The discussion inevitably turns to the changes at Home Depot under its chief executive, Robert L. Nardelli.

Under its chief executive, George L. Lindemann, Southern Union has become the nation's third-largest pipeline company.

The German media group Bertelsmann might have been a likely bidder under its former chief executive, Thomas Middelhoff.

Under its new chief executive, Ed Zander, Motorola has also cut development costs and the time it takes to introduce new phones.

But under its chief executive, John G. Breen, who was hired in 1978, a turnaround began that hasn't stopped.

The company enjoys a reputation as one of the finest book publishers in the country under its chief executive, Alberto Vitale, but profits are lagging.

For now though, the company, under its chief executive, John Robb, is going it alone.

Elf was also plagued with image problems thanks to a series of scandals under the company's previous chief executive, Loik le Floch-Prigent.

One of Prudential's first moves under its new chief executive was to close down its estate agency business, which began in 1985.

Hewlett-Packard's earnings report represents the first in-depth look at the company's performance under its new chief executive, Mark V. Hurd.