http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2011/11/02/the-second-coming-of-bill-gates/

This was the cover story back in November 2011 for Forbes magazine. I came across it again today and had a different reaction after reading it a second time. Bill Gates, like many great business minds, thrives on accomplishing what others tell him is not possible. With a goal like “reducing the death rate by 80% from preventable diseases”, you have to be pretty strong willed.

What struck me in this article as different this time, was Gates’ ability to take a very emotional cause (saving lives) and turn it into pure business formulas. I am not suggesting that Gates has no emotional tie to this cause, but when he speaks about it, he refers to it as if it was a business deal. Where can we get the cheapest vaccines (product)? How can we be most efficient?

This approach has helped Bill and Melinda Gates make more of an impact on world health then either of them could have ever imagined. They have saved hundreds of thousands of lives by implementing some simple business strategies….and having a few billion dollars doesn’t hurt either!

What aspects of your life could you apply business strategies to become more efficient? How can you be more philanthropic within your means? Share your ideas and thoughts below!