Today was my own graduation from HBS.  After 2 years of preparing and discussing cases, I walked across the stage with 950 students that humble me on every encounter.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend and learn from my peers.  Throughout our MBA curriculum, we delved into finance, marketing, leadership, ethics, strategy, and many more subjects vital to operating successful businesses.  However, it was not until today that I was taught my last and most significant lesson; build your family.

From my seat at commencement, I could see 950 people who had the opportunity to grow their families over the past two years.  Not by blood, not by marriage, and not by law.  Instead, we were graced with the opportunity to become family through shared experience.  We learned to trust each … Read More »

Since the late 90′s, the world has been well aware of situations in which industries can be disrupted.  Professor Christensen’s Innovators Dilemma did an incredibly thorough job of detailing when and why small innovative companies are able to unseat the incumbent juggernauts.  And since the late 90′s, managers at large companies have concentrated on applying the lessons of disruptive theory to manage the risk of low-end players growing into their profitable business lines.  My question, is if we can establish the situations where companies should proscriptively alter their low-end strategy, can we establish the situations where those same companies should alter the strategy for their upmarket businesses?

Over the next year I am performing research for the Forum for Growth and innovation at the Harvard Business School.  This is going to my area of research… Can we identify market changes that … Read More »

For the past 2 years a debate has raged on business school campuses across the nation.  Academics and students alike have taken up arms against the corrupt institutions that comprise our economy, forging the MBA Oath; an internally inconsistent document that presupposes an absence of existing ethical standards for managers and analysts alike.

While I don’t believe the intention behind current, vocal, MBA Oath advocates is a bad one… I think approaching what should be a thoughtful declaration of ethics with such a poorly formed document does a dis-service to the intended purpose.  Vocal advocacy of inconsistencies undermines the message of the oath and the credibility of its advocates.Because I assume we are not all familiar with the document itself, I’ve included the text below:The MBA Oath: ——————————- As a business leader I recognize my role in society. •  My … Read More »