Biography

Porter was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of a career army officer. At high school he was an outstanding all-round sportsman.

His academic career began with a BSE (high hons) in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Princetown in 1969. By 1971, while serving as a captain in the US Army Reserve, he received his MBA from Harvard Business School, which he followed with a PhD in business economics. He went on to be a professor at HBS.

Porter is difficult man to keep abreast of, with his ongoing roles as consultant and advisor to governments, businesses, non-profit organisations and charities. At the last count his book tally was in the twenties, supported by many series of papers and films.

Among Porter's mantras are: treat employees as permanent instead of adopting a demoralising hire-and-fire approach; identify outstanding competitors as motivators; source from the most advanced suppliers; exceed the toughest regulatory standards; target buyers with the most difficult needs; and sell to the most sophisticated and demanding buyers, as they will lift your standards.

Read More