How to Enroll in HBS Online? What Classes to take at HBS? How much does HBS Online Cost? Is HBS worth the investment? What programs are offered by HBS?

How HBS Online went from $0 to $100 Million in Revenue with in 7 Years from Inception

Over the past 3 years, I've personally taken 3 courses at Harvard Business School HBS) Online. Each was picked to strengthen and implement new business concepts . Based on my recommendations, many others have taken or are planning to take course at HBS Online. Prior to HBS Online, I also attained Post Graduate Certification from Harvard Extension School in strategic management. This enticed me to pursue an MBA from UIUC in 2017, finishing in 2019. 

Video summary of the article:

HBS Online is an online education platform that empowers learners to master essential business skills from world-class Harvard Business School faculty. Here is a glimpse of its journey:

- HBS Online emerged as HBX in 2014 with the vision of amplifying the School’s influence and expanding its reach, while honoring the HBS mission: to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

- The platform leverages a learning model that is active, social, and case-based, meaning that learners dive into real-world challenges facing seasoned business leaders and exchange ideas and insights with peers from around the world.

- The first two programs offered by HBS Online were CORe (Credential of Readiness) and Disruptive Strategy (with Clayton Christensen). CORe became the program HBS offers to incoming students to equip them for the MBA classroom in 2015.

- In 2016, HBS Online hosted its first-ever Connext conference, bringing participants to the HBS campus for a day of networking, learning, and inspiration. In 2018, it launched Community, a network of regional chapters that enable online learners to connect offline.

- In 2019, HBX rebranded to Harvard Business School Online and celebrated its 5th anniversary. In 2020, it reached 100,000 learners from more than 175 countries and generated more than $100 million in revenue .

- Today, HBS Online offers courses and programs on topics such as entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, strategy, and more. It also provides learning tracks that allow learners to earn a Certificate of Specialization in a specific subject area.

HBS Online, being an extension of Harvard Business School, measures its impact and effectiveness by using various methods, such as:

- Conducting surveys of past participants to assess their satisfaction, learning outcomes, and career advancement. In a recent survey of past participants, conducted by City Square Associates, 94 percent of learners said HBS Online is more impactful than other online business programs, while three out of four said HBS Online is worth the investment.

- Tracking key metrics such as enrollment, revenue, completion rates, and learner demographics. HBS Online has enrolled more than 250,000 learners from over 190 countries since its launch in 2014 and has generated more than $100 million in revenue. The average completion rate for HBS Online courses is 85 percent, well above the industry average.

- Evaluating the quality and relevance of the course content and pedagogy. HBS Online uses a learning model that is active, social, and case-based, meaning that learners immerse themselves in real-world challenges facing seasoned business leaders and discuss and debate solutions with peers from around the world. HBS Online also updates its courses regularly to reflect the latest research and best practices from HBS faculty and practitioners.

HBS has reached many successes and milestones over it's short life span. There are many factors that contribute to HBS Online's success, but some of the most important ones are:

- Innovative pedagogy: HBS Online uses a learning model that is active, social, and case-based, meaning that learners immerse themselves in real-world challenges facing seasoned business leaders and discuss and debate solutions with peers from around the world. This creates a highly engaging and interactive learning experience that mimics the Harvard Business School classroom.

- High-quality content: HBS Online courses are designed and taught by renowned HBS faculty who are experts in their fields and have access to cutting-edge research and best practices. The courses cover topics that are relevant and applicable to today's business environment and help learners develop skills and knowledge that can advance their careers.

- Global reach: HBS Online has enrolled more than 250,000 learners from over 190 countries since its launch in 2014. This creates a diverse and vibrant community of learners who can network, collaborate, and learn from each other across industries, cultures, and backgrounds.

- Platform strategy: HBS Online leverages a platform strategy that allows it to scale its offerings and reach new markets. By partnering with other organizations such as edX, Coursera, Emeritus, and 2U, HBS Online can offer its courses to a wider audience and benefit from the network effects of these platforms.

With all success, there also comes challenges. Some of the possible challenges for HBS Online in the future are:

- Increasing competition: HBS Online faces competition from other online education providers, such as Coursera, edX, Udemy, and Khan Academy, as well as other business schools that offer online courses or programs. These competitors may offer lower prices, more variety, or better quality than HBS Online. HBS Online revenues declined $2 million to $74 million in fiscal 2022 from $76 million in the prior year, primarily reflecting higher customer acquisition costs amid increased competition in the educational technology market. Total enrollment grew to 40,667 participants, 5 percent higher than the prior year.

- Maintaining quality and reputation: HBS Online relies on the reputation and brand of Harvard Business School, which is known for its high-quality education and rigorous standards. However, maintaining this quality and reputation online may be challenging, especially as the platform scales and reaches new markets. HBS Online may need to ensure that its courses are updated, relevant, and consistent with the HBS values and mission.

- Adapting to changing customer needs: HBS Online serves a diverse and global customer base, which may have different needs, preferences, and expectations for online learning. HBS Online may need to adapt its offerings and delivery methods to meet these changing customer needs and provide a personalized and engaging learning experience. For example, HBS Online may need to consider offering more courses in different languages, formats, or topics.

Summary:

A brand can help you expand, but only with the right growth levers, can a business be successful. Reaching $100M in revenue, in 7 years or less is a great feat to say the least. For other companies looking to grow, HBS Online's blueprint is a good one to follow.