The Parlor Room

The Parlor Room

Harvard Business School Online

Join host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane as he sits down with HBS faculty to discuss business education in a way that’s both entertaining and insightful. The Parlor Room is your key to breaking down academic theory without sacrificing depth—all while gaining practical takeaways for navigating the business world. 

Season 2 Bonus Content (Part 2): Unreleased Insights on Leadership & Strategy

Season 2 Bonus Content (Part 2): Unreleased Insights on Leadership & Strategy

In this second special episode of season two bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, never-before-heard clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members.Tune in to hear Amy Edmondson, Anthony Mayo, Felix Oberholzer-Gee, and Nancy Koehn discuss leadership, strategy, and resilience. Amy Edmondson on Building High-Performing Teams: https://hbs.me/ade6yb9d Anthony Mayo on What Makes an Effective Leader: https://hbs.me/3ttp4c56  Felix Oberholzer-Gee on the Framew

Feb 10, • 23:29

Season 2 Bonus Content (Part 1): AI & Navigating the Future of the Workplace

Season 2 Bonus Content (Part 1): AI & Navigating the Future of the Workplace

In this special episode featuring season two bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, unaired clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members on the topic of AI and navigating the future of the workplace. Tune in to hear from Sunil Gupta on marketing strategies, Anthony Mayo on effective leadership, Christina Wallace on entrepreneurial mindset, Felix Oberholzer-Gee on business strategy, and V.G. Narayanan on accounting. Catch up on Season 2 of The Parlor Room

Jan 27, • 17:28

V.G. Narayanan on How Accounting Connects the Business World

V.G. Narayanan on How Accounting Connects the Business World

In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, host Chris Linnane sits down with Harvard Business School Professor V.G. Narayanan, senior associate dean for HBS Online and Executive Education, an expert in financial accounting, to explore the essential role of financial statements in the business world. They discuss how understanding business dynamics makes you a better accountant, the critical importance of financial statements as a form of communication, and how accounting serves as a universal l

Jan 13, • 31:54

Nancy Koehn on How Crisis Brings Out Extraordinary Leadership

Nancy Koehn on How Crisis Brings Out Extraordinary Leadership

In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, host Chris Linnane sits down with Harvard Business School Professor Nancy Koehn, an expert in crisis leadership, to discuss how crisis brings out extraordinary leadership, highlighting key characteristics like self-awareness, emotional intelligence, ambition, and courage. They explore how empathy inspires and motivates, emphasizing that great leadership comes in all shapes and sizes.GUESTNancy Koehn, Baker Foundation Professor, James E. Robison Profess

Dec 16, 2024 • 37:01

Felix Oberholzer-Gee on the Frameworks of Business Strategy

Felix Oberholzer-Gee on the Frameworks of Business Strategy

In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with Harvard Business School Professor Felix Oberholzer-Gee, an expert in strategic management, to explore key frameworks and concepts in business strategy. They discuss disruptive innovation, shifting industry dynamics, and the importance of strategic flexibility. Oberholzer-Gee also shares insightful examples of how today’s leading companies create value.GUESTFelix Oberholzer-Gee, the Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administrat

Dec 2, 2024 • 25:22

Christina Wallace on Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Christina Wallace on Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with startup advisor, founder, and Harvard Business School Professor Christina Wallace to discuss the critical role of building an entrepreneurial mindset. Wallace breaks down the distinctions between traditional marketing and entrepreneurial marketing, illustrating how mindset plays a pivotal role. She delves into the core principles of entrepreneurial marketing, emphasizing how curiosity and embracing uncertainty can drive meaningful

Nov 18, 2024 • 29:48

Anthony Mayo on What Makes an Effective Leader

Anthony Mayo on What Makes an Effective Leader

In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with Harvard Business School Professor Anthony Mayo, who offers expert insights into leadership skills and organizational change. Mayo discusses how individual leaders and companies can thrive in dynamic environments, emphasizing the qualities that set great leaders apart: emotional intelligence, high standards, empathy, and resilience. Aimed at those aspiring to lead or already in leadership roles, the episode highlights how e

Nov 4, 2024 • 27:57

Sunil Gupta on Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategies

Sunil Gupta on Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategies

In this episode of The Parlor Room podcast, Chris sits down with renownedmarketing expert and Harvard Business School Professor Sunil Gupta to explore digitalmarketing’s transformative power. Gupta delves into data analytics’ criticalrole in shaping effective marketing strategies, highlighting how to useinsights to gain a competitive edge. He also breaks down the nuances of high-and low-involvement products and how understanding those distinctions can guidemarketing campaigns’ resource allocatio

Oct 21, 2024 • 32:30

Amy Edmondson on Building High-Performing Teams

Amy Edmondson on Building High-Performing Teams

As mentioned in Poets&Quants, The Parlor Room's second season kicks off with Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson. In this episode, she sits down with host Chris Linnane to delve into the concept of "teaming" and how organizations can foster it successfully through clear communication, psychological safety, and intelligent failure. GUEST Amy Edmondson, CLIMB Faculty Chair, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management RESOURCES Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in B

Oct 7, 2024 • 33:34

Bonus Episode: Digital Data Design (D^3) Institute's Jen Stave on Harnessing AI for a Better Tomorrow

Bonus Episode: Digital Data Design (D^3) Institute's Jen Stave on Harnessing AI for a Better Tomorrow

In this special bonus episode of The Parlor Room—recorded live at HBS Online's Connext 2024 conference—host Chris Linnane sits down with Jen Stave, launch director of Harvard’s Digital Data Design (D^3) Institute. They discuss artificial intelligence's transformative impact across industries, the need for global regulation, and the importance of making AI technologies accessible and affordable. This episode is a must-listen if you want to understand AI's profound implications on society and busi

Jul 26, 2024 • 50:55

Introducing "Think Big, Buy Small," a New Harvard Business School Podcast

Introducing "Think Big, Buy Small," a New Harvard Business School Podcast

Today, we’re sharing a special episode of Think Big, Buy Small, a new podcast from our friends at Harvard Business School. Think Big, Buy Small explores an innovative approach to entrepreneurship: acquisition entrepreneurship, with conversations exploring how to buy your own business, be your own boss, and get the financial benefits of your efforts through the approach of entrepreneurship through acquisition—like this episode, where HBS professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff chat with gra

Jul 9, 2024 • 58:53

Season 1 Finale: Top 8 Q&As with Harvard Business School Faculty

Season 1 Finale: Top 8 Q&As with Harvard Business School Faculty

In The Parlor Room's season one finale, host Chris Linnane shares his favorite questions and answers from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty, including Mihir Desai, Mike Wheeler, Jill Avery, Nien-hê Hsieh, Jeff Bussgang, Joshua Margolis, Forest Reinhardt, and Linda Hill. Tune in for their insights into finance, conflict management, branding, ethics, sustainability, and leadership. Catch up on Season 1 of The Parlor Room: Mihir Desai on Apple's Powerful Financial Model: https

Mar 11, 2024 • 25:49

Season 1 Bonus Content (Part 2): Linda Hill, Mihir Desai, Forest Reinhardt, and Joshua Margolis

Season 1 Bonus Content (Part 2): Linda Hill, Mihir Desai, Forest Reinhardt, and Joshua Margolis

In our second special episode featuring season one bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, unaired clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members. Tune in for insights from Linda Hill on leadership's imperatives and developing contextual intelligence, Mihir Desai on making finance more accessible, Forest Reinhardt on learning through the case method, and Joshua Margolis on using real-world examples to teach business concepts. Catch up on Season 1 of The P

Feb 26, 2024 • 20:24

Season 1 Bonus Content (Part 1): Mike Wheeler, Jill Avery, Jeff Bussgang, and Nien-hê Hsieh

Season 1 Bonus Content (Part 1): Mike Wheeler, Jill Avery, Jeff Bussgang, and Nien-hê Hsieh

In the first of two special episodes featuring season one bonus content, host Chris Linnane shares exclusive, unaired clips from his conversations with Harvard Business School faculty members. Tune in to hear from Mike Wheeler on negotiation, Jill Avery on branding, Jeff Bussgang on entrepreneurship, and Nien-hê Hsieh on ethics and artificial intelligence. Catch up on Season 1 of The Parlor Room: Mike Wheeler on the Jazz of Negotiation: https://hbs.me/2p8zna3m Jill Avery on Building a Winning

Feb 12, 2024 • 19:17

Linda Hill on Leading Change and the Paradoxes of Management

Linda Hill on Leading Change and the Paradoxes of Management

Great leadership requires being both a value creator and a game changer. In this episode of The Parlor Room, host Chris Linnane sits down with HBS Professor Linda Hill to explore what that means through the lens of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine development. They also discuss the paradoxes of management and the three roles leaders must play to innovate and meet customers' needs in the digital age. GUEST Linda Hill, Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration RESOURCES Credential of Le

Jan 22, 2024 • 25:48

Forest Reinhardt on Climate Change and the Tragedy of the Commons

Forest Reinhardt on Climate Change and the Tragedy of the Commons

How can businesses navigate the complexities of climate change? Host Chris Linnane and Harvard Business School Professor Forest Reinhardt delve into that question in this episode. They discuss the tragedy of the commons, explore the challenges of creating and selling a carbon-neutral beer, and answer listener questions about what responsibilities companies have to transition to sustainable practices. GUEST Forest Reinhardt, John D. Black Professor, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Promotions a

Jan 8, 2024 • 28:52

Joshua Margolis on Elevating Your Leadership Style

Joshua Margolis on Elevating Your Leadership Style

Host Chris Linnane welcomes Harvard Business School Professor Joshua Margolis to The Parlor Room for an engaging conversation about organizational leadership. They discuss how to develop yourself as a leader by examining the story of Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, the former CEO of Bank Leumidive. They then dive into how Levi Strauss & Co. CEO Chip Bergh inspired and engaged employees to implement organizational change and drive performance. Joshua also puts Chris in the hot seat to consider what he w

Dec 18, 2023 • 28:32

Nien-hê Hsieh on Ethical AI, Decision-Making, and Investing

Nien-hê Hsieh on Ethical AI, Decision-Making, and Investing

Harvard Business School Professor Nien-hê Hsieh joins host Chris Linnane in The Parlor Room to discuss preserving work's human element with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and how Theranos' story imparts vital lessons about ethical decision-making and investing. GUEST Nien-hê Hsieh, Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration RESOURCES Professor Hsieh's HBS Online course, Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability (https://hbs.me/377p8ckr) Related HBS Online blog po

Dec 11, 2023 • 26:32

Jeff Bussgang on the Rise of AI & Raising Venture Capital

Jeff Bussgang on the Rise of AI & Raising Venture Capital

This week on The Parlor Room, Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Jeff Bussgang, a former entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, joins host Chris Linnane to discuss the rise of generative AI, why experimentation is vital to finding product-market fit, and how to raise venture capital successfully. He also goes over how to come up with good business ideas and critiques some of Chris's in real time.GUESTJeff Bussgang, Senior Lecturer of Business AdministrationRESOURCESProfessor Bussg

Nov 27, 2023 • 27:03

Jill Avery on Building a Winning Brand Portfolio

Jill Avery on Building a Winning Brand Portfolio

What can you learn about brand portfolio strategy from Marriott's $13.3 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts? Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Jill Avery joins host Chris Linnane in The Parlor Room to answer that question and discuss how Marriott overcame the challenge of managing its robust 30-brand portfolio. GUEST Jill Avery, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, C. Roland Christensen Distinguished Management Educator RESOURCES Credential of Leadership, Impact, and

Nov 13, 2023 • 29:27

Mike Wheeler on the Jazz of Negotiation

Mike Wheeler on the Jazz of Negotiation

In this episode of The Parlor Room, Harvard Business School Professor Mike Wheeler speaks with host Chris Linnane about how negotiation's improvisational nature makes it much like jazz. He also shares stories about a former president's photo and the acquisition of a television system to illustrate strategies for succeeding at the bargaining table. GUEST Mike Wheeler, MBA Class of 1952 Professor of Management Practice, Retired RESOURCES Professor Wheeler's HBS Online course, Negotiation Mastery

Oct 30, 2023 • 22:38

Mihir Desai on Apple's Powerful Financial Model

Mihir Desai on Apple's Powerful Financial Model

In this debut episode of The Parlor Room, host and Harvard Business School Online Creative Director Chris Linnane sits down with HBS Professor Mihir Desai to discuss how Apple's financial model contributes to its success and illustrates a critical lesson about risk management. GUEST Mihir Desai, Mizuho Financial Group Professor of Finance, Harvard Business School RESOURCES Professor Desai's HBS Online course, Leading with Finance (https://hbs.me/2p93vdeb) Professor Desai's books: The Wisdom

Oct 16, 2023 • 24:54

Trailer: Introducing The Parlor Room

Trailer: Introducing The Parlor Room

Harvard Business School Online is excited to introduce The Parlor Room, a new podcast featuring entertaining, insightful conversations with HBS professors that demystify vital business concepts and provide practical takeaways for your career. Follow HBS Online LinkedIn Facebook Instagram TikTok X

Oct 4, 2023 • 1:00

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