Harvard Business Publishing Delivers Leadership Transitions Update.

Exclusive Michael Watkins video tops list of new content, functionality

BOSTON -- Harvard Business Publishing, the premier source for management practices, programs and content, today announced a major upgrade to its popular online learning course Leadership Transitions. Designed in collaboration

"The popularity of this program since inception speaks to the burning need for successful transitions in corporations today," said Peter McAteer, managing director and vice president of Harvard Business Publishing's corporate learning division. "New leaders are under intense scrutiny to produce results while learning new skills and managing the performance of others. Leaders at all levels want and appreciate a systematic approach to help them prepare for and successfully transition into new roles."

Leadership Transitions maps directly to the principles and strategies in Watkins' best-selling book The First 90 Days. The course provides an engaging learning experience complete with personalized action plans, rich media and animation. It includes a wide array of assessments and planning tools for overcoming obstacles and pitfalls likely encountered while transitioning into a new role. The program's tools, resources and advice help improve a leader's performance during a transition, and enhance their ultimate effect on the rest of the business.

The new version of the course incorporates new content and multimedia, most notably more than 20 minutes of exclusive video of Michael Watkins revealing his new insights. It also includes engaging animations and "stories from the field," focused self-assessment to help prioritize each user's learning experience, and action plans for each module. Specific transitions are addressed, such as expanding responsibilities in an existing role; taking on a new role within an organization; or joining a new organization in a leadership role.

About Michael Watkins

Michael Watkins is the co-founder of Genesis Advisers, a consulting firm that develops transition acceleration systems for Fortune 500 clients. An expert on leadership transitions, Dr. Watkins has held faculty positions with Harvard Business School and INSEAD. He is currently professor of general management at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. He is the author of the international bestseller, The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at all Levels (HBS Press 2003), which has been translated into 25 languages. His other books include Shaping the Game (HBS Press 2006), The First 90 Days in Government (HBS Press 2006) and Predictable Surprises, with Max Bazerman (HBS Press 2004)