Harvard Business School Confidential

Title: Harvard Business School – Confidential
Author: Emily Chan
Genre: Nonfiction: Business
ISBN: 978-0-470-82239-5

Reviewed by Greg Saunders for Allbooks Review

One of the toughest things about business school was the books. Dry application of theory presented in clinical absolutes that, like battle plans, failed at the first contact with the enemy. That is why, as a businessman, I found Emily Chan’s presentation of practical and useful business wisdom and strategies so refreshing. Harvard Business School Confidential is a field guide and whether you are CEO of a multinational corporation or job searching, she presents the, yes; theory, but more importantly, real life experience, relevant case scenarios and the secrets of making it all work.

Personal, Operations and Strategy. These are the broad categories Chan uses; she then breaks each one down into easy to assimilate chapters with titles like, “Plans Are Nothing, Planning Is Everything”. Each chapter giving the reader ideas to contemplate or new approaches to old problems. Consider the issues we all face in business and how they apply to the categories above; planning, promotion, communications, placement, process and control, among just a few. Chan presents them, explains them and offers solutions, incite and strategy that makes real-world sense. I found the writing compelling, the layout logical and professional and, most importantly, the message pertinent and compelling.

I highly recommend Harvard Business School Confidential to anyone in business, interested in business or contemplating attending business school. In fact, I would recommend this as a prerequisite for first year business school candidates. It would help make the theory make sense.

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