- 27 Jul 2022
- Climate Rising
How RMI Collaborates with Companies to Accelerate the Energy Transition
Jules Kortnenhorst, CEO of RMI, shares how RMI works with companies in the transportation, cement, and steel sectors to encourage the rapid energy transition necessary to mitigate climate change. He also talks about RMI’s global partnerships, innovative energy programs, and accelerators—and describes how his experience in the HBS MBA program shaped his career journey, and offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Jules Kortenhorst, CEO, RMI
- 26 Jul 2022
- Research & Ideas
Burgers with Bugs? What Happens When Restaurants Ignore Online Reviews
Negative Yelp reviews hold more sway with consumers than restaurateurs might think. A machine learning study by Chiara Farronato reveals how online platforms amplify the customer voice, and why business owners should listen.
- 26 Jul 2022
- Cold Call Podcast
Can Bombas Reach New Customers while Maintaining Its Social Mission?
Bombas was started in 2013 with a dual mission: to deliver quality socks and donate much-needed footwear to people living in shelters. By 2021, it had become one of America’s most visible buy-one-give-one companies, with over $250 million in annual revenue and 50 million pairs of socks donated. Later, as Bombas expanded into underwear, t-shirts, and slippers, the company struggled to determine what pace of growth would best allow it to reach new customers while maintaining its social mission. Harvard Business School assistant professor Elizabeth Keenan discusses the case, "Bee-ing Better at Bombas."
- 21 Jul 2022
- Research & Ideas
Did Pandemic Stimulus Funds Spur the Rise of 'Meme Stocks'?
Remember the GameStop stock frenzy? Research by Robin Greenwood and colleagues shows how market speculation can flare up when you combine stimulus funds, trading platforms, and plain old boredom.
- 20 Jul 2022
- Managing the Future of Work
MOOC to graduate degree: What the 2U, edX merger means for higher ed and skills building
Edtech firm 2U's acquisition of edX, the Harvard-MIT nonprofit education venture, has the potential to advance online higher-ed and broaden access. But there are many moving parts and interested parties. 2U co-founder and CEO, Chip
- 18 Jul 2022
- Research & Ideas
After the 'Crypto Crash,' What's Next for Digital Currencies?
After soaring to dizzying levels, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have lost more than half of their value in recent months. Scott Duke Kominers discusses crypto's volatility, potential for regulation, and why these digital assets are likely here to stay.
- 14 Jul 2022
- Research & Ideas
When the Rubber Meets the Road, Most Commuters Text and Email While Driving
Laws and grim warnings have done little to deter distracted driving. Commuters routinely use their time behind the wheel to catch up on emails, says research by Raffaella Sadun, Thomaz Teodorovicz, and colleagues. What will it take to make roads safer?
- 13 Jul 2022
- Climate Rising
How World Wildlife Fund Partners with Companies on Climate Change
Carter Roberts, President/CEO of World Wildlife Fund-US, shares what successful climate collaborations between companies and environmental nongovernmental organizations (ENGOs) look like in practice, and how ENGOs can help by sharing their expertise and even pushing companies to take bolder action on climate change. Carter also talks about how being an HBS MBA student shaped his career in the private sector and nonprofit space, and offers advice for others interested in careers in climate and business. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Carter Roberts, President and CEO, World Wildlife Fund-US
- 13 Jul 2022
- Book
Reimagining the Economy: What Would It Take to Put People First?
Could new ways of working be the remedy for society's ills? In an excerpt from the book Democratize Work, Julie Battilana shares how domestic workers banded together to gain power in an economy that marginalizes them.
- 12 Jul 2022
- Cold Call Podcast
Can the Foodservice Distribution Industry Recover from the Pandemic?
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, US Foods struggled, as restaurant and school closures reduced demand for foodservice distribution. The situation improved after the return of indoor dining and in-person learning, but an industry-wide shortage of truck drivers and warehouse staff hampered the foodservice distributor’s post-pandemic recovery. That left CEO Pietro Satriano to determine the best strategy to attract and retain essential workers, even as he was tasked with expanding the wholesale grocery store chain (CHEF’STORE) that US Foods launched during the pandemic lockdown. Harvard Business School Professor David E. Bell explores how post-pandemic supply chain challenges continue to affect the foodservice distribution industry in his case, “US Foods: Driving Post-Pandemic Success?”
- 07 Jul 2022
- HBS Case
How a Multimillion-Dollar Ice Cream Startup Melted Down (and Bounced Back)
A Brooklyn-based ice cream shop was getting buzz, and Disney was pitching a brand partnership. So how did the business wind up filing for bankruptcy? A case study by Thomas Eisenmann and Lindsay N. Hyde examines the rise and fall—and recent rebound—of Ample Hills Creamery.
- 06 Jul 2022
- Managing the Future of Work
Can we automate our way to better decision making?
The pandemic has forced organizational change and spurred the development of new business models. It’s also prompted workers and the public to reexamine their relationships with businesses. Juergen Lindner, Oracle SVP of Global Marketing, discusses the workforce and skills implications of doing business in the cloud and how automation could help advance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
- 05 Jul 2022
- Op-Ed
Hear Me Out: Introverts Can Be Loud and You Might Like Microsoft Teams
Working Knowledge readers share their thoughts on what it takes to truly listen, whether Teams is just as good as Slack, and how one change could support delivery drivers.
- 05 Jul 2022
- What Do You Think?
Have We Seen the Peak of Just-in-Time Inventory Management?
Toyota and other companies have harnessed just-in-time inventory management to cut logistics costs and boost service. That is, until COVID-19 roiled global supply chains. Will we ever get back to the days of tighter inventory control? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 30 Jun 2022
- HBS Case
Peloton Changed the Exercise Game. Can the Company Push Through the Pain?
When COVID-19 closed gyms, seemingly everyone rushed to order a Peloton bike and claim a spot on the company's signature leader board. And then things quickly went downhill. A case study by Robert Dolan looks at the tough road the exercise equipment maker faces.
- 28 Jun 2022
- Cold Call Podcast
Scaling a Fintech Startup for the Greater Good
Esusu launched in 2018 with a rotational savings product and continued growing their fintech startup in late 2019 with Esusu Rent, a rent reporting tool that enables renters to improve their credit scores. In March 2020, co-founders Abbey Wemimo and Samir Goel were working to determine how best to scale Esusu to advance their mission of promoting financial inclusion in the US. Harvard Business School Assistant Professor Emily Williams discusses how the two co-founders decided how to allocate resources and scale their business in the case, “Esusu: Solving Homelessness Backwards.”
- 28 Jun 2022
- Book
The Moral Enterprise: How Two Companies Profit with Purpose
Despite polarized attitudes, Rebecca Henderson argues that it's the perfect time for companies to reset their moral compass. In an essay from the book A Political Economy of Justice, she explores the social efforts of Cadbury and Unilever.
- 23 Jun 2022
- Research & Ideas
All Those Zoom Meetings May Boost Connection and Curb Loneliness
Zoom fatigue became a thing during the height of the pandemic, but research by Amit Goldenberg shows how virtual interactions can provide a salve for isolation. What does this mean for remote and hybrid workplaces?
- 22 Jun 2022
- Managing the Future of Work
Reshma Saujani on recoding work for gender equity
If it’s cool for girls to code, why aren’t more women working in technology? And why are working mothers in all sectors finding it difficult to establish and maintain careers? Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms, shares her formula for structural change.
Will Demand for Women Executives Finally Shrink the Gender Pay Gap?
Women in senior management have more negotiation power than they think in today's labor market, says research by Paul Healy and Boris Groysberg. Is it time for more women to seek better opportunities and bigger pay?