There are a number of people that helped contribute to this book that deserve recognition. Editor Jim Boyd provided enormous support throughout the process along with timely input from production editor Wil Mara, and content reviewer Harris Collingwood. In the early stages, Steven Kursh (Professor from Northeastern), John Grant (affiliated with MIT’s entrepreneurship group), Harvard classmate, Dan Schneider all helped develop the formation of this book and a template for future academic courses at Babson College. As part of this formation, Babson’s faculty and administration provided support and encouragement for a new Corporate Entrepreneurship track. This group includes: Babson Provost Michael Fetters, Dean Mark Rice, Professor Jeffrey Timmons, Professor William Bygrave, Professor Allan Cohen, Professor Steven Spinelli, Professor Shaker Zahra, Professor Paul Reynolds and Babson College President Brian Barefoot. Distinguished alumni and other Babson personnel also contributed including: Robert Weissman, Arthur Blank, Michael Smith, former Babson President William Glavin and Thomas Krimmel. And, indirect support came from colleagues and former colleagues such as Les Charm and Professor Roberto Bonifaz, whose frequent queries kept motivation high and focus sharp.

Much of the research was conducted at Harvard University in which several faculty members of the Harvard Business School, Law School, and Kennedy School of Government contributed significantly. We mention them separately in the Introduction. Many Babson students provided early research support including: Lesley Edwards, Reddi Rayalu, and Jay Mehta. Carrie Geeck from MSXI also provided terrific assistance along the way.

Periodic inspiration came from several gatherings including: Rock-port’s Emerson Inn, New Hampshire’s Adair Inn and a Goldman Sach’s conference room (where the chapter on compensation was developed).

Clearly, one of the most significant factors in developing this book has been the input from coauthor and contributor, Thomas Stallkamp. It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with him these past three years. His brilliant insight drawn from years of experience at large organizations enabled us to address the core issues of corporate growth (at all levels of the organization) and help develop practical solutions to corporate dilemma. He is a class individual, whose well-timed humor, work ethic and support were essential for completing this project. Without his collaboration with the encouragement from his wonderful wife Ann, this would have been just another academic or theoretical treatise.

Finally, I would like to thank my lovely wife Kristen for her steadfast support and encouragement. Her understanding, proof reading and personal sacrifices made this project manageable and her watchful eye over our beautiful children Jared, Alissa, Sari and Janelle were indispensable. To all, my heartfelt thanks.

Joel M. Shulman