Publications

Lynda M. Applegate is a Baker Foundation Professor at HBS and is Chair of the Advisory Committee for Harvard University’s Masters Degree of Liberal Arts in Finance and Management at the Harvard University Extension School. She has also played a... View Details

10 Sep 2008
Research & Ideas

Long-Tail Economics? Give Me Blockbusters!

customers and drive distribution for other products in a company's portfolio. A company's commitment to searching out potential blockbusters and then investing in marketing to... View Details

Keywords: by John Quelch; Entertainment & Recreation; Pharmaceutical

September 2007 (Revised March 2009)
Exercise

Pitch Yourself!

By: Thomas J. Steenburgh and Michael I. Norton

Helps students develop an elevator pitch for their most important asset—themselves. Before class students are asked to interview a potential employer and to develop preliminary elevator pitches. Once in class, students work through an exercise that helps them refine... View Details

Keywords: Spoken Communication; Selection and Staffing; Job Interviews; Marketing; Personal Development and Career

03 Oct 2016
Book

Clayton Christensen: The Theory of Jobs To Be Done

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman

2001
Case

Analog Devices (B)

By: Vijay Govindarajan, Chris Trimble and Jesse Johnson

In 2000, ADI posted an unprecedented 78 percent growth rate. Their participation was growing in new consumer markets (electronics and communications) with shorter life cycles and high volatility. ADI had to rethink their scorecard for more dynamic environments. View Details

Keywords: Adaptation; Business Strategy

10 May 2015
Blog Post

Brand Strategist Turns Entrepreneur

Becoming an entrepreneur wasn’t part of Desiree Stolar’s plan. A brand strategy and market research consultant, Desiree (MBA 2015) expected to hone her skills at HBS and then... View Details

July 1992 (Revised May 1996)
Background Note

Note on Commodity Futures

By: Kenneth A. Froot, Jay O. Light and Nancy Donohue

Describes how commodity futures work, what products and exchanges are available, and who the players in the commodity markets are. Also presents a careful discussion of the pricing of futures in commodity markets, focusing on cost of carry and risk premium approaches,... View Details

Keywords: Futures and Commodity Futures

Video

Mostafa Terrab

Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of Morocco-based OCP Group, details the company’s strategies to significantly expand the African fertilizer market through the development of fertilizers specifically adapted to local conditions. View Details

June 2007 (Revised March 2011)
Case

The CW: Launching a Television Network

By: Anita Elberse and S. Mark Young

In May 2006, Dawn Ostroff, president of entertainment of the newly formed CW Television Network, was faced with the task of choosing the final set of programs for the 2006 fall schedule, which she would present to advertisers at the annual "upfront" market in New York... View Details

Keywords: Advertising; Customer Relationship Management; Decision Choices and Conditions; Television Entertainment; Brands and Branding; Product Launch; Strategic Planning; Networks; Media and Broadcasting Industry

24 Sep 2014
News

The business of being Beyoncé

July 1993 (Revised June 1994)
Case

Phil Knight Managing NIKE's Transformation

By: Hugo Uyterhoeven

Describes Nike's responses to market and competitive challenges as well as its attempts at an organizational transformation from unstructured entrepreneurial management to more formalized, professional management. Focuses on Phil Knight's leadership role. View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Managerial Roles; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Problems and Challenges; Competition

January 2021 (Revised March 2021)
Exercise

E-Commerce Analytics for CPG Firms (C): Free Delivery Terms

By: Ayelet Israeli and Fedor (Ted) Lisitsyn

The E-Commerce Analytics group at the traditional CPG firm was in charge of compiling various online sales reports, as well as making data-driven recommendations for sales and marketing tactics. In a series of exercises, students address different data challenges for... View Details

09 Jan 2019
Video

Interning in the Retail Sector

November 1985 (Revised April 1990)
Case

Signode Industries, Inc. (A)

Signode Industries' packaging division manufactures steel and plastic strapping. In 1981 the company underwent the largest leveraged buyout in U.S. corporate history. The case focuses on the packaging division's need to maintain high profitability in a declining market... View Details

Keywords: Price; Marketing Strategy; Manufacturing Industry; Steel Industry

03 Oct 2005
What Do You Think?

What’s the Future of Globally Organized Labor?

single, typically developed economies. The question is whether the concept of cooperation and individual sacrifice for the common good will work in a global labor market populated by large multinational... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

06 Mar 2018
News

United Airlines is sending employees to compassion training

November 1978 (Revised June 1985)
Case

Hanson Industries (B)

By: William J. Bruns Jr. and Julie H. Hertenstein

Provides a complete description of the processes used in preparing a budget (annual operating plan). Starting with basic product line decisions, management prepares a budget that integrates production and marketing within constraints of financial feasibility. The... View Details

Keywords: Production; Negotiation; Marketing; Financing and Loans; Budgets and Budgeting; Planning