HBR editor in chief Ignatius talks about its niche

Adi Ignatius

Martin Reeves of the BCG Henderson Institute interviewed Harvard Business Review editor in chief Adi Ignatius as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.

HBR recently published “Harvard Business Review at 100,” which highlights the 30 articles from the magazine that helped popularize some of the best and most enduring business ideas.

“We very rarely are the first people to talk about an idea or concept,” said Ignatius. “But by the time it gets to us, we’ve made a judgement that this is important.”

He noted that its articles come from nontraditional authors, such as chief executive officers, business school professors and consultants. Only about 20 percent comes from the Harvard Business School faculty and staff.

The publication’s content has evolved over years from concepts such as strategy to the power of the consumer and leadership.

“Now, we write a lot about sustainability and diversity,” said Ignatius.

Prior to joining HBR, Ignatius worked for many years at The Wall Street Journal as the Moscow and Beijing bureau chief, and subsequently served as deputy managing director of Time.

To listen, go here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.