Boards have many resources available to them, but some are quite expensive, such as the senior partner at BigLaw. Boards have a great deal of information available to them, but much of it is not independent, such as data from management. Boards have many outside parties trying to influence them, but some outsiders are not always deeply familiar with technology or business, such as activist shareholder groups.

Sometimes though, what Boards need most are independent, experienced professionals who can provide practical coaching to the Board as a whole on key issues and practices. This is where organizations like NACD are so valuable.

The customers and the channel will determine if this company will survive; presuming that the rank and file staff have not all jumped ship. While the employment market is bleak, the stronger/richer/uncompromisable staff have been abandoning ship for quite some time. This will exasperate the situation.

My company has already removed HP from the list of approved vendors; long term product support will not be forthcoming.

If HP is hoping to play the retail market, I do not believe that can be executed in the form they currently have.

There is a glimmer of hope if they would return to the smaller decision pods that were once a foundation of HP. While that fell out of favor and was squashed by Ms. Carly Fiorina – that just might work.