It's been four years since Dave Souza, Joe Castle, and Ryan Bahar started Socaba.com--an e-business that sells office supplies and services. Six months ago, acting on the advice of their VC, the young founders hired three seasoned managers to help bring the business to the next level. The new executives appeared to complete the Socaba management team. But even as early as the welcome lunch for the three, a rift between the insiders and outsiders developed. Just minutes after the party, the founders were seen drifting into Dave's office to assess the three newcomers. Such exclusionary meetings have continued on both sides, further aggravating the situation. To complicate matters, one of the company's main competitors wants to partner with Socaba, and there's controversy about whether to enter into the deal. Socaba.com is at a crossroads--the company is in position to grow, but internal conflicts could hold it back. In R00408 and R00414, commentators Tom Scott, Ted Murguia, Christine Comaford, and Stever Robbins offer advice on this fictional case study.

It's been four years since Dave Souza, Joe Castle, and Ryan Bahar started Socaba.com--an e-business that sells office supplies and services. Six months ago, acting on the advice of their VC, the young founders hired three seasoned managers to help bring the business to the next level. The new executives appeared to complete the Socaba management team. But even as early as the welcome lunch for the three, a rift between the insiders and outsiders developed. Just minutes after the party, the founders were seen drifting into Dave's office to assess the three newcomers. Such exclusionary meetings have continued on both sides, further aggravating the situation. To complicate matters, one of the company's main competitors wants to partner with Socaba, and there's controversy about whether to enter into the deal. Socaba.com is at a crossroads--the company is in position to grow, but internal conflicts could hold it back. In R00408 and R00414, commentators Tom Scott, Ted Murguia, Christine Comaford, and Stever Robbins offer advice on this fictional case study.

It's been four years since Dave Souza, Joe Castle, and Ryan Bahar started Socaba.com--an e-business that sells office supplies and services. Six months ago, acting on the advice of their VC, the young founders hired three seasoned managers to help bring the business to the next level. The new executives appeared to complete the Socaba management team. But even as early as the welcome lunch for the three, a rift between the insiders and outsiders developed. Just minutes after the party, the founders were seen drifting into Dave's office to assess the three newcomers. Such exclusionary meetings have continued on both sides, further aggravating the situation. To complicate matters, one of the company's main competitors wants to partner with Socaba, and there's controversy about whether to enter into the deal. Socaba.com is at a crossroads--the company is in position to grow, but internal conflicts could hold it back. In R00408 and R00414, commentaand Stever Robbins offer advice on this fictional case study.tors Tom Scott, Ted Murguia, Christine Comaford,

How would your company fare in the Business Olympics? An INSEAD professor and his students assess the "corporate fitness" of the largest firms in Europe and the United States and map out which companies and industries are likely to take the gold.

The drivers of customer satisfaction vary greatly from country to country. But traditional customer surveys rarely uncover those variations. Now there's a better way.

Back in the prehistoric days of information technology--say, about 15 years ago--many companies opted to deal with the frighteningly complicated matter of "machines and men" by creating a new position: chief information officer. This newfangled executive, companies hoped, would protect and prepare them for the coming technology revolution. But now that the revolution is upon us, and as more and more companies integrate e-commerce into their corporate strategies, the role of the chief information officer is undergoing intense scrutiny. Should the CIO participate fully in strategy formulation? Is the position evolving from a technical manager to a general manager? If, in fact, the CIO role is becoming largely strategic, how much will the job overlap with that of the CEO? And what of the operational responsibilities that traditionally go along with the CIO title? Commenting on these issues are: Dawn Lepore, CIO and vice chairman at Charles Schwab; Jack Rockart, director of the Center for Information Systems Research at MIT; Michael J. Earl, professor of information management at London Business School; Tom Thomas, chairman and CEO at Vantive Corporation; and Peter McAteer and Jeffrey Elton, consultants at Giga Information Group and Integral, respectively.

It's tempting to save time and money by negotiating through e-mail, rather than in person or by phone. But new research finds that people can be contentious--even dishonest--when negotiating solely by e-mail.

AllerGen, a young biotechnology firm, is heading for trouble, possibly even bankruptcy. The company's one product--a vaccine for people allergic to cats--may never make it to market. And turnover is on the rise, not only because of the vaccine's uncertain future but also because employees are increasingly unhappy working for founder and Chief Scientific Officer Harry Huston. Although Harry is an excellent scientist, he has no business background. Several years ago he recruited a president and COO to bring some much-needed business savvy to the organization, but that executive left after a year because Harry simply wouldn't let him do his job. It hasn't helped matters that AllerGen's board consists mainly of Harry's friends and family, who go along with whatever he wants. Recently some scientists at AllerGen had the phenomenal good luck to develop, almost by accident, an alternative potentially lucrative product. But Harry won't give the go-ahead to develop a business plan for it. "There has to be someone who stays the course and works for the sheer joy of finding the cure," he says. "There are people out there who need this vaccine. Some very badly. That's why we're here. Not for the money." It's up to two senior scientists to make Harry see that he is holding AllerGen back. How can they convince Harry that changing course is critical? In R00106 and R00114, commentators Matt Benasutti, Mark Lipton, George N. Hatsopoulos, Dorothy Beckert, and Warren D. Miller offer advice on this fictional case study.

AllerGen, a young biotechnology firm, is heading for trouble, possibly even bankruptcy. The company's one product--a vaccine for people allergic to cats--may never make it to market. And turnover is on the rise, not only because of the vaccine's uncertain future but also because employees are increasingly unhappy working for founder and Chief Scientific Officer Harry Huston. Although Harry is an excellent scientist, he has no business background. Several years ago he recruited a president and COO to bring some much-needed business savvy to the organization, but that executive left after a year because Harry simply wouldn't let him do his job. It hasn't helped matters that AllerGen's board consists mainly of Harry's friends and family, who go along with whatever he wants. Recently some scientists at AllerGen had the phenomenal good luck to develop, almost by accident, an alternative potentially lucrative product. But Harry won't give the go-ahead to develop a business plan for it. "There has to be someone who stays the course and works for the sheer joy of finding the cure," he says. "There are people out there who need this vaccine. Some very badly. That's why we're here. Not for the money." It's up to two senior scientists to make Harry see that he is holding AllerGen back. How can they convince Harry that changing course is critical? In R00106 and R00114, commentators Matt Benasutti, Mark Lipton, George N. Hatsopoulos, Dorothy Beckert, and Warren D. Miller offer advice on this fictional case study.

AllerGen, a young biotechnology firm, is heading for trouble, possibly even bankruptcy. The company's one product--a vaccine for people allergic to cats--may never make it to market. And turnover is on the rise, not only because of the vaccine's uncertain future but also because employees are increasingly unhappy working for founder and Chief Scientific Officer Harry Huston. Although Harry is an excellent scientist, he has no business background. Several years ago he recruited a president and COO to bring some much-needed business savvy to the organization, but that executive left after a year because Harry simply wouldn't let him do his job. It hasn't helped matters that AllerGen's board consists mainly of Harry's friends and family, who go along with whatever he wants. Recently some scientists at AllerGen had the phenomenal good luck to develop, almost by accident, an alternative potentially lucrative product. But Harry won't give the go-ahead to develop a business plan for it. "There has to be someone who stays the course and works for the sheer joy of finding the cure," he says. "There are people out there who need this vaccine. Some very badly. That's why we're here. Not for the money." It's up to two senior scientists to make Harry see that he is holding AllerGen back. How can they convince Harry that changing course is critical? In R00106 and R00114, commentators Matt Benasutti, Mark Lipton, George N. Hatsopoulos, Dorothy Beckert, and Warren D. Miller offer advice on this fictional case study.

Companies facing attacks from competitors with copycat products often find they have little legal recourse. Two researchers suggest preemptive measures for protecting brand identity.

Delegating responsibility is hard. Not delegating can be disastrous. Former Oklahoma City fire chief Carl Holmes shares his best practices for efficient leadership.

So far, Rachel Soltanoff's instincts had been right. As CEO in this fictional case study, she had successfully navigated TradeRite Software's transition from a news service for stockbrokers to a $70 million provider of shrink-wrapped software geared toward both brokers and the growing day-trader market. Now a well-financed start-up, Stocknet.com, was testing a very competitive product that traders could download directly over the Web. And TradeRite's Web site was nothing more than a collection of elaborate marketing brochures. Rachel knew she needed to start selling over the Web. But the e-commerce consultants she had hired to set up her Web store were behind schedule, and their 21-year-old CEO had just resigned. Her product manager, Lisa Bandini, was working overtime to transform TradeRite's entire product line into Web-aware applications to match Stocknet's, and Rachel had $2.5 million to launch them. But the consultants said it would take $5 million just to rent e-commerce capabilities. Ace sales VP Brian Rockart thought the company had already wasted too much time and money--money from his budget--on its Web site. Marketing VP Rob Collins thought TradeRite should focus on its core stockbroker customers. Chief Technical Officer Joe Martinez doesn't want to go ahead without a pilot project. Should Rachel try to convince Brian, Rob, and the rest of the senior management team that e-commerce is the way to go? In 99209 and 99209Z, commentators David Siegel, Candice Carpenter, David Ticoll, and Jeffrey F. Rayport offer advice on this fictional case.

So far, Rachel Soltanoff's instincts had been right. As CEO in this fictional case study, she had successfully navigated TradeRite Software's transition from a news service for stockbrokers to a $70 million provider of shrink-wrapped software geared toward both brokers and the growing day-trader market. Now a well-financed start-up, Stocknet.com, was testing a very competitive product that traders could download directly over the Web. And TradeRite's Web site was nothing more than a collection of elaborate marketing brochures. Rachel knew she needed to start selling over the Web. But the e-commerce consultants she had hired to set up her Web store were behind schedule, and their 21-year-old CEO had just resigned. Her product manager, Lisa Bandini, was working overtime to transform TradeRite's entire product line into Web-aware applications to match Stocknet's, and Rachel had $2.5 million to launch them. But the consultants said it would take $5 million just to rent e-commerce capabilities. Ace sales VP Brian Rockart thought the company had already wasted too much time and money--money from his budget--on its Web site. Marketing VP Rob Collins thought TradeRite should focus on its core stockbroker customers. Chief Technical Officer Joe Martinez doesn't want to go ahead without a pilot project. Should Rachel try to convince Brian, Rob, and the rest of the senior management team that e-commerce is the way to go? In 99209 and 99209Z, commentators David Siegel, Candice Carpenter, David Ticoll, and Jeffrey F. Rayport offer advice on this fictional case.

So far, Rachel Soltanoff's instincts had been right. As CEO in this fictional case study, she had successfully navigated TradeRite Software's transition from a news service for stockbrokers to a $70 million provider of shrink-wrapped software geared toward both brokers and the growing day-trader market. Now a well-financed start-up, Stocknet.com, was testing a very competitive product that traders could download directly over the Web. And TradeRite's Web site was nothing more than a collection of elaborate marketing brochures. Rachel knew she needed to start selling over the Web. But the e-commerce consultants she had hired to set up her Web store were behind schedule, and their 21-year-old CEO had just resigned. Her product manager, Lisa Bandini, was working overtime to transform TradeRite's entire product line into Web-aware applications to match Stocknet's, and Rachel had $2.5 million to launch them. But the consultants said it would take $5 million just to rent e-commerce capabilities. Ace sales VP Brian Rockart thought the company had already wasted too much time and money--money from his budget--on its Web site. Marketing VP Rob Collins thought TradeRite should focus on its core stockbroker customers. Chief Technical Officer Joe Martinez doesn't want to go ahead without a pilot project. Should Rachel try to convince Brian, Rob, and the rest of the senior management team that e-commerce is the way to go? Four commentators offer advice. In 99209 and 99209Z, commentators David Siegel, Candice Carpenter, David Ticoll, and Jeffrey F. Rayport offer advice on this fictional case.

In this fictitious case study, HBR editor Regina F. Maruca explores the challenges of managing employees in the alternative workplace. Allison Scher is threatening to quit. Penny Ryan wants to run the team. The manager of these off-site workers, Craig Bedell, feels blindsided by their conflict. And the whole mess has Maggie Pinto, the head of HR, wondering if she should cancel the companywide rollout of the telecommuting program. How did this situation get to the boiling point so quickly? Craig doesn't really know. From his vantage point--inside the office--his department is doing the best work it has ever done before. And the flexible work arrangements, designed on a case-by-case basis, have increased productivity and boosted morale at the same time. Or so Craig believed--until a few days ago, when the E-mail messages started to come. There was trouble between Penny and Allison. How serious was the situation? It was hard to tell. Craig responded with E-mail and voice-mail messages of his own. Couldn't it all be put on hold until Monday, when the team would come together for its biweekly meeting? Then he got the final E-mail from Allison--the one in which she threatened "to seek alternative employment." Is the breakdown in communication irrevocable? Can Craig, who learned how to manage during a time when people showed up at the office every day, adjust to the conditions of telecommuting? In 98405 and 98405Z, Robert M. Egan, Wendy Miles, John R. Birstler, and Margaret Klayton-Mi offer their advice on how the company can patch up the short-term problem and lay the foundation for a successful future.

In this fictitious case study, HBR editor Regina F. Maruca explores the challenges of managing employees in the alternative workplace. Allison Scher is threatening to quit. Penny Ryan wants to run the team. The manager of these off-site workers, Craig Bedell, feels blindsided by their conflict. And the whole mess has Maggie Pinto, the head of HR, wondering if she should cancel the companywide rollout of the telecommuting program. How did this situation get to the boiling point so quickly? Craig doesn't really know. From his vantage point--inside the office--his department is doing the best work it has ever done before. And the flexible work arrangements, designed on a case-by-case basis, have increased productivity and boosted morale at the same time. Or so Craig believed--until a few days ago, when the E-mail messages started to come. There was trouble between Penny and Allison. How serious was the situation? It was hard to tell. Craig responded with E-mail and voice-mail messages of his own. Couldn't it all be put on hold until Monday, when the team would come together for its biweekly meeting? Then he got the final E-mail from Allison--the one in which she threatened "to seek alternative employment." Is the breakdown in communication irrevocable? Can Craig, who learned how to manage during a time when people showed up at the office every day, adjust to the conditions of telecommuting? In 98405 and 98405Z, Robert M. Egan, Wendy Miles, John R. Birstler, and Margaret Klayton-Mi offer their advice on how the company can patch up the short-term problem and lay the foundation for a successful future.

In this fictitious case study, HBR editor Regina F. Maruca explores the challenges of managing employees in the alternative workplace. Allison Scher is threatening to quit. Penny Ryan wants to run the team. The manager of these off-site workers, Craig Bedell, feels blindsided by their conflict. And the whole mess has Maggie Pinto, the head of HR, wondering if she should cancel the companywide rollout of the telecommuting program. How did this situation get to the boiling point so quickly? Craig doesn't really know. From his vantage point--inside the office--his department is doing the best work it has ever done before. And the flexible work arrangements, designed on a case-by-case basis, have increased productivity and boosted morale at the same time. Or so Craig believed--until a few days ago, when the E-mail messages started to come. There was trouble between Penny and Allison. How serious was the situation? It was hard to tell. Craig responded with E-mail and voice-mail messages of his own. Couldn't it all be put on hold until Monday, when the team would come together for its biweekly meeting? Then he got the final E-mail from Allison--the one in which she threatened "to seek alternative employment." Is the breakdown in communication irrevocable? Can Craig, who learned how to manage during a time when people showed up at the office every day, adjust to the conditions of telecommuting? Four commentators offer their advice on how the company can patch up the short-term problem and lay the foundation for a successful future. In 98405 and 98405Z, Robert M. Egan, Wendy Miles, John R. Birstler, and Margaret Klayton-Mi offer their advice on how the company can patch up the short-term problem and lay the foundation for a successful future.

Gordon Johnston has taken his elite health-club concept from the germ of an idea to the pinnacle of success. But the most difficult decision in managing his company lies ahead. Gordon must figure out how to lead Transition fitness clubs into the next phase. In each of the 15 years since Transition's flagship club opened in New York City, its sales have doubled. The company boasts fitness trainers handpicked by Olympic medalists, health-conscious cuisine by in-house chefs, huge facilities in prime locations, and reciprocal memberships at other Transition clubs worldwide. But recently, the company's margins have been shrinking. An aging membership could mean problems for future expansion. And new, upscale competitors are challenging Transition's flat-rate pricing policy. Will Gordon have to run fast to stay in one place? Should he change Transition's pricing policy? In 95205 and 95205Z, commentators William Campbell, Robert J. Dolan, Anita K. Hersh, Peter H. Farquhar, David Aaker, and Mary Shelman offer advice on this fictional case study.

Gordon Johnston has taken his elite health-club concept from the germ of an idea to the pinnacle of success. But the most difficult decision in managing his company lies ahead. Gordon must figure out how to lead Transition fitness clubs into the next phase. In each of the 15 years since Transition's flagship club opened in New York City, its sales have doubled. The company boasts fitness trainers handpicked by Olympic medalists, health-conscious cuisine by in-house chefs, huge facilities in prime locations, and reciprocal memberships at other Transition clubs worldwide. But recently, the company's margins have been shrinking. An aging membership could mean problems for future expansion. And new, upscale competitors are challenging Transition's flat-rate pricing policy. Will Gordon have to run fast to stay in one place? Should he change Transition's pricing policy? In 95205 and 95205Z, commentators William Campbell, Robert J. Dolan, Anita K. Hersh, Peter H. Farquhar, David Aaker, and Mary Shelman offer advice on this fictional case study.