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Workshop: “Frugal Innovation: Strategy & Implementation”
Duration: 4 hours
Number of participants: 40
Conducted by: Prof. MB Sarkar
Assisted by: Rebecca Geffner
Description
While the western model of innovation is about being expensive, extravagant and
exclusive, the developing world’s innovation challenge is focused on access, affordability
and agility. This is the promise of ‘Frugal Innovation’ – by reducing complexity, cost and
increasing access, frugal innovation is an approach that holds much promise for human
development, especially those that are at the bottom of the pyramid and under-served
by current models of global commerce. Based on the frugal innovation approach, a great
deal of experimentation is underway in emerging markets to develop sustainable
business models that can address intractable societal problems.
Methodology
The workshop will include a mix of lectures, cases, group exercises and participant
presentations. Executives will apply concepts and frameworks, which can help them to
reconsider their corporate mission, based on the idea of shared value, and think about
how to market spaces based on frugal innovation. Through case studies and examples
from diverse set of industries, we will explore how frugal innovation is breaking the
traditional price-performance frontier and unlocking new markets. We will explore
implementation issues, and identify best practices of companies that have been
successful at frugal innovation. Participants will work in groups to develop ideas where
frugal innovation can leverage in their organizations.
Outputs
The keynote and workshop will help participants learn:
 To appreciate the core ideas and myths behind frugal innovation
 To re-create their business mission, vision and values in line with principles of
shared value
 To create new solutions to existing problems using frugal innovation principles
 To identify opportunities in Colombia where frugal innovations can unlock new
markets

To understand how executives can implement frugal innovation initiatives in
their organizations
Profiles
MB Sarkar: H.F. ‘Gerry’ Lenfest Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Fox School
of Business, Temple University, Philadelphia. MB is a globally renowned scholar on
strategic innovation and expert on frugal innovation. He has several research
publications in the top scientific journals in management for which he has received
international research awards. He teaches in leading business schools in Europe, Asia
and Latin America and consults with multinationals on frugal innovation. He is on the
Advisory Board of DLabs, an India-based design-led business incubator specializing in
frugal innovations for the health-care sector.
Rebecca Geffner: Director of International and Executive Programs, the Center for
International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and the Institute of Global
Management Studies (IGMS) at Temple University's Fox School of Business. She holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree in French and European Studies from Vanderbilt University and
a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University, with a background in
international law and human rights advocacy. Managing international initiatives,
partnerships and programs that meet the global strategic vision of the Fox School, she
is responsible for a portfolio of undergraduate, graduate and executive programs in
South America, Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as domestic, corporate and community
engagement and outreach related to the field of international business.
About Fox School of Business, Temple University
Fox School of Business, Temple University has a distinguished tradition of preparing
business leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs for successful careers. Today, it is the
largest, most comprehensive business school in the greater Philadelphia region, and
among the largest in the world with nearly 6,500 students, 180 full-time faculty and
more than 59,000 alumni. Accredited by AACSB International — Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business—the Fox School offers BBA, MBA, Executive MBA,
MBA/MS, MS and PhD programs on campuses throughout the region and around the
world. Its programs continue to be ranked internationally and nationally by leading
business publications and organizations, such as the Financial Times, The Economist,
U.S.News & World Report, Business Week and The Princeton Review/Entrepreneur
magazine.
Web Page: www.fox.temple.edu