Subscribe to the Three Star Leadership Blog

The 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.

Follow me on Twitter

For weekly tips and resources pointers, check Wally's Three Star Leadership Letter

Find out more about having Wally speak to your company or convention.

Find out more about Wally's coaching services.

Every week, reporters around the continent write great business stories that don't make it onto your screen or into your local paper. And every week I scour newspapers around the continent to identify five of those great stories to enrich your weekend reading. This week I'm pointing you to stories about the new GM, the entrepreneurial spirit in a recession, high tech doesn't mean computers, a problem you most likely haven't thought about, and one man who changed one thing for the better.

And now, here are five great local business stories from this past week.

From the Detroit Free Press: GM has new name, same faces at top
"How does one change a company culture when the same old group of people is in charge?"

Wally's Comment: GM's out of bankruptcy after just 40 days. Now what? If anybody can parse the issues, it's Tom Walsh, the Detroit Free Press automotive industry columnist.

From the Miami Herald: Recession can't stop entrepreneurial spirit
"In a good economy, Americans start hundreds of thousands of new businesses every year. And in a bad economy, like today's? They do pretty much the same thing. "

Wally's Comment: Entrepreneurs just don't know when to stop starting businesses. Here's a piece that will make you feel good and maybe give you a few ideas.

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Battery innovation thrives in area
"As an energy producer, wind is fickle: Maybe it'll blow when you need it. Maybe not. So the race is on to find more efficient ways to store the electricity wind produces when it's blowing, so the lights can stay on when it isn't. A Milwaukee company is smack in the middle of that race - a player in a high-tech sector that local economic strategists hope will become a growth engine for the region."

Wally's Comment: Batteries just seem so mundane. Unless they're your business, that is.

From the Orlando Sentinel: Alligator hides pile up as buyers tighten belts
"The global recession has taken a big bite out of Florida's alligator farms as slumping demand for luxury goods made of gator skin has left farmers with piles of unprofitable hides."

Wally's Comment: I confess that I never, ever thought about what would happen to the providers of alligator hides when recession hit. But now I know. You will, too, after you read this story.

From the Chicago Tribune: Chicago's 98-year-old pinball wizard has the magic touch for game design
"Steve Kordek, 98, helped make Chicago's game a world favorite"

Wally's Comment: This is the most "feel-good" piece of the week. I love pinball. I'm not talking about the video game that calls itself pinball. I'm talking about the pinball machine with all those lights and bells and the possibility of winning a free game. This story is about Steve Kordek, the guy who changed the game, some 61 years ago. He's still alive. And he's still got a great smile.

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.