Please respond in writing to the issues presented in this case by preparing two documents: a communication strategy memo and a professional business letter. In preparing these documents, you may assume one of two roles: you may identify as a Cerner Corportation senior manager who has been asked to provide advice to Mr. Neal Patterson regarding the issues he and his company are facing. Or, you may identify yourself as an external management consultant who has been asked by the company to provide advice to Mr. Patterson.

Either way, you must prepare a strategy memo addressed to Neal Patterson, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the company, that summarizes the details of the case, rank-orders the critical issues, discusses their implications ( what they mean and why they matter), offers specific recommendations for action (assigning ownership and suspense dates for each) and shows how to communicate the solution to all who are effected by the recommendation).

You must also prepare a professional business letter for Mr. Patterson's signature. That document should be addressed to all Cerner Corporation employees.