For this exercise, you will identify and analyze a case of CEO succession. Working in small groups, find a publicly held firm that has changed CEOs. The turnover event must have happened at least twelve months ago but no more than twenty-four months ago. Use a combination of company documents and news articles to answer the following questions:

1. Why did the CEO leave? Common reasons for CEO turnover include death or illness, retirement, accepting a new position, change in ownership or control, or termination. In cases of termination, there is often no official statement as to why the CEO departed. Consequently, you may have to rely on news articles that may speculate that a CEO was fired or forced to resign.

2. Did the replacement CEO come from inside the organization or outside?

3. What are the similarities and differences between the new CEO and the CEO who was replaced? Possible comparison items could include functional experience, industry experience, etc. If your library has a subscription to Hoovers Online, you can find information on top managers through this resource.

4. At the time of the succession event, how did the firm’s financial performance compare to industry norms? Has the firm’s standing relative to the industry changed since the new CEO took over?

5. Has the firm made major strategic changes since the succession event? For example, has the firm made major acquisitions or divestitures since the succession event? Launched or closed down product lines?

Create a PowerPoint presentation that presents your answers to each of the above questions. Your presentation should be brief, consisting of no more than five to seven slides.