Five years ago your older brother, Mike, started a software company to
develop business operations programs to help manufacturing companies with things
like inventory control. He originally had two employees. The business is now thriving with 150 employees and two branch offices in different parts of the country. Many of the employees are software specialists, but some are in sales and there is of course a clerical support staff, including bookkeepers etc.
Two weeks ago Mike had a sudden heart attack and died. Mike was the sole owner of the company. As his only living relative you have inherited the company, and are now the CEO. You have some background in technology, as you have been a newspaper reporter who has written on technology companies and the technology industry for several years. Let us assume that the terms of the will stipulate that you cannot sell the company for three years, so you will be the CEO for at least that long.
Based on your readings of the text and other readings for the course, how should you begin to think about your role as CEO of this company? How will you view your role as manager and how do you think others, especially the four existing vice-presidents will view you and themselves. How should you think about this organization and your role in it?
Note: Remember I will be looking to see how you apply the class readings to this situation, not your natural ability to figure out the future of the company. It is a question about the work of managers in organizations, not about business software.
