It is the dream of every manager to study at Harvard. Described as the Ivy League Business School, it is argued that HarvardBusinessSchoolapplies the best research and practice to the strategic challenges and operating problems of the day. And, it is assumed that a stint at Harvard would earn the manager a stay on top of current issues, trends and thoughts studying in Harvard is even factored in as perks of office for the execs. This may not be that necessary. While Harvard study is still highly recommended as the best and surest means for an organization to upgrade rookie managers, fleeting investors’ money out to Harvard, without proof of commensurable benefit has however turned sour in the mouth of many. Harvard Business Review Gradually, many are latching on Harvard through resource materials popularly called the Harvard Business Review. It has been proved that, except for interaction with managers from diverse backgrounds, reading various reviews coming from Harvard is as good as listening to lecturers speak, if not better, for it is cheaper and does not take one out from the busy schedule for an undue jamboree that could inflate one’s indebtedness to an organization. HBR transcends the purely academic and provides concrete advice on a wide range of critical areas, including leadership, strategy, management, decision-making, delegation, organizational behavior, and communications. HBR is written for practitioner. The writing style is clear, concise, and compelling – just what busy executives need. If you are too busy or don’t know if you are interested in a full article, each article is summarized at the end. And no, you don’t need an MBA to understand the articles and take action. The History The Harvard Business Review is not a new resource. First published in 1922, it has stood the test of time, becoming the most influential academic-business magazine around. For over 80 years, it has provided various generations of managers with ideas with impact, in 1998, it was published bi-monthly, but nowadays it has increased its frequency to monthly (since the start of 2002). In its natural form, the Harvard Business Review comes in magazines and it published with the following features: The case studies can be applied to your business; One can get world class articles written by leaders in theirrespective fields such as Peter Drucker on management (Feb 02); and A lot of the case studies end up being taught at MBA schools! Most of the case studies and articles written are new, emerging concepts that are being applied to businesses to make them operate more efficiently. The content Make no mistakes, this HBR isn’t a warm, fuzzy magazine on what’s going on in business and the world like other magazines. The stuff in it is about living in the present and applying these concepts to creating a better future. HBR is not written by journalists, rather, they are written by authorities on business. If you want to read what the business leaders have to say you can’t afford not to browse through the Harvard Business Review. I will confess that all issues are not always packed with interesting articles. That’s why you want to browse through it first in order to find the article(s) you are interested in. when you do find one, it will be like finding a treasure. And HBR is not just for a management student alone. Every topic is tackled. Everyone can get inspired reading it. If you are an entrepreneur you get lots of ideas for an innovative venture. If you are a businessman or manager, you get lots of essential intelligence for keeping your organization’s future perfect. For some, however, the concepts may look like going above head. For them a small suggestion. One only needs to be familiar with general management practices. Or else it’s complete algebra of business. Typical HBR The front page contains a table of contents, handy when you are looking for a particular article. There is an introduction by the editor. There is a Forethought notion, which is “a survey of ideas, fields, people, and practices on the business horizon”. It reports on research and studies that are currently ongoing, not just at Harvard Business School. There is a Harvard Business Review case study followed by advice from experts in the field on that particular case study. There are autobiographical articles based on experiences from (typically) a business leader under the title First Person. This is followed by an article called HBR at Large on issues that are not necessarily related to management issues. This section is followed by at least four new articles on management issues. Most articles are based on research by academics in fields ranging from human resource management, accounting to strategy and technology. Some of HBR books Value HBR does not com cheap. Barnes ‘n’ Nobles, a leading American Bookstore, said it was its most expensive standard-size magazine, yes, a HBR subscription is expensive compared with other periodicals, but it is worth every penny and it highly recommended to all people interested in management as the most intelligently written executive-grade business magazine available. It cost far less than Harvard MBA though. Even then, a bunch (perhaps all) of the articles is written by Harvard professors and it is apparent in their writing that they make every word count.
	Some of HBR books