The Big Board also asked both investors and financial executives of companies whose shares were publicly traded what they knew about program trading.

These officials have been out and about in the city, asking chief executives what they can do to make them happy.

Now he has a new movie, "The Big One," in which he tries to ask various chief executives the same thing.

He liked the experience enough to ask top executives and senior managers at his 20 hotels to do the same.

Ask corporate executives about how things are shaping up, however, and the stress will be elsewhere.

Mr. Gural will ask other executives to pony up for his special causes.

Ask executives about profitability pressures and they will list the steps they are taking to gain market share.

But it has been able to ask executives of the holding company questions from time to time.

American officials have also been asking executives whether they would be willing to accept a code of conduct for American companies in China.

The company has sought to shore up its board, asking experienced corporate executives to serve as independent directors.