Also. . .

* Franklin Covey Co., a provider of leadership training products and services, said it will fire 420 employees and take a $43-million fourth-quarter charge as part of its second restructuring in the last year. The company, which also sells the Franklin Planner personal organizer, said the staff cuts will save it about $20 million a year.

* John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. named President and Chief Operations Officer David F. D’Alessandro as its next chief executive. D’Alessandro, 48, will succeed Stephen L. Brown, 62, on June 1, 2000. Brown, a 31-year veteran of the Boston-based insurer, will remain chairman. D’Alessandro currently oversees Hancock’s insurance and retail investment businesses, as well as its marketing, technology, financial and personnel operations.

* Continental Airlines Inc. followed rivals in cutting commissions paid on tickets sold by travel agents to 5% from 8%. The change, effective immediately, includes a $50 limit on commissions paid for round-trip U.S. tickets and a $100 limit on round-trip international flights.