence marketplaces

• Design solutions for subsistence marketplaces

• Develop enterprise plans to implement solutions for subsistence marketplaces

• Apply the bottom-up approach for subsistence marketplaces and other contexts

This course is part of Gies College of Business’ suite of online programs, including the iMBA and iMSM. Learn more about admission into these programs and explore how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into a degree program at https://degrees.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/idegrees/.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
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Module 1: Introduction to Subsistence Marketplaces and Bottom-Up Immersion
In this module, you will be introduced to the importance of studying subsistence marketplaces as well as the unique nature of a bottom-up approach to studying it.
Module 2: Bottom-Up Immersion and Emersion
In this module you will learn about unique aspects that characterize marketplace interactions between buyers and sellers in subsistence marketplaces. You will also learn about understanding needs and markets in subsistence marketplaces.
Module 3: Bottom-Up Design
In this module you will learn about gaining marketplace insights in subsistence marketplaces. You will also learn about environmental issues in subsistence marketplaces.
Module 4: Bottom-Up Enterprise
In this module you will learn about understanding needs in subsistence contexts. You will also learn about a structured approach to generating ideas for addressing the needs in subsistence marketplaces.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines understanding of subsistence marketplaces, which is standard in business
Taught by Madhu Viswanathan, who are recognized for their work in business
Develops a deep expertise in understanding of subsistence marketplaces
Examines different immersion techniques in a bottom-up approach to subsistence marketplaces
Requires software and tools that are readily available in a typical household or in a library
Teaches relevant insights in understanding subsistence marketplaces
Provides structured ideas for implementing and designing solutions in subsistence marketplaces

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Reviews summary

Important course on sustainability and poverty

Learners say this course focuses on the significant topics of poverty and sustainability and provides insightful information on subsistence living. Some learners highly recommend it while others express dissatisfaction with the course structure and delivery.
Focuses on important issues of poverty and sustainability.
"This course addresses important topics related to poverty and sustainability that I agree we and business should care about..."
"This is a fascinating subject and I was enthusiastic about learning more..."
"Wonderful presentation, this course truly gives the insight to subsistence living around the world that is not the topic of kitchen table conversations but ought to be!"
Provides outdated and inaccurate information.
"Content in article, video and live session are repetitive, literally from week 1 to week 8... Outdated and inaccurate information..."
"This course is disappointing. There are so many issues that I found hard to believe UIUC selected it as part of MBA program course..."
"The professor is providing a wooden delivery reading the chapters of his books, which are a prerequisite. Once you have read through them, then the exact same information with identical wording is delivered in the videos..."
Lacks clear focus and connection to business.
"It addresses important topics related to poverty and sustainability that I agree we and business should care about but the focus is blur..."
"There is no connection with business globalization whatsoever..."
"Course name is misleading..."
Content is repetitive and lacks engagement.
"This is a fascinating subject and I was enthusiastic about learning more. However, the class format is repetitive, awkward, and not engaging..."
"Content in article, video and live session are repetitive, literally from week 1 to week 8..."
"Some of the content in this course is interesting, and the professor has some unique and interesting ways to make things more "immersive." That said, the class is kind of rambly and unstructured..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Innovation for Subsistence Marketplaces with these activities:
Watch a video tutorial on how to design a subsistence marketplace
Supplement your understanding of subsistence marketplace design by watching a video tutorial
Browse courses on Subsistence Marketplaces
Show steps
  • Search for a video tutorial on subsistence marketplace design
  • Watch the video tutorial
  • Take notes on the key concepts
Read 'The Power of Storytelling'
Improve your understanding of storytelling techniques and their applications in business
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts
  • Summarize the main arguments of the book in a short essay
Attend a workshop on subsistence marketplace design
Gain practical knowledge and insights from experts in the field of subsistence marketplace design by attending a workshop
Browse courses on Subsistence Marketplaces
Show steps
  • Research subsistence marketplace design workshops
  • Register for a workshop
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Compile a list of resources on subsistence marketplaces
Expand your knowledge base and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in subsistence marketplaces by compiling a list of resources
Browse courses on Subsistence Marketplaces
Show steps
  • Search for resources on subsistence marketplaces using online search engines and databases
  • Organize the resources into a list, categorizing them based on type and topic
  • Share the list with other students or interested individuals
Write a blog post about the challenges and opportunities of subsistence marketplaces
Develop your written communication and critical thinking skills by researching and analyzing the challenges and opportunities of subsistence marketplaces
Browse courses on Subsistence Marketplaces
Show steps
  • Research the topic of subsistence marketplaces
  • Identify the key challenges and opportunities of subsistence marketplaces
  • Write a blog post that discusses the challenges and opportunities, and provides your insights
Practice applying the bottom-up approach to subsistence marketplaces
Reinforce your understanding of the bottom-up approach by applying it to real-world subsistence marketplaces
Browse courses on Subsistence Marketplaces
Show steps
  • Identify a subsistence marketplace
  • Apply the bottom-up approach to the subsistence marketplace
  • Evaluate the results of your analysis
Design a marketing campaign for a subsistence marketplace
Develop your skills in designing and implementing marketing campaigns for specific target markets
Browse courses on Marketing
Show steps
  • Identify the target market for the subsistence marketplace
  • Research the needs and wants of the target market
  • Develop a marketing plan that outlines the marketing goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics
  • Implement the marketing plan and track the results
Develop a business plan for a subsistence marketplace enterprise
Develop your entrepreneurial skills by creating a comprehensive business plan for a subsistence marketplace enterprise
Browse courses on Business Planning
Show steps
  • Identify the business opportunity
  • Develop a business model
  • Write a marketing plan
  • Write a financial plan
  • Write an executive summary

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Innovation for Subsistence Marketplaces will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
University Professor
A University Professor teaches and conducts research in a particular field of study. This course may be particularly useful for someone in this role, especially if they are interested in researching subsistence marketplaces from a bottom-up approach. This course helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces and apply this approach in broader contexts.
Consultant
A Consultant provides advice to businesses on a variety of issues. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Consultant.
Policy Advisor
A Policy Advisor provides advice to government officials on policy issues. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Policy Advisor.
Nonprofit Executive Director
A Nonprofit Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and management of a nonprofit organization. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Nonprofit Executive Director.
CEO
A CEO is responsible for the overall leadership and management of a company. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any CEO.
Finance Manager
A Finance Manager is responsible for the financial planning and management of a business. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Finance Manager.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Operations Manager.
Sales Manager
A Sales Manager is responsible for the development and execution of sales strategies. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Sales Manager.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager is responsible for the development and execution of marketing campaigns. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Marketing Manager.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst helps organizations improve their performance. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Business Analyst.
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for the development and marketing of a product. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Product Manager.
Market Researcher
A Market Researcher collects and analyzes data on consumer behavior. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Market Researcher.
International Development Specialist
An International Development Specialist works to improve the quality of life in developing countries. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any International Development Specialist.
Social Entrepreneur
A Social Entrepreneur is someone who uses business strategies to solve social problems. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Social Entrepreneur.
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager ensures that their organization is operating in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and profitable way. This course may be useful for someone in this role, as it helps develop an understanding of how to design solutions for businesses that operate in subsistence marketplaces. These marketplaces are characterized by extreme resource constraints, so understanding how to operate sustainably in these contexts is essential for any Sustainability Manager.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Sustainable Innovation for Subsistence Marketplaces.
Provides a practical guide to design thinking. It would be valuable as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the process of designing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Provides a practical guide to the lean startup methodology. It would be valuable as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the process of designing and testing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Provides a practical guide to developing good strategy. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the importance of strategy in designing and implementing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Discusses the importance of design thinking for business. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the importance of design thinking in designing and implementing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Provides a practical guide to escaping the traditional 9-5 workweek. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the importance of time management in designing and implementing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Discusses the importance of creativity in innovation. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the importance of creativity in designing and implementing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the causes and solutions to poverty. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides a broader context for understanding the challenges faced by subsistence marketplaces.
Discusses the challenges that large firms face when innovating for new markets. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the challenges of designing solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Discusses the importance of the entrepreneurial mindset for innovation. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides insights into the mindset needed to design and implement solutions for subsistence marketplaces.
Discusses the economic and ethical challenges of alleviating poverty, with a focus on the bottom billion. It would be useful as additional reading for this course, as it provides a broader context for understanding subsistence marketplaces.

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