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Technology Stocks : Compaq -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: rudedog who wrote (79980)	3/23/2000 4:53:00 PM
From: Mao II	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 97611

Hi rude: You are quite correct regarding the functions and responsibilities of the CEO. And people should remember that it was not the appearance of the rumor that prompted a response from Lulubelle today; it was a bogus report on Yahoo, which clearly was taking the bearish case well beyond rumor. With CPQ, unfortunately, there is a history the company must contend with. Previous management left, shall we say, under a cloud. The company has worked hard to rebuild credibility on the street and among shareholders. It is THAT which is now in question. While it isnt necessarily the responsibility of the CEO to come out with some kind of statement, it seems to me that the company should very carefully consider whether the simplicity of silence is a better course than a statement which both clarifies the immediate facts and affirms that a new leaf has been turned and management credibility and responsibility to a broad constituency are now taken seriously. That of course assumes the rumor is false. M2

To: rudedog who wrote (79980)	3/23/2000 5:04:00 PM
From: Loki	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 97611

rudedog...RE: "What storm" CPQ has been in one for some time. Aggregate, no profit in 3 years! Loss of credibility, distribution, etc. While MC is trying (I hope) to sail this ship, as new captain, all eyes (WS, employees, and partners) are on him. Everyone is looking for him to straighten the ship after each wave knocks it off course. 1-Day 10% market cap loss is a big wave. If Capellas was CEO of a company with consistent (positive) track record, earnings visibility and credibility, I might see that he needn't say something. Not in this situation! RE:"why do so many on this board think the CEO's primary job is PR and rumor management?" Gerstner and Armstrong are excellent PR people who have created wealth for their shareholders. Obviously, I have CPQ stock to make money and would appreciate MC doing the same for me what other CEO's, with good PR skills, have done for their shareholders. RE: "the appropriate response would be a carefully thought-out communication," A blind man with a cane could see this situation coming. After the past two years CPQ experience Capellas should have been ready with a statement and the proper financial information to back up his statement (at least to himself), even if he didn't need it. It is the CEO and his actions that often influences with whom the corporation associates....employees, WS, and partners. Loki We might disagree on this issue...but look at my posts on EP and EM over two years ago. "Nieden im Nadelstreifen"