There is a collective denial amongst many foundations and NGOs about what will happen to overseas development assistance (ODA) from Europe. Three trends mean that old-fashioned aid is under threat as never before The economy, stupid. Government spending is under immense pressure in Europe, the USA and some other industrialised economies. … [Read more...] about Bleak outlook for development assistance in 2012
The way out of the maze for the pharmaceutical industry
THE WAY OUT OF THE MAZE FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY The pharmaceutical industry faces an uncertain future. Prices, intellectual property and marketing freedom are under assault across the world. Even in the U.S, by far the world’s largest pharma market, the industry is fighting a furious rearguard action against Canadian imports, changes to … [Read more...] about The way out of the maze for the pharmaceutical industry
Let us have an agency pitch
WHY AGENCY PITCHES ARE A BAD IDEA Of course, being drop-dead gorgeous and almost terminally charming, I think agencies should be chosen for having pretty people who are good fun. And it’s easy too – just go for a drink with them, somewhere well-lit, and you can decide who you want to work with. There are two drawbacks to this tried and true … [Read more...] about Let us have an agency pitch
A Development Dilemma
“This one time, I was in a meeting of African health ministers, and they were being lectured by a group of very well-meaning Europeans and Americans (who, by the way, are very keen on lecturing Africans in general). Finally, the health minister of Cote-d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) had had enough of this,” Mark chuckles, “so he stood up and said, ‘It … [Read more...] about A Development Dilemma
How come people in international development have not noticed the age of austerity?
Portugal is poised for a general strike to protest the austerity measures. Athens is cleaning up. British civil servants have been told that they can’t travel first class on the railways even if they use their own money to upgrade because it would send the wrong message. Across Europe (with the perennial exception of France), we are entering an age … [Read more...] about How come people in international development have not noticed the age of austerity?
Lessons from the candy store and the playground: how to defend government spending in hard times
The shelves in the government goody store are about to become a lot more bare. How will the kids cope? Those of us who try to change policy are a bit like a group of children at the sweet shop. We look at the shelves, pester our parents for money, try to do deals with our friends to maximise our purchasing power or, more often, to stop the … [Read more...] about Lessons from the candy store and the playground: how to defend government spending in hard times
The Three Commitments
Why Consultants end up not telling the truth
The worst kind of market research interviewing technique ever
Why bright people can’t explain themselves
