Library Videos Product Development: Reasons why MFIs Fail to Focus on It

Product Development: Reasons why MFIs Fail to Focus on It

15 Jul 2013 2921

In this video MicroSave expert Anant Jayant Natu talks about the inherent constraints in the operational context of microfinance institutions (MFI) that limit the possibility of a rigorous focus on product development. He also touches upon some factors that can drive the product development process in spite of these constraints. The intangible nature of financial product and a demand driven microfinance market are presented as two key reasons for MFIs' lack of interest and focus in product development. However, under competitive pressures faced in maturing markets, where client retention and market expansion become an absolute necessity for survival, MFIs have indeed shown that they adopt product development as a deliberate strategy.

Read More

Comments

  • JR

    Anant, MicroSave on 19/2/14

    Thanks Ed for your comments! You are right. The inertia of successful MFIs to do something other than the "business-as-usual" is another major factor that thwarts innovation.


  • JR

    Ed Bland, Velocity Consulting on 26/7/13

    Very nice synopsis. I might also add that often new products may not be quite as profitable as just doing more of the plain vanilla ones (at least while there are still many new customers to serve). This high internal ROI caused one of our MFI partners (back when I was at Unitus) to be "the great innovation killer." The silver lining behind much more competitive markets is that forward-thinking MFIs need to evolve to being more full-service shops for their clients - to keep them loyal. Recently, I have found this to be very true with the emerging housing micro-finance space. MFIs begin to offer home improvement loans to keep their best customers happy; yet after doing a full product development assessments, they find that they are great channels to acquire new customers (poor salaried workers) and that the ROIs are pretty good. Keep up the great work. All my best to Graham. In gratitude, Ed --


  • Write your Comment

other library sections

other categories

Popular Videos

Tags