What are the first things you should do in your new post? In this e-mail Q&A, Michael Watkins offers strategies that he researched while preparing his new book, The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels (HBS Press, 2003). Martha Lagace: What is so special about the first ninety days? Michael Watkins: Leaders, regardless of their level, are most vulnerable in their first few months in a new position. They lack detailed knowledge of the challenges they will face and what it will take to succeed in meeting them. And, they have not yet…

There s no better time to revamp your reading list than the beginning of the summer. The question is what should you read? With so many business books out there to choose from, sifting through all those online descriptions and reviews could take up an entire summer in and of itself. We figured you d rather spend that time actually, you know, reading. To help you narrow down your search for the best business books out there, we combed through a plethora of online syllabi from Harvard Business School. Much to my surprise, most of the books centered around leadership rather than…

Innovation Leadership & Management Programs Offered HBS Campus Focused on product and service development, this innovation leadership & management program helps leaders seize opportunity, manage risk, and drive competitive advantage. In addition to learning how to balance strategy and effective execution in product development, you will expand your ability to innovate in a competitive marketplace, take advantage of disruptive technologies and economic conditions, and position your company for continuous growth. Program Details Develop the diverse skills required…

Harvard Extension School offers a variety of ways for students around the world to study part time at Harvard University. Whether you are interested in online courses, a professional graduate certificate, or a degree, you will find flexible, challenging options to help you meet your goals. Online Courses We have about 500 online courses available in the fall and spring semesters. Some courses have live meeting times in a virtual classroom each week. Others offer more flexibility, allowing you to watch weekly lecture videos or access course materials at your convenience. All…

As said, it is extremely difficult to gain free access to these case studies. They are not made readily available to the public by the school itself. There are certainly places out there where you can buy case studies, but that doesn’t sound like it would be an appealing option to you (or anyone). This being said, it is important to remember that there is really no “formula” for getting into HBS or MBA programs generally. Schools are looking to admit highly unique individuals who tell different sorts of stories and who will leave their schools to be high-impact players in the…

For over three centuries, the art of processing and preparing tea has been an integral part of Chinese culture. In the early seventeenth century, the Dutch India Company introduced Chinese tea to Europe, creating a global market that remains today. In this series of rare photographs from Baker Library s collections, the steps in processing raw tea leaves for export are beautifully illustrated, and describe techniques that are now part of China s rich history. by Robert Gardella At the time these photographs originated in an unspecified location in late-nineteenth-century China…

Custom Page Content 2 Spangler Center was made possible through the support of the Spangler family and named in their honor. Officially opened in 2001, Spangler Center has played a dramatic role in connecting the HBS community and facilitating valuable student interaction. The 122, -square-foot, red brick and limestone building, which complements McKim, Mead & White’s 1920s master plan for the campus, was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and is considered the main student center for MBAs. There are 29 project rooms with whiteboards—some with plasma screens—and…

The Research A comprehensive survey of Harvard Business School graduates—men and women—suggests that the conventional wisdom about women and leadership needs to be rethought. Some Findings Men and women start out with similar goals, which are adjusted over time—but men are likelier to achieve them. Few women are “opting out, ” but men and women alike believe that women advance more slowly because they prioritize family over career. Most men expect that their careers will take precedence over their partners’—which they usually do. Most women expect their careers to be as important…

Harvard Business Publishing In this updated simulation, students design and manage the supply chain of a global phone manufacturer. Global Supply Chain Management Simulation V2 teaches concepts in supply chain design, demand forecasting, resource allocation, and production planning. Updates to the V2 include an improved layout and design, new product options, and enhanced debrief tools for instructors. View details. NEW ONLINE EXERCISE Students compete to win a food truck competition while learning about prototyping, learning by doing, and willingness to fail. Ideal for discussions…

Unlike at Stern and Wharton, Harvard values GPA over GMAT. Harvard acceptance rate increases by 30% when GPA increases by one standard deviation but only by 25% when GMAT increases by a standard deviation. This indicates that GPA is more important than GMAT at HBS, and they are willing to roll the dice on a candidate with low GMAT like the guy who was accepted last year with a 550. Other HBS Acceptance Rate Insights The round you apply in does have an impact on your chance of being accepted at HBS

HBS announces tuition is set to rise in the fall, citing a significant increase in brand value due to countless victories by the rugby team. The perennial North American champions took their success to new heights earlier this month, bringing home the World Cup to HBS for the first time since 1998. The MBA Rugby World Cup, held annually at Duke University, features the top 20 or so MBA programs from across the U.S. and Canada, along with a handful of European powerhouses, namely London Business School, INSEAD and University College Dublin (Smurfit). It represents the pinnacle…

Students in the joint degree program are enrolled in and take classes at both schools during each of their upper-level semesters of the third and fourth years (with the exception of the Law School Winter Term) of the joint degree program. The requirements for each school and the program are as follows: Law School Joint degree students must earn no fewer than 52 additional credits including 36 Law School classroom credits of which no fewer than 18 must be earned in the first year of combined upper-level study. The total number of classroom credits includes the required minimum…

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