COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL

Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a

Life

What is Success?

1:30PM Tue, Jan 13, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Profiles of Success and Course Overview

MATERIALS
"Doer's Profile" Bill Gates (William H.) (1955 - ) (808083)
EC Weeks 1 & 2 Packet

"Doer's Profile" Katherine Graham (1917-2001) (802136)

EC Weeks 1 & 2 Packet

"Doer's Profile" Donald John Trump (1946-) (802137)

EC Weeks 1 & 2 Packet

"Doer's Profile" Nelson Mandela (1918- ) (808040)

EC Weeks 1 & 2 Packet

Course Overview Note

Course Overview Presentation

ASSIGNMENT
Read the four Doer's Profile cases (Bill Gates, Katherine Graham, Nelson Mandela, Donald Trump) and answer these
questions:

1. By what criteria have they been deemed successful?

2. Is there a pattern to success in these profiles?

3. How have they used their success, personally and publicly?

4. What problems, if any, do you perceive with the success of each?

5. What other prominent figure, if any, would you nominate as a model of success? Why?

Read Course overview Note.

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 1 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Thu, Jan 15, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
An Entrepreneur's Life

MATERIALS
Citizen Kane (movie)

Life Planning and the Life Plan Project

Life Plan Slides

ASSIGNMENT
The movie Citizen Kane will be screened at 3:15 pm on Tuesday, January 13th and Wednesday, January 14th in
Hawes 101. Alternatively, DVD loans are available for check out beginning Monday, January 5 for return by noon the
next day. See Nicole Dutton in Rock Center 120C.(ndutton@hbs.edu or 617.384.7807).

View Citizen Kane and answer the following questions:

1. What motivates Charles Foster Kane?

2. What are the key turning points in his life?

3. What are Kane's key relationships? How does he impact the people in his life?

4. Did he get what he wanted from life?

5. What regrets, if any, did he have?

End of What is Success?

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 2 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

Life Planning Concepts & Tools

1:30PM Tue, Jan 20, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Concepts and Tools for Life Planning

GUEST SPEAKER
Howard Stevens

MATERIALS
Just Enough: Tools for Creating Success in Your Work and Your Life
Spangler distribution

Getting Started Poll

"Just Enough" Presentation by Howard Stevenson

ASSIGNMENT
Begin ReadingJust Enough: Tools for Creating Success in Your Work and Your Life ( Note: You should finish reading
this book by Monday, February 9th.)

Complete the "Getting Started" poll by Tuesday, January 20th at noon. Print a copy of your poll responses for use in
small groups on Wednesday, January 21.

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 3 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Wed, Jan 21, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Small Group Session 1: Getting Started and Reflecting on "Self"

The purpose of this class is to "get started" on small group work, and set a baseline for life planning. Class will begin in
Hawes 202. Small groups will move to their assigned project rooms in Spangler. (Team assignments will be posted in
the Resources Section of the Course Platform once they are finalized).

GUEST SPEAKER
Howard Stevens and ETG Development Team

MATERIALS
Do your Commitments Match Your Convictions?

"Locus of Control" Instrument

ASSIGNMENT
Review your responses to the Getting Started poll. Bring poll printouts to class.

Read Do Your Commitments Match Your Convictions?

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 4 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Mon, Jan 26, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
An Entrepreneur's LIfe Journey

MATERIALS
Laurence Longren: Winding Down No. 808-076

Adult Life Stages Note

ASSIGNMENT
Read the Laurence Longren: Winding Down case and answer the following questions:

1. Has Laurence Longren been successful? Why or why not?

2. Has he maximized his opportunities? Why or why not?

3. Where is he now in his life? What tensions does he face?

4. What are his goals going forward? What impact will his choices have on those around him?

5. What help will he need going forward?

6. What decision should he make regarding the proposals before him? How will those decisions impact those around
him?

Read Adult Life Stages Note.

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 5 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Tue, Jan 27, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Personal Financial Planning

MATERIALS
Financial Profile: Michelle Grey N9-809-112

ASSIGNMENT
Today's class will introduce you to BBCL’s financial planning tool. The financial planner requires you to answer a series
of questions about your current financial status and future expectations, including major decisions in your life plan (e.g.,
about marriage or family). It then allows you to model financial scenarios forward through age 80. The purpose of this
assignment is to get you thinking about your life’s milestones and the financial implications of the choices you make.

Read Financial Profile: Michelle Grey,and answer these questions:

1. Does she have everything she needs to do a financial plan? If not, what else does she need to know?

2. What is your "guesstimate" of where she will be in 10 years, in terms of net worth? At age 65?

3. What alternative scenarios might or should she consider, in developing her life plan?

End of Life Planning Concepts & Tools

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 6 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities

1:30PM Mon, Feb 2, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Pursuing Opportunities as an Entrepreneurial Couple

GUEST SPEAKER
Andrea and John Rice

MATERIALS
John and Andrea Rice: Entrepreneurship and Life (808042)
EC Weeks 3 on Packet

ASSIGNMENT
Read the John and Andrea Rice case and answer the following questions:

1. Would you say the Rices have been successful in their lives as individuals? Why or why not?

2.Would you say the Rices have been successful in their lives as a couple? Why or why not?

3. Where are they now in their lives? What tensions are they feeling?

4. If you were John, what would you do?

5. Who/ what will his decision impact? How?

1:30PM Tue, Feb 3, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Small Group Session 2: Research Planning

Please proceed directly to your group's assigned project room. The purpose of this session is to develop the basis for
life plan interviews and other research.

MATERIALS
Interview Planning Template

ASSIGNMENT
Develop a research plan for self assessment and role model interviews, and identify any other sources of information
that may be useful for your life planning.

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 7 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Wed, Feb 4, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Assessing Entrepreneurial Opportunities

MATERIALS
Orchid Partners: A Venture Capital Start-up (804-138)
EC Weeks 3 on Packet

Identifying and Exploiting the Right Entrepreneurial Opportunity...For You (808043)

ASSIGNMENT
Read Identifying and Exploiting the Right Entrepreneurial Opportunity.....for You.

Read Orchid Partners: A Venture Capital Start-Up case and answer the following questions:

1. Does Orchid Partners meet the criteria for a good business opportunity?

2. Is Orchid Partners is a good opportunity for Todd?

3. Should the partners close on and start operating the fund, even if they haven't met their size target?

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 8 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Mon, Feb 9, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Small Group Session 3: Personal Financial Planning

Please proceed directly to your group's assigned project room. The purpose of this session is to share experiences
using the financial planning tool, and reflect on your assumptions about personal finances.

MATERIALS
Personal Financial Planner Courseware

Money Poll

Room assignments

Agenda

ASSIGNMENT
Input data into the Personal Financial Planner Courseware. Try to become comfortable using the courseware. Make
note of questions or problems you have using the courseware, and bring those with you to small group discussion.

Complete the Money Poll by 7 am on Monday, February 9th. Bring a printout to the small group.

Prepare answers to the following questions for small group discussion:

1. Conclusions, surprises, aha's from the poll?

2. What financial scenarios should you be considering in developing your financial plan

3. If you are in a significant relationship, does your plan mesh with your partner's expectations?

5. Overall, what are the major takeaways from the poll and planning exercise?

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 9 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Tue, Feb 10, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Building a Life in the Context of a Global Business

GUEST SPEAKER
Paresh Patel

MATERIALS
Paresh Patel: Building a Life in the Context of Global Business

ASSIGNMENT
Read Paresh Patel: Building a Life in the Context of Global Business and answer the following questions:

1. What is the opportunity presented to Paresh Patel?

2. What risks does he face, professionally and personally, in pursuing the opportunity?

3. From Nirva's perspective, what are the implications of moving to Mumbai?

4. What challenges do they face as a couple and - soon - as parents?

End of Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities

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COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

Integrating Business & Life

1:30PM Tue, Feb 17, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
The Role and Importance of Community

MATERIALS
The Devil Wears Prada (movie)

ASSIGNMENT
The movie The Devil Wears Prada, will be screened on Thursday, February 12th, at 3:15 p.m. in Hawes 202.
Alternatively, a DVD version can be borrowed from Professor Davis' assistant, Nicole Dutton, at Rock Center 120C.
(ndutton@hbs.edu, (617)384-7807)

View The Devil Wears Prada and answer the following questions:

1. Is it the organization who makes the leader, or the leader who makes the organization?

2. How do organizations socialize their members?

3. To what degree can people be socialized?

4. What are the benefits of a strong culture?

5. What are the costs or risks of a strong culture?

1:30PM Wed, Feb 18, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
A Life in Transition

GUEST SPEAKER
Simi Nwogugu

MATERIALS
Simi Nwogugu: Career and Life Transitions

ASSIGNMENT
View multimedia case Simi Nwogugu: Career and Life Transitions, and answer poll questions at the end of selected
chapters. Poll answers are due by 7 am on class day.

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 11 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life
Complete multimedia feedback poll, for use by the Educational Technology Group.

1:30PM Mon, Mar 2, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Honoring Responsibilities to Business, Family and Self

MATERIALS
Catherine Gomez: Building a Life in the Context of a Family Business

ASSIGNMENT
Read Catherine Gomez: Building a Life in the Context of a Family Business - January 2008 and answer the questions:

1. What are Catherine's vision and goals for her life? Have they changed over time?

2. What role has the family business played in her life?

3. If you were Catherine, what would you do now?

1:30PM Tue, Mar 3, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
The Role and Importance of Family

MATERIALS
Avalon (Movie)

Relationship Poll

ASSIGNMENT
The movie, Avalon, will be screened on Monday, March 2nd at 3:15 p.m. in Hawes 101. Alternatively, DVD loans are
available for check out beginning Wednesday, February 23rd for return by noon the next day. See Nicole Dutton in
Rock Center 120C (ndutton@hbs.edu or 617-384-7807).

View Avalon and answer the following questions:

1. What binds families together?

2. What can drive them apart?

3. Is it possible and/or necessary to reinvent family relationships over time?

Complete Relationship Poll and submit by 7:00am on Tuesday, March 3rd. Print and bring these responses to class.

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 12 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Mon, Mar 9, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Lessons and Issues

The purpose of this class has been changed from a discussion of an entrepreneurial family to a "pull up" designed to
allow us to reflect on takeaways and unanswered questions, as we go into the final set of classes for the course. (Note:
Although we will not be discussing the Ferragamo case in class, please read it for an interesting and informative story
about family and business.)

MATERIALS
Salvatore Ferragamo, SpA

Class Discussion Notes

ASSIGNMENT
For discussion in class:

1. Review each class we've had so far, and identify key lessons for each

2. Identify key lessons, overall

3. Identify any unanswered issues, overall

For your personal learning, read the Ferragamo case and refelct on the following questions:

1. What have been the critical ingredients in the success of Ferragamo?

2. What has Wanda Ferragamo done to ensure the success of the Ferragamo family?

3. What are the best next steps for the family?

4. How do these decisions affect the business?

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 13 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Tue, Mar 10, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Life Planning Research

Please proceed directly to your group's assigned project room. The purpose of this session is to share findings from
interviews and other research, and discuss implications for life plan.

Small Group Room Assignments for Tuesday March 10th:

Team A: Project Rm. 273

Team B: Project Rm. 274
Team C: Project Rm. 275
Team D: Project Rm. 276
Team E: Project Rm. 277
Team F: Project Rm. 278
Team G: Project Rm. 279
Team H: Project Rm. 280
Team I: Project Rm. 281
Team J: Project Rm. 283

ASSIGNMENT
Summarize highlights of your life plan research including the following information:

1. What research have you done

2. Major learnings/ any surprises from your research

3. How what you've learned will impact your life plan

End of Integrating Business & Life

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COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

Reflection on Life Planning

1:30PM Mon, Mar 16, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Randy Pausch's Lessons on Life

MATERIALS
Randy Pausch's Last Lecture
*The Course Platform works best with the Internet Explorer browser. If you have trouble opening the Randy Pausch
lecture, try using Internet Explorer or go directly to one of these three websites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

http://www.thelastlecture.com

ASSIGNMENT
Watch the Last Lecture video online using Internet Explorer and answer the following questions:

1. Where are the main life lessons Pausch shared

2. What were the three most important things you took away from this lecture?

March 04, 2010 Copyright 2010 President and Fellows of Harvard College Page 15 of 17
COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Tue, Mar 17, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Small Group Session 5: Building Your Life Plan

Please proceed directly to your group's assigned project room. The purpose of this session is to share, and get
feedback on your emerging thinking about key elements of your life plans. It also is an opportunity to use the group to
help with specific issues you are facing.

MATERIALS
Small Group Agenda:Building a Life Plan

ASSIGNMENT
Answer the following questions

1. What is the most challenging part of preparing your life plan?

2. What, at this point, is your thinking on: your mission and values? success metrics? long term goals? strategies and
tactics? ways to monitor and update your life plan?

5. What are the top three issues that you are facing in developing your life plan?

1:30PM Wed, Mar 18, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
LIfe Plan Development/ Issues Summary

ASSIGNMENT
Review progress on your Life Plan and bring questions to class.

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COURSE PLATFORM HARVARD | BUSINESS | SCHOOL
Syllabus for Building Business in the Context of a
Life

1:30PM Tue, Apr 28, Hawes Hall 202 (Classroom)

TOPIC
Course Wrap Up: Learnings and Evaluation

MATERIALS
Reflection Poll

BBCL Winter 2009 Poll: Input to Course Planning for Next Year

ASSIGNMENT
Complete the Reflection poll and submit by 7:00 am Tuesday, April 28th. Print out responses for use in class.
Complete the Input to Next Year's Course Planning poll and submit by 7:00 am Tuesday, April 28th.If you have not
already done so, complete your Peer Evaluation form and submit to Shirley (sspence@hbs.edu) immediately.

End of Reflection on Life Planning

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