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"Smart Rivals: How Innovative Companies Play Games That Tech Giants Can't Win" is a nonfiction book by Feng Zhu and Bonnie Yining Cao that explores strategies for traditional businesses to differentiate themselves from big tech companies. The authors provide case studies of companies like Powell's Books, Patagonia, Domino's Pizza, PetSmart, Sephora, and Shein to illustrate how businesses can utilize their facilities, internal data, and partnerships to stand out in the digital age. While some recommendations may be more feasible for larger companies, the book offers valuable insights for executives seeking to navigate the challenges posed by tech giants. [Extracted from the article]

Alison Wood Brooks, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, explores the intricacies of conversation in her book "Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves." She argues that good conversation involves anticipating and addressing problems, rather than relying on superficial social niceties. Drawing on various scenarios like speed-dating and sales calls, Brooks offers practical advice for improving communication skills, emphasizing the importance of understanding and prioritizing others' conversational needs. Her insights provide a valuable perspective on the complexities of human interaction. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the effects of the rebranding of the Harvard Business School's book publication operation. The author explains that after the school renamed its publishing tag to match it's magazine publication, the "Harvard Business Review," the change fostered a productivity boost reflective of the cooperation between the two organizations. Comments from editorial director Tim Sullivan detail how the strength of the publishing platform has affected product turnover.

The article reports that former Random House chairman Peter Olson is looking forward to teaching corporate strategy to Harvard Business School (HBS) students, beginning January 2009. Olson and his family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, over the summer of 2008 and he is using the current semester to refamiliarize himself with the school. As an HBS faculty member, Olson will use the school's case study method to examine corporate strategies at a variety of companies.