Year in Tech 2021

(2020) A year of HBR’s essential thinking on tech—all in one place. From 5G networks to biometric marketing and from augmented reality to AI wearables, new technologies are reshaping business on the factory floor and in the C-suite. What should you and your company be doing now to take advantage of the new opportunities these technologies are creating—and avoid falling victim to disruption? The Year in Tech 2021: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review will help you understand what the latest and most important tech innovations mean for your organization and how you can use them to compete and win in today’s turbulent business environment. Business is changing. Will you adapt or be left behind? Get up to speed and deepen your understanding of the topics that are shaping your company’s future with the Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review series. Featuring HBR’s smartest thinking on fast-moving issues—blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, and more—each book provides the foundational introduction and practical case studies your organization needs to compete today and collects the best research, interviews, and analysis to get it ready for tomorrow. You can’t afford to ignore how these issues will transform the landscape of business and society. The Insights You Need series will help you grasp these critical ideas—and prepare you and your company for the future.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Public

(2020) Command the room–whether you’re speaking to an audience of one or one hundred. If you read nothing else on public speaking and presenting, read these 10 articles. We’ve combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you find your voice, persuade your listeners, and connect with audiences of any size. This book will inspire you to: Win hearts and minds–and approval for your ideas Conquer your nerves and speak with confidence Focus your message so that people really listen Establish trust with your audience by being your authentic self Use data and visuals to persuade more effectively Master the art of storytelling This collection of articles includes “How to Give a Killer Presentation,” by Chris Anderson; “How to Become an Authentic Speaker,” by Nick Morgan; “Storytelling That Moves People: A Conversation with Screenwriting Coach Robert McKee,” by Bronwyn Fryer; “Connect, Then Lead,” by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger; “The Necessary Art of Persuasion,” by Jay A. Conger; “The Science of Pep Talks,” by Daniel McGinn; “Get the Boss to Buy In,” by Susan J. Ashford and James R. Detert; “The Organizational Apology,” by Maurice E. Schweitzer, Alison Wood Brooks, and Adam D. Galinsky; “What’s Your Story?” by Herminia Ibarra and Kent Lineback; “Visualizations That Really Work,” by Scott Berinato; and “Structure Your Presentation Like a Story,” by Nancy Duarte. HBR’s 10 Must Reads paperback series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR’s 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever-changing business environment.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Managin

(2020) Is your business playing it safe—or taking the right risks? If you read nothing else on managing risk, read these 10 articles. We’ve combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help your company make smart decisions and thrive, even when the future is unclear. This book will inspire you to: Avoid the most common errors in risk management Understand the three distinct categories of risk and tailor your risk-management processes accordingly Embrace uncertainty as a key element of breakthrough innovation Adopt best practices for mitigating political threats Upgrade your organization’s forecasting capabilities to gain a competitive edge Detect and neutralize cyberattacks originating inside your company This collection of articles includes “Managing Risks: A New Framework,” by Robert S. Kaplan and Anette Mikes; “How to Build Risk into Your Business Model,” by Karan Girotra and Serguei Netessine; “The Six Mistakes Executives Make in Risk Management,” by Nassim N. Taleb, Daniel G. Goldstein, and Mark W. Spitznagel; “From Superstorms to Factory Fires: Managing Unpredictable Supply-Chain Disruptions,” by David Simchi-Levi, William Schmidt, and Yehua Wei; “Is It Real? Can We Win? Is It Worth Doing?: Managing Risk and Reward in an Innovation Portfolio,” by George S. Day; “Superforecasting: How to Upgrade Your Company’s Judgment,” by Paul J. H. Schoemaker and Philip E. Tetlock; “Managing 21st-Century Political Risk,” by Condoleezza Rice and Amy Zegart; “How to Scandal-Proof Your Company,” by Paul Healy and George Serafeim; “Beating the Odds When You Launch a New Venture,” by Clark Gilbert and Matthew Eyring; “The Danger from Within,” by David M. Upton and Sadie Creese; and “Future-Proof Your Climate Strategy,” by Joseph E. Aldy and Gianfranco Gianfrate.

HBR Guide to Setting Your Stra

(2020) Set your company up for long-term success. Every company needs a strategy. A focused strategy aligns decision making throughout the organization and helps establish a competitive edge in the marketplace. But with so many options to consider, how do you define a unique strategy that will ensure growth? Whether you’re starting a business from scratch or leading an existing company facing new threats, this book offers the direction you need. The HBR Guide to Setting Your Strategy provides practical tips and advice that break down the process of crafting strategy so you can identify the areas your company should build on to help it thrive long into the future. You’ll learn to: Understand what strategy is—and what it isn’t Define where you’ll play and how you’ll win Conduct more-effective strategic discussions with your team Test your strategy before you implement it Communicate your strategy to key stakeholders Ensure your strategy is flexible and adaptable 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.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads 2020

(2019) A year’s worth of management wisdom, all in one place. We’ve reviewed the ideas, insights, and best practices from the past year of Harvard Business Review to keep you up-to-date on the most cutting-edge, influential thinking driving business today. With authors from Michael E. Porter to Katrina Lake and company examples from Alibaba to 3M, this volume brings the most current and important management conversations right to your fingertips. This book will inspire you to: Ask better questions to boost your learning, persuade others, and negotiate more effectively Create workplace conditions where gender equity can thrive Boost results by allowing humans and AI to enhance one another’s strengths Make better connections with your customers by giving them a glimpse inside your company Scale your agile processes from a few teams to hundreds Build a commitment to both economic and social values in your organization Prepare your company for a rapidly aging workforce and society This collection of articles includes “The Surprising Power of Questions,” by Alison Wood Brooks and Leslie K. John; “Strategy Needs Creativity,” by Adam Brandenburger; “What Most People Get Wrong about Men and Women,” by Catherine H. Tinsley and Robin J. Ely; “Collaborative Intelligence: Humans and AI Are Joining Forces,” by H. James Wilson and Paul R. Daugherty; “Stitch Fix’s CEO on Selling Personal Style to the Mass Market,” by Katrina Lake; “Strategy for Start-Ups,” by Joshua Gans, Erin L. Scott, and Scott Stern; “Agile at Scale,” by Darrell K. Rigby, Jeff Sutherland, and Andy Noble; “Operational Transparency,” by Ryan W. Buell; “The Dual-Purpose Playbook,” by Julie Battilana, Anne-Claire Pache, Metin Sengul, and Marissa Kimsey; “How CEOs Manage Time,” by Michael E. Porter and Nitin Nohria; and “When No One Retires,” by Paul Irving.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Diversi

(2019) Reap the benefits of a diverse workforce. If you read nothing else on promoting diversity and realizing its benefits, read these 10 articles. We’ve combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you create a culture that seeks and celebrates difference. This book will inspire you to: Identify and address bias Short-circuit discrimination instead of unintentionally feeding it Attract, retain, and engage talented people who represent myriad identities Ensure that everyone has equal access to growth opportunities Trade outdated policies for practices that are proven to foster inclusion Harness employees’ unique skills and perspectives to transform how your company operates This collection of articles includes “Making Differences Matter: A New Paradigm for Managing Diversity,” by David A. Thomas and Robin J. Ely; “Why Diversity Programs Fail,” by Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev; “‘Numbers Take Us Only So Far,'” by Maxine Williams; “Race Matters: The Truth About Mentoring Minorities,” by David A. Thomas; “Leadership in Your Midst: Tapping the Hidden Strengths of Minority Executives,” by Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Carolyn Buck Luce, and Cornel West; “What Most People Get Wrong About Men and Women,” by Catherine H. Tinsley and Robin J. Ely; “Hacking Tech’s Diversity Problems,” by Joan C. Williams; “Why Men Still Get More Promotions Than Women,” by Herminia Ibarra, Nancy M. Carter, and Christine Silva; “When No One Retires,” by Paul Irving; “Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage,” by Robert D. Austin and Gary P. Pisano; “Managing Multicultural Teams,” by Jeanne Brett, Kristin Behfar, and Mary C. Kern; and “7 Myths About Coming Out at Work,” by Raymond Trau, Jane O’Leary, and Cathy Brown.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Negotia

(2019) Learn to be a better negotiator – and achieve the outcomes you want. We’ve combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you avoid common mistakes, find hidden opportunities, and win the best deals possible. This book will inspire you to: control the negotiation before you enter the room; persuade others to do what you want – for their own reasons; manage emotions on both sides of the table; understand the rules of negotiating across cultures; set the stage for a healthy relationship long after the ink has dried; and identify what you can live with and when to walk away

Connected Strategy

(2019) Business Models for Transforming Customer Relationships What if there were a way to turn occasional, sporadic transactions with customers into long-term, continuous relationships–while simultaneously driving dramatic improvements in operational efficiency? What if you could break your existing trade-offs between superior customer experience and low cost? This is the promise of a connected strategy. New forms of connectivity–involving frequent, low-friction, customized interactions–mean that companies can now anticipate customer needs as they arise, or even before. Simultaneously, enabled by these technologies, companies can create new business models that deliver more value to customers. Connected strategies are win-win: Customers get a dramatically improved experience, while companies boost operational efficiency. In this book, strategy and operations experts Nicolaj Siggelkow and Christian Terwiesch reveal the emergence of connected strategies as a new source of competitive advantage. With in-depth examples from companies operating in industries such as healthcare, financial services, mobility, retail, entertainment, nonprofit, and education, Connected Strategy identifies the four pathways–respond-to-desire, curated offering, coach behavior, and automatic execution–for turning episodic interactions into continuous relationships. The authors show how each pathway creates a competitive advantage, then guide you through the critical decisions for creating and implementing your own connected strategies. Whether you’re trying to revitalize strategy in an established company or disrupt an industry as a startup, this book will help you: Reshape your connections with your customers Find new ways to connect with existing suppliers while also activating new sources of capacity Create the right revenue model Make the best technology choices to support your strategy Integrating rich examples, how-to advice, and practical tools in the form of “workshop chapters” throughout, this book is the ultimate resource for creating competitive advantage through connected relationships with your customers and redefined connections in your industry.

HBR Guide to Motivating People

(2019) Help your people reach their potential. As a manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure your team is motivated and performing at a high level. But recent data reveals abysmal engagement levels among workers around the globe. How do you fix the problem–before your most talented people walk out the door? By understanding what drains your employees, you can increase their job satisfaction and push them toward achieving their goals. The HBR Guide to Motivating People provides practical tips and advice to help your team find meaning in their work, build on their strengths, and produce the best results for the organization. You’ll learn how to: Pinpoint the root causes of lackluster performance Tailor rewards and recognition to individuals Connect routine work activities to a higher purpose Support your employees’ growth and development Prevent burnout–especially in your top performers Create a culture of engagement 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.

HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Busines

(2019) Rethink how your organization creates, delivers, and captures value–or risk becoming irrelevant. If you read nothing else on business model innovation, read these 10 articles. We’ve combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you reach new customers and stay ahead of your competitors by reinventing your business model. This book will inspire you to: Assess whether your core business model is going strong or running out of gas Fend off free and discount entrants to your market Reinvigorate growth by adding a second business model Adopt the practices of lean startups Develop a platform around your key products Make business model innovation an ongoing discipline within your organization This collection of articles includes “Why Business Models Matter,” by Joan Magretta; “Reinventing Your Business Model,” by Mark W. Johnson, Clayton M. Christensen, and Henning Kagermann; “When Your Business Model Is in Trouble,” an interview with Rita Gunther McGrath by Sarah Cliffe; “Four Paths to Business Model Innovation,” by Karan Girotra and Serguei Netessine; “The Transformative Business Model,” by Stelios Kavadias, Kostas Ladas, and Christoph Loch; “Competing Against Free,” by David J. Bryce, Je?rey H. Dyer, and Nile W. Hatch; “Why the Lean Start-Up Changes Everything,” by Steve Blank; “Finding the Platform in Your Product,” by Andrei Hagiu and Elizabeth J. Altman; “Pipelines, Platforms, and the New Rules of Strategy,” by Marshall W. Van Alstyne, Geo?rey G. Parker, and Sangeet Paul Choudary; “When One Business Model Isn’t Enough,” by Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Jorge Tarzijan; and “Reaching the Rich World’s Poorest Consumers,” by Muhammad Yunus, Frederic Dalsace, David Menasce, and Benedicte Faivre-Tavignot. HBR’s 10 Must Reads paperback series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR’s 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever-changing business environment.