Bill Amelio Talks Strategy before Departing as Lenovo CEO
During the World Economic Forum at Davos, which ended February 1, Wharton management professor Michael Useem interviewed Bill Amelio, then CEO of the Chinese computer maker Lenovo Group, about the company’s strategy for dealing with the current downturn in the computer industry and in global markets overall. On February 5, Lenovo announced that chairman Yang Yuanqing would replace Amelio as CEO, and that co-founder Liu Chuanzhi would become board chairman. Lenovo joins a list of other high-technology companies – including Apple and Dell — whose founders have, at one point, stepped away from the CEO role, only to return to that position several years later during particularly challenging times in the industry. Amelio, who previously headed up Dell’s Asia-Pacific operations, was appointed CEO of Lenovo in 2005, shortly after the company acquired IBM’s personal computer business. Below is an edited version of the conversation with Amelio.
Snapshot in Time
Wharton management professor Michael Useem interviewed Bill Amelio during the World Economic Forum at Davos, one week before Lenovo announced it was removing him as CEO.
February 9, 2009
• 1 min read
Comments
New This Week
Podcast
Social Security Is Running Out of Time
Kent Smetters, faculty director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, examines potential benefit cuts, tax increases, and a higher retirement age as policymakers confront Social Security’s looming shortfall.
Podcast
Why Your Best Customers Can Be Your Best Marketers
Lindsey Carter, founder and CEO of SET Active, explains how the brand builds community through product drops, customer advocates, and social storytelling.
Podcast
Inside MLB’s New Strike Challenge System
Joe Martinez, MLB vice president of on-field strategy, explains how the automated ball-strike challenge system balances accuracy, pace, and player strategy.
