http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-27/hp-s-whitman-focuses-on-hardware-while-lane-leads-software.html
This article is discusses the recent changes in Hewlett-Packard. Just a few months ago HP announced that they were going to stop producing PC's. I found this to be very shocking seeing as PC's is HP's number one business. Then in this article I found out HP is no longer doing that. They have decided to bring two employees up to new positions when CEO Leo Apotheker stepped down. HP brought in Meg Whitman to be Co. CEO and Ray Lane to be Executive Chairman. Between the two of them they have split up the work; Whitman taking charge of computer hardware and corporate functions while Lane takes care of software and technology services. Because HP would lose about $2.5 billion if they cut out PC's it has become necessary that Lane and Whitman can handle the PC aspect of the business. Because they are splitting up the work and trying to keep this company from losing money they must work together as a flawless team. Although they must have coworkers beneath them to help out with the work, it is pertinent that they work together and make sure their work matches up so that they can keep HP a float. Whitman was only willing to take over the position as long as Lane took over being Executive Chairman. I feel that this is great that she looked at how much work she needed to do and realized that she would need someone's help. She knows how much help working as a team can be and that the end product will be better than if she were to do it on her own. It is hard though to be able to work as a team properly especially in the beginning. I feel that the two is doing a great job of this so far, they check in with each other daily to make sure they're on the same page and they even have weekly meetings to go over everything that they are doing.
Now that it seems HP has their PC operations back up and under control the topic of tablets comes up. HP had a tablet PC but got rid of it shortly after even though it was a great success. One might question whether they will bring back the tablet. I have to question whether this is too much for the team to handle. If they needed two people to handle just the PC division and Lane is only devoting 30% of his time to the team then how can they expect to add another product. Would it be better to add another teammate or would the team become too big and too much to handle. Or should HP expect Lane to devote more than just a mere 30% of his time. How can a team work effectively if one of the key members isn't putting their all in it?
~Rebecca Doukas
I think that HP needs to focus on getting their core business, laptops and PCs, up and running before they focus on bringing back the tablet. Since HP has been going through so much change in the last few months with a new CEO and bring up two employees to top positions, they need to get their routine down before trying anything else. Most of the new top positions have never worked together before, so they need to take their time getting to know one another and getting to know the company. Once they feel that they know the company, then they can start introducing new products again.
ReplyDeleteThe new CEO, Whitman, is very good at handling teamwork. She knew that she would need help with the PC aspect and she wasn’t afraid to ask for it. That is one of the best traits of a good leader – don’t be afraid to ask for help. Since Lane is only dedicating 30% of his time to the team, they should wait before moving forward with a project. Lane sounds very busy, so only being able to give 30% will not encourage team work within the other members. Lane should be dedicated to the team, or allow someone else to take his position on the team.
--Kristi Rudin
I believe they should not bring someone else in to try and tap into the tablet market. HP needs to make sure that the PC side of its business is where it needs to be at in their eyes and in market share. Having another person who is in an top position all working together would create to many problems. It would be difficult to communicate having three leaders. It would also lead to arguments on who has the best ideas.
ReplyDeleteIf Lane does not have the time to devote more than 30% of his time because he busy with other work it will not be possible to devote more time without working more hours. Whitman knows how to work in teams and manage them. She knows how much time Lane can help out and can plan accordingly. If 30% of Lane's time is not enough, then Whitman needs to tell him that he needs to make more to contribute to the team or replace him with someone else that can devote more time.
-Steven Stanek