News & Highlights

  • June 2024
  • Cold Call Podcast

How Natural Winemaker Frank Cornelissen Innovated While Staying True to His Brand

In this Cold Call podcast episode, HBS Professor Tiona Zuzul hosts a discussion on how Frank Cornelissen, founder of an esteemed artisanal Italian vineyard, faced a critical decision in 2018 when adverse weather conditions threatened his grape harvest. The episode explores how Cornelissen balanced his commitment to natural winemaking with the need for flexibility in “Frank Cornelissen: The Great Sulfite Debate.”
  • June 2024
  • Alumni Stories

HBS Alumni Mobilize to Rebuild Greece: The Power of the Diaspora

In the wake of Greece’s economic recovery, HBS alumni like Afroditi Xydi (MBA 2022) are mobilizing the Greek diaspora to help rebuild the country and bring back its talented citizens. The nonpartisan Deon Policy Institute, co-founded by Xydi, focuses on increasing entrepreneurial opportunities, advancing renewable energy production, and reforming the educational system. With support from the HBS network, Deon aims to foster economic growth and make Greece competitive with its European neighbors. Discover their innovative approach in this insightful article by Jen McFarland Flint.
  • May 2024
  • Cold Call Podcast

Lessons in Business Innovation from Legendary Restaurant elBulli

In this Cold Call podcast episode, HBS Professor Michael I. Norton delves into the challenges faced by Ferran Adrià and his team at the legendary Barcelona-based restaurant elBulli. Balancing the creation of innovative dishes with the need to grow their business, Adrià’s story highlights the intricate connections between creativity, emotions, rituals, and innovation. Discover these insights in the case study “elBulli: The Taste of Innovation,” and Norton’s new book, “The Ritual Effect.”
  • April 2024
  • The Harbus

Between Two Classes: Spotlight on Alexandre Daillance (MBA 2025)

In this Harbus article, Alexandre Daillance (MBA 2025), a Parisian entrepreneur and co-founder of the global fashion brand NASASEASONS, shares insights on his journey. Daillance, who has collaborated with high-profile musicians and athletes, discusses his role models, including his father and HBS alum Charif Debs (MBA 2011). Highlighting his belief in curiosity, Daillance recounts how his inquisitiveness led to significant business opportunities, such as partnering with the Novak Djokovic Foundation. Discover more about Daillance’s inspiring story and his vision for combining fashion and social impact.

New Research on the Region

  • July 2024
  • Case

Porsche

By: Stefan Thomke and Daniela Beyersdorfer

The case reveals how Porsche has become one of the world’s leading car companies. Central to Porsche’s growth strategy is creating great products, including its legendary 911 Carrera sportscar, and offering innovative customer experiences. As the automotive industry is undergoing disruptive changes, the company’s leadership is making changes to its product portfolio and customer experiences.

  • July 2024
  • Case

ZEISS: Commercializing Science

By: Maria P. Roche, Carlota Moniz and Daniela Beyersdorfer

Karl Lamprecht, President and CEO of the ZEISS AG Group, mused on how far ZEISS had come in 175 years of being a pioneer in optics, and how the course he had charted since taking the helm of the company could keep it on track. In his role, he oversaw the four core business units of the group, all operating worldwide: Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets, and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT). Previously, Lamprecht had led ZEISS SMT as its CEO through a tough time when troubles with the manufacturing of optical systems capable of handling extreme ultraviolet radiation held the business unit, and their partners back. Aware of how dangerous hesitant business decisions could be, ZEISS SMT was, once again, at a crossroads. Should SMT focus on investing in the latest lithography technologies, enhancing established technologies, or reducing costs? While Lamprecht had to determine how to allocate the ZEISS Group’s resources to the different units including SMT, the new CEO of ZEISS SMT, Andreas Pecher, was to decide on how to best position ZEISS SMT for the future. How should they balance what was potentially best for the Group, with what was best for SMT, and for the delicate relationships with their partners they had come to depend on?

  • July 2024
  • Teaching Material

District Heating: An Overview

This note provides an overview of district heating: systems in which central plants generate heat that is conveyed by steam or water through a set of insulated pipes to send heat to residential and/or commercial buildings. It describes key elements of the system (heat generation, storage, distribution, and heat exchangers), environmental impacts, costs, related regulatory policies, and future prospects.

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Vincent Dessain
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