Beyond Harvard

Book excerpt: The publication of What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School in 1984 introduced the world to the Mark H. McCormack street smart, nuggets of wisdom offering accessible insights into how to get ahead in the real world of business. McCormack died in 2003, but his legacy and business philosophy live on. Beyond Harvard celebrates his genius with a collection of new street smarts based on interviews with the people who knew, worked with and were influenced by him - colleagues, clients and competitors alike. From advice on managing people and building relationships, through to the best negotiating tips and how to grow a business, a stellar line-up of contributors from the business, media and sporting worlds show us how a brush with McCormack could change forever the way you do business - and live your life. Learn from the outside-the-box thinking that encouraged a nervous Wimbledon committee to sign up to IMG-style merchandising; why it pays to hold your nerve when you reach a negotiating impasse; how the rituals and routines of the sporting world can work in business too, and even how re-using incoming paperclips or keeping 3x5 notecards to hand can contribute to success. Beyond Harvard is both an affectionate testament to the man who invented the sports marketing industry and a worthy successor to the original Harvard book, offering a new generation of street smarts to anyone looking to improve their business understanding and practice.