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E140A
- Session 15
Founder-CEO Succession
Summary
The Wily Technology case addresses a critical stage in a new venture's development, when the founder who has been leading the company is being replaced by a professional CEO.
It examines the events, conditions, and founder characteristics that precipitate such a change, and the issue of whether the founder should remain in the company after the succession event and in what role.
Guest
Peter Fenton biography
Peter Fenton video clip collection on the Stanford Educators Corner (optional)
Required Readings (Policy
on Required Readings.)
- Case: Wily Technology
(Purchase online)
- Harvard Business Review article titled "The Founder's Dilemma" by Noam Wasserman, Product#: R0802G, Published: February 01, 2008.(see here for directions on downloading this HBR article)
Study Questions (Policy
on Study Questions.)
- What are the risks of removing Lew Cirne? Of keeping him?
- What are the pros and cons of Wily's approach to finding a new CEO?
- As Lew Cirne, why would Dick Williams want to replace you as Chairman?
- As David Strohm, if Lew rejects Dick Williams' demand and threatens to leave Wily, what would you do?
Assignment
Pretend that you are David Strohm. How will you encourage Lew Cirne to accept the deal and what actions will you take to ensure a smooth transition? (Post your response to the MFP Forum under the session assignment topic.)
Note: Only one submission is required from the opening team. All others must submit individual entries.