Search results for ""author harvard business review""

DON'T LET YOUR FEAR OF FINANCE GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR SUCCESS Can you prepare a breakeven analysis? Do you know the difference between an income statement and a balance sheet? Or understand why a business that's profitable can still go belly-up? Has your grasp of your company's numbers helped--or hurt--your career? Whether you're new to finance or you just need a refresher, this go-to guide will give you the tools and confidence you need to master the fundamentals, as all good managers must. The HBR Guide to Finance Basics for Managers will help you: * Learn the language of finance * Compare your firm's financials with rivals' * Shift your team's focus from revenues to profits * Assess your vulnerability to industry downturns * Use financial data to defend budget requests * Invest smartly through cost/benefit analysis

Read more less

IS YOUR WORKLOAD SLOWING YOU--AND YOUR CAREER--DOWN? Your inbox is overflowing. You're paralyzed because you have too much to do but don't know where to start. Your to-do list never seems to get any shorter. You leave work exhausted but have little to show for it. It's time to learn how to get the right work done. In the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done, you'll discover how to focus your time and energy where they will yield the greatest reward. Not only will you end each day knowing you made progress--your improved productivity will also set you apart from the pack. Whether you're a new professional or an experienced one, this guide will help you: * Prioritize and stay focused * Work less but accomplish more * Stop bad habits and develop good ones * Break overwhelming projects into manageable pieces * Conquer e-mail overload * Write to-do lists that really work

Read more less

Quick, practical management advice from Harvard Business Review to help you do your job better.Drawing from HBR''s popular Management Tip of the Day newsletter, these concise, handy guides are packed with easy-to-read tips on a broad range of topics. Each book puts the best management practices and insights, from top thinkers in the field, right at your fingertips. Pick one up any time you have a few minutes to spare, and you''ll have a fresh, powerful idea you can immediately put into action. This collection includes the original best-selling Management Tips and the newly released Management Tips 2.

Read more less

Quick tips for every manager.As a manager, you're shouldering more and more responsibilities--from maximizing your team's performance to increasing your company's market share to building profitable customer relationships. On top of all that, you need to orchestrate your own time and keep your career on track.The challenges are stacking up--but you've got less and less time to figure out how to tackle them.How are you supposed to resolve this dilemma? Happily, help is on the way: the new Management Tips from the Harvard Business Review.This concise, handy guide is packed with quick tips on a broad range of topics, organized into three major skills every manager must master: Managing yourself Managing your team Managing your business Drawing from HBR's popular Management Tip of the Day, the book puts the best management practices and insights, from top thinkers in the field, right at your fingertips. Pick it up any time you have a few minutes to spare, and you'll have a fresh, powerful idea you can immediately put into action.You may not be able to do much about being time-starved. But with Management Tips from the Harvard Business Review as your guide, you'll stand the best chance of succeeding in your role as a manager.

Read more less

Revise your game plan--and profit from the change. If you need the best practices and ideas for creating business models that drive growth--but don't have time to find them--this book is for you. Here are 10 inspiring and useful perspectives, all in one place. This collection of HBR articles will help you: - Reinvent your business profitably - Set your model up for success with a winning competitive strategy - Test and change your assumptions about customers - Spot trends that could transform your business - Exploit disruptive technologies - Give traditional offerings a shot in the arm - Produce game changers for your industry or market - Build a new business in an established organization

Read more less

Find and fix your weakest links. If you need the best practices and ideas for making your supply chain strong and agile--but don't have time to find them--this book is for you. Here are 10 inspiring and useful perspectives, all in one place. This collection of HBR articles will help you: - Use your supply chain as a competitive weapon - Gain customers' trust by revealing where your products come from - Collaborate with other companies--even rivals--to achieve scale - Make smart decisions about where to manufacture - Pick the most profitable supply chain for your products - Align partners' interests with your own - Revamp your supply chain to meet green goals

Read more less

Break down the barriers to effective collaboration.For cross-functional projects to work, you need to bring together diverse ideas and resources from across your organization. But office politics, conflicting objectives, and lack of clear authority can get in the way.The HBR Guide to Collaborative Teams provides practical tips and advice to help you collaborate more effectively. Whether you're leading your own direct reports or building a talented group from disparate parts of your organization, you'll discover how to align others' goals and skills so you can solve problems as a team and deliver great results.You'll learn to: Develop a shared purpose Bust departmental silos Lead employees who don't report to you Overcome conflict and turf wars Prevent collaborative overload and fatigue Use the right tools for virtual information sharing Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

A set of guides to help you recognize good work and encourage progress at the workplace.If you manage a team, you need to be able to measure and manage their performance. From establishing a performance review cycle and building toward your year-end assessment, to providing individual feedback and coaching and establishing group cohesion and accountability, this collection teaches you the skills you need to inspire your team to greater success.This specially priced four-volume set includes books from the HBR Guide series on the topics of Performance Management, Coaching Employees, Delivering Effective Feedback, and Leading Teams.You''ll learn how to: Set--and adapt--employee and team goals Assess performance fairly Coach your employees through tough situations React calmly if someone gets defensive when you deliver feedback Create plans for individual development Rethink how you use performance ratings

Read more less

Leading any team involves managing people, technical oversight, and project administration, but leaders of virtual teams perform these functions from afar. Leading Virtual Teams walks you through the basics of: Connecting your people to each other--and to the team’s missionSurmounting language, distance, and technology barriersIdentifying and using the right communication channels Don't have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR's 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives--from the most trusted source in business. Also available as an ebook.

Read more less

When it comes to project management, success lies in the details. This book walks managers through every step of project oversight from start to finish. Thanks to the book's comprehensive information on everything from planning and budgeting to team building and after-project reviews, managers will master the discipline and skills they need to achieve stellar results without wasting time and money.

Read more less

Put your strategy into action.Even the best competitive strategies mean nothing if they aren't executed well. Yet many organizations struggle when they move from defining a strategy to actually applying it. Somehow, all the careful planning falls apart, initiatives fail, and leaders are left wondering how to pick up the pieces.The HBR Guide to Executing Your Strategy is here to help. This book offers leaders and managers tips and advice for sharing the strategy with your employees, making the shift toward the right objectives, and seeing your strategy come to fruition.You'll learn how to: Understand the "why" behind your strategy Identify the capabilities you have—and the ones you need Communicate objectives and priorities effectively to your team Prioritize strategic projects and let go of outdated ones Encourage cross-silo collaboration toward organizational goals Adjust course when necessary Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

Anyone can think more creatively and unlock innovation.Creativity is the key to innovation, but too many projects and teams are organized in ways that stifle new ideas. You need to ensure that creativity can thrive—and that you are part of the process.Fortunately, anyone can use method-driven approaches to teach and learn creativity. The HBR Guide to Unlocking Creativity will show you how to reach your creative potential, manage creative collaboration, and achieve groundbreaking results.This guide will help you: Understand the neuroscience of creativity Run better brainstorming sessions—in person or virtually Use design thinking to generate new solutions Model a mindset of curiosity and experimentation Balance creativity with productivity Bring breakthrough ideas to life Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

Set yourself up for a successful transition.Retirement is perhaps the greatest and most deeply personal career transition you'll ever make. Will you switch gears, slow down, or stop work entirely? Will you have the money, the good health, and the companionship you need to enjoy it?The HBR Guide to Designing Your Retirement provides the practical tips, research, stories, and advice you need to take stock of your skills and interests and define retirement for yourself.You'll learn how to: Assess your readiness to make the transition Craft a plan to slow your pace—or stop working altogether Experiment with possible future selves Find new ways to apply old skills Communicate your plan to key partners Bridge your old identity to your new one Stay connected Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

Tackle complex situations with critical thinking.You're facing a problem at work. There are many ways you can approach the situation, but each comes with its own pros and cons. How do you sort through all the information so that you know you're taking the right path?The answer is in how you think. The HBR Guide to Critical Thinking will help you navigate your most challenging issues, from difficult problems to tough decisions to complex scenarios. By carefully observing the situation, gathering information, inviting other perspectives, and analyzing what's in front of you, you can move forward with confidence while building this crucial leadership skill.You'll learn how to: Question your assumptions Keep an open mind to opposing viewpoints Sidestep cognitive biases Use data—when appropriate Grow comfortable with ambiguity Find innovative and creative solutions Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

AI is ready for business. Are you ready for AI?From financial modeling and product design to performance management and hiring decisions, AI and machine learning are becoming everyday tools for managers at businesses of all sizes. But AI systems come with benefits and downsides—and if you can't make sense of them, you're not going to make the right decisions.Whether you need to get up to speed quickly or need a refresher, or you're working with an AI expert for the first time, the HBR Guide to AI Basics for Managers will give you the information and skills you need to succeed.You'll learn how to: Understand key AI terms and concepts Recognize which of your projects would benefit from AI Work more effectively with your data team Hire the right AI vendors and consultants Deal with ethical risks before they arise Scale AI across your organization Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

Learn how to make better; faster decisions.You make decisions every day--from prioritizing your to-do list to choosing which long-term innovation projects to pursue. But most decisions don't have a clear-cut answer, and assessing the alternatives and the risks involved can be overwhelming.You need a smarter approach to making the best choice possible. The HBR Guide to Making Better Decisions provides practical tips and advice to help you generate more-creative ideas, evaluate your alternatives fairly, and make the final call with confidence.You'll learn how to: Overcome the cognitive biases that can skew your thinking Look at problems in new ways Manage the trade-offs between options Balance data with your own judgment React appropriately when you've made a bad choice Communicate your decision--and overcome any resistance Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, from a source you trust. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

Don't let a fear of numbers hold you back.Today's business environment brings with it an onslaught of data. Now more than ever, managers must know how to tease insight from data--to understand where the numbers come from, make sense of them, and use them to inform tough decisions. How do you get started?Whether you're working with data experts or running your own tests, you'll find answers in the HBR Guide to Data Analytics Basics for Managers. This book describes three key steps in the data analysis process, so you can get the information you need, study the data, and communicate your findings to others.You'll learn how to: Identify the metrics you need to measure Run experiments and A/B tests Ask the right questions of your data experts Understand statistical terms and concepts Create effective charts and visualizations Avoid common mistakes

Read more less

The one primer you need to develop your entrepreneurial skills.Whether you're imagining your new business to be the next big thing in Silicon Valley, a pivotal B2B provider, or an anchor in your local community, the HBR Entrepreneur's Handbook is your essential resource for getting your company off the ground.Starting an independent new business is rife with both opportunity and risk. And as an entrepreneur, you're the one in charge: your actions can make or break your business. You need to know the tried-and-true fundamentals--from writing a business plan to getting your first loan. You also need to know the latest thinking on how to create an irresistible pitch deck, mitigate risk through experimentation, and develop unique opportunities through business model innovation.The HBR Entrepreneur's Handbook addresses these challenges and more with practical advice and wisdom from Harvard Business Review's archive. Keep this comprehensive guide with you throughout your startup's life--and increase your business's odds for success.In the HBR Entrepreneur's Handbook you'll find: Step-by-step guidance through the entrepreneurial process Concise explanations of the latest research and thinking on entrepreneurship from Harvard Business Review contributors such as Marc Andreessen and Reid Hoffman Time-honed best practices Stories of real companies, from Airbnb to eBay You'll learn: Which skills and characteristics make for the best entrepreneurs How to gauge potential opportunities The basics of business models and competitive strategy How to test your assumptions--before you build a whole business How to select the right legal structure for your company How to navigate funding options, from venture capital and angel investors to accelerators and crowdfunding How to develop sales and marketing programs for your venture What entrepreneurial leaders must do to build culture and set direction as the business keeps growing HBR Handbooks provide ambitious professionals with the frameworks, advice, and tools they need to excel in their careers. With step-by-step guidance, time-honed best practices, real-life stories, and concise explanations of research published in Harvard Business Review, each comprehensive volume helps you to stand out from the pack--whatever your role.

Read more less

Productivity starts with you. Every day begins with the same challenge: too many tasks on your to-do list and not enough time to accomplish them. Perhaps you tell yourself to just buckle down and get it all done—skip lunch, work a longer day. Maybe you throw your hands up, recognize you can't do it all, and just begin fighting the biggest fire or greasing the squeakiest wheel. And yet you know how good it feels on those days when you're working at peak productivity, taking care of difficult and meaty projects while also knocking off the smaller tasks that have been hanging over your head forever. Those are the times when your day didn't run you—you ran your day. To have more of those days more often, you need to discover what works for you given your strengths, your preferences, and the things you must accomplish. Whether you're an assistant or the CEO, whether you've been in the workforce for 40 years or are just starting out, this guide will help you be more productive. You'll discover different ways to: Motivate yourself to work when you really don't want to Take on less, but get more done Preserve time for your most important work Improve your focus Make the most of small pockets of time between meetings Set boundaries with colleagues—without alienating them Take time off without tearing your hair out Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less

Intimidated by corporate finance? The numbers (and the jargon) can feel overwhelming--but you have to understand them to manage effectively. Finance Basics explains the fundamentals simply and quickly, introducing you to key terms and concepts such as: How to navigate financial statementsHow to weigh costs and benefitsWhat’s involved in budgeting and forecastingHow to gauge a company's financial health Don't have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR's 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives--from the most trusted source in business. Also available as an ebook.

Read more less

Effective marketing can mean the difference between runaway successes and costly flops. Covering everything from customer programs to ad campaigns to sales promotions, this is every marketer's hands-on guide to turning opportunities into profits. The Harvard Business Essentials series is designed to provide comprehensive advice, personal coaching, background information, and guidance on the most relevant topics in business. Whether you are a new manager seeking to expand your skills or a seasoned professional looking to broaden your knowledge base, these solution-oriented books put reliable answers at your fingertips.

Read more less

MEET YOUR GOALS--ON TIME AND ON BUDGET. How do you rein in the scope of your project when you've got a group of demanding stakeholders breathing down your neck? And map out a schedule everyone can stick to? And motivate team members who have competing demands on their time and attention? Whether you're managing your first project or just tired of improvising, this guide will give you the tools and confidence you need to define smart goals, meet them, and capture lessons learned so future projects go even more smoothly. The HBR Guide to Project Management will help you: * Build a strong, focused team * Break major objectives into manageable tasks * Create a schedule that keeps all the moving parts under control * Monitor progress toward your goals * Manage stakeholders' expectations * Wrap up your project and gauge its success

Read more less

Communication is key.Effective communication is essential to standing out at work and excelling in your career. But when it comes to making a convincing point in a meeting, crafting the perfect email, or nailing a presentation, there''s a lot to navigate. What kind of language do you use with a varied audience? Which channel is best for which message? How much do body language and Zoom backgrounds matter? And what should you not say?Writing, Presenting, and Communicating with Confidence is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer questions such as: How can I prepare for the most difficult conversations? What can I do to improve my writing? What strategies can I use to overcome my anxiety about public speaking? How can I boost my presence and influence through persuasive communication? Writing, speaking, and communicating with confidence can be intimidating. This boo

Read more less

Working remotely gives you flexibility and independence. But it can pose challenges when you need to team up with colleagues or coworkers. Virtual Collaboration covers the basics of working productively--and collaboratively--from anywhere. You’ll learn to: Communicate clearly over a variety of mediaBond with colleagues across the wiresKeep others--and yourself--accountableAvoid and mitigate tech glitches Don't have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR's 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives--from the most trusted source in business. Also available as an ebook.

Read more less

Today's competitive workplace demands that managers evaluate employee performance, and provide coaching. Performance Management will help managers prepare for a formal performance meeting with a direct report, and create a development plan to increase employee productivity. The Harvard Business Essentials series is designed to provide comprehensive advice, personal coaching, background information, and guidance on the most relevant topics in business. Whether you are a new manager seeking to expand your skills or a seasoned professional looking to broaden your knowledge base, these solution-oriented books put reliable answers at your fingertips.

Read more less

Protect the earth and your bottom line. If you need the best practices and ideas for turning sustainability into competitive advantage--but don't have time to find them--this book is for you. Here are 10 inspiring and useful perspectives, all in one place. This collection of HBR articles will help you: - Craft strategy to compete on green turf - Redesign your business model, products, and processes to achieve green goals - Parlay your efforts into lower costs and higher revenues - Capture more value from clean-tech investments - Launch sustainability programs with impact - Synchronize green initiatives by overhauling your supply chain - Engage constructively with environmental activist groups - Mitigate the risks of climate change

Read more less

Drive transformation.Change is now constant. As a leader, you must serve as interpreter, project manager, cheerleader, and conduit. Plans evolve. Contexts shift. Progress happens in fits and starts. Through it all, you must push your team forward even when you encounter pushback. How can you ensure that your team has the information, the mindset, and the resources they need to be successful?The HBR Guide to Leading Through Change provides the practical tips, research, stories, and advice you need to understand, communicate, and implement change effectively, no matter the size or scale of the challenge you’re facing. You''ll learn to: Improve your odds of success Communicate a shared vision Keep going, even amid lags and setbacks Deal with naysayers and roadblocks Build trust and resilience on your team Make a lasting impact Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed o

Read more less

How do you keep your customers coming back-and get them to bring others? If you need the best practices and ideas for making your customers loyal and profitable--but don't have time to find them--this book is for you. Here are nine inspiring and useful perspectives, all in one place. This collection of HBR articles will help you: - Turn angry customers into loyal advocates - Get more people to recommend you - Boost customer satisfaction by satisfying your employees - Focus on profitable customers--whether they're loyal or not - Invest in the right CRM technology for your business - Mine customer data for more effective marketing - Increase your customers' lifetime value

Read more less

Land the job of your dreams.You're ready to take the next step in your career. But securing the right role can take a lot of work—and a lot of time and energy. How do you move forward without getting overwhelmed by the process?The HBR Guide to Your Job Search is here to help. Whether you’re new to the workforce or have a well-established career, this book contains practical advice for navigating your job hunt.You'll learn how to: Structure your search strategically Translate your strengths into a strong personal story Activate your network to find opportunities Write a résumé that gets callbacks Craft answers to common interview questions Set yourself up for success in your new role Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

Read more less