In illustrating this concept, Gladwell introduces us to W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., a maker of fabrics, cables and consumer products that's best known for its GORE-TEX weatherproof outerwear. One of the many things that make Gore so fascinating -- and potentially important to CIOs -- is its dogged devotion to the Law of 150. The company limits all of its facilities to 150 employees or fewer, and each of its plants are self-contained, single-product operations that incorporate every department necessary to make and sell that particular product -- from design and manufacturing to marketing and sales.