Donna Dubinsky & Apple Computer

CONSIDERING ONLY SEGMENT 1: July 1981 to fall 1984

(Donna’s first three years at Apple - before the JIT idea surfaced)

1. Why was Donna so successful during this time period?

2. How do others at Apple (AND YOU) describe her strengths during this time period?

3. How do others at Apple (AND YOU) describe her weaknesses during this time period?

Segment 2: September 1984 (Steve Jobs criticizes distributions’ 1985 business plan) & beyond

1.  How did Dubinsky react to the initial JIT idea and then to the subsequent growing interest in the JIT proposal? Why?

2.  What do you think Donna should have done differently?

- Consider: (1) Her reaction to Jobs’ criticism of the current distribution system (2) the period between Jobs’ initial JIT idea and the strategy review meeting in December 1984 (3) the task force proceedings

3.  What do you think others (Campbell, Weaver, Jobs, Coleman) should have done differently during the above time periods?

4.  Consider the confrontation between Dubinsky and Sculley at the executive leadership experience session at Pajaro.

  1. Why did she do it?

b. What do you think of her approach? If you were Sculley, on your drive home after the confrontation, what would you be thinking about Donna?

Thomas Green Questions:

Please type out a paragraph response to each question below

1.  Describe the work styles and personalities of Thomas Green and Frank Davis.

2.  What is you analysis of Green’s actions and job performance in his first five months? What mistakes has he made?

3.  What are the possible underlying agendas of Davis and McDonald?

4.  Consider the article “Managing Your Boss.” What would you recommend to Green based upon this article?

12 Angry Men

1.  How would you describe Henry Fonda’s style?

2.  Why was Fonda (the architect) so persuasive?

3.  Connect his style to points in the article “The necessary art of persuasion.” Be sure to consider the section on “how not to persuade.”

UpDown

1.  Was the November agreement a good idea? Is reevaluating the agreement now a good idea? Explain.

2.  In general, when is it okay for a party to suggest renegotiating an existing agreement?