Toms logo and ‘One for one’ slogan

The one for one business model very accurately displays Western ignorance of foreign cultures. The West has always thought that what they want from the world coincides with that of what other nations wants. However, Western culture is exponentially different than that of other cultures and until we realize that we will not be able to properly assist impoverished countries in the long run.

For example, in 2006 Jeffery Sachs launched an initiative called the Millennium Villages Project. This project was to help build an economy for villages in Africa and to provide them with basic skills and equipment to help them survive and thrive. Although it may seem like a plan that should be beneficial to the people of these villages, the resources and skills provided did little in regards to what they were supposed to do. As an example mosquito nets were provided to protect the villagers from malaria. However, these nets were used on the goats and livestock as in the Africans’ beliefs and culture, the animals were more valuable to them than themselves. This is just one of many examples such as the one for one business model that doesn’t account for the lack of knowledge in regards to foreign cultures of the West.

This ignorance is well displayed in Toms as they initially thought that they were providing a solution to the problems of the people of Africa, but in reality they are hurting their economy more than assisting. The one for one business model, overall is not a way to properly assist impoverished nations due to the harm it causes small business owners.

“The One-for-one Business Model: Avoiding Unintended Consequences.” KnowledgeWharton The Oneforone Business Model Avoiding Unintended Consequences Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/one-one-business-model-social-impact-avoiding-unintended-consequences/>.

Wente, Margaret. “How Jeffrey Sachs Failed to save Africa.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/how-jeffrey-sachs-failed-to-save-africa/article14436055/>.