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Here are five choice articles from the business press to start off your workweek. I'm pointing you to articles about executive compensation, customer service, and outsourcing.

From the Financial Post: The 'big lie' about executive compensation
"Why is there money in the compensation programs for the chief executives to give back at a time when most businesses are facing unprecedented hardship and not likely to meet their targets? More precisely, why would Mr. Immelt even qualify for a bonus worth almost US$12-million as GE's shareholders have seen the value of their shares sliced in half?"

Wally's Comment: This article asks a question that no one else seems to have thought to ask. Why are boards awarding bonuses to executives whose performance has been awful?

From the New York Times: After Losses, a Move to Reclaim Executives’ Pay
"A growing chorus is demanding that executive pay snared shortly before problems emerged be given back."

Wally's Comment: Gretchen Morgenson analyses the growing movement to claw back some of that compensation. Personally, I'd love to hear John Thain justify why awarding bonuses to Merrill execs right before the merger with B of A became final was a good idea.

From Business Week: Customer Service in a Shrinking Economy
"How companies are struggling to maintain customer service amid sinking sales and declining employee morale."

Wally's Comment: What should you be investing in during this downturn? Customer service? Leadership development? Redecorating the boss's office?

From the Economist: Outsourcing as you sleep
"YOU book a room on the website of a famous international hotel chain. As you arrive to check in, its reassuring brand name is above the door. Its logo is everywhere: on the staff uniforms, the stationery, the carpets. But the hotel is owned by someone else—often an individual or an investment fund—who has taken out a franchise on the brand. The owner may also be delegating the running of the hotel, either to the company that owns the brand or to another management firm altogether. The bricks-and-mortar may be leased from a property firm. In some cases, yet another company may be supplying most of the staff, and an outside caterer may run the restaurants. Welcome to the virtual hotel."

Wally's Comment: Here's a piece from the Economist that strives to answer the question: "When is an Intercontinental Hotel not an Intercontinental Hotel?" That, of course, begs another question: "Should you care?"

From Forbes: Rethinking Outsourcing In The Recession
"Small U.S. clothiers are pulling production back home--and saving money."

Wally's Comment: It used to be that riding the fashion surf was the key to success in the clothing business. It's still important, but so is mastery of the supply chain.

Wally's Working Supervisor's Support Kit is a collection of information and tools to help working supervisors do a better job. It's based on what Wally's learned in over twenty years of supervisory skills training. Click here to check it out.