article thumbnail

What People Analytics Can’t Capture

Harvard Business Review

That encounter came to mind as I read TIME’s recent cover story on the latest fad in human resources, using big data analytics and personality test scores to predict who is best for a given job – so-called “XQ.” ” Of course many businesses are reaping rewards from big data analytics.

article thumbnail

An Insider’s Account of the Yahoo-Alibaba Deal

Harvard Business Review

search engine company Inktomi in 2002. In November 2003, after due diligence, we announced our agreement to purchase 3721 for $120 million. Only legal, finance, and human resources still reported back to headquarters. Those issues slowed us down on the product side as well.

article thumbnail

The Right Way for an Established Firm to Do an Innovation Pilot with a Startup

Harvard Business Review

With due diligence and decent design, these partnerships can go beyond good results and energize organizations that have become too comfortable or complacent with everyday routines. Its young engineers had come up with a technical solution that dramatically reduced downloading delays for users accessing data for their apps.

KPI 9