Crunch time for IBM and HP: Can Palmisano and Fiorina deliver the goods?

One of the most famous names in modern computing will turn 80 years old in 2004. And IBM’s new CEO Sam Palmisano will be hoping the birthday celebrations are especially long and jubilant as he sets out on the difficult path of restoring the technology giant to the heady days of its successful past. Similarly, across the US at Hewlett‐Packard, CEO Carleton “Carly” Fiorina is battling to control HP’s most ambitious venture in its 64‐year history.