Max Alexander

Anyone who loves books has certainly had this happen. You buy a book and put it in the to-read pile/shelf/shelves, and for one reason or another it slips through the cracks. That happened to this book for me, but in a way I am glad, as I could go on line and see if the company were still in business and how they were doing, like having a 4 years later epilogue.
I can't say enough positives about this book. It is funny, extremely readable, and more important it is about a guy who didn't just think he had an idea but instead acted on it, in a less than easy environment, and did good for the people he marketed to.
I also learned far more about business and making things happen Thani ever did getting my business degree. This is a phenomenal book, that is told by the brother of the man who brought quality affordable batteries to rural Ghana, which is most of the country.
This is not some charity or NGO, with people spending millions, driving around in brand new Land Rovers, and accomplishing nothing like most projects that involve Africa do. It touches on what a mess European and western guilt has done to Africa by turning it into a massive welfare state.
I could go on forever about why this book should be read by everyone, but instead I will just say,
Read this book!… (más)

Anyone who loves books has certainly had this happen. You buy a book and put it in the to-read pile/shelf/shelves, and for one reason or another it slips through the cracks. That happened to this book for me, but in a way I am glad, I bought it 4 years ago, and as I could go on line and see if the company were still in business and how they were doing, like having a 4 years later epilogue.
I can't say enough positives about this book. It is funny, extremely readable, and more important it is about a guy who didn't just think he had an idea but instead acted on it, in a less than easy environment, and did good for the people he marketed to.
I also learned far more about business and making things happen Thani ever did getting my business degree. This is a phenomenal book, that is told by the brother of the man who brought quality affordable batteries to rural Ghana, which is most of the country.
This is not some charity or NGO, with people spending millions, driving around in brand new Land Rovers, and accomplishing nothing like most projects that involve Africa do. It touches on what a mess European and western guilt has done to Africa by turning it into a massive welfare state.
I could go on forever about why this book should be read by everyone, but instead I will just say,
Read this book!… (más)

This is a great all-encompassing story of the creation and implementation of a ground-breaking business model based in Ghana. It tells the story of Burro, a company that provides cheap and reliable rechargeable batteries and other battery-powered products to poor rural and urban Ghanaians as an attempt to increase their standard of living. Alexander's book does a wonderful job of encapsulating the spirit and development of this business through his personal and enlightening storytelling. Bright Lights, No City tells the personal stories of those involved with and touched by Burro's operation, the history and culture of Ghana in the context of its modern state, and describes a unique and interesting business model that is made to not only produce a profit, but also to build financial stability and economic growth in a country where up until now short-lived foreign charity has been the status quo.… (más)

Max's brother started a company in Ghana to sell better batteries to the people there living in unelectrified villages. This book is the story of that company and of Max's extended visits to help out. Slow going in a few parts, but overall quite interesting.

By the end of the book they've expanded beyond batteries to phone chargers and lanterns. You can donate products to families in Africa via their website: http://www.burrobrand.biz/buy.html… (más)