EE204: Business Management for
Electrical Engineers and Computer Scientists

Meg Whitman at eBay, Inc. (A)

Read

1. Read: Skill set of the CEO
2. Read: What Really Works
3. Read: Meg Whitman at eBay, Inc. (A)

Case Summary

Meg Whitman takes over as CEO of eBay from the founder. She must figure out how to lead the company through a stage of phenomenal growth without compromising eBay's unique external customer culture and internal culture--its key success factors. We examine the role of the CEO from the hiring of Meg Whitman in 1997 through her recent decision to resign.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Meg Whitman hired? What was Meg’s biggest weakness as a CEO candidate?
2. Describe the Omidyar Whitman relationship?
3. Describe Whitman's communications style and how she creates change in the organization?
4. From the article "What really Works" describe and evaluate the critical 4 aspects of eBay’s
   1. Strategy
   2. Execution
   3. Culture
   4. Structure
5. Again from the article select and describe and evaluate eBay's 2 secondary strengths
1. Talent
2. Innovation
3. Leadership
4. ergers and partnerships (and in this context evaluate and make a recommendation on the Krause International acquisition proposed in the case)
6. Are there warning signs of the "tumbling” of eBay?
7. Meg Whitman has resigned from eBay. What might be involved in her decision?