For Poppema, it's a matter of establishing credibility.
"Plausible deniability does not work before Congress," she said. "You have to maintain credibility and integrity in that situation. It's not plausible or credible not to know what the company is doing."
Several consultants say WorldCom's CEO John Sidgmore, promoted from vice chairman in April, should differentiate himself from former Chief Executive Officer Bernard Ebbers, ousted that same month. Ebbers was chief executive when WorldCom misclassified US$3.9 billion in operating costs as capital expenditures, resulting in a false US$1.2 billion profit for last year.
Whatever the strategy, consultants advise against fighting Congress. "It's hard to beat up on somebody who doesn't fight back," Poppema said.
She stages mock hearings in which executives are peppered with tough questions. "Some people have to practice telling the truth," she said.
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