Read the two cases and two articles for this class. The cases are "Life Technologies , Inc. (A)" and "Life Technologies Inc. (B)" and are available on the course website. One article, "Executive Mindscapes" was distributed in class, and the other article, " The End of Delegation…" is in the coursepack, pp. 189-196.

Our visitor will be Joe Stokes, CFO of Life Technologies, Inc.

Be prepared to discuss the case and present your answers to the following questions:

1. Describe Stark Thompson’s perspective or "mindscape" toward IT and his role in managing IT at LTI. How is his approach to IT similar to or different from those in "The End of Delegation…" article?
2. Evaluate the IT Strategy developed in 1997. To what extent is it being fulfilled? Why or why not?
3. Put yourself in the shoes of Joe Stokes, preparing to report to Stark Thompson in October, 1998, on the state of IT. How well has the implementation of the ERP been accomplished? What are the critical success factors to ensure the completion of the ERP implementation and achievement of business benefits from it?
4. What would you advise Stokes and Thompson to do to achieve the potential strategic and competitive role for IT at LTI? Be specific.