Exceeding Consumer Expectations - Publications - Faculty & Research

31 Aug 2020
What Do You Think?

Why Don’t More Organizations Understand the Power of Diversity and Inclusion?

have an edge in their markets. These firms are “more innovative—stronger at anticipating shifts in consumer needs and consumption patterns that make new products and services possible, potentially generating a competitive edge.” Of equal... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

11 May 2022
Blog Post

MoMBAs: The Inspiring Student Mothers of HBS

not have to give up on any of my dreams. What is the hardest part about being a mom at HBS? Being expected to function the same as everyone else, with half the amount of sleep. How do you make it all work? Dividing responsibilities at... View Details

15 Dec 2023
News

Exploring Business Opportunities in Africa; Alumni Grapple with Plastic Waste Problem

continent is also attracting attention from China, Europe, and the US for its immense mineral resources, human capital and consumer opportunity. While opportunities abound in all sectors, more support is needed on the ground: investment,... View Details

Keywords: Margie Kelley

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2021 Virtual Presentations - Alumni

MBA course, Spring 2021 Digital Leadership and Transformation Faculty: Professor Sunil Gupta + More Info – Less Info Digital technologies have had a profound impact on consumer behavior and firm strategy. Incumbents have struggled as new... View Details

23 Nov 2020
Research & Ideas

COVID Was Supposed to Increase Bankruptcies. Instead, They've Gone Down.

Bankruptcy filings in the United States were expected to soar during this year’s economic recession, induced by COVID-19. Instead, they dropped 27 percent year-over-year through August, driven by an unexpected drop in View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne

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2022 Reunion Presentations - Alumni

technologies have dramatically changed consumer behavior and allowed many new entrants to challenge established firms. How should incumbents respond, and more broadly, what should be their roadmap for digital transformation? In this... View Details

16 Mar 2020
Research & Ideas

How the Coronavirus Is Already Rewriting the Future of Business

consumer brands that rely on traditional retailing for the bulk of their sales—have already been demonstrably affected. So will industries that revolve around large gatherings, such as many forms of popular entertainment—sports, cinema,... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman

22 Sep 2022
News

The Beauty Guide

be talking to you today if I hadn’t left marketing,” declares Freyre. The move to sales taught her about retailers, how consumers shop, and ultimately made her a better marketer and leader. “I tap into that diversity of experience every... View Details

Keywords: Maureen Harmon

21 Jan 2022
Blog Post

Tipping Point: Investing in the Women of Kenya’s Coffee Farms

from B2B sales to a consumer-focused business plan. The shift allowed Nyamumbo to more fully realize her initial goal of connecting producer and consumer. According to Nyamumbo, payments through Kahawa’s QR code average $5—about a third of the purchase price—with about... View Details

27 Nov 2000
Research & Ideas

The Dynamics of Standing Still: Firestone Tire & Rubber and the Radial Revolution

"Radial Age" advertising campaign in 1968. 2 The August 1968 Consumer Reports awarded its top two spots to radials and documented the new technology's longer life, increased safety, handling and economy relative to even... View Details

Keywords: by Donald N. Sull; Manufacturing; Transportation

25 Jan 2024
Blog Post

Climate Stories Episode #15: Hilton Augustine III on Financing Climate Ventures

2030 deadline to halve emissions. It’s important to note that the problem continues to compound until we get to net-zero or, better yet, net-negative emissions which we don’t expect to occur until around 2050.” These days, Hilton is... View Details

05 Mar 2012
Research & Ideas

Is JC Penney’s Makeover the Future of Retailing?

"00," instead of 99 cents, and exclude the suggested retail price of a product on the tag in favor of just one marked-down price. "I think that on the consumer side this has simplified pricing, which makes a lot of sense," Lal says. “All... View Details

Keywords: by Kim Girard; Retail

04 Feb 2022
Blog Post

Learning from the Entrepreneurs-in-Residence as a Harvard MS/MBA Student

reside above the line, and it is unfair to expect that of yourself or your teammates. However, what is invaluable is to be self-aware and share what it is that pulls you below the line. Founders who can create an open space for their... View Details

11 May 2009
Research & Ideas

The IT Leader’s Hero Quest

the writing of popular film scripts like The Matrix or Star Wars. Character behaviors, actions, and motivations hook the interest of readers at all levels, regardless of their professional experience with IT, while the plot sets up a series of View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

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Electricity - Business & Environment

change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. [19] Power suppliers are also subject to risks and opportunities from regulations that address climate change, such as those imposed in Europe and New England that... View Details

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HBS - Financials | Supplemental Financial Information

current use gifts totaled $41 million. This represented an increase of 11 percent from $37 million a year earlier, surpassing expectations in light of the pandemic-related economic disruption. Going forward, sustaining the HBS community's... View Details

10 Oct 2011
Research & Ideas

Retailing Revolution: Category Killers on the Brink

increased at an impressive pace in the early 2000s even though Internet sales in the United States grew dramatically. Retail sales advanced from $2.87 trillion to almost $4 trillion between 1999 and 2007. However, the current recession created many challenges for... View Details

Keywords: by Rajiv Lal & Jose B. Alvarez; Retail

12 Nov 2021
News

Alumni Business Leaders on Confronting the Climate Change Challenge

urgent systemic changes needed to address climate change. By doing what’s right for people and the planet, pep+ will help position our company as a consistent top market performer by generating stronger, more loyal connections with our View Details

06 Aug 2019
Cold Call Podcast

Super Bowl Ads Sell Products, but Do They Sell Brands?

road. He goes on to say, "When there's no man around, Goodyear should be." It probably shouldn't be surprising that advertisers took a chauvinistic tone for spots appearing on a game that was expected to be watched mostly by... View Details

Keywords: Advertising; Sports; Entertainment & Recreation; Media & Broadcasting

06 May 2021
HBS Case

How Four Women Made Miami More Equitable for Startups

Kanter says. Gibson, who was not well-known in Miami when she began her startup quest, came across financial and real estate professionals who had never known someone like her. They had trouble seeing a Black woman as someone who could hold multiple degrees, as Gibson... View Details

Keywords: by Carolyn DiPaolo

Publications