Change is something everyone experiences, it’s inevitable for anyone and anything especially businesses. As the culture, demands, and economic shifts occur throughout our society, leaders of organizations must effectively prepare their companies for change or risk failure. Don Ruiz, Chief Executive Officer of Gene One, was developing a plan to foster positive change within the organization. Mr. Ruiz intended to have Gene One go public by means of an Initial Public Offering (IPO), within the next 36 months. Due to Mr. Ruiz’s untimely death, the plan was never implemented.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a change strategy that can be used in order to bring about effective change to the leadership structure within Gene One and ensure an overall successful outcome for the company.

Present Day Gene One:

In order to successfully develop a plan to alter the leadership structure within Gene One, one must first dissect the existing leadership hierarchy within the company.

Gene One was the first biotech company of its kind to eradicate disease in tomatoes and potatoes through gene technology. Gene One’s development eliminated the use of unnatural pesticides being used when growing these plants. As a result of their technology, Gene One grew to a $400 million dollar company in just eight short months.

The current buzz on Wall Street has indicated significant growth and interest in the biotechnology industry; investors are ready to invest in this particular market and ready to do it yesterday. The buzz has sparked Gene One implement an Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next 36 months, which will allow for a 40% annual growth.

Gene One must re-evaluate its leadership structure based on the current and potential skill level and working style of the team. The development of an IPO requires strict attention and focus on the requirements outlined by the federally mandated Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOA). The SOA requires that an IPO Board have at least one...