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How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleAwareness of these forces can help a company stake out a position in its industry that is less vulnerable to attack. -
Creating Breakthroughs at 3M
Innovation Magazine ArticleCompanies say they want breakthrough products, but most are far more adept at making incremental improvements to existing lines. A pioneering division at 3M successfully navigated a process that leads to breakthrough thinking. -
Diversification via Acquisition: Creating Value
Mergers and acquisitions Magazine ArticleDuring the past 25 years an increasing proportion of U.S. companies have seen wisdom in pursuing a strategy of diversification. Between 1950 and 1970, for example, single-business companies comprising the Fortune “500” declined from 30% to 8% of the total. Acquisition has become a standard approach to diversification. In recent years the productivity of capital […] -
Innovators Go It Alone
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Digital ArticleFor a long time, Ford, Chrysler, and GM followed the same strategy: they built big gas-guzzlers. Asian competitors attacked that model, took market share,... -
Washington Must Help the U.S. Regain the Lead in Manufacturing
Competitive strategy Digital ArticleThe federal government can and should play a much bigger role in helping American companies regain the lead in manufacturing. We need to invest a commensurate amount of federal R&D dollars in advanced manufacturing technologies as we do in other areas of science, technology, and engineering. The last administration created an assistant secretary for manufacturing […] -
The Risky Business of Diversification
Innovation Magazine ArticleOn the basis of a sample from the top 200 of the Fortune “500” and data from the PIMS (Profit Impact of Market Strategies) project, this author gives some guidelines for established companies on what to expect from new ventures. He points out that it takes an average of 10 to 12 years before the […] -
Competitiveness: Self-Help for a Worsening Problem
Government policy and regulation Magazine ArticleA country’s competitiveness, like a company’s, is not primarily a matter of sales: it is a matter of incomes, and incomes earned, not borrowed. To be competitive means to raise incomes as rapidly as competitors do and to make the investments necessary to keep up competitively in the future. From this perspective, U.S. competitiveness is […] -
Companyism and Do More Better
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleImagine yourself solving an arithmetic problem with the top managers of a leading Japanese automobile company. As a group, Japanese producers already export 2.3 million passenger vehicles a year to the United States. They are also building capacity for an additional 2.5 million vehicles in North America. You remind your friends across the table that […] -
How Banning Happy Meals Could Make Kids Fatter
Strategy & Execution Digital ArticleNews from Tuesday's election that after months of debate, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has effectively banned the Happy Meal. If you want to buy... -
The HBR List: Breakthrough Ideas for 2007
Decision making and problem solving Magazine ArticleOur annual survey of emerging ideas considers how nanotechnology will affect commerce, what role hope plays in leadership, and why, in an age that practically enshrines accountability, we need to beware of “accountabalism.” -
Bringing the Environment Down to Earth
Finance and investing Magazine ArticleManagers should make environmental investments for the same reason they make other investments: because they expect them to deliver positive returns or to reduce risks. -
Strategy is Different in Service Businesses
Strategy Magazine ArticleMany managers of service businesses are aware that the strategic management (by which I mean the total process of selecting and implementing a corporate strategy) of service businesses is different from that of manufacturing businesses. This article discusses how pure service businesses are different from product-oriented businesses and why they require different strategic thinking. A […] -
Three Strategy Lessons From the Latest Round of Xbox vs. PlayStation
Technology and analytics Digital ArticleLearn from your mistakes, and know who your real competitors are. -
How Pharma Can Fix Its Reputation and Its Business at the Same Time
Competitive strategy Digital ArticleExpand access to medicine, and the rest will follow. -
The Globe: Segmenting the Base of the Pyramid
Emerging markets Magazine ArticleTo succeed, you’ll need to link your commercial interests with your constituencies’ well-being. -
T-Mobile Hasn’t Incited a Price War…Yet
Competitive strategy Digital ArticleThe mobile carrier is competing by adding value. -
Strategy Vs. Tactics from a Venture Capitalist
Entrepreneurship Magazine ArticleAs a venture capitalist, I am often asked for my views on why some entrepreneurs succeed and others fail. Obviously, there are no cut-and-dried answers to that question. Still, a few general observations about how I evaluate new businesses should shed some light on what I think it takes to make an entrepreneurial venture thrive […] -
Adaptability: The New Competitive Advantage
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleTraditional approaches to strategy assume that the world is relatively stable and predictable. But globalization, new technologies, and greater transparency... -
Must Finance and Strategy Clash?
Finance and investing Magazine ArticleMarketers and finance people seldom see eye to eye. The makers say, “This product will open up a whole new market segment.” Finance people respond, “It’s a bad investment. The IRR is only 8%.” Why are they so often in opposition? The financial criteria used to decide if a project will be profitable are entirely […] -
Joint Ventures and Partnerships in a Downturn
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleHow to think about your existing collaborations—and the new ones you should seek out
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Redefining Global Strategy, with a New Preface: Crossing Borders in a World Where Differences Still Matter
Global Business Book35.00View Details New Tools for Succeeding Globally. Why do so many global strategies fail--despite companies' powerful brands and other border-crossing advantages? Because... -
Polaroid-Kodak
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Describes Kodak's long-awaited challenge to Polaroid in the field of instant photography. Provides technological and company background of both Polaroid... -
Lucchetti
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Chronicles the experience of Lucchetti, a Quinenco subsidiary, as it expanded from its historically strong domestic stronghold into Peru. Lucchetti, a... -
Allegiant Airlines: Finding a New Customer Segment
Leadership & Managing People Case Study11.95View Details Founded in 1997, Allegiant Airlines (Allegiant) was one of the most profitable ultra-low-cost airlines in the United States. Allegiant maintained high... -
Amazon, Google, and Apple: Smart Speakers and the Battle for the Connected Home
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Amazon, Google, and Apple all offer their own smart speaker. The devices represent each firm's entry point into the connected home market. All three companies... -
Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Cereal Industry: Philip Morris
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Cereal Industry in 1994 (A). -
Passion for Learning
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Describes the challenges confronting a recent HBS graduate who has started a direct-mail toy company. The entrepreneur must evaluate industry conditions... -
Metro Cash & Carry
Global Business Case Study11.95View Details Analyzes the globalization of Metro Cash & Carry, a German wholesaler, which has flourished in many foreign markets but struggled to gain traction in... -
Charles Schwab Corp. (A)
Technology & Operations Case Study11.95View Details A look at the industrial restructuring in the brokerage industry made possible by e-commerce. Focuses the student's attention on the decision alternatives... -
DVD War
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details In 2006, the DVD was the most popular storage medium in the entertainment and computer industries. The development of high-definition (HD) technology... -
Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi-Cola (C)
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi-Cola (A). -
American Connector Co. (A)
Technology & Operations Case Study11.95View Details American Connector Co. is forced to reexamine operations at its Sunnyvale plant when a Japanese competitor announces plans to build an "ultimate" plant... -
Founder Collective
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Case Study11.95View Details Founder Collective ("FC") launched in 2009 with a clear mission: to be the most aligned fund for founders at the seed stage. In keeping with its mission,... -
Nippon Steel Corporation
Finance & Accounting Case Study11.95View Details Nippon Steel Corporation, the largest Japanese steel producer and second largest in the world faces challenges in pursuing strategy to become a true global... -
Wine in China: The Wild West of the Far East
Global Business Case Study11.95View Details The purpose of this case is to illustrate why Napa Valley wine producers find it both irresistible and challenging to enter the growing Chinese wine market.... -
Winning in Turbulence
Strategy & Execution Book18.00View Details The current downturn may prove more brutal than most previous recessions. It's already hammering companies in markets around the globe. It will test businesses... -
School of Rock: Tuning into Structured Empowerment (A)
Management Case Study11.95View Details In summer 2021, School of Rock was a youth-oriented music education company with 291 franchise- and company-owned schools globally. Before CEO Rob Price's... -
The New Carolina Initiative
Global Business Case Study11.95View Details The New Carolina Initiative case explores the process of fostering competitiveness in the subnational region, South Carolina, one of the poorest states... -
Gillette: Cutting Prices to Regain Share
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details After losing market share to low-priced competitors such as Harry's and Dollar Shave Club for several years, Gillette decided to fight back by launching... -
PAREXEL International Corp.: Scaling Up
Leadership & Managing People Case Study11.95View Details Through the lens of biopharmaceutical contract research organization (CRO) PAREXEL, this case traces the evolution of the firm as it reinvents itself...
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How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleAwareness of these forces can help a company stake out a position in its industry that is less vulnerable to attack. -
Creating Breakthroughs at 3M
Innovation Magazine ArticleCompanies say they want breakthrough products, but most are far more adept at making incremental improvements to existing lines. A pioneering division at 3M successfully navigated a process that leads to breakthrough thinking. -
Diversification via Acquisition: Creating Value
Mergers and acquisitions Magazine ArticleDuring the past 25 years an increasing proportion of U.S. companies have seen wisdom in pursuing a strategy of diversification. Between 1950 and 1970, for example, single-business companies comprising the Fortune “500” declined from 30% to 8% of the total. Acquisition has become a standard approach to diversification. In recent years the productivity of capital […] -
Innovators Go It Alone
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Digital ArticleFor a long time, Ford, Chrysler, and GM followed the same strategy: they built big gas-guzzlers. Asian competitors attacked that model, took market share,... -
Washington Must Help the U.S. Regain the Lead in Manufacturing
Competitive strategy Digital ArticleThe federal government can and should play a much bigger role in helping American companies regain the lead in manufacturing. We need to invest a commensurate amount of federal R&D dollars in advanced manufacturing technologies as we do in other areas of science, technology, and engineering. The last administration created an assistant secretary for manufacturing […] -
The Risky Business of Diversification
Innovation Magazine ArticleOn the basis of a sample from the top 200 of the Fortune “500” and data from the PIMS (Profit Impact of Market Strategies) project, this author gives some guidelines for established companies on what to expect from new ventures. He points out that it takes an average of 10 to 12 years before the […] -
Redefining Global Strategy, with a New Preface: Crossing Borders in a World Where Differences Still Matter
Global Business Book35.00View Details New Tools for Succeeding Globally. Why do so many global strategies fail--despite companies' powerful brands and other border-crossing advantages? Because... -
Competitiveness: Self-Help for a Worsening Problem
Government policy and regulation Magazine ArticleA country’s competitiveness, like a company’s, is not primarily a matter of sales: it is a matter of incomes, and incomes earned, not borrowed. To be competitive means to raise incomes as rapidly as competitors do and to make the investments necessary to keep up competitively in the future. From this perspective, U.S. competitiveness is […] -
Polaroid-Kodak
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Describes Kodak's long-awaited challenge to Polaroid in the field of instant photography. Provides technological and company background of both Polaroid...