Making Capitalism More Creative

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, is on a mission to change the world. With his wife, Melinda and their billions of dollars, they have made it their life’s work to revolutionize the U.S. education system, abolish poverty, and eliminate curable diseases in impoverished nations. Time Magazine has printed an article by Gates explaining the need for “Creative Capitalism”—a merge of enticing big business to contribute to causes to complement what non-profits are already doing. In other words, harnessing the good that capitalism brings while eradicating the ever widening gap between the wealthy and the poor.

“Capitalism harnesses self-interest in a helpful and sustainable way but only on behalf of those who can pay. Government aid and philanthropy channel our caring for those who can't pay. And the world will make lasting progress on the big inequities that remain — problems like AIDS, poverty and education, — only if governments and nonprofits do their part by giving more aid and more effective aid. But the improvements will happen faster and last longer if we can channel market forces, including innovation that's tailored to the needs of the poorest, to complement what governments and nonprofits do. We need a system that draws in innovators and businesses in a far better way than we do today.”

Gates goes on to explain that creative capitalism is already occurring. Tom’s Shoes donates a pair of shoes to a needy child in Africa for every pair of shoes purchased. Safaricom has created a way for Kenyans to be able to afford to buy a cell phone. Simon Berry created a Facebook group to encourage Coca-Cola to use its distribution route in Africa to bring live-saving drugs to the ill. The possibilities for companies to be involved in a good cause are limitless.

Buyer beware though. Campaigns such as the Breast Cancer Pink Campaign can grow an ugly hair with businesses only contributing pennies on the dollar, while the consumer believes they made a considerable investment to a cause.

“If more companies follow the lead of the most creative organizations in their industry, they will make a huge impact on some of the world's worst problems.”

Overall, the Gates are on to something. We shouldn’t rely on the government alone to help alternative cancer treatments become a reality. Yoga Bear’s dedication to assure that treatments such as yoga and mediation are available to everyone despite their economic class is relentless. Yoga studios, yoga gear companies, and yoga mat manufacturers have an opportunity to step up and contribute to a cause bigger than the bottom line. A cause that would see to it that anyone diagnosed with cancer, despite their financial, racial, and gender background, should have as many treatment options available to them as possible. For a list of yoga studios already helping us make a difference, click here.