Publications

November 2004 (Revised May 2010)
Case

RightNow Technologies

By: William A. Sahlman and Dan Heath

The founder and CEO of a CRM software start-up must decide between an attractive acquisition offer and the opportunity to go public. Discusses the growth of the company--including a lengthy discussion of entrepreneurial bootstrapping--as well as an aborted IPO attempt... View Details

Keywords: Business Exit or Shutdown; Applications and Software; Going Public; Management Teams; Finance; Strategy; Value Creation; Entrepreneurship; Business Startups; Acquisition; Computer Industry

Web

Advisory Board - Entrepreneurship

Hamilton, Bridgewater Associates, The GEM Group, Paradigm Ventures, Pacific Community Ventures, Air America Media and Abbott Laboratories. Bill Sahlman (MBA 1975), Harvard Business School William View Details

February 1991 (Revised October 1991)
Case

Fenchel Lampshade Co.

Describes the proposed purchase of a lampshade manufacturer by Steven and Michele Rogers, recent graduates of the Harvard Business School. Focuses on their plans to raise the capital necessary to buy the company. Among the issues raised are how to structure the deal... View Details

Keywords: Venture Capital; Financing and Loans; Negotiation Deal; Business or Company Management; Cost vs Benefits; Manufacturing Industry

Web

Faculty & Research - Business History

political science. 23 Jul 2024 News The New Rules of Trade with China: Navigating Tariffs, Turmoil, and Opportunities Re: Jeremy Friedman, Meg Rithmire, Jaya Wen, William Kirby & Ebehi Iyoha July 2024 (Revised October 2024) Case Knowledge... View Details

October 2023
Case

Vida Health: Transforming Chronic Disease Treatment

By: William Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller

San Francisco based Vida Health, founded by Stephanie Tilenius, former vice president of Commerce and Payments at Google, was a B2B digital health startup focused on the treatment of cardiometabolic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity. Its innovative digital... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Strategy; Growth and Development Strategy; Demand and Consumers; Health Care and Treatment; Product Marketing; Risk and Uncertainty; Technological Innovation; Health Industry; Technology Industry; United States; California; San Francisco

Web

HBR Classics - Alumni

William Torbert Social Intelligence and the Biology of Leadership , Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis Persuasive Presentations Harnessing the Science of Persuasion , Robert B. Cialdini HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations , View Details

31 Jul 2012
First Look

First Look: July 31

perfect substitutes for equity finance, payout taxes may therefore have an effect on the investment of firms. High taxes will favor investment by firms that can finance internally. Using an international panel with many changes in payout... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

Web

Online Business Courses & Certifications | HBS Online

a diverse global network, and a capstone project that applies the program’s learnings. 6 months, 5-6 hrs/week Enroll by June 5 $6,500 Credential Entrepreneurship Essentials Professor William View Details

30 Aug 2011
First Look

First Look: August 30

U.S. Multinational Firm Activity Authors:C. Fritz Foley and William R. Kerr Abstract This paper studies the impact that immigrant innovators have on the global activities of U.S. firms by analyzing detailed... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

September 1976
Case

Del Norte Paper Co. (B)

Serves two roles: first, provides a reasonably comprehensive description of an ongoing budgeting and reporting system for the international operations of a large American company. Second, allows the student to focus on and critically analyze a series of specific... View Details

Keywords: International Accounting; Financial Reporting; Budgets and Budgeting; United States

August 2002 (Revised September 2002)
Background Note

Financial Analysis of Microsoft

Contains a detailed analysis of Microsoft's financial performance from 1985 to 2001. During this time, Microsoft improved its profitability and cash flow generation--changes that led to a dramatic rise in valuation. Also addresses the issue of determining how much... View Details

Keywords: Business Ventures; Analysis; Financial Condition

September 1976 (Revised January 1977)
Case

Del Norte Paper Co. (C)

Designed to serve two roles: first, it provides a reasonably comprehensive description of an ongoing capital budgeting system for the international operations of a large American company. Second, it allows the student to focus upon and critically analyze a series of... View Details

Keywords: Capital Budgeting; International Relations; Globalized Markets and Industries; Goals and Objectives; Service Delivery; Business Subsidiaries; Performance Evaluation; Performance Expectations; Financial Services Industry; Pulp and Paper Industry