Michael Porter
Michael Porter
Michael Eugene Porter is an American academic known for his theories on economics, business strategy, and social causes. He is the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School, and he was one of the founders of the consulting firm The Monitor Group...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEducator
CountryUnited States of America
business managers narrow rather seen sensitive social society trying unethical
I think that, too many times, business has been seen as acting in its narrow self-interest rather than, essentially, contributing more broadly to society. I think a lot of that is unintentional; I don't think that many managers are deliberately trying to be unethical or are not trying to be sensitive to social needs.
accept aware broader challenges less looking previous purpose social society somewhere sufficient value willing work
Millennials are more aware of society's many challenges than previous generations and less willing to accept maximizing shareholder value as a sufficient goal for their work. They are looking for a broader social purpose and want to work somewhere that has such a purpose.
american-educator companies continuity good maintain
So companies have to be very schizophrenic. On one hand, they have to maintain continuity of strategy. But they also have to be good at continuously improving.
american-educator
Strategy 101 is about choices: You can't be all things to all people.
across clear cut instinct lay pare period reconnect worst
In a period of economic downturn, the overwhelming instinct is to pare back, cut costs, and lay off. If you do that, do so with your strategy in mind. The worst mistake is to cut across the board. Instead, reconnect and recommit to a clear strategy that will distinguish yourself from others.
tasks
Unfortunately, I'm an engineer. I'm always thinking about, what's the task and how do I get it done? And some of my tasks are pretty broad, and pretty fuzzy, and pretty funky, but that's the way I think.
effectiveness fundamentals strategy
There's a fundamental distinction between strategy and operational effectiveness.
effectiveness essentials strategy
Operational effectiveness and strategy are both essential to superior performance.
basic both business competition corporate department determines drawn fascinated field harvard industrial later perhaps question strategy
As a multisport athlete, I was always fascinated with competition and how to win. At HBS and later at the Harvard Department of Economics, I was drawn to the field of competition and strategy because it tackles perhaps the most basic question in both business management and industrial economics: What determines corporate performance?
crucible early gives groups immigrant inner minorities phenomena spreading time
As minorities and other immigrant groups become more important to our economy, the inner city is a crucible that gives us an early look at phenomena that are going to be spreading more broadly in the economy over time.