Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 10, 2017

One reason for the paltry performance is that while other business areas, like sales or finance, are considered to be core functions, innovation is often considered to be something that’s “nice to have” rather than essential. Another pervasive reason is that senior executives are trained as operators, not innovators.

Innovation 8

Innovation P&L ROI Long-term 8

Harvard Business Review

MAY 23, 2011

Listen to the words of a finance manager in a large consumer products company, whose efforts to improve his business team's profit margins were repeatedly undercut by people in the sales department: "I learned that pricing for one of our key accounts has already been confirmed to the customer, without any prior approval or review. [.]

Management 16

Management Engineering Price Brainstorming 16

Harvard Business Review

APRIL 9, 2013

operates in 13 countries, spanning a dozen languages. The most talented individuals in industries such as technology and finance spoke English, either as a first or second language. Now picture this group engaged in brainstorming, negotiations, or expansion planning. What do you do? Hire interpreters? My company, Rakuten, Inc.

Globalization 8

Globalization Company Software Learning-by-Doing 8