By Adrian C. Ott



This week I attended the Harvard Business School (HBS) Centennial Gala at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.   About 400 Bay Area HBS alums attended.  Many of whom are notable VC's, and senior executives. It was great to catch up with old colleagues and classmates.

Dean Light gave an interesting presentation on the future of HBS.  He spoke about setting direction for the school's research for the next 50 - 100 years.  Key directions he cited were:

• More research on the Health Industry.  This is an industry that clearly needs help with business models
• More research in Science Industries.  Innovation is a key theme for selecting this area.
• Teaming with the Kennedy School of Government on Green and Social Enterprise

He also articulated that although the research content will change, many processes such as the case method and teaching classes in Boston (vs. remotely) will remain the same.

Indeed, the school has the enviable position of taking a long term (50 year) view on its strategic direction and processes.  This is a result of its strong worldwide reputation (brand) and limited perceived competition.  Very few businesses I know can do the same.  Industry disruption is causing businesses to hold strategic reviews more often.  This results in frequent course corrections to process and business models.