Startup.com

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 Hermans post-mortem
• Government websites
• Don Tapscotts 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 Bergmans 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?