Harvard Business Review
by Harvard Business Review
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"Process is God" might well be the motto of this management resource. The Harvard Business Review is all about best practices and better practices and being front and center with the latest and greatest ideas about how to run anything from a railroad to a recovering dotcom. Although the magazine's eagerness to adopt buzzwords makes it a target for jargon watchers, it is at heart conservative and cautious. What is the key to success, according to the Harvard Business Review? Lead, motivate, innovate! And then use the performance measurement tool of the month to make sure that the leading, motivating, and innovating worked, you know, just to be on the safe side. --Edith Sorenson ... Read more

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Not Cutting Edge
This is my third year as a subscriber - sometimes I wonder what I have missed before that. HBR is not about being the first to print the latest management trends or techniques. The majority of the articles involve a ton load of research spanning years and in some cases decades. The research covers numerous companies so that there is a justifiable amount of truth to what is being written. It would be tomfoolery to adopt these techniques and assume that they will automatically apply to your company or department without some sort of additional or complimentary technique. However HBR covers many of the different management styles with practical examples. Then occasionally they revisit an article that they printed eons ago, giving you a fresh insight on how accurate or even inaccurate they were in their research. Each month there is a fictional Case Study that tries to mimic the real world. At the end of each Case Study authorities in the case study field give their professional views on what should be done. Occasionally these fictional studies do reflect your own corporate trials and tribulations. There is the `HBR at Large' section and `Best Practice' covers real world practices and their thoughts on them. HBR will teach you a lot. You should know that you probably wouldn't read every article every month. You're looking at 125-175 pages per month and about 100+ pages of content per month - fine print!. Why Buy: Quite possibly the most impressive magazine to have on your desk when anyone steps into your office. It's inevitable, almost everything involves money and business - HBR greatly improves your odds with the business part. As a gift for the business minded person (corporate or entrepreneur) in your life - male, female, romantic, non-romantic.

The HBR Equity - Coffee Table or Boardroom?
HBR is a good read there is no question.It has a history of ground breaking articles published, granted.I thoroughly enjoy it, when I can get it in Poland. Every graduate from a reputable management school should receive a free year's subscription.Most of these readers would renew at the regular price, IMHO.

That acknowledged, I am a public relations practitioner and I have a gripe with HBR.There is not a whole lot representing my profession besides culture change and some interesting HR cases, which I could audit at any university if I so wanted. This makes HBR a soft read for my needs.

I teach public relations to 5th year students at the state university, link MBO and financial results with PR management same as any department would be required.In my capacity as an instructor, I encourage my students to offer counsel and read through P&L's.I encourage them to look at problems with detailed financials and prepare their proposed programs with an understanding of the corporate audience.I encourage research, not only polling publics outside the company but also to take a pulse of the company itself: much like a professional doctor would do with a patient when diagnosing a problem before beginning a procedure.

Granted, there are very few case studies I can use to promote sound PR management thinking rather than the over-predominant "technical" thinking of PR as an extension of a creative communications artform.(O, how I wish for a case with figures like something in Marketing Logistics or Financial Management!) For my money, in PR, there is nothing but artistry and the name of the HBR.I concur with another reviewer, mnetzley, who suggests that the level of presentation between the covers has fallen to the level of a Harlequin romance for business managers: dumbed-down anecdotes, and stories masquerading as case studies, IMO.

For illustration, there was a communications case a couple of years ago dealing with Crisis and the corporate need for good communication.One of the reviewers assessed it right in the post mortem: trouble began before the problem arrived.But this begs two questions: Why wasn't the problem identified before the crisis appeared; and why wasn't THAT tool presented for learning rather than the case itself?It was a nice case as far as it went but it was for the coffee table and not the boardroom.

And that seems to be the level of the HBR these days. Of course, I expect more from the HBR so your mileage may vary.But isn't the cachet of HBR the avant-garde?For me to rate it higher than a three at this stage, I feel I would be doing a disservice to the old magazine that published ground-breaking articles while humouring a brand equity that has lost its vision to its own magnificence.

Great Gift Idea
I'm buying this for my son for Christmas, but I should have been a better businessman.The Harvard Review web site is selling subscriptions for [...], so I paid [...] more than I should have.
[...] ... Read more

Asin: B00005U5EB
Subjects:  1. Business   

BusinessWeek
by BusinessWeek
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An excellent periodical
I've been a BW subscriber for 8 years now, and if the magazine stays as good as it currently is, I see at least 60 more years of subscription.

BW is a very well balanced magazine focusing mainly on business trends and headline news.A majority of their articles are extremely informative, well written, and objective.If there is an opinion piece, it is clearly stated as "Commentary".I enjoy the "Economic Viewpoint" where it alternates between right and left wing economists (Hubbard for Rep., Tyson for Dems).BW is also forward thinking in writing about trend analysis and disecting what the future may bring.There is a good snippet of International business.

A couple weaknesses of the magazine:
-Tech & You column.The guy writes about the same category of gadgets over and over again (mainly PDA & what not).I would like to see more articles about HDTV, laptops, desktops, software, etc.Tech & You appears to be written for either a road-warrior or a technophobe.
-Personal lifestyles section.Seems like the magazine is catering towards a more upscale crowd, writing about exotic vacations and expensive wines that only either a very rich person or a very debt prone person could afford.

I also find the magazine to be weak in covering the retail sector.I'd like to read more full articles about companies average consumers deal with on a weekly basis.The Kmart/Sears deal was largely overshawdowed.

All in all, if I could only choose one magazine to receive, this would be the one.

Business Week does not have a liberal agenda
I have subscribed to Business week for two years now.I suggest that people accusing them of having a liberal agenda reread their past issues.Bush was receiving criticism for not being Republican enough! His deficit spending is the most clear example.Other fiscal conservatives, such as George Will, have criticized the President.Does that mean they are following a liberal agenda? I think not.

Has definitely changed it's business focus
I have been a reader of BusinessWeek for over 10 years.I have noticed that it has had a significant change in focus over the last year.While there are more articles on "Personal Business", the hard-core articles have gone the way of Newsweek, and U.S. News and World reports.The nature of the articles are lightweight and do not reflect issues important to decision makers today.

Like many others, I have noticed a political slant or agenda over the last year.Specifically, their commentaries and economic analysis trend to the left.Bob Kuttner is co-editor of the American Prospect and contributor to the Boston Globe.Every one of his articles begins with the premise that the President's policies are bad and then is followed by a tortuous rational for that thesis, to include discussion of the days of gold backed currency.

Andrea D'Andrea Tyson is better, but as a former Clinton advisor, is not objective in her analysis.Alternative economic opinions are far and few between and what opinions they do tout, does not agree with the numbers stated in their own Figures of the Week.

While BW has the potential for great reporting based on their resources, they have let their editorial priorities get in the way of serious business reporting.For serious Business readers and students, I recommend going to alternative sources.

And yes, I will let my subscription lapse this year.
... Read more

Asin: B00005N7P3
Sales Rank: 78
Subjects:  1. Business   

The Economist
by The Economist Newspaper Group, Inc.
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No other weekly like it
This is, plainly put, the best news periodical out there.Sure, others can "report" what's happening in the world, but The Economist includes analysis and puts events in proper perspective to provide the much sought after "why?".Upon hearing of the magazine, the title seemed to suggest a dry, tough read about finance and economics.Not so at all.It's sort of like an international, intelligent version of Time or Newsweek, with a more objective and rational feel.It's a surprisingly easy read as well, with a great informal British style, infused with wit throughout yet always smart and informative.Well worth the price.

If you're going to read only one news periodical . . .
The Economist should be it.It is the most thorough single news periodical out there, period.Enjoy.

It Really Is That Good
Read one Economist article, and you'll know why it's considered in a league of its own, and why everyone from business leaders to Prime Ministers to regular people like you and me love it so much.

One of the best attributes the Economist possesses is its ability to present news and analysis on an unsurpassed intellectual level, while at the same time being very much down to earth, at times even getting comical commentary in. I have never once read an article where I sensed bias. I'm very good at detecting bias, and even when it perhaps is bias I'm inclined with, it ruins the legitimacy for me. You'll notice they do not attribute articles to specific authors. This is because the magazine wants each article to represent the Economist as a whole, and not a particular person. It's a refreshing formula, in an age where some writers feel the need to be long winded and rush to grab individual attention at every turn.

The Economist has been around for 150+ years for good reason. It holds incredible integrity, and it doesn't cater to anyone.

For international news and perspective in particular, I have yet to find a weekly publication on the Economist's level for the mere reason there are none. I'm a student in International Affairs, and the insight and rationality found in the pages devoted to the world, 1/3 of each issue in fact, is the crowning jewel of the magazine. That's in addition to its coverage on business, finance, technology, arts and books. It's truly a complete package.

You probably couldn't do anything better to improve your mind and worldview with a little over $100 than to buy an Economist subscription. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIP1
Sales Rank: 39
Subjects:  1. News & Politics    2. Business    3. International    4. Business News   

Fast Company
by Gruner + Jahr USA Publishing
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Since 1995, Fast Company has been an informative and vital voice of the changing business industry. The monthly magazine is a beacon to new industries, especially those tied to the Internet, but offers more. Inside are smart attitudes and information that give entrepreneurs and business professionals the particulars of leadership and organization, no matter what the trade. Find key ingredients of working in teams or read a candid interview with the leaders of today's leading-edge companies. The magazine also offers practical business tools and tactics, from must-have gadgets to how to handle voluminous amounts of e-mail. Ideas come from Wall Street, Silicon Valley, Harvard, and even Las Vegas. The magazine dubbed the entrepreneurship and consulting movement "Free-Agent Nation," and overnight became the bible for those working for themselves. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

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I Just Love This Magazine!
I only read two magazines cover to cover: Fast Company and The New Yorker. Why? I never read Fast Company in the '90s during the day. But I am constantly surprised by stuff I find in its pages. The stories are entertaining and surprising. Most of the stuff the magazine runs you won't get or see anywhere else. I just read the story on George Stalk in the newest issue. Wow! Couldn't imagine seeing this in any other magazine--except The New Yorker. Keep up the great work.

Who Needs Fortune or Forbes
I just picked up a recent issue, the one with New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell on the cover. Wow! This is a remarkably surprising and entertaining magazine--and one of the few to deliver useful advice and lessons that immediately help you at work. If you're in business, reading Fast Company doesn't feel like homework which is the sense I get from other business magazines. It's one of the few magazines I can read from cover to cover and greatly enjoy. I find myself re-reading some of these stories (the writing quality often approaches what you'd expect to find in an Esquire or New Yorker). It's my new favorite magazine!

Smart Moves
Truly one of the best print and neumedia that I've perchanced to read, and be part of online.

I would recommend FastCompany to every business entity or entrepreneur. FastCompany's articles have facets of a diamond that most businesses tend to overlook! Its a brilliant magazine and would make a great gift subscription for the budding Technopreneur. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7Q4
Subjects:  1. Computers & Internet    2. Internet    3. Business   

Scientific American
by Scientific American
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For working scientists, especially in high-tech fields, there are only a few crucial nonjournal periodicals to pore over faithfully, and Scientific American is one of them--its timely and technical features on everything from paleoarchaeology to neural nets set it apart from popular science magazines like Discover. Scientific American emphasizes a wide variety of emerging technologies, giving scientists a chance to keep up in an increasingly specialized professional world. Innovative and controversial developments such as gene patenting and the latest from the unified field gurus are front and center in every issue. It's not all business, though--regular features like Michael Shermer's "Skeptic" column, enticing book reviews, brain-busting puzzles, and James Burke's intellectual-historical meanderings add browsability to this enduring magazine, in business reporting the frontiers of scientific exploration for more than 150 years. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

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A shell of its former self
Not what it used to be. Since the 80's changes in the magazine occurredthatcaused it to be "dumbed down" perhaps in a misguided attempt to appeal to a larger readership. Some of the articles are still good but the magazine just does not have the quality it once had.

Great for the General Reader
I enjoy reading as widely as I possibly can. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN by subscription is available at such a low cost that a general reader who knows just how good this publication is, can indulge in this magazine for a fraction of the cost at the news-stand.
All of the articles are detailed and substantial without being puerile. In fact, they provide an excellent source of understanding, and they can be collected, simply because very little of this dates in any real sense. The information may be superceded, but it allows a great view of the state of any particular Science topic, and doubles as both a topical magazine with up to date material, and an excellent referencemagazine thatyou can keep for an indefinite period of time.
Highly recommended for the educated Lay-person who enjoys such authors as Stephen Jay Gould, et al.

Doesn't Dumb Down The Articles
This magazine brings the reader high quality articles in science and technology. A good science education is needed to be able to read and understand the articles. The articles are not dumbed down for a more general reader. Hence, the articles are very interesting to the more knowledgeable reader. This is the best broad-based science and technology magazine and has been for many years. ... Read more

Asin: B00005QDWG
Subjects:  1. Science & Technology   

Wired
by Conde Nast Publications Inc.
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Lots of Flash, No Bang.
Wired purports to be a cutting edge high tech magazine. In fact, it is little more than a Nerd's version of People magazine, with a lot of short, unconnected articles purporting to offer inside information from the tech community. It is most likely to be of interest to Gamers (and has lots of ads addressed to that crowd).

The best thing about it is its (expensive) graphics, but that doesn't justify wasting your time or money on it.

BEWARE OF YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
I got a letter from a collecting agency stating WIRED hired them "to write you as to why payment has not been made as of this letter date." The letter ends in a bold, italicized threat:

"This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose."

I never subscribed to this magazine yet I got this letter. I called the handy number right at the top of the "bill" and I was forwarded to a recording with the following instructions:

press "1" to make payment
press "2" if already paid
press "3" never received subscription
press "4" never renewed subsciption
press "5" never ordered subscription


I pressed 5, and that was that. Talk about a low way to get subscribers. This is bottom feeding. Magazines used to offer you incentives. Now they threaten to louse up your credit rating.

Anyway, I am writing this to inform and warn existing and future subscribers about this magazine. Based on the options given above, not only "non-subscribers" like me get a letter from a collecting agency to subscribe to this magazine, but also existing subscribers who did not renew their subscriptions.

I think this is taking guerilla marketing a bit too far - not only are you being billed for something you didn't order, but they're skipping right over you and sending your name directly to a collection agency.

The Dark Side Of Wired
I was a Wired subscriber for 2 years but later on decided not to continue with the subscription. I wish it was that easy! They sent me a couple issues after the subscription ended (without any approval!) and then started to bomb with those endless mail reminders like "we still didn't get your payment, please don't forget" and "we want you not to miss any of our great issues". Sure thing, I ignored them but now they forwarded my info to some collecting agency which threatens me and asks to pay the subscriprion fee plus late fees plus collection fees.

The magazine itself is okay though. I quite understand this review is basically not what people write about things but anyway. I just wanted to address this information to whoever might be interested in it. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7TL
Sales Rank: 8
Subjects:  1. Computers & Internet    2. Internet    3. Business    4. Technology   

SmartMoney
by Hearst Magazines
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Ideas on investing at a nice price.
Put away some cash in mutual funds for retirement.
Ideas on current investment thinking (even if it's
often good to be contrarian and do the opposite
of what they recommend).

Better than I had imagined!
I purchased a value-package of this magazine and Kiplinger's, and I've been thrilled with both. About 20% of the articles and info are over my head, but the balance is understandable, helpful, and easily applied to my average money management skills.I've since ordered a SmartMoney subscription for three friends and relatives!

Good magazine, very poor customer service
I have subscriptions to Forbes, Smart Money, Money and Fortune. Out of all 4, i like Forbes and Fortune the most, because they seem to give details also on the backgrounds of the companies they are presenting as good buys. Even if Smart Money is not as good as these magazines, it is still well worth the money and provides a cheaper alternative to the beginner investor.

My main problem with Smart Money was not their writing, but their way of doing business. I made a one year subscription through Amazon and i was supposed to get the March issue as the first issue (in February). Well, i received this issue, but with it i was also sent the January and February issues (published in December of last year and January of this year). The complaints i made to their customer service department - for this cheap method they used to shorten my one year subscription by 2 months - were left with no answer. I know many magazines take advantage of their readers by sending them an older issue with the new one, but Smart Money takes the crown, sending me issues published last year!

Overall, if you can go past this, this magazine can be worth getting, especially for beginner investors. Otherwise, get Forbes or Fortune.

An update: I also e-mailed Amazon about this problem and - to their merit - they solved it immediately. While Smart Money still hasn't replied to my original e-mail, once Amazon contacted them, they added 2 more issues to my subscription. Big thanks goes again to the exceptional customer service from Amazon! ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7SS
Sales Rank: 30
Subjects:  1. Business    2. Finance    3. Personal Finance   

Us News & World Report - Regular Ed
by Us News & World Report
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Unbiased and informative
After reading many political and non political magazines, I have only one thing to say: U.S.News & World Report is far the best and most objective out there. I love their style and unbiased approach to subjects.
I would recommend it to everybody.

ALL THE NEWS THAT'S FIT TO PRINT...
Of the three major, weekly news magazines, Time, Newsweek, and U. S. News and World Report, this is probably the best of the three in terms of its news reportage. It gives fairly balanced, objective reporting of the news, and its uncluttered format makes it easy to read. Its articles are often accompanied by first rate photographs and illustrations.

Glossy and well designed, U.S. News and World Report is a weekly news magazine that gives a succinct summary of all national and international events. It gives about as much in depth coverage as one may expect of a weekly magazine and contains informative, well written articles. I also find its articles to be less slanted politically than those found in Time or Newsweek, its prime competitors.

All in all, it is a value packed, first rate news magazine, and, as a subscriber, I look forward to receiving it each and every week.

better than time and newsweek
switched from newsweek to this (never liked time). very satisfied. ... Read more

Asin: B00007G2Y7
Sales Rank: 155
Subjects:  1. News Magazine    2. General    3. Political Science: United States    4. News & Politics