Working Knowledge
Business Research for Business Leaders
Filter Results: (105) Arrow Down

ChangeRemove Change →

New research on managing change from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including corporate reinvention, disaster preparedness and recovery, and culture change.
Page 1 of 105 Results →

Time to Move On? Career Advice for Entrepreneurs Preparing for the Next Stage

by Julia Austin

So many people shift from one job to the next, with little time to consider how the experience changed them and what they want out of future ventures. Julia Austin recommends that entrepreneurs look within and reflect on these questions before they jump into a new opportunity.

How Would Jack Welch’s Leadership Style Fare in Today’s World?

by James Heskett

Some consider Jack Welch the best CEO of the 20th century, but two recent books examine his effectiveness as a leader. James Heskett ponders his early interactions with Welch and his complex legacy. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Is There a Method to Musk’s Madness on Twitter?

by Christina Pazzanese, Harvard Gazette

Elon Musk's brash management style has upended the social media platform, but was bold action necessary to address serious problems? Andy Wu discusses the tech entrepreneur's takeover of Twitter.

What Does It Take to Safeguard a Legacy in Asset Management?

by Rachel Layne

Diverse hiring, deep research, and a collaborative culture have defined Brown Capital's successful investment approach. But would those qualities endure after its founder retires? A case study by Luis Viceira and Emily McComb explores how the second-largest Black-founded investment firm is preparing for its next phase.

Planning the Future for Harlem’s Beloved Sylvia’s Restaurant

Re: Christina R. Wing

Sylvia’s Restaurant, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in August 2022, is a testament to the values instilled by the matriarch Sylvia Woods. She cultivated a strong community around her soul food restaurant in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood that has continued to thrive, even after her passing a decade ago. Amid business expansions and succession planning, the legacy of Sylvia Woods continues to live on. But as Sylvia’s grandson takes over the business, a new challenge faces him and his family: what should the next 60 years of Sylvia’s look like? Senior Lecturer Christina Wing and Kenneth De'Sean Woods, chief executive officer of Sylvia Woods Inc., discuss the case, “Sixty Years of Sylvia’s.”

Gen Xers and Millennials, It’s Time To Lead. Are You Ready?

by Lane Lambert

Generation X and Millennials—eagerly waiting to succeed Baby Boom leaders—have the opportunity to bring more collaboration and purpose to business. In the book True North: Emerging Leader Edition, Bill George offers advice for the next wave of CEOs.

Now Is the Time for Entrepreneurs to Play Offense

by Jeffrey Bussgang

With the specter of recession looming, many worried founders and executives are aggressively shoring up cash. But shrewd entrepreneurs are using these six tactics instead to gain advantage, says Jeffrey Bussgang.

Peloton Changed the Exercise Game. Can the Company Push Through the Pain?

by Lane Lambert

When COVID-19 closed gyms, seemingly everyone rushed to order a Peloton bike and claim a spot on the company's signature leader board. And then things quickly went downhill. A case study by Robert Dolan looks at the tough road the exercise equipment maker faces.

Why Digital Is a State of Mind, Not Just a Skill Set

by Sean Silverthorne

You don't have to be a machine learning expert to manage a successful digital transformation. In fact, you only need 30 percent fluency in a handful of technical topics, say Tsedal Neeley and Paul Leonardi in their book, The Digital Mindset.

Transforming Deloitte’s Approach to Consulting

Re: Michael L. Tushman

Pixel helps facilitate open talent and crowdsourcing for Deloitte Consulting client engagements. But while some of Deloitte’s principals are avid users of Pixel’s services, uptake across the organization has been slow, and in some pockets has met with deep resistance. Balaji Bondili, head of Pixel, must decide how best to grow Deloitte Consulting’s use of on-demand talent, as consulting companies and their clients face transformative change. Professor Mike Tushman discusses Deloitte’s challenges in pursuing this new approach to consulting, and what it takes to be a “corporate explorer” like Bondili in his case, “Deloitte’s Pixel: Consulting with Open Talent.” Open for comment; 0 Comments.

When Will the Hot Housing Market Finally Start to Cool?

by Christine Pazzanese, Harvard Gazette

Housing prices keep soaring as demand outstrips inventory, a trend that's likely to continue even as interest rates rise. Nori Gerardo Lietz argues that it's time to reconsider policies that stymie housing development. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Curiosity, Not Coding: 6 Skills Leaders Need in the Digital Age

by Linda A. Hill, Ann Le Cam, Sunand Menon, and Emily Tedards

Transforming an organization starts with transforming its leaders. Data from 1,700 executives by Linda Hill and colleagues reveals the most important skills and traits leaders need now. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Digital Transformation: A New Roadmap for Success

by Linda A. Hill, Ann Le Cam, Sunand Menon, and Emily Tedards

Is your company reaping the rewards of digital transformation yet? Linda Hill and colleagues offer seven guiding principles for transformations at any stage—nascent, progressing, or stalled. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Where Can Digital Transformation Take You? Insights from 1,700 Leaders

by Linda A. Hill, Ann Le Cam, Sunand Menon, and Emily Tedards

Digital transformation seems like a journey without end, but many companies are forging ahead. Linda Hill and colleagues reveal six qualities that set digitally mature organizations apart. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

7 Trends to Watch in 2022

by HBS News

Surging COVID-19 cases may have dampened optimism at the start of 2022, but change could be on the horizon. Harvard Business School faculty members share the trends they're watching this year. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Scrap the Big New Year's Resolutions. Make 6 Simple Changes Instead.

by Kristen Senz

Self-improvement doesn't need to be painful, especially during a pandemic. Rather than set yet another gym goal, look inward, retrain your brain, and get outside, says Hirotaka Takeuchi. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

To Change Your Company's Culture, Don't Start by Trying to Change the Culture

by Michael Beer

Skip the inspirational speeches and culture committees. Meaningful culture change comes about only when companies rethink how they manage, lead, and pursue strategic goals, says Michael Beer. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

How Long Does It Take to Improve an Organization’s Culture?

by James Heskett

If organizational culture is so important, why do so many companies struggle to change? James Heskett looks at the role of leaders—like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella—in challenging a company's collective mindset. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

The Trial of Elizabeth Holmes: Visionary, Criminal, or Both?

by Christina Pazzanese, Harvard Gazette

Eugene Soltes explains why the fraud case against the Theranos cofounder isn't as simple as it seems, and why a conviction probably wouldn't deter unethical behavior from others. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

The Hard Truth About Being a CEO

by Michael Blanding

CEOs rarely get the full story from advisers and don't seem to know when to step down, says David Fubini. His book Hidden Truths offers candid wisdom for leaders. Open for comment; 0 Comments.