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An HBR Refresher on Breakeven Quantity

Harvard Business Review

. “It’s one of the more popular ways that managers calculate marketing ROI,” says Avery, pointing out that other common ones include calculating the investment payback period, calculating an internal rate of return, and using net present value analysis. If the product has a contribution margin of $5.00 (at the $10.00

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Hospital Budget Systems Are Holding Back Innovation

Harvard Business Review

While this might seem like a radical step for hospitals, it is exactly the transition that occurred 100 years ago in the business world in general when companies shifted from a departmental or functional structure to a decentralized, business-unit structure that that was more aligned with and accountable for its products, services, and customers.

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An Inside View of How LVMH Makes Luxury More Sustainable

Harvard Business Review

The companies that are most vocal about environmental and social issues tend to be big, mass-market brands — well-known retailers , consumer products giants , and tech firms that are telling a new story to consumers who increasingly care about sustainability. As a result, Belvedere’s greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by 40%.

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How GE Stays Young

Harvard Business Review

That includes learning from the outside and striving to adopt certain start-up practices, with a focus on three key management processes: (1) resource allocation that nurtures future businesses, (2) faster-cycle product development, and (3) partnering with start-ups. Product development: g etting closer to customers and moving faster.

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Why We Need to Update Financial Reporting for the Digital Era

Harvard Business Review

Business students have traditionally considered net present value, payback period, and hurdle rates as necessary tools to determine which project to select. Digital companies, however, consider scientists’ and software workers’ and product development teams’ time to be the company’s most valuable resource.

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Accelerating Customer Adoption at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Harvard Business Review

Whether your goal is to tap this enormous, underserved market for a revolutionary new product, or to impact as many people as possible with a novel healthcare intervention , the question is the same. The early adopter profile will be different for every new product or service, and will often vary geographically.

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Obama Gave a Monumental Climate Change Speech, But It's Still Not Enough

Harvard Business Review

Still, if you''re dependent on coal-powered energy — or your value chain is — it''s time to rethink your energy strategy and reconsider the payback periods on clean energy investments. Business will feel government action on many fronts. Raising standards on appliances and cars another.