The CEO's Challenge

Managerial decision making is assumed to be rational. However, in many cases, limited time, data, and even funds makes decision making more complex and risky. Developing goals and strategies for an organization is an important responsibility for a top manager. An interesting challenge typically faces a new CEO taking the lead at an already existing organization. The following article discusses a few dilemmas this new CEO may encounter and the steps this top manager can take to make the transition a smooth one.

Visit http://www.ppartners.com/demo/demo/index.htm and answer the following questions.

Click on articles, then click on "The New Executives First 100 Days," and answer the following question.

1. What are three problems a new CEO is likely to face from current employees in an organization?


2. 2. A new CEO should consider the first 100 days as the new leader to do what two things?

Decision Making Using "Smart" Information

With the pace of business on an increasing trend, decisions are now being made at Internet speed. However, this gives a manager less time to make corrections in the event that the decision is flawed. Therefore, it is essential that managers retrieve "smart" information to make effective decisions. The following website provides the results of a survey conducted by Informix highlighting the decision-making preferences of individuals in different countries.

Visit http://www.informix.com/informix/idq/index.htm . Click on executive summary and answer the following questions.

1. Based on the survey findings, which country's workforce was most stressed, with 96 percent of that country's respondents stating that decision making is stressful?


2. Although "dependability" was the most favored fact sorting style among all countries, two countries felt that the ability to "sort facts from emotions" was the most valuable. Identify these two countries.


3. According to the survey findings, which country's decision making is based primarily on intuition?


4. List and briefly discuss the five points the survey suggests that today's managers need to focus on.

Managerial Decision Styles

Making decisions is regarded by some as easy, whereas others view this task as a major challenge. Depending on the personality of the decision maker, the choice will vary according to the type of data required by the individual to make the decision. The following article presents an interesting analysis of four different types of decision-making styles.

Visit http://www.ebl.org/dms.html.

Click on "DMS article-Ingredients for an Effective Team," and answer the following questions.


1. According to this article, what are the four different types of decision making styles?


2. In which decision style does an "Entrepreneur" fit?


3. In which of the following decision-making styles do "Lone Rangers" fit?


4. What are four characteristics of "an Integrator"?