> no matter the degree of success, a marvelous report with shiny graphs was sent to our backers stating how great we did This seems like the core problem: ever

> no matter the degree of success, a marvelous report with shiny graphs was sent to our backers stating how great we did This seems like the core problem: every organisation's incentives are to look good to those paying, and if you're in the aid business, these people are not the poor. Spending 37% on new york people who can make just the perfect glossy report & get it into the hands of the people who matter... this may well be the right move for your organisation. There are other incentives too. Lots of academics need fieldwork time on their CVs. Lots of rich people's kids need management experience for their CVs, and something to talk about at parties. I'm happy to believe that Mr Gates's motivations are sincere, but the whole industry seems rotten to me.