Advice Taking - Publications - Faculty & Research

29 Oct 2000
Research & Ideas

The Entrepreneurial Venture: A Conversation

encouraged them to take risks. Bill Sahlman: Also, when we graduated from HBS, the economy was in recession, inflation and interest rates were high, productivity growth was low, and the stock market was in the tank. It is not at all... View Details

Keywords: by Susan Young

24 Mar 2020
Research & Ideas

These Coronavirus Heroes Show Us How Crisis Leadership Works

the COVID-19 pandemic. “If ever there was a time for leaders to be authentic, this is it.” Fortunately, many of our corporate and scientific leaders are already stepping up, unselfishly taking action to stop the spread of the virus and... View Details

Keywords: by Bill George; Health

01 Jun 2020
What Do You Think?

Will Challenged Amazon Tweak Its Retail Model Post-Pandemic?

several of Amazon’s competitors out-thought Bezos & Co. to take advantage of an economic shock.” Nevertheless, there was no shortage of advice for a Company that may not need much. The View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett; Retail

06 Sep 2005
Research & Ideas

When Product Variety Backfires

Gourville discusses the cause of "variety backfire" and gives practical advice to avoid it. Poping Lin: Traditionally, companies have followed the "more is better" route when offering customers choices. Your research... View Details

Keywords: by Poping Lin; Consumer Products

05 May 2003
What Do You Think?

Is This a Golden Era for Marketing Productivity?

proportion of a firm's customers that account for nearly all of its profits may not exceed 10 percent when one takes into account the significant impact of so-called "apostle/owners" on a business. These are customers who are... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

21 Jan 2015
Lessons from the Classroom

Managing the Family Business: Market Basket’s Lessons About Buyouts

the family that unity in the family is priceless, and work to achieve it. By taking this advice seriously, you won't necessarily avoid needing to buy out relatives, but you will be able to meet this... View Details

Keywords: Retail

06 Sep 2005
Research & Ideas

The Best Place for Retirement Funds

preferentially locate these bonds inside of their 401(k). Getting this decision right, while not a pure arbitrage, is as close to one as most investors will ever see." We talked with Bergstresser about his research and what personal investors can View Details

Keywords: by Ann Cullen

11 Nov 2020
Research & Ideas

How Hackathons Help Decide Platform Winners and Losers

the world, PennApps, takes place. Fang was an undergrad who participated in and eventually helped to organize the hackathon, seeing firsthand how participants shared information with one another—whether it was a superstar developer... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Technology

26 Jan 2021
Research & Ideas

A New Way to Cut Credit Card Debt: Pay Off One Purchase at a Time

that lets consumers choose which purchases to pay off each month. Consumers who used this “repayment-by-purchase” method, on average, paid 12 percent more toward their balances. With COVID-19 restrictions tamping down spending and New Year's resolutions still on the... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz; Financial Services

19 Dec 2016
Research & Ideas

The 10 Most Popular Stories of 2016

Union will be far-reaching. John A. Quelch shares his thoughts on the ramifications of Brexit. Skills and Behaviors That Make Entrepreneurs Successful Research by Lynda Applegate, Janet Kraus, and Timothy Butler takes a unique approach to... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel

23 Dec 2014
First Look

First Look: December 23

Abstract—Negotiation analysis seeks to develop prescriptive theory and useful advice for negotiators and third parties. It generally emphasizes the parties' underlying interests, alternatives to negotiated agreement, approaches to... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

16 Apr 2001
Research & Ideas

Angels Face the Innovator’s Dilemma

the mark. "Microsoft can innovate faster than your life can change," Christensen observed dryly. The only thing we know for sure is that nobody knows the right strategy as the disruption takes root.—Clayton M. Christensen When... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Financial Services

08 Sep 2011
What Do You Think?

What’s Apple’s Biggest Challenge: Replacing Steve or Wall Street?

logistics man," according to Miles Harris. Of course, if this were even feasible, it would pose difficult challenges to the continued success of Apple. Tom Dolembo's advice is "Go to Stanford, Alondra Hall Go to Harvard... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett; Computer

02 Apr 2001
What Do You Think?

Telecommuting: Dangerous to Health?

telecommuting can create the feeling of "losing touch," but when used judiciously, it can "lead to peace of mind." In addition to determining the role and timing of telecommuting, respondents provided advice for... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

08 Jul 2015
What Do You Think?

Do Americans Work Too Much and Think About Work Too Little?

would ask, "What are you doing, Tony?" And, always a mischievous type who often made light of the culture, he would take delight in replying, "Nothing." Why do we work too hard and, at times, thoughtlessly? Edward Hare... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett; Financial Services

20 Jan 2015
First Look

First Look: January 20

Review The Art of Giving and Receiving Advice By: Garvin, David A., and Joshua D. Margolis Abstract—The article looks at giving and receiving advice as an element of organizational leadership and managerial... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

23 Apr 2001
Research & Ideas

The Gulf: It’s a Family Affair

succeeding generations have an easier time adapting to their environment. My advice to families in business is to run a very professional business. Take pride in your traditions; at the same time encourage... View Details

Keywords: by Wendy Guild & Andrea Schulman

11 Dec 2020
Research & Ideas

Economic Jitters Push Pandemic Job Seekers to Big Companies, Not Startups

change,” he says. “So changes in behavior were driven mostly by changing beliefs or changing expectations of the job seekers.” Using cash to weather a talent drought So, what’s a job seeker with dreams of working for a startup to do? Bernstein offers the View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne

06 May 2013
Research & Ideas

How Local Events Shake Up Corporate Philanthropy

Planning to ask a big company for a charitable donation? You may be wise to time your request around a huge sporting event—specifically, an event that takes place in the firm's home city. A recent research paper shows that enormous events... View Details