Publications

2006
Working Paper

Cross-Functional Alignment in Supply Chain Planning: A Case Study of Sales and Operations Planning

In most organizations, supply chain planning is a cross-functional effort. Functional areas such as sales, marketing, finance, and operations traditionally specialize in portions of the planning activities, which results in conflicts over expectations, preferences, and... View Details

Keywords: Supply Chain Management; Planning

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Article

Reflections: Toward a Normative and Actionable Theory of Planned Organizational Change and Development

By: Michael Beer

A normative and actionable theory of planned organizational change and development is proposed based on fifty years of engagement by the author as a scholar-consultant. Five principles are central features of the theory and practice proposed: 1) Organizations are... View Details

Keywords: Consultant; Process; Systems; Silence; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leadership; Learning; Management Teams

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06 Nov 2000
Research & Ideas

The Determinants of Corporate Venture Capital Success

and private venture funds. Corporate efforts lack the partnership-based organizational structure that many have identified as critical to the success of private equity funds. On the other hand, corporations are able to exploit... View Details

Keywords: by Paul Gompers & Josh Lerner

May 2017 (Revised September 2018)
Case

Hilti Fleet Management (A): Turning a Successful Business Model on Its Head

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, Oliver Gassmann and Roman Sauer

This case explores the introduction of fleet management in the construction industry by the premium power tools manufacturer Hilti in 2000. Following its customers’ needs, Hilti moved from selling power tools to leasing them as a service. The introduction of the new... View Details

September 2016 (Revised May 2018)
Case

Zurich Insurance: Talent Pipeline

By: Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly

Zurich Insurance was undergoing organizational change after implementing five new people practices focused on manager development, diversity and inclusion, job model and data analytics, recruitment, and talent pipeline. The case “Zurich Insurance: Fostering Key People... View Details

Keywords: Managing Change; Leadership; Organizational Behavior; Succession; Organizational Culture; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leading Change; Leadership Development; Human Capital; Human Resources; Insurance; Management Succession; Insurance Industry

30 Apr 2018
Blog Post

HBS Grad Drives Lori Systems to Success

launching its platform in May 2017, Lori Systems now has 52 employees and $10M in system-wide revenue, with plans in place for additional funding and growth. Lori's success has not gone unrecognized: in... View Details

01 Aug 2001
News

Cleveland Global Alumni Conference a Sold-Out Success

Potentia Pharmaceuticals, winner of this year's HBS Business Plan Contest (see pages 6-7). When creating a successful venture, said Hart, basics such as scalability, sustainability, adaptability, and... View Details

Keywords: Hanna, Julia; Frank Batten (MBA '52); Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services

21 Apr 2020
Research & Ideas

7 Successful Battle Strategies to Beat COVID-19

short, quick strokes with the short sword, balanced with simultaneous utilization of the long sword. Likewise, a focus on quick wins and success in small increments needs to be balanced with long-term View Details

Keywords: by Euvin Naidoo

06 Feb 2019
Blog Post

7 Tips for a Successful Technology Venture Immersion

business plan for a new venture. Here are my tips for making the experience a success: 7. Get ready to dust off those engineering skills The first half of TVI is dedicated to hardware-focused product design. We kicked off with a whirlwind... View Details

15 Feb 2016
Research & Ideas

Want Your Employees to Plan Better for Retirement? Don't Do This

“Defined benefit (DB) plans have largely gone the way of the dodo,” Beshears said in a recent interview. “They’ve been replaced with defined contribution (DC) plans. In those situations, it’s incumbent upon the individual to be saving... View Details

Keywords: Re: John Beshears; Financial Services

01 Mar 2021
Blog Post

Best Practices for Creating a Successful Virtual Internship

these programs to exist beyond the global pandemic because of the unique ability to connect with students across geographies and expand the pool of potential candidates. To help organizations think through the process of creating a View Details

Keywords: All Industries

24 Oct 2012
News

How 'luck' can be used to enhance success

Keywords: News, Library, Internet, and Other Services; Information; Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information

28 Apr 2009
News

Harvard Business School Holds 13th Annual Business Plan Contest

18 Jan 2023
Blog Post

Career Planning and Development: Interview with Career Coach Wendi Zhang (MBA/MPP 2013)

more. We caught up with Wendi Zhang (MBA/MPP 2013), an HBS career coach with over 15 years of professional experience in high tech - including big tech, startups, and venture capital—to learn more about career coaching at HBS. Among her many View Details

October 2021
Background Note

How to Write an Action-Planning Memo

By: Ryan Raffaelli and Akshaya Varghese

The ability to communicate an action plan through writing is essential for advancing ideas, earning credibility, and garnering support. Research has shown that leaders who write formal plans are more likely to execute successfully—written plans help members of an... View Details

Keywords: Writing; Action Plan; Communication; Competency and Skills; Planning

December 2012
Course Overview Note

Making a Success of your EC Independent Project: Good Practices for Students

By: Ian W. Mackenzie

Independent project (IP) work in the EC poses challenges over and above those encountered in the project components of RC FIELD. Based on the belief that the success of IPs can be greatly influenced by how well students select and scope their projects and then go about... View Details

Keywords: Independent Projects; BEST Practices; Learning By Doing; Practical Project Work; Teamwork; Project Management; Stakeholder Management; Stakeholder Engagement; Projects; Groups and Teams

November 2007
Article

Solve the Succession Crisis by Growing Inside-Outside Leaders

By: Joseph L. Bower

This article includes a one-page preview that quickly summarizes the key ideas and provides an overview of how the concepts work in practice along with suggestions for further reading. In his interviews and data analysis, Harvard Business School professor Bower found... View Details

Keywords: Talent and Talent Management; Leadership Development; Management Practices and Processes; Management Succession; Planning

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September 2016 (Revised May 2018)
Case

Zurich Insurance: Fostering People Management Practices

By: Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly

Zurich Insurance was undergoing organizational change after implementing five new people practices focused on manager development, diversity and inclusion, job model and data analytics, recruitment, and talent pipeline. The case provides background for the company, as... View Details

Keywords: Managing Change; Organizational Behavior; Diversity Management; Organizational Architecture; Recruiting; Succession Planning; Management; Organizational Culture; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leading Change; Human Capital; Human Resources; Insurance; Leadership; Diversity; Organizational Structure; Recruitment; Management Succession; Insurance Industry