Task 1: AOL AND TIME WARNER: FRAGILE PROMISES
. Why did the media refer to the merger as the deal of the century?
. Why was Time Warner eager to merge with AOL?
. What challenges did AOL and Time Warner face as a merged company?
. How is the company doing financially? How much turnover has occurred among high-level executives? If any parts of the business have been sold off, what has the acquiring company said about future prospects?
Task 2: THE AX FAILS ON SUNBEAM'S CHAINSAW AI.
. Why were Dunlap's goals unrealistic for Sunbeam?
. Was Dunlap's slice-and-dice plan a long-term or short-term strategy. PLEASE EXPLAIN.
. Why did Dunlap's turnaround strategy backfire?
Task 3: HARLEY-DAVIDSON FROM DYSFUNCTIONAL TO CROSS-FUNCTIONAL.
. During Teerlink's tenure as Harley's Chief Financial Officer, was the organization structure flat or tall? Centralized or decentralized? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER
. As Chief Executive Officer, how did Teerlink change the organizational structure?
. Why does Harley-Davidson include outside suppliers on its cross-functional teams?