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Firing Back: How Great Leaders Rebound After Career Disasters
Business communication Magazine ArticleThe leader’s fall from “Who’s Who” to “Who’s that?” is full of stigma and shame. But the story doesn’t have to end there. -
Why Your Company Needs a News Room
Public relations Digital ArticleAmerican Airlines’ recent inspection fiasco grounded hundreds of planes, caused thousands of flight cancellations, and will, according to the Dallas Morning News, cost American Airlines tens of millions of dollars. But, in the heat of the event, Amercan’s website was virtually silent about the crisis. What could American have done differently? At the very least, […] -
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. -
What CEOs Should Know About Speaking Up on Political Issues
Organizational Development Digital ArticleBe ready to respond. -
When Your Brand Is Racist (HBR Case Study)
Communication Magazine ArticleA national brewing and distilling company grapples with its most profitable brand's racist history. This fictional case study by Joseph C. Miller, Michael... -
Short Legs for the Letterman Scandal?
Communication Digital ArticleThe scandal involving late-night talk show host David Letterman shows distinct signs of blowing over without causing significant long-term harm to Letterman's... -
BP: Victim of Its Own Good Marketing
Sales & Marketing Digital ArticleA few years ago I met Jose Gabrielli, the CEO of the Brazilian energy giant Petrobras, to talk about an article we were developing for HBR. Dressed in... -
When Innovation and Trust Are at Odds
Business and society Big IdeaSpeeding a new product to market can have serious consequences. Consider the Rock ’n Play. -
Profits with a Purpose: An Interview with Tom Chapman
Public relations Magazine ArticleGreatest Southeast Community Hospital is a 494-bed acute care facility located in southeast Washington, D.C. With revenues of $145 million and 2,650 employees, it is both the largest private employer and the only medical facility in a troubled and isolated community called Anacostia. Nearly a quarter of the area’s residents live below the poverty line, […] -
The New Tools of Trade
Labor Magazine ArticleToday, most multinationals have a conspicuous social conscience. They publicize their internal codes of conduct, monitor labor conditions in their global supply chains, and require suppliers to meet basic labor practice standards. But despite efforts to be better global citizens, companies by themselves are unable to eliminate abuses in their supply chains. In fact, so […] -
Should You Sell That Product? (HBR Case Study)
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleA publisher with a history of aiming at ignored or underserved markets is about to launch a series of micro e-books whose central character, El Diablo,... -
When Your Brand Is Racist (Commentary for HBR Case Study)
Communication Magazine ArticleA national brewing and distilling company grapples with its most profitable brand's racist history. This fictional case study by Joseph C. Miller, Michael... -
Let the Response Fit the Scandal
Sales & Marketing Magazine ArticleA full-blown scandal can cause a company great turmoil, even if the organization isn't at fault. Crises easily extend beyond the original perpetrators,... -
Unlikely Alliances Spur Environmental Progress — And Competitive Advantage
Public relations Digital ArticleI recently heard an educational message on the radio about wet age-related macular degeneration, or wet AMD, the leading cause of blindness among people over age 50. The radio spot, which noted sponsorship by the American Society of Retina Specialists and by Genentech, provided information about the signs and symptoms of wet AMD and the […] -
Tiger Woods and the Coming Decline of Celebrity Endorsements
Brand management Digital ArticleGolf champion Tiger Woods no longer represents global consulting and technology services firm Accenture, as of December 13. Accenture is the first of Woods’ corporate sponsors to pull out of the relationship completely. A day earlier, Gillette announced a suspension of Woods’ marketing appearances for an unspecified period. For anyone missing two weeks of headlines, […] -
Why Winning Streaks End
Competitive strategy Digital ArticleThat crashing sound you hear is not an accident caused by sudden acceleration of your hybrid car; it is the continuing toppling of idols, such as hybrid car companies, off their pedestals. Listen hard, lest you be next. Toyota, the world’s leading auto company, faces a series of product problems causing a $2 billion recall, […] -
When Corporate Philanthropy Makes the Recipient Look Bad
Leadership & Managing People ResearchA study of theaters and their artistic reputations. -
Newsweek’s Sarah Palin Cover is Good Journalism
Business ethics Digital ArticleMany years ago, when the idea of women in professional roles in business was much more novel that it is today, magazines were eager to profile female pioneers. As a very young managing director in one of the then-prominent management consulting companies, I received lots of requests for interviews. One of the first was from […] -
More Lessons from Lexus–Why It Pays to Do the Right Thing
Customer experience Digital ArticleI am just back from chairing the first-ever Source Media Customer Engagement Symposium, and my notebooks are overflowing with good ideas, smart practices, and fun stories. There’ll be more “Game Changer” entries inspired by the conference over the next few weeks. But I thought I’d highlight just one point from one of my favorites talks, […] -
Qantas Lands Safely, but its Reputation Takes a Hit
Communication Digital ArticleQantas Jet Passengers Saw Engine Blow Up Live on In-Flight TV. Qantas Flyers Lucky to be Alive. Perhaps you saw these headlines late last week. But the...
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Research: Why Companies Should Disclose Their Lack of Progress on DEI
Diversity and inclusion Digital ArticleStakeholders value transparency and accountability — even when you’re falling short. -
How Companies Should Weigh In on a Controversy
Corporate communications Magazine ArticleA better approach to stakeholder management -
Corporate Crises — and Reputational Recovery — Have Changed
Business management Digital ArticlePolitics and culture wars are driving risks that may not have a clear resolution. -
When Should Your Company Weigh In on Hot-Button Issues?
Leadership Digital ArticlePfizer’s chief corporate affairs officer, Sally Susman, shares the company’s five-point framework. -
What Companies Still Get Wrong About Layoffs
Layoffs Digital ArticleMany cling to the idea that reducing staff is the fastest, easiest way to cut costs. But there are smarter, more humane approaches. -
Case Study: Does Facial Recognition Tech Enhance Security?
Business and society Magazine ArticleThe new system in a day care center is producing biased results. -
Does Facial Recognition Tech Enhance Security? (Commentary for HBR Case Study)
Technology & Operations Magazine ArticleThe new system in a day-care center is producing biased results--setting off an alarm when some dark-skinned parents enter the lobby. The director of... -
Does Facial Recognition Tech Enhance Security? (HBR Case Study)
Technology & Operations Magazine ArticleThe new system in a day-care center is producing biased results--setting off an alarm when some dark-skinned parents enter the lobby. The director of... -
Moderna v. Pfizer: What the Patent Infringement Suit Means for Biotech
Business and society Digital ArticleAfter an unusual period of cooperation, drug companies are suing each other again. -
Don’t Let Your Calendar Dictate Your DEI Initiatives
Diversity and inclusion Digital ArticleIt’s good to honor Juneteenth or Pride month, but how are you showing up the rest of the year? -
3 Ways Marketers Can Earn — and Keep — Customer Trust
Marketing Digital ArticleA recent survey found that only 34% of consumers trust the brands they use. -
Research: Why CEOs Shouldn’t Take All the Credit
Corporate communications Digital ArticleIf you want the praise for good news, be prepared to take the blame for bad news. -
What To Do When the Devil Wears [Your Brand]
Public relations Digital ArticleStrategies for when your brand becomes associated with a noxious public figure. -
The Success of Your M&A Deal Hinges on How You Announce It
Public relations Digital ArticleThree questions to guide your communication strategy. -
What Is the Purpose of Your Purpose?
Leadership & Managing People Spotlight"Despite its sudden elevation in corporate life," the authors write, "purpose remains a confusing topic." They argue that a primary cause of this confusion... -
Making Purpose Real
Leadership & Managing People Digital Article"Despite its sudden elevation in corporate life, purpose remains a confusing topic," the authors write. A primary cause of this confusion, they say, is... -
How Companies Can Address Their Historical Transgressions
Corporate social responsibility Magazine ArticleLessons from the slave trade and the Holocaust -
Corporate Political Spending Is Bad Business
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleCorporations are facing increased scrutiny over their political spending--particularly when their stated values seem to contradict their lobbying efforts.... -
Sports and Social Justice
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleTwo new books--"The Game Is Not a Game" and "Football's Fearless Activists"--offer some useful context for examining the current relationship between... -
When Your Brand Is Racist (HBR Case Study)
Communication Magazine ArticleA national brewing and distilling company grapples with its most profitable brand's racist history. This fictional case study by Joseph C. Miller, Michael...
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Communications Policy
Sales & Marketing Case Study8.95View Details Introductory note on communications policy for use in first year marketing. Focuses on: Target selection; message delineation; communications intensity;... -
Dow Corning and the Breast Implant Controversy (A)
Global Business Case Study11.95View Details In early 1994, Dow Corning Corp. debates whether to participate in a proposed $4.2 billion product liability settlement. Specifically, the firm must decide... -
The Krem Spacemaker Coffeemaker
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Students take the role of managers for a firm that is experiencing a product disaster (the coffee makers they produce are starting kitchen fires). Students... -
Schlitterbahn: Tragedy at the Waterpark
Management Case Study11.95View Details Jeff Henry, owner of and creative visionary behind Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts, created one of the most sought-after water park companies in the... -
Kidder, Peabody & Co.: Creating Elusive Profits
Finance & Accounting Case Study11.95View Details On April 17, 1994, Kidder, Peabody & Co. announced a $350 million charge against earnings resulting from the discovery of false trading profits. That... -
Clarence Hall University and the Donation
Leadership & Managing People Case Study11.95View Details Annalisa McGann, chair of London's prestigious Clarence Hall University, together with the university's board must make a decision about whether to return... -
"Do you really think we are so stupid?" A letter to the CEO of Deutsche Telekom (B)
Organizational Development Case Study6.95View Details This three-part case-study illustrates key concepts and lessons about leading adaptive change in organizations in the context of turning around Deutsche... -
Uber(US): The Push for Autonomous Vehicles
Technology & Operations Case Study11.95View Details Since early 2015, Uber had been investing heavily in research and development for its autonomous vehicles to revolutionize the ride-hailing industry and... -
Dow Corning and the Breast Implant Controversy (B)
Global Business Case Study5.00View Details Provides an update to the (A) case. -
Mending the Fractures: Creating a Multi-Stakeholder Framework for Building Shared Purpose in Unconventional Oil and Gas
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details In the summer of 2014, a large energy company was poised to begin expanding its unconventional natural gas operations in northeastern British Columbia... -
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble: One Compounding Pharmacy's Recipe for Steroids
Leadership & Managing People Case Study11.95View Details This case is based on highly publicized events surrounding lethal medication manufactured and sold by a small pharmaceutical company outside Boston, Massachusetts... -
Will brown become the new green? Sustainable golf in the old and new world
Management Case Study11.95View Details Golf over the years emerged as a global, cash-driven property development industry with nearly 4.4 million registered players in Europe alone in 2014.... -
Reinventing Adobe
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details By 2013, Adobe had reinvented itself from a publisher of popular software such as Photoshop and Acrobat to a digital marketing and digital media company.... -
The Kroger Co.: Public Relations and Social Responsibility
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Gun control is an important issue in American politics. In 2014, in light of recent gun violence, gun control advocate organizations lobbied retailers... -
Ad Council's AIDS Campaign (A): Advertising Strategy
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Ad Council wished to run an educational campaign aimed at preventing the spread of AIDS. They were challenged to find acceptable ways to address this... -
Southwest Airlines (C)
Sales & Marketing Case Study5.00View Details Southwest Airlines, a small intrastate carrier, has just completed its first year of operations in June 1972 and management is debating what advertising... -
BP: Beyond Petroleum?
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details British Petroleum (BP), one of the world's largest oil companies, had spent over $200 million rebranding itself as environmentally responsible, with the... -
Toyota Recalls (C): Bumpy Road Ahead
Sales & Marketing Case Study5.00View Details Between February and July 2010, Toyota sales recover thanks to the use of extensive PR and sales incentives. Yet recalls continue. Can Toyota stem the... -
British Airways: "Go for It, America!" Promotion (A)
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Senior marketing executives of a major international airline are deciding on a strategy to address a crisis situation precipitated by a series of terrorist... -
L.L. Bean, Inc.
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Discusses the development and operations of a small manufacturing and mail order company doing $3 million sales. L.L. Bean operates in violation of most...
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Firing Back: How Great Leaders Rebound After Career Disasters
Business communication Magazine ArticleThe leader’s fall from “Who’s Who” to “Who’s that?” is full of stigma and shame. But the story doesn’t have to end there. -
Why Your Company Needs a News Room
Public relations Digital ArticleAmerican Airlines’ recent inspection fiasco grounded hundreds of planes, caused thousands of flight cancellations, and will, according to the Dallas Morning News, cost American Airlines tens of millions of dollars. But, in the heat of the event, Amercan’s website was virtually silent about the crisis. What could American have done differently? At the very least, […] -
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. -
What CEOs Should Know About Speaking Up on Political Issues
Organizational Development Digital ArticleBe ready to respond. -
When Your Brand Is Racist (HBR Case Study)
Communication Magazine ArticleA national brewing and distilling company grapples with its most profitable brand's racist history. This fictional case study by Joseph C. Miller, Michael... -
Short Legs for the Letterman Scandal?
Communication Digital ArticleThe scandal involving late-night talk show host David Letterman shows distinct signs of blowing over without causing significant long-term harm to Letterman's... -
Communications Policy
Sales & Marketing Case Study8.95View Details Introductory note on communications policy for use in first year marketing. Focuses on: Target selection; message delineation; communications intensity;... -
Dow Corning and the Breast Implant Controversy (A)
Global Business Case Study11.95View Details In early 1994, Dow Corning Corp. debates whether to participate in a proposed $4.2 billion product liability settlement. Specifically, the firm must decide... -
BP: Victim of Its Own Good Marketing
Sales & Marketing Digital ArticleA few years ago I met Jose Gabrielli, the CEO of the Brazilian energy giant Petrobras, to talk about an article we were developing for HBR. Dressed in... -
When Innovation and Trust Are at Odds
Business and society Big IdeaSpeeding a new product to market can have serious consequences. Consider the Rock ’n Play.