HBR On Strategy

Explore how Epic Games transformed from a video game company to a platform, monetizing Fortnite through in-game purchases. Learn about their unique growth strategy, challenges in the gaming industry, and Tim Sweeney's vision for a metaverse.

Harvard Business School professor Sunil Gupta discusses how Amazon's strategy and founder Jeff Bezos disrupted traditional business strategies, emphasizing customer obsession and long-term thinking. Topics include diversification, customer focus, innovation, and leadership. Explore the keys to Amazon's success and lessons for companies of all sizes.

Experts discuss the legacy of disruptive innovation in technology start-ups. Topics include strategy, competitive strategy, business history, innovation's impact on business, and the challenges faced by established companies in adapting to disruptive changes.

The podcast delves into the strategic decisions and challenges of the U.S. Airways and American Airlines merger. Topics include leadership dynamics, team integration, and operational challenges. The CEO's approach to merging two large corporations is analyzed, focusing on cultural differences and operational strategies.

Ken Favaro, strategy expert, discusses the importance of incentivizing organic growth within organizations. He emphasizes the need to avoid labeling business units and highlights strategies for consistent growth, including balancing growth engines and nurturing cash cows, and overcoming resistance during challenging times.

Howard Yu, Lego Professor of Management and Innovation, discusses the enduring competitive advantage of pharmaceutical companies in Basel, Switzerland. He highlights the evolution from chemical dyes to microbiology, emphasizing the importance of repackaging knowledge for innovation. The episode explores the key elements of strategy, innovation, and long-term competitiveness in the pharmaceutical industry.

Learn from Harvard Business School professor about retaining the soul of your startup when scaling. Key topics include strategic business intent, customer connection, and employee experience. Real-world examples from Netflix, Apple, and Warby Parker highlight the importance of maintaining core values during growth.

Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson discusses the importance of failing well in business. She distinguishes between good and bad failures, emphasizing the value of experimentation and psychological safety. The podcast explores the challenges of not experimenting enough due to fear of failure, and the need for feedback and learning from mistakes to drive innovation.

Learn how successful CEOs like Warren Buffet and Henry Singleton allocated capital to build durable businesses, focusing on stock repurchases and efficient capital allocation strategies. Discover the common traits of these leaders and how their unconventional approach generated wealth for shareholders. Explore the impact of strategic decisions on long-term success in this insightful podcast.

Learn how a former consultant revamped an independent bookstore post-pandemic to compete with online giants. Discover strategies for sustainable wages, community engagement, and reinventing brick-and-mortar retail in a changing market.