Solution for Generational Poverty: Inbound Marketing (Social Entrepreneurship)
The Welfare State continues to grow in volume not only due to the legacy of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society (War On Poverty) but, ironically thanks to the Internet and advances in software technology. Yes, sounds contradictory but, there are unintended consequences for great technological advances that benefited and continue to improve the lives of millions of Americans. If, you look at the poorest sectors of American society the War On Poverty ironically, contributed to the breakup of many families but, especially among those within the African American community. Imagine, the basic economic unit of all communities (families) suffered the greatest harm due to government intervention that was designed to theoretically fix the very problem that impaired millions of families from upward economic mobility.
Now, the removal of father from the family home was designed to break-up the family and keep “certain people” under the control of state welfare agencies, police and department of corrections. Indeed, money or more accurately, welfare benefits were used to incentivize women to dispose of the father of their children and replace him with the new husband called the State. Not exactly, what one would call Traditional Family Values but, more accurately, ethnic genocide. Historically, the practice is quite common as indicated by countless examples of familial destruction executed against people of color (Aborigines of Australia, Maori’s of New Zealand, Indigenous people of North America (Canada & America), Inuit’s and African Americans). What better approach to defeat a perceived threat than by attacking the thing most important to him and that’s his family. Government knows this and will act.
Just read the Moynihan Report and it reveals generational systemic oppression inflicted upon people of primarily African descent and collateral social problems (familial, financial, legal, emotional, educational and psychological) that still disproportionately affect the current and future generation (i.e.,72% illegitimacy rate) unless, significant intervention is implemented. Clearly, government intervention has proven to be ineffective because government in truth, profits from problems and not solutions.
So, the Rich get Richer, Poor Get Prison and the cycle continues to explode exponentially thanks to a digitized economy that has enabled corporations to transfer jobs overseas, generate profits that exceed the GDP of many small countries, while influencing or more accurately, controlling government officials who are responsible for regulatory laws that govern the same industries they receive political donations from, while supposedly protecting the public. Needless to say, corporations control the politicians, while the poor are controlled or more accurately, dependent on the government who are not motivated to reduce the generational Poverty Mindset that permeates todays families of the generational poor. Yes, this is true; otherwise, government workers would be out of a job because there would be no problem.
So, what’s the SOLUTION to the problem of the Generational Poor? How do you change or begin the process of reducing/eliminating a poverty mentality of an entire generation and prevent its spread? Since, the Internet and related innovations in software technology have yielded benefits for corporations and other who have increased their knowledge in information technology then, I recommend the poor do the same with a personal development slant. Let’s focus on marketing especially, Inbound Marketing. You got it right, my solution to poverty lies in the concept of marketing.
Now, Inbound Marketing provides multiple components (entrepreneurship, marketing and self -development) that will enhance the ability of the generational poor to improve their quality of life. Now, let’s remember that “Inbound Marketing refers to activities (blogs, podcasts, eBooks, SEO, physical products, newsletters, whitepapers, social medial marketing and other forms of content marketing) that bring visitors in, rather than marketers having to go out to get prospects' attention”. “Inbound marketing earns the attention of customers”. I agree, doesn’t sound convincing with reference to solving a significant social problem like poverty; however, becoming an Inbound Marketing Specialist requires the individual to begin the process of self-development by working on themselves. Yes, changing the way they think about themselves.
The late business philosopher Jim Rohn, famously said, “you get paid for the value you bring to the marketplace and not the time you spend in it”. In other words, “make yourself more valuable to the marketplace” and you do that by working harder on yourself than you do working on the job”. “This is why personal development plays a vital role in your success as indicated by the fact, it is a lifelong process. It's a way for people to assess their skills and qualities, consider their aims in life and set goals in order to realize and maximize their potential”. In life you are on a timeline to accomplish certain goals and tasks; otherwise, you are guilty of a wasted life. Clearly, nothing to be proud of nor brag about. So, do you see the potential benefit of incorporating inbound marketing as a solution to reducing poverty. Yes, I am marginally advocating CSR or better known as Corporate Social Responsibility, where business enters into a partnership to assist in the reduction or hopefully, resolution of a social problem while, generating a profit. In essence, it’s about reframing a social problem (Generational Poverty) into a business opportunity to create a WIN-WIN for all participants involved. Many people are no longer referring to Corporate Social Responsibility and more receptive to the term Social Entrepreneurship. So, what is Social Entrepreneurship? Well, I will address the term in my next blog. For now, Cheers!
David Ogden
David