1. What is the purpose of a succession plan and what are the components of a comprehensive succession plan? 2. How is succession planning for the board and senior management different for companies with controlling shareholders? 3. Identify the problems that arose as a result of HSBC's Chairman succession. What was lacking in HSBC's succession plan? 4. What is the impact of poor succession planning on HSBC and its stakeholders? 5. What are the roles of the Chairman and the CEO? How are they different? What are the attributes of a good Chairman? 6. What are the pros and cons of having the CEO becoming the Chairman? In your view, has HSBC addressed the concerns of the CEO becoming Chairman by appointing the Finance Director as Chairman? 7. How should a company balance its needs against the expectations of external stakeholders with respect to compliance with good practice? 8. Imagine you are Sir Robertson right after the news broke about the CEO threatening to leave. How would you resolve the situation within and outside HSBC to protect the firm from adverse market reaction