Publications

October 2006
Teaching Note

Precista Tools AG (TN) (A), (B), and (C)

By: John A. Davis and Courtney Sampson

Teaching Note to (488-046), (488-047), and (488-048). View Details

Keywords: Governing and Advisory Boards; Race; Management Succession; Family Ownership; Resignation and Termination; Conflict and Resolution; Switzerland

23 Mar 2003
Research & Ideas

Putting the Project Puzzle Together

own investments. Once you have agreed to look at it as a portfolio and have raised these issues to the surface, you have already solved half the problem. Q: What companies do you both see as success stories in terms of aligning their... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

Web

Mastering Consulting and Advisory Skills - Course Catalog

learning. This course thus aims to address a critical and timely need within the HBS curriculum by offering students a comprehensive and integrated approach for attaining success in their post-MBA role as advisors and counselors. Given... View Details

February 2021 (Revised October 2024)
Case

Muhammad Ali: Changing The World

By: Robert Simons and Max Saffer

This case describes the rise of Cassius Clay, who later called himself Muhammad Ali, from the poor streets of Louisville, Kentucky to international fame. The case describes how Ali won a gold medal in the Olympics, three heavyweight boxing titles, and became a role... View Details

Keywords: Sports; Mission and Purpose; Personal Characteristics; Religion; Work-Life Balance; Family and Family Relationships; Success; Power and Influence; Personal Development and Career; Sports Industry

November 2005 (Revised August 2007)
Case

ConAgra Foods: The Next Chapter

By: Ray A. Goldberg and Mary L. Shelman

In 2005, CEO Bruce Rohde has almost completed the integration of ConAgra Foods' collection of 90 independent operating companies into a focused, value-added firm and was beginning to think about his successor. ConAgra had become the second largest food company and No.... View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Corporate Strategy; Leading Change; Management Succession; Strategic Planning; Brands and Branding; Food; Agribusiness; Product Marketing; Management Teams; Transformation; Customer Focus and Relationships; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; United States

December 1999
Case

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (A5): Solaris 7: Rich Green on Product Strategy and Culture Change

By: Rosabeth M. Kanter and Jane Roessner

Solaris, Sun Microsystems' version of the UNIX operating system, was an amorphous collection of capabilities that had accumulated over the years, a product the company vaguely wished it could market and sell better. Developing and marketing Solaris 7 would help... View Details

Keywords: Digital Platforms; Applications and Software; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Product Positioning; Growth and Development Strategy; Organizational Culture; Success; Change; Diversification; Technology Industry; Computer Industry

October 2024
Case

Grain Management

By: Archie Jones, Michael Norris, Alliyah Gary and Chelsea Grain-Jefferson

Keywords: Family Business; Entrepreneurship; Private Equity; Management Succession; Ownership Stake; Retirement; Financial Services Industry; Telecommunications Industry; United States

May 1997
Case

CompUSA

By: Krishna G. Palepu and Sarayu Srinivasan

CompUSA was performing poorly until new management reorganized and redirected the business. Consequently, CompUSA became the top retailer in its industry. Management outlines its future plans. View Details

Keywords: Restructuring; Change Management; Finance; Success; Performance Evaluation; Strategic Planning; Business Strategy; Computer Industry; Retail Industry; United States

March 1998 (Revised July 2001)
Case

Haier Group, The (A)

By: Lynn S. Paine and Robert J. Crawford

Zhang Ruimin, founder and CEO of China's Haier Group, must decide whether to acquire Red Star Electric Appliance Co., an insolvent local manufacturer of washing machines. Although Haier, slated to become one of China's first global brand names, has successfully turned... View Details

Keywords: Acquisition; Business or Company Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Success; Consumer Products Industry; China

May 2001 (Revised August 2001)
Teaching Note

Jumpstart TN

By: Allen S. Grossman

Teaching Note for (9-301-037). View Details

Keywords: Organizational Culture; Nonprofit Organizations; Performance Evaluation; Management Systems; Growth and Development; Success; Education Industry

01 Jun 2020
News

Boards and Organization Leadership from Harvard ManageMentor

01 Jan 2008
News

John Doerr, MBA 1976

crisis is the most urgent problem facing our planet. It is critical that we accelerate the flow of investment into green technology.” As one of Silicon Valley’s most successful venture capitalists, John Doerr thinks big. Working side by... View Details

01 Sep 2011
News

Alumni Book Briefs

in debt. This book tells how he finally succeeded. After years of failures, LaMagna founded Tweezerman, one of the world’s most successful beauty tool manufacturers, with more than 40 million customers. The company became a View Details

Keywords: Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information; Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services; Professional Services

24 Apr 2014
News

Multiple generations of computing

Palm Computing, with founder Jeff Hawkins, she introduced the PalmPilot, the first successful handheld computer. Under Dubinsky’s leadership it became the fastest-selling computer and consumer electronics product in history and created a... View Details

February 2021 (Revised March 2025)
Case

Walt Disney: Changing the World

By: Robert Simons and Shirley Sun

This case describes the rise of Walt Disney, founder of the worldwide entertainment company. The case describes how Disney, as a young artist, created memorable figures such as Mickey Mouse and went on to produce Academy-award-winning films and build the world’s most... View Details

Keywords: Creativity Teams; Entertainment Industry; Family; Entertainment; Creativity; Personal Characteristics; Business Startups; Work-Life Balance; Personal Development and Career; Success; Entertainment and Recreation Industry