Publications

December 2007 (Revised June 2009)
Background Note

Identifying and Exploiting the Right Entrepreneurial Opportunity...For You

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Shirley Spence

This note provides an analytical framework for assessing potential opportunities in the context of an entrepreneur's life. The framework has two parts -- a business analysis and a personal analysis -- each comprised of a set of yes/no questions for critical assessment... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Opportunities

30 Oct 2019
Research & Ideas

How to Recover Gracefully After Shutting Down Your Startup

more than 230 creditors, including a bakery owner who held a special bake sale to express her outrage. Did a company that had raised more than $120 million in venture capital need to stiff so many people? Tom Eisenmann, the Howard H.... View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost

04 Aug 2003
Research & Ideas

Shackleton: An Entrepreneur of Survival

ship, the Endurance, became hopelessly trapped in pack ice, Shackleton abandoned one cherished goal and shouldered another that was forced on him by circumstance. Through extraordinary hardships that lasted... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

04 Feb 2008
Research & Ideas

Putting Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector

grown." These persistent problems seem to demand new models and new ways of thinking to crack them, and in that spirit Wei-Skillern and her HBS colleagues James E. Austin,... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

11 Feb 2019
Research & Ideas

The Business of Saving the Planet

"The fact that the benefits of addressing the problem of climate change almost certainly outweigh the costs ... does not make concerted global action to address the problem easy." —Climate Change in 2018: Implications for Business If there is one positive... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Energy; Green Technology

16 Apr 2001
Research & Ideas

Depression or Euphoria? Navigating the Market’s Mood Swings

The financial field may be permanently changed by the explosive ups and downs of the tech sector, but old standards of quality and planning will still make or break new... View Details

Keywords: by Carrie Levine

11 Jun 2019
Book

These Aren't Beach Books, but Managers Should Read Them Anyway

social change has been at the center of many entrepreneurial efforts by Harvard Business School alumni. Howard Stevenson discusses their pragmatic approaches to overcoming long... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

30 Oct 2005
Research & Ideas

Tuning Jobs to Fit Your Company

subordinates to become entrepreneurs. In fact, entrepreneurship has been defined (by Howard H. Stevenson and J. Carlos Jarillo) as "the process View Details

Keywords: by Robert Simons

06 Jan 2010
What Do You Think?

Is a Stringent Climate Change Agreement a Pot of Gold?

it, is defined by my colleague Howard Stevenson as "the pursuit of opportunity beyond the resources you currently control." In short, managers manage assets,... View Details

Keywords: by Jim Heskett; Energy; Utilities

10 Jul 2000
Research & Ideas

Entrepreneurship in Europe

Four European entrepreneurs joined HBS Professors Howard Stevenson and Walter Kuemmerle to explore these questions in the Global Alumni Conference breakout session... View Details

Keywords: by Kenneth Liss

23 Aug 2019
Sharpening Your Skills

Has the Corporate Mission Just Been Disrupted?

rewards of partnering with cities. These Entrepreneurs Take a Pragmatic Approach to Solving Social Problems Using business to create social change has been at the center of many entrepreneurial efforts by Harvard Business School alumni.... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Green Technology

November 1985 (Revised November 1987)
Case

R&R

By: Howard H. Stevenson

Outlines alternative mechanisms for getting into business. Shows the means by which an experienced entrepreneur can gain control over the necessary resources in order to lower the fixed costs of business entry. Provides a mechanism for discussing the role of... View Details

Keywords: Cost Management; Entrepreneurship

May 2016
Case

Seaside Organics

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Alisa Zalosh

This case follows Sara Norton, a soccer player-turned-serial entrepreneur, as she transforms Seaside Organics from a fledgling startup into an $89 million company. Informed by the successes and failures of her first organics venture, WellBar, Norton tries to balance... View Details

Keywords: Business Growth and Maturation; Organizational Structure; Personal Development and Career; Entrepreneurship; Personal Characteristics; Business Startups; Business Strategy; Conflict and Resolution; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry

February 2009
Case

Paresh Patel: Building a Life in the Context of Global Business - October 2007

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Shirley Spence

This case tells the story of Paresh Patel, born in Boston to an Indian immigrant family, as he develops an entrepreneurial career, participates in the Indian diaspora, and builds a family life. It provides background on Paresh's heritage, describes his youth and... View Details

Keywords: Diasporas; Work-Life Balance; Personal Development and Career; Entrepreneurship; Boston; Mumbai

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2019
Book

Problem Solving: HBS Alumni Making a Difference in the World

By: Howard H. Stevenson, Russ Banham and Shirley Spence

Problem Solving is the culmination of four years of research conducted by a small project team from 2015 through 2018 in collaboration with HBS alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Its broad and deep knowledge base is derived from a survey of 13 MBA classes... View Details

Keywords: Harvard Business School; Alumni; Influence; Social Responsibility; Humanitarianism

Find at Harvard

July 1990
Background Note

Note on Acquiring Bank Credit

By: Amar Bhide and Howard H. Stevenson

Outlines the issues and alternatives faced by start-up businesses in attracting bank credit. The topics covered are how to lay the groundwork for establishing a banking relationship, selecting a bank, preparing an application, and negotiating a loan. View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Credit; Financing and Loans; Management; Negotiation; Relationships

September 1985
Background Note

Pre-Start Analysis: A Framework for Thinking About Business Ventures

By: Howard H. Stevenson and John R. Van Slyke

Describes the thought process an entrepreneur should undergo before committing to a course of action. Covers understanding the opportunity--assessing the critical skills, resources, relationships, and approvals--developing an action plan; forming a business entity;... View Details

Keywords: Business Ventures; Entrepreneurship; Framework; Growth and Development Strategy; Management Skills; Resource Allocation

October 2001
Supplement

R&R

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Amy Blitz

Outlines alternative mechanisms for getting into business. Shows the means by which an experienced entrepreneur can gain control over the necessary resources to lower the fixed costs of business entry. Provides a mechanism for discussing the role of experience,... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Business Startups; Cost; Social and Collaborative Networks; Experience and Expertise