I’ll never forget the first HBR article I ever read. The year was 1991, and I was a senior executive at Microsoft. The computer revolution was in its infancy, and the nascent tech industry was blazing new trails in both technology and business. At that point in time, HBR seemed like something relevant for big companies in big established industries, not something that would speak to our crazy young industry, where strategy was something that we made up as we were going and the leading companies were run by college dropouts like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The computer industry was still dominated by mainframes and minicomputers, and as a result, the most powerful companies were IBM and Digital Equipment Corporation. Maybe HBR would have something relevant for them, but surely not for us.
When HBR Revealed Microsoft’s Secret Playbook
The article that made Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer feel like we uncovered their secret strategy.
November 14, 2012
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New!
HBR Learning
Strategy Planning and Execution Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Strategy Planning and Execution. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to develop a winning strategy—and put it to work.