The following articles were the most read pieces on Harvard Business School Working Knowledge in 2012. Now two questions for you. What do you think was the most important business issue of the year? Fiscal cliff? China's slowdown? Also please share your opinion about what will be the most significant economic development of 2013. Use the "Comments" link to tell us what and why.
Most Popular Stories In 2012
1. Clayton Christensen's "How Will You Measure Your Life?"
Published: May 9, 2012
World-renowned innovation expert Clayton M. Christensen explores the personal benefits of business
research in the forthcoming book How Will You Measure Your Life? Coauthored with James Allworth and
Karen Dillon, the book explains how well-tested academic theories can help us find meaning and
happiness not just at work, but in life.
2. Is JC Penney's Makeover the Future of Retailing?
Published: March 5, 2012
The stuffy department store chain has become emboldened under new CEO Ron Johnson, with plans for an
innovative store upgrade, simplified prices, and a brand polish. Professor Rajiv Lal discusses
whether Johnson can repeat his previous magic at Apple and Target.
3. Are You a Strategist?
Published: July 16, 2012
Corporate strategy has become the bailiwick of consultants and business analysts, so much so that it
is no longer a top-of-mind responsibility for many senior executives. Professor Cynthia A. Montgomery
says it's time for CEOs to again become strategists.
4. The Power of Conversational Leadership
Published: July 23, 2012
Communication is always a challenge, especially in multinational corporations. Boris Groysberg and
Michael Slind discuss why it makes sense to adopt the principles of face-to-face conversation in
organizational communication.
5. Breaking the Smartphone Addiction
Published: May 14, 2012
In her new book, Sleeping With Your Smartphone, Leslie Perlow explains how high-powered consultants
disconnected from their mobile devices for a few hours every week-and how they became more productive
as a result. Such "predictable time off" might help phone-addled employees better control their
workdays and lives.
6. HBS Cases: Sir Alex Ferguson--Managing Manchester United
Published: November 7, 2012
For almost three decades, Sir Alex Ferguson has developed the Manchester United soccer club into one
of the most recognized sports brands in the world. Professor Anita Elberse discusses the keys to Sir
Alex's long-time success.
7. Why Is Trust So Hard to Achieve in Management?
Published: July 5, 2012
There are many reasons for the trust gap between employees and management-but also many ways to bridge the divide, according to Jim Heskett's readers. What do YOU think?
8. The Business of Life
Published: June 4, 2012
Scholarly economic theory applies to more than just business. The same causal mechanisms that drive big corporations to success can be just as effective in driving our personal lives, says Professor Clayton M. Christensen.
9. Five Ways to Make Your Company More Innovative
Published: May 23, 2012
How do you create a company that unleashes and capitalizes on innovation? HBS faculty experts in culture, customers, creativity, marketing, and the DNA of innovators offer up ideas.
10. How to Brand a Next-Generation Product
Published: April 23, 2012
Upgrades to existing product lines make up a huge part of corporate research and development activity, and with every upgrade comes the decision of how to brand it. Harvard Business School marketing professors John T. Gourville and Elie Ofek teamed up with London Business School's Marco Bertini to suss out the best practices for naming next-generation products.