Tag: government

Outspoken Alumnus Blames HBS for Enron Debacle

The demise of Enron, the once-vaunted energy and trading company, is a complex affair. On December 2, 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy. Last week, its shares were delisted from the NYSE. The financial press is awash with speculation on the cause and ramifications of what has been dubbed “the largest bankruptcy case in American… Continue reading Outspoken Alumnus Blames HBS for Enron Debacle

Professor Kanter's Dangerous Conclusion

In the final issue of The Harbus 2001 Edition, Harvard Business School Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter graciously submitted an article that originally appeared in the December 2001 issue of Business 2.0, entitled, “The End of the End of Big Government.” In her piece, Prof. Kanter argues forcibly that the U.S. terrorism crisis revealed “our erstwhile… Continue reading Professor Kanter's Dangerous Conclusion

Dukakis Urges Students Not To Forget 'Domestic Challenges'

Former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis last week called on members of the HBS community not to let the nation be so consumed with the war on terrorism that it ignores “fundamental domestic challenges”-like the need to extend health care coverage to 43 million Americans who are uninsured.“If we’re serious about creating a society in this… Continue reading Dukakis Urges Students Not To Forget 'Domestic Challenges'

The End of the End of Big Government

It has been 20 years since President Reagan gave the policy pendulum a mighty push toward minimalist government. With bold strokes, he deregulated the airlines, privatized air traffic control, and set in motion cheaper, less centralized government. Later, as the Cold War waned, the stature of the private sector grew taller and business principles became… Continue reading The End of the End of Big Government

Hard Time Finding a Good a Job? Create Your Own

Why struggle to get a job in this damaged economy if you can be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to create your own? The HBS business plan contest was a great opportunity for me to validate a business idea, create a company of my own and also have fun in the process. Let me… Continue reading Hard Time Finding a Good a Job? Create Your Own

HBS Grad Elected NYC Mayor

Harvard Business School graduates now hold the two toughest jobs in the country. Michael Bloomberg, HBS 1966, the billionaire founder of the financial news and information network that bears his name, was elected Mayor of New York City last Tuesday, and will take on the immense task of rebuilding the city’s economy and psyche in… Continue reading HBS Grad Elected NYC Mayor

Where Do We Go From Here?

In the last four articles on the war against terrorism, we covered many issues. We discussed ongoing military operations, the delicate diplomatic equation in the immediate region, and the changes needed in the Middle East and in American policy to stop the cycle of hatred that breeds terrorists. We now conclude with two potentially uncomfortable… Continue reading Where Do We Go From Here?

Achieving Peace and Stability in Congo

At age 30, President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is about as old as many HBS students are. Last Monday, Kabila spoke at the Forum and outlined his vision on creating peace and restoring good governance in Congo. Kabila became President in January 2001 after his father, former President Laurent Kabila,… Continue reading Achieving Peace and Stability in Congo

Social Activism in Today?s Corporate Culture

I remember the day during Foundations when we discussed an article by Milton Friedman, which detailed his thoughts on the role of the corporation in society. Friedman believes that the role of the corporation is to create value for its shareholders and that taking care of greater society is the role of the government and… Continue reading Social Activism in Today?s Corporate Culture

Kabila Promises Peace During HBS Visit

Ringed by layers of security and accompanied by an entourage of senior Congolese government officials, Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila, 30, visited Harvard Business School last Monday to meet briefly with Dean Kim B. Clark and have lunch with a selected group of faculty and students. His visit was followed by an… Continue reading Kabila Promises Peace During HBS Visit

Activated Reservist Says Thank You to HBS

On Friday September 14, I received an almost expected phone call from my Army Commander: “Be ready?we are going.” As a reserve counter-terrorism intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army, my activation seemed nearly certain after September 11th. Yet, as all those who have worked for the government know, nothing is certain until it actually happens.… Continue reading Activated Reservist Says Thank You to HBS

Aids in South Africa – Ministerial Visit

On Friday, 26 October, the Minister of Health for Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa?s most populous province, stopped over at KSG to deliver an address about the devastating virus that is affecting millions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr Zweli Mkhize was en-route to Washington, DC to attend a NIH conference on developing a HIV/AIDS therapeutic agenda for… Continue reading Aids in South Africa – Ministerial Visit

OJ Goes Skiing

OJ’s community spirit was in evidence last Friday when the Academic Office invited us to review a new MBA teaching case designed for use across multiple subjects. The case involves Mr. Mothy, the owner-manager of a small hand-operated printing press in Baghdad specializing in government promotional leaflets. Ten years ago, business had dried up abruptly… Continue reading OJ Goes Skiing

Leadership in Politics Club Prepares for its Inaugural Year

Harvard Business School’s newest addition to its roster of clubs, the Leadership in Politics Club is preparing for an exciting inaugural year. Club Presidents Mark Cicirelli, Richard Linder, and John Travers (all OH) have been building on a swell of enthusiasm gathered in the past several months from classmates awaiting the club’s first official activities.The… Continue reading Leadership in Politics Club Prepares for its Inaugural Year

Dubai, Inc.

OverviewThe story of Dubai is a bright spot in a gloomy world economy. Amidst the 2002 global recession, Dubai’s economic growth was estimated close to 10%. Within the oil-dependent Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Dubai’s economy is highly diversified (only around 10% of GDP comes from oil). Dubai thrives on retail, tourism, wholesale, transportation and… Continue reading Dubai, Inc.

The 4th Annual Conference on Social Enterprise

February 22nd marked a banner day in Harvard Business School’s mission to “create leaders who make a difference” when 400 students and 200 leaders of for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations converged on campus to attend the 4th annual Conference on Social Enterprise. This year’s theme, “The Exchange – Change Starts Here,” set the tone for… Continue reading The 4th Annual Conference on Social Enterprise

Career Advice From an Early Sustainability Advocate

The following is a profile of Al Nierenberg, (MBA 1990), as part of the Social Enterprise Club’s mentorship program. Al Nierenberg’s passion for sustainability was evident during his time at HBS where he spearheaded the school’s paper recycling program. Just as the recycling program has increased in prevalence on campus, so has the concept of… Continue reading Career Advice From an Early Sustainability Advocate

The World's Epidemic

“Today’s leaders will be judged by history as to how they combated the AIDS epidemic.” So challenged Peter Piot, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, to a crowd of students, faculty, and business leaders this past Thursday at the Kennedy School’s Arco Forum. Mr. Piot was the keynote speaker of last week’s two day workshop that… Continue reading The World's Epidemic

Is Another Economic Slide Around the Corner?

We all have seen brighter days of the U.S. economy than the present (not to mention, on a personal level, those of the current labor market). There is substantial hope that brighter days are to come. In reality, there is a possibility of a longer than expected recuperation period and a deeper economic crisis in… Continue reading Is Another Economic Slide Around the Corner?

Harvard Files Amicus Brief On the Consideration of Race in Admissions Decisions

Harvard University, together with Yale University, Princeton University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, and Duke University, has filed an amicus brief in the Michigan cases pending before the United States Supreme Court. The brief supports the right of institutions of higher education to consider race as one factor… Continue reading Harvard Files Amicus Brief On the Consideration of Race in Admissions Decisions

Editorial: Ready.gov

During last week’s snow disaster, which covered the North Atlantic seaboard in a thick blanket of snow while sending Washington D.C. into the stone ages, I learned a lot while trapped in my girlfriend’s apartment without cable or the ability to leave her complex. First, I was wrong about Dr. Phil earlier in the year;… Continue reading Editorial: Ready.gov

What on Earth is a "Natural Market Outcome"?

Last week I heard someone saying crazy things about markets-something like “blah blah blah…but that would be a distortion of the natural market outcome”. This is worth thinking about carefully since many people seem to believe in the existence of an unchanging and essential form of market result. The trouble is: that’s wrong. Think about… Continue reading What on Earth is a "Natural Market Outcome"?

Plus ‡a change…

The U.S. government has announced in recent weeks that it would pledge $29M to promote democracy in the Middle East. While it remains unclear what “promoting democracy” really means in precise terms, such an announcement, even if the money pales in comparison to official US aid to the region, would have usually been vigorously applauded… Continue reading Plus ‡a change…

Srivatsa Krishna (OI) Selected as a Global Leader of Tomorrow

Each year, the World Economic Forum selects 100 leaders from both the corporate and public space based on an impartial, global selection process to be recognized as Global Leaders of Tomorrow. The Global Leaders of Tomorrow (GLT) recipients hold positions of considerable influence and responsibility, and have demonstrated their capacity to shape future agendas in… Continue reading Srivatsa Krishna (OI) Selected as a Global Leader of Tomorrow

Viewpoints: And Why Do They Call it Consulting?

It was when I drew a Venn diagram to illustrate to my husband how the Harvard work/life balance worked that I realized that you can take the girl out of consulting but you can’t take the consultant out of the girl. My husband was impressed by the diagram. He was less impressed when I told… Continue reading Viewpoints: And Why Do They Call it Consulting?

A Defense of American Patriotism

Several weeks ago, famed liberal activist Barbra Streisand voiced the sentiments of an overwhelming majority of her colleagues when she mistakenly attributed the following quote to William Shakespeare: “Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into patriotic fervor. Patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It emboldens the… Continue reading A Defense of American Patriotism

Humor: They Said What?

Professor Edward Riedl is becoming a frequent guest of this column, possibly indicating that RC students are having too much fun learning accounting. It is hard to compare anyone, however, to Professor Richard Tedlow, who continues to bestow upon us his pearls of wisdom like it is his appointed duty. Anyone who has an interesting… Continue reading Humor: They Said What?

From HBS to the FBI

HBS has prepared me for the most amazing opportunity post-graduation. Starting two months ago, I became Special Assistant to the Director of the FBI, a position in which I am learning the complexities of managing a federal agency undergoing extensive re-engineering efforts. It is a wonderful privilege and honor to work within one of our… Continue reading From HBS to the FBI

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