Irving Grousbeck

The MBA Class of 1980 Adjunct Professor of Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Schools

  • Stanford Graduate School of Business

Links

Biography

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Teaching Statement

Irv Grousbeck was cofounder and codirector of the Business School’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and coauthor of the textbook "New Business Ventures and the Entrepreneur." His teaching centers on an objective means to develop a greater understanding of the issues faced by entrepreneurial companies and individuals. His course, Conversations in Management, places students in the role of CEO and challenges them to deal with difficult managerial issues by assessment, prescription, and execution, including frequent role-plays. Mr. Grousbeck also teaches a course at the Stanford Medical School, Managing Difficult Conversations, for GSB and medical students who aspire to improve their ability to deal effectively with difficult interpersonal situations.

Bio

With a partner, Grousbeck founded Continental Cablevision (later Media One) in 1964. He was President of that company through 1980, and Chairman through 1985. He was a Visiting Lecturer and then Lecturer at Harvard Business School from 1981-85. He became a Visiting Lecturer at Stanford in 1985, a Lecturer in 1986, and a Consulting Professor in 1996.

Grousbeck has served on numerous for-profit and not-for-profit Boards over the past 37 years, including (currently) Asurion Corp., ResponseLink, and the Boston Celtics. He was a Trustee of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, Chairman and President of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Chairman of the Board of Sponsors of New England Eye Bank, Overseer of Children’s Hospital (Boston), and Chairman of Menlo School and College. He is the principal owner of the Boston Celtics.

He holds an MBA from Harvard University, and Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Humane Letters (Hon.) degrees from Amherst College.

Academic Degrees

  • MBA, Harvard University, 1960
  • BA, Amherst College, 1956

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford University since 1985
  • Codirector, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Stanford Business School, 1996-2013
  • Lecturer, Harvard Business School, 1981-1985
  • Instructor, Harvard Business School, 1962-1964

Professional Experience

  • Chairman, Continental Cablevision, Inc., 1980-1985
  • President, Continental Cablevision, Inc., 1964-1980
  • Cofounder, Continental Cablevision, Inc., 1964

Awards and Honors

  • Doctor of Humane Letters (Hon.), Menlo College, 2016
  • Doctor of Humane Letters (Hon.), Amherst College, 2000
  • Distinguished Teaching Award, MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 1987

Teaching

Degree Courses

2018-19

STRAMGT 510: Conversations in Management

This case-based course is offered for students who want to refine their ability to manage challenging professional conversations. The class, which is limited to 32 students, will focus on the preparation for and execution of role-played dialogue...

2017-18

GSBGEN 568: Managing Difficult Conversations

This elective 1-unit course is offered to 2nd-year, 3rd-year, and 4th-year Medical students, Residents, and Fellows, and to 2nd-year MBA students who aspire to improve their ability to deal effectively with difficult interpersonal situations....

STRAMGT 510: Conversations in Management

This case-based course is offered for students who want to refine their ability to manage challenging professional conversations. The class, which is limited to 32 students, will focus on the preparation for and execution of role-played dialogue...

2016-17

GSBGEN 568: Managing Difficult Conversations

This elective 2-credit course is offered to 2nd-year, 3rd-year, and 4th-year Medical students, Residents, and Fellows, and to 2nd-year MBA students who aspire to improve their ability to deal effectively with difficult interpersonal situations....

STRAMGT 510: Conversations in Management

This case-based course is offered for students who want to refine their ability to manage challenging professional conversations. The class, which is limited to 32 students, will focus on the preparation for and execution of role-played dialogue...

In the Media

Heroes of Small Business

Fortune, December 1, 2000

Failed at Your Last Job? Wonderful! You're Hired

New York Times, November 6, 1999

What It Takes to Run Your Own Show

The Christian Science Monitor, October 10, 1997

The Heart of Silicon Valley: Why Stanford

Fortune, August 7, 1997

Insights by Stanford Business

writtenFour Lessons for New CEOs

October 20, 2017

Stanford GSB faculty and industry leaders help young executives of search fund companies navigate their new roles.

writtenWhat it Takes to be a Search Fund Entrepreneur

September 25, 2015

Acquiring an existing company has lower risks than starting your own business.

writtenSusan Akbarpour: “I Want to Change the Way People Shop”

August 20, 2015

The founder of online tool Mavatar discusses consumer behavior, persistence, and the value of transparency.

writtenCase Study: Overcoming the Hurdles of Start-Up Life

August 6, 2014

A cosmetics company CEO faces a tough choice as her team members disagree.

writtenHow Do You Overcome the Hurdles in Start-Up Life?

March 21, 2014

A case explores the challenges Gregg Renfrew faced in launching her non-toxic cosmetics business – and asks you what to do next.

writtenMariam Naficy: Tech Startup Minted.com Crowdsources Artwork

October 28, 2013

A serial female entrepreneur advises women to take risks early in their careers.

writtenIrv Grousbeck: Finding One's Way on the Entrepreneurial Path

October 7, 2013

What are the characteristics of an entrepreneur? What are the risks? H. Irving Grousbeck explains.

written10 Ideas For Entrepreneurs Facing Personnel Issues

May 1, 2007

Entrepreneurs share notes on hiring, firing, and promoting employees in a growing company.

Videos

Read about executive education

Cases

Lighthouse | E628 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2017

2016 Search Fund Study: Selected Observations | E605 Peter Kelly, David Dodson, H. Irving Grousbeck, Susan Pohlmeyer, Sara Rosenthal2016

Bernard Wilsey | E583 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2016

Coley Andrews | E567 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2016

ConvenientMD | E550 H. Irving Grousbeck, Ryan Kissick2016

FreeMobility | E618 H. Irving Grousbeck, Jim Ellis, Graham Weaver, Sara Rosenthal2016

Richardson County Community Association Vignettes | E568 H. Irving Grousbeck, Bethany Coates, Sara Rosenthal2016

Wind River Environmental | E231 H. Irving Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2016

Healthy Buildings | E563 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2015

Starling Systems Vignettes | E570 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2015

Aegis Systems Corp. | E511 H. Irving Grousbeck, Jason Luther2014

Bonobos, Inc. Building A Technical Team | E514 H. Irving Grousbeck, Yin Li2014

Search Funds - 2013: Selected Observations | E521 David Dodson, Peter Kelly, H. Irving Grousbeck, Jason Luther, Sara Rosenthal2014

Two Interpersonal Challenges | ETH12 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber2013

MobiChair | E491 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2013

Motivating Others - Selected Vignettes | E469 H. Irving Grousbeck, Justin Randolph2013

Beautycounter | E456 H. Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2012

Huntington University | E439 H. Grousbeck, Arar Han2012

Serena and Lily | E438 H. Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2012

Trunk Club | E458 H. Grousbeck, Austin Kiessig2012

John Stanton: Managing Successful Partnerships | E429 H. Grousbeck, Arar Han2011

Nuru International | E417 H. Grousbeck2011

Starling Systems | E425 H. Grousbeck2011

Dr. Curley's Perfect Storm | ETH10 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber2010

Emergency Room Vignettes | ETH8 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber2010

In the Line of Fire | ETH9 H. I. Grousbeck, Alexander Tauber, Elizabeth A. Zambricki2010

Search Funds - 2009: Selected Observations | E386 H. Grousbeck, Aimee LaFont Leifer, Tjarko Leifer, Lisa Sweeney2010

Compass Ventures | E378 H., Grousbeck, Claire Magat2010

Franklin Warranty | E390 H. Grousbeck, Arar Han2010

A Brief Note on Difficult Discussions Between Doctors and Patients | ETH11 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber2009

Andy Smith's Struggles | ETH7 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber2009

Helping to Ease the Pain and Suffering | ETH6 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber, Elizabeth A. Zambricki, Julie Makinen2009

Nixon, Inc. | E333 H. Grousbeck, Jocelyn Hornblower2009

Vector Healthcare | E346 H. Grousbeck, Claire Magat2009

Search Funds 2007 Selected Observations | E282 H. Grousbeck, Sean Harrington2008

Revolution Foods | E322 Bethany Coates, H. Grousbeck2008

Satura Cakes | E281 Katherine Bose, H. Grousbeck2008

ESPA Extended Service Plans of America | E242 Patrick Arippol, H. Grousbeck2007

John Stanton: Managing Through Adversity | E275 Bethany Coates, H. Grousbeck2007

The Private Bank | E253 Katherine Bose, H. Grousbeck2007

Carteleras de Puerto Rico | E235 H. Grousbeck, Alex Tauber2006

Rick Corcoran | E233 H. Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2006

Tea Collection | E227 H. Grousbeck, Joshua Spitzer2006

Three Common CEO Missteps (A Perspective From The Boardroom) | E201 Harold Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Alex Tauber2006

Coinstar | E180 H. Grousbeck, Timothy Groseclose, Alicia Seiger2005

JetBlue Executing the Plan (A) | E182A H. Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Alex Tauber2005

JetBlue Executing the Plan (B) | E182B H. Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Alex Tauber2005

McQueeney's Publishing | E191 H. Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2005

Search Funds — 2005: Selected Observations | E215 H. Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2005

Wild Planet | E193 H. Grousbeck, Joshua Spitzer2005

A Note On Boards of Directors | E175 H. Grousbeck, Alex Tauber2004

Graham Weaver | E110 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2004

Insight Data Systems | E170 H. Grousbeck, Alex Tauber2004

Prospect Colleges | E179 H. Grousbeck, Alicia Seiger2004

Search Funds 2003 What Has Changed Since 2001? | E162 H. Grousbeck, Mu Li2003

Valley Fire Protection | E137 H. Grousbeck, Alicia Seiger2003

JetBlue | E150 Harold Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Alicia Seiger2003

PDQ Personnel Services | E158 Jamie Earle, H. Grousbeck2003

Peter Kelly and Med-Mart | E124 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2003

Silicon Valley Bank and Bladerunner Technologies | E159 Jamie Earle, H. Grousbeck2003

Amy Baker and Nature's Cure | E105 H. Grousbeck, J. Feldstein2002

eBay | E74 H. Grousbeck2002

Gordon Biersch Vignettes | E121 H. Grousbeck, Andrea Higuera2002

New England Monthly | E4 Harold Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel2002

Search Fund Study - 2001 : Selected Observations and Investor Return Analysis | E120 Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck2002

SpaWest, Inc. | E132 H. Grousbeck, Andrea Higuera2002

Susan Nimoy and Mark Borden | E113 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2002

TRACE DIE CAST | E139 H. Irving Grousbeck2002

Arrival Communications | E101 Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck2001

John Stanton (B) | E20B Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck, Nick Mansour, Joseph Welsh2001

Northwest Security Services | E103 Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck2001

The Dolores Project | E104 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2001

Carillon Assisted Living | E75 H. Grousbeck, Keith Sigg2000

Discovery Zone | E63 Harold Grousbeck, Pratap Mukherjee2000

Jetsort | E58 Nathaniel Durant, Harold Grousbeck2000

Phoenix Industries | E26 H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare2000

RentWise | E81 Harold Grousbeck, Brian Trelstad2000

Vicinity Corporation | E71 Nathaniel Durant, H. Grousbeck2000

BestOffer.com | E78 H. I. Grousbeck, Keith Sigg1999

Trellis | E67 Harold Grousbeck, Pratap Mukherjee1999

Dan Moss | E59 Harold Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

David Dodson II | E51 Harold Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

InterMarket | E52 Harold Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

Note on Angel Financing | E50 Harold Grousbeck, A Tauber1998

Valuation Techniques | E53 Charles A. Holloway, H. Irving Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

Eller Media | E40 Harold Grousbeck, N Mansour1997

Gordon Biersch | E2 H. Grousbeck, Nick Mansour, L. Snedeker1997

MSA Industries | E36 Harold Grousbeck, N Mansour1997

Ariel Capital Management | E28 H. Grousbeck, B. Keare1996

Sierra Expressway | E31 H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare1996

StorMedia , Inc. (A) | E30A H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare1996

StorMedia, Inc. (B) | E30B H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare1996

Downtown Daycare | E25 H. Grousbeck, Joseph Welsh1995

Elmer Stephens | E18 H. Grousbeck, Joseph Welsh1995

Emergency Roadside Assistance | E21 Lauren Dutton, Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1995

Shelter Bay Bank Card | E19 H. Grousbeck, J.M. Welsh1995

Donna Bookout-Coe | E15 Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck1994

Discounter's Supply, Inc. | E14 H. Grousebeck1994

Florida Air, Inc. | E13 H. Grousebeck1994

Spanos & Yecies | E11 H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994

Supercuts ® | E12 H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994

ColeTek, Inc. | E10 H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1993

Fresh Choice | E8 Harold Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1993

Precision Printing | E5 Harold Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1993

Kirk Riedinger and Jamie Turner | SB102 Harold Grousbeck, David Dodson1987

Lighthouse | E628 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2017

2016 Search Fund Study: Selected Observations | E605 Peter Kelly, David Dodson, H. Irving Grousbeck, Susan Pohlmeyer, Sara Rosenthal2016

Bernard Wilsey | E583 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2016

Bill Meehan | E617 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2016

Coley Andrews | E567 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2016

ConvenientMD | E550 H. Irving Grousbeck, Ryan Kissick2016

FreeMobility | E618 H. Irving Grousbeck, Jim Ellis, Graham Weaver, Sara Rosenthal2016

Richardson County Community Association Vignettes | E568 H. Irving Grousbeck, Bethany Coates, Sara Rosenthal2016

Wind River Environmental | E231 H. Irving Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2016

Healthy Buildings | E563 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2015

Starling Systems Vignettes | E570 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2015

Aegis Systems Corp. | E511 H. Irving Grousbeck, Jason Luther2014

Bonobos, Inc. Building A Technical Team | E514 H. Irving Grousbeck, Yin Li2014

Search Funds — 2013: Selected Observations | E521 David Dodson, Peter Kelly, H. Irving Grousbeck, Jason Luther, Sara Rosenthal2014

MobiChair | E491 H. Irving Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2013

Motivating Others - Selected Vignettes | E469 H. Irving Grousbeck, Justin Randolph2013

Beautycounter | E456 H. Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2012

Huntington University | E439 H. Grousbeck, Arar Han2012

Serena and Lily | E438 H. Grousbeck, Sara Rosenthal2012

Trunk Club | E458 H. Grousbeck, Austin Kiessig2012

John Stanton: Managing Successful Partnerships | E429 H. Grousbeck, Arar Han2011

Nuru International | E417 H. Grousbeck2011

Starling Systems | E425 H. Grousbeck2011

Compass Ventures | E378 H., Grousbeck, Claire Magat2010

Franklin Warranty | E390 H. Grousbeck, Arar Han2010

Search Funds — 2009: Selected Observations | E386 H. Grousbeck, Aimee LaFont Leifer, Tjarko Leifer, Lisa Sweeney2010

Helping to Ease the Pain and Suffering | E336 H. I. Grousbeck, C. G. Prober, Alexander Tauber, Elizabeth A. Zambricki, Julie Makinen2009

Nixon, Inc. | E333 H. Grousbeck, Jocelyn Hornblower2009

Vector Healthcare | E346 H. Grousbeck, Claire Magat2009

Revolution Foods | E322 Bethany Coates, H. Grousbeck2008

Satura Cakes | E281 Katherine Bose, H. Grousbeck2008

Search Funds — 2007: Selected Observations | E282 H. Grousbeck, Sean Harrington2008

ESPA Extended Service Plans of America | E242 Patrick Arippol, H. Grousbeck2007

John Stanton: Managing Through Adversity | E275 Bethany Coates, H. Grousbeck2007

The Private Bank | E253 Katherine Bose, H. Grousbeck2007

Carteleras de Puerto Rico | E235 H. Grousbeck, Alex Tauber2006

Rick Corcoran | E233 H. Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2006

Tea Collection | E227 H. Grousbeck, Joshua Spitzer2006

Three Common CEO Missteps (A Perspective From The Boardroom) | E201 Harold Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Alex Tauber2006

Coinstar | E180 H. Grousbeck, Timothy Groseclose, Alicia Seiger2005

JetBlue Executing the Plan (A) | E182A H. Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Alex Tauber2005

JetBlue Executing the Plan (B) | E182B H. Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Alex Tauber2005

McQueeney's Publishing | E191 H. Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2005

Search Funds — 2005: Selected Observations | E215 H. Grousbeck, Mike Harkey2005

Wild Planet | E193 H. Grousbeck, Joshua Spitzer2005

A Note On Boards of Directors | E175 H. Grousbeck, Alex Tauber2004

Graham Weaver | E110 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2004

Insight Data Systems | E170 H. Grousbeck, Alex Tauber2004

Prospect Colleges | E179 H. Grousbeck, Alicia Seiger2004

JetBlue | E150 Harold Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Alicia Seiger2003

PDQ Personnel Services | E158 Jamie Earle, H. Grousbeck2003

Peter Kelly and Med-Mart | E124 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2003

Search Funds — 2003: What Has Changed Since 2001? | E162 H. Grousbeck, Mu Li2003

Silicon Valley Bank and Bladerunner Technologies | E159 Jamie Earle, H. Grousbeck2003

Valley Fire Protection | E137 H. Grousbeck, Alicia Seiger2003

Amy Baker and Nature's Cure | E105 H. Grousbeck, J. Feldstein2002

eBay | E74 H. Grousbeck2002

Gordon Biersch Vignettes | E121 H. Grousbeck, Andrea Higuera2002

New England Monthly | E4 Harold Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel2002

Search Fund Study - 2001 : Selected Observations and Investor Return Analysis | E120 Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck2002

SpaWest, Inc. | E132 H. Grousbeck, Andrea Higuera2002

Susan Nimoy and Mark Borden | E113 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2002

TRACE DIE CAST | E139 H. Irving Grousbeck2002

Arrival Communications | E101 Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck2001

John Stanton (B) | E20B Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck, Nick Mansour, Joseph Welsh2001

Northwest Security Services | E103 Christopher Flanagan, H. Grousbeck2001

The Dolores Project | E104 Janet Feldstein, H. Grousbeck2001

Carillon Assisted Living | E75 H. Grousbeck, Keith Sigg2000

Discovery Zone | E63 Harold Grousbeck, Pratap Mukherjee2000

Jetsort | E58 Nathaniel Durant, Harold Grousbeck2000

Phoenix Industries | E26 H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare2000

RentWise | E81 Harold Grousbeck, Brian Trelstad2000

Vicinity Corporation | E71 Nathaniel Durant, H. Grousbeck2000

BestOffer.com | E78 H. I. Grousbeck, Keith Sigg1999

Trellis | E67 Harold Grousbeck, Pratap Mukherjee1999

Dan Moss | E59 Harold Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

David Dodson II | E51 Harold Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

InterMarket | E52 Harold Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

Note on Angel Financing | E50 Harold Grousbeck, A Tauber1998

Valuation Techniques | E53 Charles A. Holloway, H. Irving Grousbeck, Alex Tauber1998

Eller Media | E40 Harold Grousbeck, N Mansour1997

Gordon Biersch | E2 H. Grousbeck, Nick Mansour, L. Snedeker1997

MSA Industries | E36 Harold Grousbeck, N Mansour1997

Ariel Capital Management | E28 H. Grousbeck, B. Keare1996

Sierra Expressway | E31 H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare1996

StorMedia , Inc. (A) | E30A H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare1996

StorMedia, Inc. (B) | E30B H. Grousbeck, Brian Keare1996

Downtown Daycare | E25 H. Grousbeck, Joseph Welsh1995

Elmer Stephens | E18 H. Grousbeck, Joseph Welsh1995

Emergency Roadside Assistance | E21 Lauren Dutton, Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1995

Shelter Bay Bank Card | E19 H. Grousbeck, J.M. Welsh1995

Discounter's Supply, Inc. | E14 H. Grousebeck1994

Donna Bookout-Coe | E15 Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck1994

Florida Air, Inc. | E13 H. Grousebeck1994

Spanos & Yecies | E11 H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994

Supercuts ® | E12 H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994

ColeTek, Inc. | E10 H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1993

Fresh Choice | E8 Harold Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1993

Precision Printing | E5 Harold Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1993

Kirk Riedinger and Jamie Turner | SB102 Harold Grousbeck, David Dodson1987

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