Customer Reviews

Harvard Business School Confidential: Secrets of Success

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Harvard Business School has an almost unrivalled reputation for schooling some of the greatest business leaders. Former graduate, Emily Chan, who went on to work for leading management consultancy Boston Consulting Group and who is now a director in a family direct investment business in Hong Kong, promises to offer the secrets she learnt there. Does she succeed?

There's arguably a timing issue in a book of this nature. With the current global economic problems, it's perhaps not the best time to be championing the lessons taught in the bastion of Western business education that counts many of the bankers, politicians and business leaders that have caused the problems amongst its illustrious alumni.

But while the book is clearly written and logically well layed out, I couldn't help but be somewhat underwhelmed by this book. The business publishing sector is incredibly crowded and does this book add anything not available elsewhere (in management speak, is there anything that `differentiates' this book)? I'm not so sure.

The book breaches one management issue that she ignores, namely `'don't over-promise and under-deliver'`. There's not much that's confidentially Harvard. Set out into three main themes of Personal, Operations and Strategy, she gives a whistle stop tour of things she's either learned at Harvard, picked up at Boston Consulting and read in the Harvard Business Review. In only one chapter does she offer comment from the Module Notes provided to students - which is interesting - but much of the content is not specifically Harvard, nor confidential. I studied a large part of the strategy content at high school, let alone at business school. Of course, that doesn't make it wrong, but my question is, what is she adding (or in business speak again, where's the `added value'?)

It's a little like sitting in a PowerPoint presentation of key management areas. Ms Chan is a process driven person (not surprisingly as she is an engineering graduate by training) and that's her focus. But there's a `soft' side to management that is largely ignored here. All these areas are widely taught - and certainly not specific to Harvard. Rather worryingly, the one bit that was new to me in her book made little sense until I looked it up in another text book. I suspect that, for the most part though, her thoughts are pretty clear to someone new to the subject.

The truth, which to be fair she acknowledges, is that the true value of Harvard is not so much in what is taught, but in the people you meet while spending two years there. You are going to be set up with contacts for life. But there's no short cut for that in reading a book.

It was by coincidence that I got onto this book. It was actually one of my analysts that referred it to me and suggested that I make it mandatory reading for my staff. I have subsequently bought 30 of these books and gave it to my staff. They love it and now suggest that I replace our training manual with contents from this book.

I run a boutique consulting firm and the tools and training in this book are critical training material for my staffs. For me, it was refreshing and exceptionally clear because of the clarity of the writing and how the author structures the issues and uses exhibits for readers to understand.

I wished that I had access to this book 20 years ago when I started out in the finance and consulting world. The book not only shares essential tools for anyone starting in the business world, it also offers unbiased and macro perspectives on how to think about business, finance, and money.

All in all, a two thumbs up from me! This is a must read starters guide for all business professionals!

Hayden

I feel that Harvard Business School ("HBS") Confidential is a concise and practical guidebook in relation to secrets of success in business, the ingredients of which are collectively made up of the author's knowledge, work experience and expertise gained from HBS, Boston Consulting Group, her entrepreneurial careers and her personal life. The secrets of success cover three major areas: personal aspects, operations (including process management, human resources, marketing, sales and finance) and business strategy. However, it is not a HBS textbook. You may explore further any area of your interest on your own and the author is nice to help and give advice.

I believe that the author's work experience in consulting has given her extensive industry and operations exposure. In essence, the confidentials given in the book are more than those acquired from HBS, which bodes well for readers.

On business strategy front, I do agree that planning is of paramount importance. The construction of a story or a big picture for the prospects of a company or a market calls for frameworks, data, logic, and time lines, which are about getting to details. Details are critical for an effective strategy and strategy planning process.

In the final chapter, the author shares with us some quotes she has heard several times during her HBS days, which both she and I considered extremely inspiring and pragmatic for our personal lives and careers. The essence of those quotes primarily encompasses the following:
(i) Get your plan right at the outset;
(ii) Always on high alert armed with a backup plan;
(iii) Embrace change and keep your eyes open for inefficiency, ineffectiveness, market changes or new technologies that indicate change is necessary. I consider that it is also crucial to recognize patterns and crystallize trends, in particular paradigm shift;
(iv) Be passionate about your work, which will enhance your odds of success; and
(v) Be determined to succeed. Perseverance, stamina and courage are essential elements in the pursuit of your ambitions.

The book is quite rightly sized and handy. You don't need to have strong business background to comprehend it. Perhaps, senior business executives may not be satisfied as they may already know more than half of what the book reveals. However, I consider from a strategic perspective that the book offers visionary business leaders and corporate strategists a holistic approach to the long term development and growth of a corporation. While I am an experienced investment professional and found it easy to read and understand, it will form part of my personal collection of interesting and inspiring business books.

I just wanted to thank the author for the great book - Harvard Business School Confidential. I wish this was available when I started working. The book concisely summarized what I faced and learned throughout the past 7 years of my career.

I just love it! A must read for everyone. It is excellent especially for those who are about to begin their professional career.

Sincerely yours,
Kitti

There are some really good ideas in this book and I really enjoyed reading it. The author has real world experience and shares what she learned throughout her tenure at HBS and at a consulting firm. I began applying some of the theoretical business analysis models during my internship over the summer with a non-profit organization in the OC area and the CEO, who was also my mentor, was blown away. I really wish that some of the chapters went into more detail and that there were more analytical tools, but I know that one book cannot do it all. It's a good starting point and if the reader wants to learn more about any particular subject, there are lots of other books out there to accomplish just that.

I picked up this book expecting to find interesting concepts, tools, and ideas that HBS teaches its students. What I found was a review of business basics that anyone with even an undergrad business background would be familiar with. The author sometimes thinks too highly of herself and her HBS peers, making the book somewhat annoying. Only benefit of purchasing this book is the comfort of knowing that HBS does not offer its students anything exceptional aside from an excellent network of peers. Don't waste your time on this read---there are far more interesting business books out there.

Genre: Business

Title: Harvard Business School - Confidential

Author: Emily Chan

One of the toughest things about business school was the books. Dry application of theory presented in clinical absolutes that, like battle plans, failed at the first contact with the enemy. That is why, as a businessman, I found Emily Chan's presentation of practical and useful business wisdom and strategies so refreshing. Harvard Business School Confidential is a field guide and whether you are CEO of a multinational corporation or job searching, she presents the, yes; theory, but more importantly, real life experience, relevant case scenarios and the secrets of making it all work.

Personal, Operations and Strategy. These are the broad categories Chan uses; she then breaks each one down into easy to assimilate chapters with titles like, "Plans Are Nothing, Planning Is Everything". Each chapter giving the reader ideas to contemplate or new approaches to old problems. Consider the issues we all face in business and how they apply to the categories above; planning, promotion, communications, placement, process and control, among just a few. Chan presents them, explains them and offers solutions, incite and strategy that makes real-world sense. I found the writing compelling, the layout logical and professional and, most importantly, the message pertinent and compelling.

I highly recommend Harvard Business School Confidential to anyone in business, interested in business or contemplating attending business school. In fact, I would recommend this as a prerequisite for first year business school candidates. It would help make the theory make sense.

Reviewed by reviewer Gregory J. Saunders, Allbooks Review, [...]

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN: 978-0-470-82239-5

November 2009

Dear Ms.Emily Chan,

I read your book and it is great. More so when my son is also a HBS alumni (2008 Batch) like you. I enjoyed reading your book much.

It is good for people like me to read the book to understand what we should, without going for a course in Harvard.

I must thank you for such a book at the right time right place.

Best wishes,

Thank you.

Sincerely Yours,

Prof. Dr. Raju Chandrasekar PhD (Management) PhD (Higher education management) PhD (Uganda)