Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series) [Paperback]

Harvard Business School Press (Compiler)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0875849105 | ISBN-13: 978-0875849102 | Publication Date: February 10, 1999 | Edition: 1

Beginning with the basics of writing a business plan, this wide-ranging resource moves on to cover sophisticated topics such as how to navigate the world of venture capital funding and strategies for turning technological innovations into successful marketplace realities. Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship offers valuable insights for all types of business pioneers. The Harvard Business Review Paperback Series is designed to bring today's managers and professionals the fundamental information they need to stay competitive in a fast-moving world. Here are the landmark ideas that have established the Harvard Business Review as required reading for ambitious business people in organizations around the globe. Articles include: The Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer by Amar V. Bhide; How to Write a Great Business Plan by William A. Sahlman; How Entrepreneurs Craft Strategies That Work by Amar V. Bhide; How Much Money Does Your New Venture Need? by James McNeill Stancill; Milestones for Successful Venture Planning by Zenus Block and Ian C. MacMillan; Strategy vs. Tactics from a Venture Capitalist by Arthur Rock; Bootstrap Finance: The Art of Start-Ups by Amar V. Bhide; and Commercializing Technology: What the Best Companies Do by J. Michael Nevens, Gregory L. Summe, and Bro Uttal.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since 1984, Harvard Business School Press has been dedicated to publishing the most contemporary management thinking, written by authors and practitioners who are leading the way. Whether readers are seeking big-picture strategic thinking or tactical problem solving, advice in managing global corporations or for developing personal careers, HBS Press helps fuel the fire of innovative thought. HBS Press has earned a reputation as the springboard of thought for both established and emerging business leaders.

Product Details

• Paperback: 217 pages
• Publisher: Harvard Business Press; 1 edition (February 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875849105
• ISBN-13: 978-0875849102
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good information, but beyond what most entrepreneurs will need, March 9, 2006

By 

S. Yonts (Auburn, ME USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series) (Paperback)

While the Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship contains a number of tips that any entrepreneur is likely to find useful, much of the book deals with topics that only a handful of the largest and most ambitious start-ups will encounter. The book was written by multiple authors, so it offers a variety of viewpoints but also occasionally contradicts itself.

The first half of the book is especially good and is likely to be relevant to any entrepreneur. The reader is encouraged to answer some important questions that help determine exactly what they hope to achieve, both personally and professionally, through their business. One useful section assists with the creation of the business plan, and an even more useful section warns the reader not to spend so much time planning that they miss their opportunity entirely.

Unfortunately, a large portion of the book deals with venture capital. If your business plan involves venture capital, the information in the book will undoubtedly be of use to you. However, one of the last chapters of the book deals with "bootstrap finance" and points out that an exceedingly small number of start-ups actually need or receive venture capital. The final section, concerning "commercializing technology", is also unlikely to apply to most small businesses.

I'm glad I had a chance to read this book, but I think other books will prove more useful to the typical entrepreneur (NOLO's Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business is particularly good).

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most important handbook for entrepreneurs, August 29, 2003

By 

Krishna Shetty "Krish Shetty" (Manhasset, New York United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series) (Paperback)

As an entrepreneur with varying degree of success and failure, I found this book to be the most accurate writing on the subject. If I could read this book many years ago, I would have avoided many expensive mistakes. If you are looking to become an entrepreneur, or if you are are already one, I strongly recommend you read this book--and take notes because virtually everthing in this book applies to every entrepreneur. This is a must read for every business person.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Guide to Entrepreneurship, September 11, 2001

By 

Munipella Kailashnath (Bangalore, Karnataka India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series) (Paperback)

This book is a collection of easy to read articles by eminent faculty as well as venture capitalists teaching and supporting entrepreneurship.

These articles offer an insight into the problems faced by a start-up as well as methods to prioritize their activities. It does offer ideas to entrepreneurs to manage and grow a start-up.

Overall a good collection of articles with some very contrasting schools of thought.