Special Report

THE DOWNTURN MANIFESTO

A manager’s guide to surviving—and thriving—in recessionary times
Photo Credit: 'danny_m' on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/danny_m/3113916765/)

Smart Ideas for Tough Times

These are not easy times to be a business leader—not when both the World Bank and the IMF are forecasting that the global economy may shrink in 2009, for the first time since World War II. But not all the news is bleak. The paradox of recession is that both dangers and bargains abound for businesses; savvy companies can emerge from a downturn stronger. Our panel of leading experts shows you how—with smart strategies and fresh ideas. Read their thoughts, and then share your own, as a comment.

Mar
23
Photo: tambako on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/3247996613/sizes/l/)

STRATEGY:
The Risk of Not Investing in a Recession

The challenge for managers during a downturn is to find the balance between pursuing too many unprofitable investment opportunities and passing up too many potentially profitable ones. Pankaj Ghemawat of IESE Business School explains how to make the right decisions for your business.

 
Courtesey: Andrew W. Lo

INTERVIEW:
Revamping the Language of Corporate Risk

Sifting through the debris of today’s financial crisis, leading economist Andrew W. Lo of MIT Sloan says that Keynes’s “animal spirits” are as important a market force as ever. So will we be able to head off the next crisis?
 
Photo: seandreilinger on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/2120241039/sizes/o/)

HUMAN RESOURCES:
Downsizing the Company Without Downsizing Morale

When downsizing is unavoidable, smart managers look for opportunities to improve flexibility, innovation and internal communication to improve trust between managers and employees. Here’s how.
Mar
24

STRATEGY: How to Rethink Your Business During Uncertainty

Recessions are a good time to disengage from businesses and practices that are weak and under pressure—but the volatile environment demands that managers let go of old approaches.
Mar
25

FORECASTING: Recession-Proofing Your Organization

Put aside the myth of the “tamed” business cycle. In the wake of the current economic downturn, managers must learn how to use the business cycle for competitive advantage.

Mar
26

INTERVIEW: Good Days for Disruptors

Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen—a leading expert on disruptive innovation—discusses the environment for innovation.
Mar
27

TOOLS: A Resource Guide to Surviving—and Thriving—During a Downturn

Recession-fighting resources from the Web. Plus, Martin Reeves from The Boston Consulting Group discusses thriving amid adversity.
Mar
30

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: What Next for Innovation?

Economist Joshua Gans of the University of Melbourne analyzes the implications of the crisis for technological innovation
Apr
2

DISCUSSION: The U.S. Financial Crisis…Is There an End in Sight?

MIT economists offer expert perspectives on the current economic climate.

Apr
7

INNOVATION: How Resource Constraints Can Spark Creativity

Three authors take a new look at the ideas they introduced in a classic 2007 MIT Sloan Management article called “In Praise of Resource Constraints.”

Apr
16

DISCUSSION: What It Takes To Succeed Now

What does it take for businesses to succeed in the current economic downturn? Read expert perspectives—and join the discussion, by commenting.

From The Magazine

Fall 2009

Special Report: Sustainability

8 Reasons That Sustainability Will Change Management

Michael S. Hopkins

Transparency, accidental innovation, trust, collaboration — as sustainability affects how the world works, so will it affect how business works in the world.

Intelligence: Management

Debunking Management Myths

Martha E. Mangelsdorf

In this interview, Henry Mintzberg questions some of the conventional wisdom about managerial work.