27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Clever Title, Disappointing Content, February 29, 2000
This review is from: What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street-Smart Executive (Paperback)
I eagerly made my way through this book, in search of insights that might live up to the intriguing title of this book. What I found disappointed me: rather blasé anecdotes that seemed to be saying, "Look at me... see what I've done? Aren't I something?" Mark McCormack has obviously achieved great success, but his musings left me unfulfilled just the same. The basic premise of this book (listen to and take care of people, and beware arrogance) is sound, but for hard-hitting, meaty commentary, I'd look elsewhere.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The things they CAN'T teach you at Harvard Business School, March 27, 2002
This review is from: What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street-Smart Executive (Paperback)
Mark McCormack is Founder, Chairman and CEO of sports marketing company International Management Group (IMG). He was named 'the most powerful man in sports' by Sports Illustrated.
In this book McCormack does not so much criticize Harvard Business School as the title suggests, but complements the traditional business school-education with 'street smarts' - "the ability to make active, positive use of your instincts, insights, and perceptions." (Funnily enough, McCormack did not even attend the HBS, he has a law degree from Yale.) "My main purpose in writing this book is to fill in many of the gaps - the gaps between a business school education and the street knowledge that comes from day-to-day experience of running a business and managing people." He splits the 'street smarts' and this book up into three parts: People, sales and negotiation, and running a business. With each part consisting of 4-to-6 chapters.
In the first part McCormack discusses matters related to people, such as reading people, creating impressions, preparation for business situations, and improving your career. "Business situations always come down to people situations. And the more - and the sooner - I know about the person I am dealing with, the more effective I'm going to be." In the second part of the book - Sales and Negotiation - the author dicusses sales, negotiations and marketing. Sales and negotiations are probably the strongest point of both the book and McCormack, he really excels here. ...The third part of the book - Running a Business - is probably the weakest part of the book. Although there are some great one-liners, it is clear that the author is not that much at ease with writing about organization structures, policies and procedures. In fact, it looks like he despises most of these subjects. However, in the final chapter he provides some good advice for entrepreneurs and people thinking about starting their own business.
Yes, I do like this book. It is somewhat unconventional and is not really a business/management book. The examples from his experiences in sports marketing are exceptional and extremely useful. And yes, it is a great complement to the traditional business school-education (although they are now covering some of the subjects McCormack discusses, under the term 'emotional intelligence'). It is very simple to read and relatively short (250 pages). Recommended to managers and, yes also, MBA-students.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must For All Levels of Managemet, December 12, 2000
This review is from: What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street-Smart Executive (Paperback)
This was one of the first business/management books I purchasd upon my graduation from college in 1988. Since that time, I find myself reading the book atleast once every 12 to 18 months to refreash my memory as well as my attitude. Mark's common sense straight forward approach is second to none! This book made such an impression on me that it is now required reading for all of my managemnet personnel and all new hires are given a copy on their start date of employment with my company.
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