1. Startup.com 1.Give a comprehensive explanation for the failure of gOVWORKS.COM, looking at such factors as strategy, leadership, execution, marketing, competition, etc. 2.Startup.com is an example of direct (fly-on-the-wall) cinema. What entrepreneurial and aesthetic problems did its creators (Jehane Noujaim, Chris Hegedus) have to solve in terms of conception and implementation and how did they solve them?

2. Startup.com discussion After question 1: Tom Herman’s post-mortem Government websites Don Tapscott’s view Tuzman as leader, manager Herman as leader, manager

3. Startup.com discussion After question 2: Noujaim, Hegedus statement Contrast narrative approach with Enron, City Hall Ethical issues in funding (Gimme Shelter) Some differing assessments of Startup.com Where are they now?

4. The Insider – February 18 1. The Insider focuses on two industries, big tobacco and “infotainment.” Discuss each in terms of corporate strategy to maximize the value of shareholder equity, competitive threats, how ambitious employees succeed, and the regulatory environment. Do you think Bergman’s comment “the press is free to anyone who owns one” is as true now as it was in 1999?

5. The Insider 2. We have now discussed the following movies and industries: Enron (energy), Startup.com (IT startup), The Insider (tobacco, broadcast media). What appears to be the dominant fable about the private sector in terms of i) corporate objectives and what they exclude, ii) strategy, iii) organizational culture? You can consider other movies you are aware of. What reasons would you give for the emergence of this dominant fable? What would a counter-fable look like?