NOR TECHNOLOGIES
NOR Technologies is a moderate-sized, publicly traded company. Its specialty is addressing other companies’ technological and integration problems. For example, one major client had allowed its separate divisions to purchase whatever computing equipment they wanted – Macs and PCs, networked servers for some divisions and no network for others, etc. NOR Technologies networked and integrated this company’s computing resources over the course of a six-month period, saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in redundant data entry.
NOR Technologies has experienced growth at or above the industry average for the past five years. The company is facing a number of serious problems. First, a number of major financial decisions have been deferred until the open position of Senior VP for Finance and CFO (chief financial officer) can be filled. Second, the company has experienced explosive growth, causing friction among divisions competing against each other for dominance and leading to a staggering variety of pricing incentives and marketing programs designed by each division. See the organization chart below.
NOR Technologies Organizational Chart
You are Senior VP of Human Resources at NOR Technologies.
Your task is to work with the other senior VPs to recommend to the CEO a Chief Financial Officer for NOR Technologies from the attached list of three finalists. You have two sources of information:
The resumes of the candidates
Research collected from sources within your own division
The information is attached. You should prepare by reviewing your information about the three candidates. Take notes as you do so.
Once you have decided on a ranking of the candidates, fill out the first page of the this preference form.
Next you will meet your fellow senior VPs in the top management team meeting. Keep any notes you will need for the meeting but close this page.
The team will have 20 minutes to make your decision; once the team has decided, fill out the second page of the preference form.
Your role: Senior VP of Human Resources
As Senior VP of Human Resources, you are especially concerned that the new CFO be able to help the company heal its internal wounds. At a minimum, you want to be sure the new addition to the management team does not add to the already rocky relationships among members of the top management team.
Finalists for CFO of NOR Technologies
1 Suzanne T. Valdez
Resume
Current Position
Vice President of Finance, NOR Technologies
Past Positions:
Analyst at Price Waterhouse
Various positions in finance division of NOR Technologies over the last 18 years
Education
Executive MBA, 5 years ago
Research
Personal Attributes
Has a habit of being late to meetings
Good at attention to detail
Other Information Known About This Candidate
Placed first in a local photography contest
Likes to play chess
2 Kristin B. Koljord
Resume
Current Position
Vice President of Finance, Technology Solutions, Inc. (NOR Technologies’ chief competition)
Past positions
Worked for two years in sales for IBM
Various managerial positions at Technology Solutions, Inc
Education
MBA in finance, 15 years ago.
Research
Personal Attributes
An excellent public speaker
Some staff complain that she can be overbearing interpersonally
Detail-oriented personality
Other Information Known About This Candidate
Chaired the United Way charity drive for Technology Solutions, Inc.
Worked in London for two years in the finance division of the European operation of Technology Solutions, Inc.
3 Nancy F. Larson
Resume
Current Position
Vice President of Accounting and Controller, NOR Technologies
Past positions
Securities and Exchange Commission Analyst
Various positions in accounting division at NOR Technologies
Education
MBA, 15 years ago
CPA, 19 years ago
Research
Personal Attributes
Good at attention to detail
Does not remember to recognize the contributions of others once projects are complete
Other Information Known About This Candidate
Completed managerial leadership course offered by the company
Subordinates report that she is demanding, but fair
When you are done
Have you taken notes? Remember to bring them to the group discussion (and close this tab).
Before you proceed with the group discussion, fill out the first page in this preference form. There you are asked to rank the three candidates.