Fischer

I am happy to report that the HBSAA Board of Directors is off to another great start. This dynamic group of more than forty alumni — including class secretaries, club presidents, and other devoted volunteers — has outlined a number of goals and projects that will be addressed with the School over the course of 2004. I am pleased to share our plans and our progress to date.

Let me begin by reporting that the Global Leadership Forum Committee, with direction from its new chairman, Jean-Marc Daillance (MBA 1984), is continuing to focus on preparations for the forum, scheduled for June 1517 in Shanghai. The forum presents a terrific opportunity for alumni to hear from Fortune 500 global business leaders, government officials, HBS faculty, and prominent U.S. and Chinese leaders. Outside the conference, attendees have a wide range of opportunities to explore Shanghai, a world-class commercial, financial, and cultural center. There are also a variety of pre- and post-forum tours that make this a unique opportunity.

In order to make this forum truly a family affair, children of participants have the opportunity to sign up for a two-day educational program developed by the People to People Student Ambassador Program. Activities will introduce alumni children to Chinese culture and provide a glimpse of daily life in Shang-hai. This program will run parallel to the conference.

The Clubs and Associations Committee, chaired by Roslyn Braeman Payne (MBA 1970), has organized a task force to help publicize the upcoming Global Leadership Forum at club meetings and events. In addition, the committee has appointed a task force for club membership development, club renewal, and outreach to Executive Education alumni. Task force members are working with HBS to further maximize the outreach of clubs and associations. One key recommendation involves deployment of new technology to improve club communications, including the ability to broadcast e-mail and share member data.

The Alumni Career Services Committee is working with Christine Sullivan, senior manager of Alumni Career Services, to better understand alumni career development needs and to increase awareness of the resources available to graduates. This committee, chaired by Jim Gibbons (MBA 1994), is considering ways to improve the career services offerings on the Alumni Web site by adding new technologies for better search and retrieval of information. Committee members are also developing survey questions and coordinating interviews with career liaisons and club career coordinators to assess alumni awareness, preferences, and needs in career services. In addition, a subcommittee is organizing a comprehensive career management tool kit for career planning and job transitioning.

In an effort to help promote personal and professional development, the School has developed several lifelong learning programs designed specifically for alumni. Breakthrough Insights has proven to be a popular, campus-based program that draws on the latest research and thinking of HBS faculty. A new program, called Innovations in Management, covers five topics in individual sessions spread over a five-month period in New York City. Alumni can attend all five sessions, or just one. It’s a great way to reconnect with a diverse team of HBS faculty and equally accomplished alumni while furthering your management development.

Representing more than 34,000 Executive Education graduates, the Executive Education Alumni Committee, chaired by Laura Teller (MBA 1984), is looking at ways to help these alumni maintain strong connections with each other and with the School. With shorter class programs that often come in the midst of a busy career, it is difficult for many Executive Education alumni to stay connected to HBS. The committee has organized subcommittees to help identify specific issues and needs of these alumni. The subcommittees aim to develop focused recommendations for programs, marketing and communication, enhanced benefits and resources, and other means of improving the connections between Executive Education graduates and HBS. They are also focused on recommending administrative support, structure, and incentives that will better integrate Executive Education alumni into the larger HBS alumni network.

As I mentioned in my last report, it is a privilege to lead such an enthusiastic, hardworking group. As you can tell, these volunteers have worked very hard over the years to ensure the continued progress of both Harvard Business School and its alumni. The Alumni Board sees itself as an advocate for you and your interests and concerns. I encourage you to contact any of us to share your thoughts and ideas.

Ted Fischer (PMD 71, 1996)

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