Reviews (9)

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!

The Benchmark for Financial Magazines
Simply the best -- this magazine is very well laid out- not busy like Money seems to be, has some intermediate technical analysis, covers a great range of financial issues including new stock pics (performance of which which they track over time), mutual funds, financial managers/discount and full service broker comparisons, bonds, tax and retirement issues, travel, just the right amount (minimal) of tech product reviews, and a monthly car review/comparison.

I appreciate the focus on bargain hunting, both in stocks and the other areas mentioned above. These guys are not stock pumpers, but value seekers!

SmartMoney
Great financial analysis, insight and tips. Smarter than Money or Kiplinger's......

Nice magazine, geared toward the average consumer.
Great magazine. The editors are somehow able to keep it timely although it is a monthly magazine. It does a great job of addressing the needs of baby boomers. Definitely one of the top ten magazines I recommend to my clients. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The resolute research team at Consumer Reports has broken, melted, disabled, and jacked-up almost everything that's been offered for sale in the last few decades. If you want to know, for sure, if a product lives up to its claim, Consumer Reports has the answer. In addition to providing unbiased detailed analysis of goods ranging from chainsaws to televisions to washable wool sweaters, the canny staff offers common sense advice. Consider this classic, their take on the efficacy of conditioning shampoo: Shampoo is meant to be rinsed out, any conditioner in a good shampoo will go right down the drain. --Edith Sorenson ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A goldmine of helpful information!
I've subscribed to this magazine for years. First of all, I love magazines that don't accept advertising. They are committed to helping consumers make good, educating buying decisions. Each issue reviews a variety of products - from cars to canned soup, from CD players to cell phones, from dishwashers to drinking water - they have it all.

There's an option to have total access to Consumer Reports online. It's $24/year if you aren't a subscriber, and $19/year if you are a subscriber. Even though I subscribe, I still pay the money to have the wealth of information at my fingertips when I need it. I'm not organized enough to find the September 2002 issue handy when my freezer breaks down and I have to hurry out and buy a new one. When our family needs a major (or smaller) appliance, we ALWAYS check out Consumer Reports. Though we don't always buy their Best Buy or top pick, it alerts us about things to look for, features to consider, and what brands are more reliable. I love having all that information when I go to the store to buy something.

I enjoy their Letters section, their short articles, recalls, and updates on previous product reviews. When you subscribe to CR you get the 2004 Buyers Guide, which is a handy thing to have around the house! This is one magazine subscription that I never allow to expire.

Informative magazine with no competition, but . . .
Consumer Reports is in a league by itself. Where else are you going to find reliable information and comparisons on consumer products without the conflict of interest of paid advertising? However, it's a small monthly magazine; so don't be surprised if (1) several issues review no products you're interested in and (2) the item you're thinking of buying was last reviewed six years ago and the information is completely out-of-date.

A less serious problem is that the magazine's reviews occasionally give a product a mediocre rating for reasons that I find picky or insignificant. However, their criteria are clear, so it's not hard to know when this is the case. From time to time, they also seem to miss the point. For example, a faucet-mounted water filter is said to clog easily, when in fact it's designed to cut off after so many gallons. Removing the filter cartridge and reinserting it--which the manufacturer understandably advises against--takes 10 seconds and returns the flow to normal.

Nevertheless, I like the idea of what Consumer Reports offers and represents. That alone might be a reason to subscribe, if you have some disposable income for a good cause.

I don't subscribe and as someone who lives and earns modestly by choice, I probably never will. Instead, I consult Consumer Reports at my public library whenever I'm considering a purchase that the magazine might be helpful with. This has two advantages: (1) I save the price of a subscription and (2) I feel less disappointed and frustrated when it offers no useful information on a particular product (about 60% of the time).

If you buy a lot of consumer products beyond the essentials, then your chances of finding the magazine helpful are increased, the price of a subscription perhaps no problem, and the magazine is probably for you. If you're not sure, consult the magazine at the library before you're next couple of purchases. Then you'll know for yourself whether it's worth having your very own copy in your mailbox every month.

RULE 1: CONSIDER THE SOURCE
After decades of occasionally reading Consumer Reports at the public library and on newsstands, and after comparing my own experiences with the CR editorials and recommendations, I am forced to conclude that CR data are typically based on ignorance, laziness, or perhaps something less savory. Goods that are clearly and outstandingly best in class go unreviewed. Goods that have obvious problems with durability are rewarded top marks. I am forced to conclude that CR is essentially a channel for shilling certain manufacturers' goods, but the motives for and mechanics of their activity remain unknown to me.

informative
Consumer Reports is very informative. They test out different products and write up a review about them, the cool thing is they care about quality and not the brand name. I'd suggest this magazine if you frequently buy things and need to have a guide to inform you which product is the best. Sometimes the issues are filled with stuff that might not interest you, but don't give up because each month is different and overall its a very helpful magazine. This is one of those magazines where I keep the issues for a few months to refer back to when I am ready to make a purchase.

Somewhat Useful
A friend of mine once remarked that CR seesm like a great magazine "until they write about something you actually know a bit about..." and that's the problem with CR. They're great when it comes to quantifiable things like repair frequency, reliability, warranty information and so forth. They're much less useful when it comes to reporting on subjective things, or on technical matters.

That's a problem with trying to review every possible consumer item; you can't be an expert on everything. Sure, CR has their own labs and testers, but they're as likely as not, when confronted with something they can't quantify, to come up with some arbitrary measure and then rate products on that. For example, I've read some hilarious HiFi reviews that never involved actually *listening* to units. Instead, they take some statistic they consider to be critical and rate all units on that. Computer reviews often are very superficial- you'd do far, far better with PC or a similar magazine. And some of their financial advice on life insurance, mortgages and investment has been rather narrow, preaching single solutions for all.

So yeah, read CR when you're buying that next vacuum cleaner, or toaster, or popcorn popper, but before making any major purchasers or investments I'd look a bit further than the pages of CR. ... Read more

From Amazon.com

Just as Wall Street is an icon to the investment community, Fortune magazine is one to its readership, the difference being Fortune's diversified reach into the many facets of business: technology, companies, global economics, and, of course, your personal fortune. While many a narrow-focused business and investing magazine has come and gone, Fortune has grown and prospered, investing as much in content as ad space and staying in print since the 1930s. Columns include features on the marketplace, tech movers and shakers, career trends, U.S. politics, and even European business. Readers also look forward to the annually updated Fortune lists, which include the "40 Richest Under 40," "Most Powerful Women," and the "Fortune 500," an exclusive collection of companies whose employees are undoubtedly Fortune readers as well. --Mace Bainwright ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Must read to stay on top of the world of business
Fortune is a must-read for anyone who needs to stay on top of the business world. I have been reading Fortune for 4 years and I try to make time to read each edition cover-to-cover. Fortune is the authoritative guide to keeping up to date on the most important events, companies, and people affecting business around the world. It's stories are in-depth, enjoyable, fascinating, and educational. One of my business school professors thought that Fortune articles were often written better than Harvard Business School case studies!

Great articles, but disorganized a bit, plus too much Ads.
I am royal reader to Businessweek and Fortune. I love both, but which is better? Fortune is like the fashion magzine in the business world, and Businessweek is more news centric. Fortune always has at least 5 or 6 very interesting featured articles about people, companies, or the economy.They are always insigtful, personal (as if the writer is talking to a friend), well researched, and perfectly structured. These long essays is the core of Fortune, but the rest of the magzine, columes, personal finances and so on, aren't as good. 50% of the magazine seems to be ads, and the contents are not as tightly connected together in a clear manner as the Economist or Businessweek. That's why I think it's like a fashion magzine. On the other hand, Businessweek doesn't have articles as well written, but comes weekly and covers everything important during that week or so, which gives you a complete view of the business world. Both magazines are fasinating to read, so what are you waiting for?

outstanding articles, really gets to the heart of the matter
As a Fortune reader for an embarrassingly long amount of time, it is a pleasure to say that it is getting better and better. The articles are really well-written and substantive. It is a real counter-balance to the daily business news - just enough above the fray to be insightful, but not so abstract as to be out of practical touch. Well done.

The best business magazine bar none
I am a connoisseur of magazines and a lover of business, and Fortune is a brilliant combination. Written with the intelligence of The New Yorker and the splash of SI, Fortune remains cutting edge without being trendy and is smart enough to root most stories around people.
If you can only read one business magazine, this is it!

Fortune
One of the best business magazine for a Global Manager. The Articles are well researched and comprehensive depending on the subject. ... Read more

Abstract

A weekly newsmagazine of world politics and current affairs, business, finance and science published in London, England.
... Read more

Reviews (114)

My Favorite Magazine
To date, this is the best, most informative weekly publication I have encountered. The Economist never fails to cover the stories that really matter in the world, whether they are flashy or not. Including politics, technology, and the arts, as well as economics, it delves deeper and argues more rationally than any other magazine or newspaper available.
Like all newspapers and magazines, it has an angle. As its editors freely admit, it was founded in the 19th century with the express purpose of promoting globalization and free trade around the world- a mission which it continues to this day. Many people mistakenly label the Economist as "conservative". The term "liberal" is only used to label those politically or socially (as opposed to economically) left-of-center in the US. In Britain (the home of this magazine), "liberal" refers to economically liberal- e.g. pro free-trade- a stance more often associated with the right, at least in America. It is also a uniquely American custom to mix social mores up with politics- a path rarely (if ever) followed in Britain. (Many Brits consider it absurd, for example, that the debate about abortion in the States is actually in the hands of lawmakers and the judicial system, making it a debate about 'right' and 'wrong' rather than safety and feasability). Thus, this magazine takes its stands in this British tradition. It is not steeped in what Americans consider conservative mainstays- Christianity, "traditional" values, or naked hatred toward the welfare state as the root of all evil. Judgments are rationally made on sound (usually economic) policy, nothing more.
I describe myself as a social liberal and, though I have, on rare occassions, disagreed with some of the stances taken by the Economist, I have never seen a piece of writing between its covers which I considered unfair, or which drew unfounded conclusions. (Perhaps it helps that I am also pro-global free trade). Rather than a (American-term) conservative mouth-piece, I find this publication refreshingly level-headed and non-partisan. It is unfortunate there are not more such news sources available.

Best news and analysis, worldwide coverage, int'l viewpoint
The Economist is simply the finest magazine I have encountered. 11 sections with 5-10 full page articles each: Leaders, Europe, Britian, International, United States, The Americas, Asia, Business, Finance & Economics, Science & Technology, and Books & Arts.

Makes Newsweek, Time, US News look like People. Encompasses many of the macro business and economic issues of Business Week or Forbes and the technology topics of Red Herring.

Don't expect cute pictures and regurgitated news, but rather in-depth analysis and blunt but supported opinions. (...)

If you had to choose only one ...
Everybody knows that to become and remain even minimally educated you must read the Economist every week without fail. But the editors make it so damned difficult ... there's always one must-read special section but all too often there's more than one. I don't know how they can get so much good copy written, so regularly; but they make the duty of reading it all awfully difficult.

There is a reason it costs $219 a year
They can charge that much because it is a superior publication in every regard. They have to charge that much because there are very few ads. I do not deign to call this publication a magazine. It is more a chronicle of current issues and the relevant data. It is extremely heavy on fact, and I find myself better informed on many issues than other periodical readers. The Economist's point of view is neither that of an American liberal nor that of an American conservative, but rather a particularly British liberalism, one more akin to classical liberalism. Both Democrats and Republicans are bound to be challenged when encountering data and perspectives in this publication. This publication is the most globally focused I know, covering the US, UK, Asia, the Middle East, Technology, Business, Finance, and more very thoroughly. American readers will be delighted by the wry British humor scattered about in picture captions and stashed away in articles. If you want to find real data, and not just read op/ed pieces, this is a great publication, written for you, the intelligent generalist.

Forget TV, forget radio, forget all other news sources
This has been my news source for years. So intelligent, witty, and always interesting random topics. Even their book review sections guide most of my other reading! ... Read more

From Amazon.com

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

Reviews (12)

You can feel the human touch
The very first time I picked this up, it was in the height of the dot-com era and I was a travelling IT consultant at the time flying in a sea of other consultants around the country. I really liked what I did, I brought change to new environments. One day, at an airport, I happened to see this with the headline "Your job is change!"...it looked interesting and I've been hooked on it since.

This magazine has a beautiful perspective on life. Not your job, not the new economy, it's about life. It's about how to take your life and filter out what's good about it and build on that quality. Every month, they talk to several individuals in vary varied roles and truly emphasize their subjects personalities as the cause of why they are good at whatever job they do. This is missing from virtually any other business magazine out there. Wired certainly comes close sometimes, but they do their own thing and are very good at it. Fast Company focuses on people's lives in the working world and tries to make you apply the lessons learned to your own life.

This may not make much sense and probably isn't consistent with the other reviews about this magazine but look, go to their website and read some articles (they have every one ever written for free online) and decide for yourself. This magazine can make a NY to LA flight "fly" by. It's layout and design may be progressive for some but try to look past that and focus on what this magazine really is about.

Your life and how to get more out of it.

Let's hope John Byrne can put this back on track
Fast Company started out strong in 1995 as the first magazine that struck at the heart and soul of the frustrated cubicle dweller. Founding editors (and Harvard Business School professors) Allan Webber and William Taylor hit upon a unique niche at that time. Fortune, Forbes and BusinessWeek were solely dedicated (so it seemed at the time) to senior management; Inc. had the pure entrepreneurship angle covered. Fast Company appeared to speak for the rest of us.

Great stuff.

Unfortunately, Fast Company was also the leader in the pack of magazines that lost its way during the whole internet craze. The Industry Standard, of course, was chartered to follow the bubble and famously imploded. But Fast Company essentially chased the same carrot. Each issue arrived extra-chunky with ads and breathless covers that screamed "Dot Com Yourself!"...even well after the bubble had obviously irretrievably broken.

What happened in the interim is that Time-Life got a hold of Business 2.0 and whipped it into fighting trim - it now seriously outclasses Fast Company. Forbes started adding great sections dedicated to entrepreneurship and small businesses. Fortune has done the same. Meanwhile, a punch drunk Fast Company was reduced earlier this year to simply slapping Po Bronson on the cover and re-printing 10 pages from his latest book, "What Should I Do With My Life?" You call that journalism?

Thank goodness someone at owner Gruner+Jahr realized that this wasn't a survivable model. When supermodel-thin 100-page issues start showing up in your mailbox, something's gotta change.

The great news is that G+J hired John Byrne to come on board as Editor in Chief. For more than 15 years, he'd been one of BusinessWeek's finest journalists, with a couple of great books under his belt as well. The impact can be felt already. Now, we're seeing some real journalism. Take the cover story of this month's (Oct. 2003) issue: "CEOs Who Should Lose Their Job," "Can Microsoft Kill All the Bugs?" and "The Brains Behind Howard Dean."

Yes. Now we're talking. Three hot button issues. Let's hear what Fast Company has to say. How can I make these ideas work for me? That's what FC started out like. Looks like Byrne has got the train headed back in the right direction. I added an extra star for that potential.

A Turnaround In The Making
Fast Company is back! If you're already a leader or entrepreneur, or if you're aspiring to be one, this is a remarkably intelligent business magazine filled with great ideas and great people. The edge is back!
I subscribed in the early days and gave up on it after the bust. I've recently picked it up again and am happy to report that the magazine is more vital than ever. A recent issue had a wonderfully inspirational story on an entrepreneur who leads a medical device company called Cyberonics that helps people live with epilepsy. And then there's the recent cover on offshoring. Almost every magazine and newspaper has written on this topic, but no one has captured the pain of the white collar people who are losing their jobs--no one, until Fast Company. The magazine put the faces of 32 people who recently lost their jobs on the cover. That gets the point across. Thanks for bringing back a magazine I love!

My Favorite Magazine.. It Was!
Every month, I was like a boy waiting at the mailbox for his Flash Gordon decoder ring. It looks like those days are gone.

When my subscription runs out (unfortunately, I just signed up for 3 years), I do not think I will renew... unless things change at Fast Company.

Last month was Wal-mart, this month its Apple. It looks like Fast Company now has a hit list. Gone are the positive, motivational and inspiring stories that I have been reading since 1997. Webber and Taylor (the founders) are very missed.

Late last year (2003) the editorial content of Fast Company Magazine shifted uncomfortably to the left. For years, Fast Company covered the most remarkable business success stories that could be found in America. Today, it is scattered with subtle attacks on the Bush administration and not so subtle attacks on underperforming CEOs (coming out of a recession).

Unfortunately, it looks like Fast Company has become an active member of the "mainstream" media.

It got the map!
I too was worried about Fast Company, which had followed the internet bubble a little too closely. Thank God somebody had the good sense to hire John Byrne away from Business Week. The new cover story on Wal-Mart is one of the best examples of investigative journalism I've seen this year. And if you love business books, you might want to check out their new feature on books that are being published. This is a magazine to watch, not dismiss. ... Read more

Abstract

Reports on news, ideas and trends affecting industry and the economy for those in business management, with national and international coverage.
... Read more

Reviews (20)

Excellent source of information
I have been reading BW for more than 3 years now. Its breadth and depth of coverage of business news is outstanding. Granted that there are tons of other magazines with a much specific focus - Mutual Funds, Personal Finance, etc., but this one provides an overarching view of the business world and how recent events will affect all players. It also provides some analysis of current events - though this is not the strength of the magazine.

My only problem has been that the subscription arrives a bit erratic and often there is not enough time to completely read an issue. Irrespective of which other magazines/business newspaper you read, this one is an absolute must in your list. A great overview of all business news.

A great general business mag for keeping up to date
I subscribe to most of the major business publications, reading four business/investing magazines and three financial newspapers on a regular basis. I actually find that BusinessWeek is more of a "meat and potatoes" publication that offers me something different than do Forbes and Fortune (both of which I also recommend). It is the best source for keeping on top of the current headline stories in the business world and it offers enough detail to help you understand the issues, but not so much detail that you get lost in it all. I actually see it as the most unbiased of the three, whereas I detect more conservatism in Forbes (big surprise) and liberalism in Fortune. BusinessWeek prides itself on breadth of coverage, including commentary and/or feature stories in every issue that touch on the economy, the markets, international business, technology, and even politics. There are plenty of single paragraph snippets so you can get the main scoop and move on, while some of the feature articles exhibit significant depth. I specifically look forward to the Investor section toward the back, which offers practical articles focused on personal finance. I also find the magazine useful for understanding sectors of the economy that I don't pay much attention to (like steel, autos, or health care). Finally, the frequent book reviews are helpful. So I have no qualms whatsoever about recommending a BW subscription to anyone who has an interest in being generally informed about the world of business.

Agenda Driven, Content Light.
Businessweek is junk-news. The shrillness of this publication's headlines are so politically driven (liberal) that it has turned me off to this publication as a serious source of business news. Should be renamed Socialist Week.

Information is generally after the fact, and what information they do have is too lacking in substance to be useful.

A waste of money and, even worse, a waste of time. I let my subscription run out.

Getting Too Icky Trendy
As a longtime Business Week subscriber, I finally let my subscription lapse, and was peeved enough to bother to write this review, because of a perceived shift in the focus of the magazine.

Business Week used to be about business. It's now partially an entertainment magazine, with automobile tests and social advocacy articles. Some here have perceived this as a leftward shift. It may or may not be, but it certainly is a dumbing down of a formerly fine magazine. And it most definitely is NOT successful at making the magazine more "fun." Lightweight does not equal fun, unless you yourself are mentally lightweight.

Business Week articles follow the trendy "balanced ending" style, also, whereby a piece that was about imminent global warming ends up fudging by saying something like, "although some scientists believe a new Ice Age is imminent instead." This is how journalism school students are taught to write a "fair" article. The result is merely a mumbly and weak one.

Label of Lefty Agenda Is Laughable!
Updated: It's been over a year since I subscribed to BusinessWeek. Delivery is always on time, as I receive the newest issue before it arrives on the shelves of my local bookstores.

The service is also great. I opted-out of their advertising and third-party mailings with ease. In addition, they hardly ever bother you about anything else (i.e. renewal).

As for the content itself, BusinessWeek is awesome. I always supplement their information with my own research off the internet and with other magazines. However, their latest issues always packs a hefty punch, delivering the most timely news on the economy, job market, currency, etc.

The features are also very important, coming at exactly the most opportune time. When there were calls from Intel chairman, Andrew Grove and IBM Chief Executive, Samuel Palmisano for more innovation in America, BusinessWeek did a whole cover story on the flight of US jobs to India. Their editorial argued that the US needed to invest more in research and education.

The label of "liberal" or "leftist" publication is so laughable. Anyone who reads this magazine knows that the agenda is all about business: any politics in the magazine has to do with its implications on the national and world economy.

To prove there is no lefty agenda, take a look at the recent issues. The BusinessWeek editorial staff is pro-NAFTA, arguing that Mexico bungled its opportunities at creating a more egalitarian society considering its trade success with the US. Also, practically all coverage on globalization offers tidbits of its negative aspects, but always favors expansion and free markets over protectionist measures.

If there's a more appropriate label for BusinessWeek, it would be the "better-balanced, conservative publication." For instance, the market editorial has continually hailed Bush's tax cuts as a reason why markets have been up recently. However, the magazine isn't scared to criticize the President or take comments from those who disagree with him -- i.e. Joseph Stiglitz or Paul Krugman.

If you're looking for a business magazine that is informative yet fun to read (not like Harvard Business Review), than BusinessWeek is simply "The Economist" of US business magazines. Be wary of reading other magazines that love to gloss over CEOs without detailing their flaws --- not what a recent BusinessWeek issue did with Boeing's now ex-CEO, Phil Condit. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Many magazines publish lists, ranking best and worst and most improved, but Forbes alone can claim its readership is on the list. Each year, the magazine names the richest people and the biggest companies, and those very folks subscribe to this nervy and sly business pub. Forbes covers global business stories with insight, solid sourcing, and the sort of groupie zeal usually reserved for fanzines. No merger, new ad campaign, or lawsuit goes unnoticed and stories always focus on the movers who are shaking things up. Read Forbes to make sense of today's volatile market--or just for the sheer pleasure of reading good reporting. --Edith Sorenson ... Read more

Reviews (11)

The easiest read of the Business magazines
Forbes is by far the easiest to read for a non-specialist like me (I am a writer) and therefore essential reading for those of us who want to know what is going on in the business world who don't know all the endless jargon that the more specialist magazines tend to use. This is my magazine of choice when I spend time in the USA writing books (which includes the forbes.com bookclub book CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE, Zondervan, 2003) - that book club being another benefit of a subscription

I'm Not in the Forbes 400, Yet . . .
I've been a Forbes subscriber for years. I scan each page of every issue and read many of the articles and columns--something I don't do with most of the other magazines I receive. You don't have to be Bill Gates or Warren Buffet to find information that will help you run your business or manage your investments. The articles are well-written and to the point, and the magazine is a pleasure to read. Several regular columns offer insight and analysis unlike I've found anywhere else.

If you want to know what is really going on in business, Forbes is the magazine to read. Subscribers also get supplemental publications, including the Best of the Web and FYI. FYI is a lifestyle magazine and, well, it's not my lifestyle. But articles by contributors such as P.J. O'Rourke and editor Christopher Buckley are a delight.

Even though I'm not on the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest people, if I keep reading and following their advice, maybe I'll get there!

Excellent
I am young businesswoman and I have found this magazine informative, invaluable and inspiring. I recommended it for anyone who takes pleasure in reading about the triumphs of the most intelligent and resourceful men and women of our time.

Not as good as it used to be
i've been a Forbes reader for more than 20 years. They used to be the best; especially in exposing crooks. but in the last two or three years, they have started mixing political content into the news pages. Their columnists are interesting and have every right to express an opinion - and that's where i expect to find the opinions. but news articles are tending to look more like product placements, written to support a certain point of view instead of to tell both sides of a story impartially. It has becoome the moral equivalent of Fox for business. Fine if you want to read politics, but not where you go for the whole story.

Best of the Big Three
If someone put a gun to my head and told me I had to choose between Forbes, Fortune and BusinessWeek, I'd go with Forbes. The articles seem crisper to me, and they have an attitude about them. You never have any doubt about where Forbes stands on something.

I also like the fact that they don't seem beholden to the news cycle. Some of their best stories come from digging up up the story you *don't* see everywhere else. If you want day-to-day news, you can always turn to daily sources like the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times, then use Forbes to get your 'Fact and Comment' (the name of Steve Forbes' bi-weekly contribution, by the way).

In fact, the beginning of the magazine alone is worth the subscription price:

- 'Flashback' follows up on previus stories that have appeared in Forbes. Yes, they'll gloat if they got the story right, but more importantly they'll take 40 lashes if they called it wrong.

- 'Fact and Comment' by Steve Forbes is always a good read...maybe it was better in the days of Clinton; Forbes differences with Bush are not as sharp of course, but terrorism and tax cuts are red meat subjects for him.

- The 'Current Events' column in a pleasure to read. You get rotating columns by Lee Kuan Yew, Paul Johnson, Ernesto Zedillo and Caspar Weinberger. Wow, talk about a world-class crew.

- Most underrated part of the magazine - Rich Karlgaard's column. Rich is the Publisher of Forbes, and his column is called 'Digital Rules' It's excellent writing. Always provocative and timely.

A subscription to Forbes would make a great gift to anyone interested in business. It's a bargain at this price. ... Read more

Abstract

Formerly called Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine.
... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Best Mass Market Personal Finance Magazine
I have subscribed to "Kiplinger's" for a number of years now, and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. The magazine is inexpensive, timely, and authoritative, and conveys complex financial concepts in easily comprehensible terms. The magazine is very in favor of long term, high quality stock market investing, and on a monthly basis covers something relevant to current investment issues in the stock market. It also covers important information on taxes, retirement, paying for tuition, mortgages, and making good car buying (or leasing) decisions.

The magazine is a great source of news as it is related to your financial life in ways that are sometimes obvious, and sometimes less so. For instance they have articles on annuities, which you would expect, but also on drug costs, which you might not. They also have extremely useful mutual fund performance charts in every issue, which I find to be among the best features in the magazine. With the passage of different tax laws, "Kiplinger's" writes on the practical implications of the Federal tax code changes as well as regularly looking at state tax issues.

There are many personal financial magazines covering many different areas available today. If you want only one that will give you the overall most valuable information per page, "Kiplinger's" would be tough to beat.

Balanced? Decent market advice, but...
We used to subscribe to Kiplingers Personal Finance. We no longer do, because we couldn't help but notice a definite bias toward stock/bond purchasing over any other type of investing. This advice continued in the face of lower interest rates, the overpriced bull, then bear, market, and record low mortgage rates. Articles urging us to keep putting money into the market continued to appear regardless of market conditions. A quick look at the regular advertisers provides an explanation. In five years of subcribing, some of these same regular advertisers (whose results in the market were below par) never appeared in the "Poor or Worst" performers columns. For an overall, balanced view of things for the average investor, one of the personal finance magazines such as Money or Smart Money might be more helpful.

Subscription renewal
I have been contacted by mail and phone for renewal, My check for renewal was cashed by you in December 2003. What's up?

Not as boring as it sounds
My retirement plan sends me a magazine, which is so boring that I don't even bother to open it anymore; Kiplinger's isn't at all like that. The best part of Kiplinger's is that it describes how real people with average salaries, kids, and debts can invest for the future. There are also some great articles for parents about how to teach their kids to manage their money. Everything seems practical, but I've yet to try any of it. The magazine is broken into four sections: 'Ahead' short articles about finance news and current event, 'investing' about investing mostly stocks, 'your money' about ways to invest your money though not as technical as the investing section and more diverse, and 'spending' which is basically general interest about new fun technologies and other ways to spend all the money saved or made through investing.

The perfect guide to personal finance!
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine fits right in the middle between the lowest-common denominator approach of Money magazine and the head-in-the-clouds attitude at Worth magazine. Kiplinger's has a nicely balanced style and tone; it never preaches, and I almost always find a tip, suggestion, or tax-saving idea that pays for my year's subscription in every single issue. If that's the measure of the value of a personal finance magazine, then Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine deserves a five-star rating. Good stuff, and a good value! ... Read more

Abstract

Personal and family finance magazine with articles providing guidance on making, investing, spending, and saving money.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

Best For Beginners
I subscribe to several financial magazines, of which "Money" is one. I think that "Money" is an excellent publication for neophyte investors, as it does provide generally sound information and advice. It is very good at explaining terminology in plain English, which is to be applauded, but investors with more knowledge of investments and financial planning would probably be better off with another magazine, like "Kiplinger's", for instance.

"Money" covers primarily investments in mutual funds, bonds, and stocks, although real estate and retirement planning are also dealt with regularly. I like the investment index feature in the back of the issue: it is honestly the only part of the magazine I routinely use anymore, although I do skim the articles, and read one or two per issue. My chief complaint with the magazine is how formulaic the articles are. It seems like every month there is an article called "The Best Places To Put Your Money Now", for instance. Timeliness is a good thing, but the magazine endorses long term investing (as do I) so the last thing I want to be doing is thinking about where to move my money to this month.

Beginning investors: this is an excellent magazine for you, and I say that without reservation. Overall though, "Money" is not bad, but if you are already fairly knowledgeable about financial management you can do much better.

Great steppingstone to other financial resources
Money magazine is an excellent starter magazine. The information in Barrons, Smart Money and other magazines will go over the heads of those with little or no investment knowledge. Many people don't know financial terminology such as 403(b), ESOP, Wrap fee, 529 plan, and load fund. Money magazine is a gentle introduction to these concepts. You may find in a year or two that you have outgrown Money and by then you should be able to move onto other financial magazines. The negative reviewers here fault Money for being unhelpful in stock-picking. However, there is a lot more to Money magazine than stocks. I personally find the information on taxes, mutual funds, retirement planning, the housing market, saving strategies and the latest business news interesting and helpful. If your interest is mainly in stocks I recommend Barrons instead. But for overall financial knowledge Money is the best magazine for beginners.

Mediocre
After a year's subscription, I dumped the magazine. It has some good recommendations of what not to buy, which works for me since I'm a conservative when it comes to buying stocks. However, recommendations to buy should be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the articles I find are just churn of the mill, non-substantial stuff which I already know or not interested.

Smartmoney, Kiplinger or Fortune are better choices for personal finance.

Flailing...
"Money" magazine has long been a staple of those who are looking to better their financial condition. But time and circumstance have not proven kind to it.

In an age when markets fluctuate wildly from day to day, a monthly newsmagazine for investors cannot match the timeliness and level of information needed to compete adequately in the stock market. Since "Money" has long been a staunch advocate of stock investing, this makes its advice dated and incomplete. As many websites and financial journals ("Barron's", "The Wall Street Journal") exist to fill the void for timely info, "Money" is becoming an anachronism. That its press deadlines are probably a month or two before publication, it lags far behind in catching trends and responding to them. Today's investors need better.

As a proponent of buying stock, "Money" has found its recommendations pummeled lately. Because people buy "Money" to help them make money, if the magazine cannot pick winners then its usefulness suffers. During this bear market, the magazine has flailed in its attempts to ride out the storm, trying to latch on to something, anything, that will work. This does not lend itself to investor confidence.

A case in point can illustrate. The magazine recently suggested a group of mutual funds across a variety of sectors/styles that they felt were good picks. The problem lay in the fact that not a single one had made money in the last couple years. Now certainly to make money you buy low and sell high, but there are several solid mutual fund companies that have made money in this market and would make money in a bull market, too. There are even funds that fared better than the average of the market, though they did not immediately turn a positive result. But "Money" did not pick any of those. With no end in sight to the market downturn, would you put money into a mutual fund that had lost 25% of its value in the last year?

"Money" excels when it discusses strategies for saving money on purchases, aids in avoiding taxes, or looks at financial vehicles that are less common (REITs, etc.), but since its bread and butter is still stocks and bonds, it is less helpful than other resources.

You've got to be able to swim with the sharks. Years ago, "Money" was able to stay afloat. But in today's different investing environment, "Money" is simply so much chum in the water.

Excellent for beginning individual investors
This is an excellent magazine for beginning individual investors. It has good recommendations for stock purchases. Good basic information for financial planning.
This is the magazine I recommend first for beginners to financial planning and beginners to investing in the stock market. ... Read more

From Amazon.com

Business 2.0 offers today's "visionaries" a refreshing blend of traditional and contemporary business strategies. Lighthearted perspectives give way to hard-hitting articles on industry trends, while historic references pay homage to some of the world's all-time-great business leaders. Regular features include "Startup" ("People, trends, wild conjecture"), "What Works" ("Tactics, tools, true-life adventures") and "Self Serve" ("Navigate your life, enhance your view"). Throw in some flashy graphics and unusual fonts, and a slant towards the Internet economy, and Business 2.0 is well-positioned for the next century of business.--Elizabeth Malker ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Still Finding Itself
I got 'Business 2.0' when 'Red Herring' ceased publication (unfortunately.) I have a love/hate relationship with 'Business 2.0' and go back and forth with alternating issues on just how I feel about it.

In the pro column, it has excellent reporting on new and evolving tech companies which are breaking the mold and leading the world into the future. For that alone it is worth keeping. It keeps me up with what's happening in the business world (especially the tech world) better than any other magazine I read. I would buy it for this reason (and no other) alone.

In the con column, it seems to be frequently unfocused and runs articles you would expect to find elsewhere. This is especially true when it tries to be all things to all people and reviews things like cars and gadgetry. (Note to the editors: there are many other magazines that cover those things, and do so better and more authoritatively than 'Business 2.0', so stay focused.) Honestly, this distraction factor was almost enough for me not to renew my subscription simply out of annoyance. In the end I did renew, but like I mentioned previously, only for the coverage of tech companies.

'Business 2.0' has the kernel of a great magazine inside; it just needs to stay on target better to get there. Three stars.

Please.....
This magazine needs to be put out of its own misery.

New Economy rag with great potential.
The reviews for this magazine run the spectrum from "must read" to "waiting for my subscription to expire." Frankly, I would think most magazines would carry that type of baggage. I've been subscribing to BUSINESS 2.0 for more than two years and continue to enjoy it (it's not my favorite but I'm not cancelling either). Consequently, I would gauge my perspective as somewhat grounded toward the upper end of the enjoyment scale albeit not solidly.

Business 2.0 could be called a "New Economy" magazine, trumpeting the experiences of today's entrepreneur and proven giants and providing insight into "NE" business ideas and concepts. While I wouldn't call this a tech-based magazine, it certainly is slanted toward tech. For instance, the February '03 issue displayed Michael Dell as the coverboy and dove into the "Dell" business strategy questioning whether it was a model substantial and flexible enough to morph into other ventures. So, we have a tech-based company along with a discussion of business strategies and models. A mix of tech reporting and business concepts to be sure. This is the flavor of most of the articles contained in each issue.

Most articles are well written and provide a reasonable level of insight into a particular story or concept. One of my favorite staff writers is Andy Raskin (Raskin is famous in his own right. A tech entrepreneur cum journalist. Raskin writes for this rag, Inc. magazine, Wired magazine and a host of others including The Coffee Journal!!). In the same February '03 issue, he tackles the obscure subject of "Category Management," defined by Raskin as "a bizarre and controversial [concept] in which the nation's biggest retailers ask one supplier in a category to figure out how best to stock their shelves." This was a fascinating article; one obviously not slanted toward tech but certainly fitting the mold of New Economy business concepts. And, if you're not into the magazine, the BUSINESS 2.0 website is smashing. It contains additional treats over and above that found in the magazine.

My general gripes about BUSINESS 2.0 are composed of the "enigma" articles, those with seemingly no point but massive levels of "tech" filler. It would seem each issue has this type of article although they don't seem to be prevalent when looking at a particular issue as a whole. All-in-all, a very solid read with a dramatic level of future potential. This potential lies in the editors acumen in attracting and retaining the writers the magazine currently enjoys. If their track record continues, I suspect we'll see this become a top-flight rag within the next few years.

A must-read monthly
Monthly business magazines are hard sells. But I consider Business 2.0 a must read. It has really made the transition from "new economy" rag to general interest biz mag--and done it with style. I've been reading B2 from the start and I find I get more out of it with every issue. It's clear, smart and really puts me in touch with what works (which, come to think of it, is the name of a section in the magazine.) Where else will you read about Cocaine Inc., the Yoga business and the value of an MBA?

still in beta...
Hey folks, this is a decent magazine and if you have spare time on your hands it's worth reading if you like the new economy business perspective. However, I can't highly rate the magazine but it's not consistent in its quality. They now review cars??? Why? And gadgets? Why? Let Wired do that. Honestly, there's one or two REALLY good one-page aritcles I find in it montly, but outside of that, it's really not anything new. I'm happier with Fast Company. ... Read more

Abstract

Presents articles dealing with national news, investigative reporting, commentary, the arts as well as articles on health, the environment and book reviews.
... Read more

Reviews (17)

A top News magazine
Unlike TIME or Newsweek Mother Jones magazine is willing to take on the big corporations and the sacred cows of government. It has been a publication we have read for decades and is fair. Liberal for sure, but also fair. They took on politicians who were in the corner with the tobacco companies. People like then California Speaker and now San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. They have exposed the hypocrites who fight porn and the hypocrites within organized religion. They have been on the front lines on racial and ethnic issues long before the average "news" magazines gave a damn.

Excellent Magazine .....
Mother Jones is one of the most well written and well researched magazines on the market. It rivals all other publications that stray from the mainstream (such as The Nation) and is filled with articles that are critical of all government policies whether they stem from the left or the right and offers extensive analysis of policy and cultural issues. It is , of course , not for all, but rather for those with open minds who do not submit to political dogma (preached either from the left or the right). I highly recommend this magazine.

pseudoscience
I am interested in a REAL magazine of progressive politics and environmental conservation. Most of this is poorly researched invective.

Independent research is the only way to truth
Mother Jones uses an independent research fund to pay their journalists for news articles and research. They do not allow advertising or parent companies to get between the truth and what gets published. If you want to be educated on what is going on in the environment and government, and corporate activity in regards to both, you should read Mother Jones. It is unbiased. The search for truth should not be labeled as a solely left-wing or liberal activity. And if it is, then shame on those radical conservatives who wish to disassociate themselves from something noble.

Where is the zero star rating?
Are you kidding me!!! I have never seen a more biased "news" magazine in my life. Unfortunately for me, this magazine was a gift to me (obviously as a joke)and now I have been put on every socialist organization's mailing list and must put up with Dean's campaign propaganda.

This rag is typical leftist dribble; blame everything wrong with the world on Bush and the Republicans. Of course, as with the liberals and the DNC, they offer no serious solutions, just blame. This magazine actually promotes radical socialism as if the world would be better under some Stalinist regime. No thanks, I enjoy my freedom. ... Read more

Abstract

Articles, interviews, business profiles, financing, marketing, advertising and legislative news of note aimed at the small business owner or those planning to start a new or additional business.
... Read more

Reviews (10)

Entertainment value only.
I recommend this magazine for beginners looking to to re-light that entrepreneurial spirit. This magazine is not for people who are already a little knowledgeable in business and entrepreneurship.

Although in the last few years they've tried to revamp themselves to be more than a "get rich quick" rag, Entrepreneur is not a spectacular, fresh, or innovative magazine to be pedestaled or held in high regard. Any one with the littlest ounce of business acumen will quickly find Entrepreneur Magazine to be rehashed business topics and fluffy entertainment.

I'm a business magazine junkie. As I read the magazines, I tear out any useful information I may want to read again later. I rarely find anything I don't know about in Entrepreneur, and I usually read the magazine in twenty to fourty minutes. Usually, I feel I wasted my time.

If you're looking for a magazine of entrepreneurial entertainment and personal stories, get Entrepreneur.

If you're looking for a magazine full of hours of spectacular information and knowledge, get yourself a subscription to Business 2.0 (in my opinion, the best in this genre).

The best thing about business and trade magazines is that they may be tax deductible as a business expense. (Of course, check with your tax advisor first.)

I disagree with the negative ratings
Though the magazine does have the MLM and "You To Can Get Rich" articles, it has validity. You can do anything if you find the right thing, something your passionate about. I've found the articles may not always fit my exact situation, but I can extract what is meaningful or useful to fit my unique situation or business needs. Isn't that the main goal here? You have to find it, no one is going to hand it to you. Do the research and the work and ask for mentoring. Follow up on the leads and ideas they give you. I truly enjoy this magazine. Carpe Diem.

Entrepreneur? Franchisee!
I read this at Stop and Shop each month, hoping it'll get better. Each month I hope desperately for some pertinent, relevant, or just plain mildly useful business hints and tips... and they are just not forthcoming.

For someone who is interested in starting a franchise, (think vending machines) or one of those "dear friends, you too can be a millionaire! First send me all your money" businesses, also referred to as MLM (multi-level marketing) this magazine would be a gold mine.

For a business owner who is looking for some serious help? Don't bother! I am wishing for a subscription to American Venture... now there's the ideal entrepreneur's magazine!

Unless you want a stack of useless info...
It's funny because I didn't realize how useless this magazine is for me until i read some of the other reviews here. I'm about half-way through an already paid for 2-year subscription to this magazine. I always make sure to keep my copy of each issue because somehow it feels like it holds some important information that will propel me forward as an entrepreneur. I have their website listed in my Favorites. Cause I'm a big time businessman who gets a magazine called "Entrepreneur" for entrepreneurs like myself. Yeah right! The truth of the matter is the magazines are perfectly stacked and in mint condition because as soon as I've flipped through it once, subconsciously I realize there's nothing of value there. A lot of ads with get-rich quick schemes. A list of 500 franchises. Blah blah blah.

Business 2.0, Wired, Inc., Fast Company, Investor's Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal. These are the business magazines and newspapers that give today's entrpreneur a thorough guide to "the jungle".

Entrepreneur? Just a fancy-sounding title. And soon to be a stack in the recycle bin.

And as far as motivation goes, I get more by flipping through an issue of Robb Report than I have ever gotten by reading any one article in Entrepreneur.

To keep you hoping.
This magazine is great just for keeping the spirit. It's filled with many success stories. But hardly any of those success stories include the details that led them into success. It's also extremely geared towards franchising. Every other article, and every other ad is about franchising. I have a one year subscription and at this point I'm bored. I'll keep the subscription, but it's highly unlikely that I will renew next year. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Mag...But Amazon is charging $22 more than sub cost
I found a how magazine and it is charging $29.99 for a subscription. I came across this same problem on another magazine that I was going to subscribe from Amazon...but the magazine itself was charging far less. I wrote Amazon about the price change (and they claim they correct prices in a few weeks) months later that magazine cost has not changed...

Not a good sign for Amazon...for magazine subsrciptions. I love Amazon...but why are they so out of whack with magazine costs?

As a subscriber for over 3 years...
... I highly recommend this magazine to anyone interested or immersed in the graphic design industry. I have kept every single issue and frequently refer to them for ideas, reference, or to simply get those creative juices flowing. HOW's biggest asset is their dedication to helping the reader understand the business side of the industry and the all important client relationship. HOW does not exclude anyone in that they address the different issues agencies and freelancers face when conducting business.

HOW is a good buy and a great resource
HOW is very practically-oriented, not a lot of "look at us, we're graphic designers" [junk] you see in other graphic design magazines. Self-importance is out. Information-importance is in. Each issue has loads of sage advice, and it's all very understandable to all designers, novice to Madison Aveenue.

Great magazine for all graphic designers.

Money Well Spent
This magazine really fills the voids that design school leaves behind. I have developed some serious guts in fighting for what I am worth due to this publication. When you are a new designer, you get taken advantage of frequently. College did not prepare me to stand up for myself in this competitive market, and this magazine not only keeps you up-to-date with the latest in the design realm, but also serves as a gutsy, motivational read as well. This is a must have subscription for budding designers. What a relief to read a killer design publication from the midwest!

A Must Have...
I believe that this magazine is a must have for any designer. Especially those that are new to the field. I am a student and I read this magazine from cover to cover and feel that it covers all aspects of the business well. It is written so that even the beginner can understand all of the aspects and use the ideas in their everyday work/projects. I think that this magazine is one of the best references for graphic design on the market that I have found. ... Read more

Abstract

18X/YR--Monthly w/extra issues. Articles on financial & personnel management, marketing, administration, sales and operations for executives & managers of small to mid-sized companies.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

Best business magazine available
I don't know a single super-successful business person, and I know hundreds from coast to coast, who do not read and recommend Inc. MAGAZINE. INC. is the single best business magazine, bar none.

My favorite for over a decade
Inc Magazine has been my favorite business magazine since the early 1990's. I really enjoy the revenue/employee ratio that only Inc discloses. (I am obsessed with revenue/employee ratios)

I also enjoy the Inc 500. All of the articles are excellent and I don't worry about the ads. If it wasn't for the ads, either Inc would not be available or would cost about $50 an issue (and would be worth it too!)

Inc is a must read magazine for all serious business people.

Been a fan for nearly 20 years
I have been a regular reader of Inc. Magazine since 1985. I love this magazine and although it is hard to put my finger on any one item that stands out, I particularly enjoy the Inc. 500 feature and the listing of the top cities in America for business. It was through Inc.,or should I say, because of Inc. Magazine that I choose to move to my present home in sunny, beautiful Orlando, Fl. A truely dynamic city that has consistently been listed as one of the top three fastest growing cities in America. This dynamic city is still growing. Inc first started listing Orlando back in 1985.

The articles are excellent. As for regular features and stories, I especially like the success stories like the one on Mr. Powell in the current issue. It is great to see the diverse ways that people succeed in business.

Besides success stories, I have found the various business articles fascinating. I love the technology articles and the investment articles as well. Inc. Magazine is so complete. Itotally agree with the reviewer that said that he would not be in business without it. Really, how did business people survive prior to Inc. Magazine?

The online service is also outstanding and I like the opportunity to select archives.

Inc is one great publication. If you are a business person and want to succeed, read Inc.

I wouldn't be in business without it
I really look forward to recieving Inc. Magazine each and every month. The articles and information is fresh and the writers are excellent. I have found that Inc. Magazine is inspiring, educational and motivational.

For anyone who is or wants to be in business, I highly recommend Inc. Magazine. It rocks!

Inc is a great magazine
As a female entrepreneur, I love Inc. magazine. It is so up to date. So complete. It's ideal for small and mid sized businesses, contains many success stories with powerful content.

I have found that the companies featured have helped me make competent decisions for my company.

Overall, Inc is a great magazine and one that I look forward to read each and every month. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"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

Reviews (11)

Magazine that brings management ideas with an impact
The Harvard Business Review was first published in 1922. This magazine has definitely stood the test of time and is probably the most influential academical-business magazine around. In 1998 it was published bi-monthly, but nowadays it has increased its frequency to monthly (since the start of 2002).

I will go through the typical set-up of each issue: The front page contains a table of content, which is handy when you are looking for a particular article. There is an introduction by the editor. There is a Forethought-section is "a survey of ideas, trends, people, and practices on the business horizon." It reports on research and studies that are currently ongoing, not just at Harvard Business School. There is a Harvard Business Review case study followed by advice from experts in the field on that particular case study. There is an autobiographical articles based on experiences from (typically) a business leader under the title First Person. This is followed by an article called 'HBR at Large' on issues that are not necessarily related to management issues. This section is followed by at least four new articles on management issues. Most articles are based on research by academics in fields ranging from human resource management, accounting to strategy and technology. Most of these articles present materials that later form the foundation for books. At the end of each Harvard Business Review, there is a short summary of each article. There is an article based on experiences at various organizations, which are described in 'Best Practice'.